Cougar Throttle question
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The Bodner solution is faster/easier than Arduino as it’s pretty much a drop in…but Arduino would give one more leverage to programming onboard functions - if one requires such.
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I did Uri’s adapter and it works great. Very easy circuit and soldering and super-cheap! Bodnar is much more expensive. For that just use Tusba
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I seem to recall paying more for my TUSBA R2 than my Bodner board(s) (I bought three…) but maybe they’ve gone up since I bought mine. I can attest that both solutions are great, and each has it’s place (I’ve mounted my Bodner inside the TQA base, and other than the USB cable being grey instead of black you couldn’t tell it wasn’t made that way)…I’ll also probably buy Arend’s new TQS adapter too. At this time I’m not sure just what/which I’ll use in my pit, though - probably something other than a Bodner, but still with modifications…which is why I’ll collect and try them all.
I may end up wiring direct into a Pokeys…for both my stick and throttle. Not sure yet, but it’s an option.
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Same here. Still to test the hall potentiometer I have with those choices to see in what it works best
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Arend’s/my TQS adapter are more along the TUSBA spirit, rather then bondar board flexibility.
Yet tailoring a controller for a specific task allows you to do some voodoo level stuff.
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I’m not totally sold on Hall pots…yet. I’ve seen such a big improvement just by increasing the bit resolution of the throttle input that it’s one or the other for me…my guess is that if you do both it will be a wash, and I’m more for the higher resolution. I’ll have to do something “fancy” though, as I have to adapt whatever I do to a real throttle arm.
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I’m not totally sold on Hall pots…yet. I’ve seen such a big improvement just by increasing the bit resolution of the throttle input that it’s one or the other for me…my guess is that if you do both it will be a wash, and I’m more for the higher resolution. I’ll have to do something “fancy” though, as I have to adapt whatever I do to a real throttle arm.
Hall sensors only give you better output consistency over time. they will not “add resolution” on their own after all
AFAIK, some hall sensors will even limit the available output range even more.i.e if you use 180 deg HS on the throttle which travles about 60 degrees (66 of the real thing) you automatically cut your available voltage range by 66%.
using a 90 degrees HS will do better. then if a pot goes from 0V to 5V, HS usually only go 0.5V to 4.5V, 20% off right there…so HS is useless unless you have a device that will boost the actual sample resolution (my favorite is a 4$ 12bit ADC). but with all those losses, you pretty much remain on a 10bit total effective resolution (which is good enough).
I found that the total loss of resolution due to range on the TQS with original pot is about “500 units” out of a 4096 12 bit (so “0.5bit”). Because of this I opted to “upscale” the result back to full 12 bit rather then cutting it down to 11 bits (2048 values)
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Great info uri_ba, thanks! All I can add is that using a 12 rez Bodner with the stock TQS pot is a huge improvement…the combination seems to mate up just right. Same probably holds for the TUSBA, and your adapter by design.
I’ll have to actually mount my throttle arm (I have the whole assembly - friction plate and all) and then see just how I’m going to have to connect things up mechanically to get the full RW throw at the handle. But it’s sounding like once I have a 12 bit A/D it won’t matter if I use a Hall pot or not (if I do I’ll probably look for an automotive one), which is what I was feeling anyway…so I only need choose one that covers my range of throw nicely. We’ll see what happens once I get that far!
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Thanks uri_ba! I also think TUSBA is already a big step forward. I’d still like to upgrade to a hall pot later on. But just replacing the original one - not fancy new constructions with levers etc. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to exist such a potentiometer.
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Hey there… thanks for the info. I also want to ask… remembering years ago my Cougar when we had them running Windows XP I remember some of my cougar buttons wouldn’t program or acknowledge. Now with the Cougar even being older but now as we run Windows 10 or maybe Windows 7, I’m thinking mostly 10,… Does all the functions or buttons program and work with you guys here?
No signal problems?
Thanks
Marc -
No problems with Windows 7.
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Works fine with win10 but see below if you have problem with microstick it took me a year to sort it out.
OMG think I
ve solved it after 1 year here
s how:- 1.Open Foxy 2. Go to cougar menu. 3. Control panel gaming options. 4. Properties. 5. Settings. 6. Calibrate.
Follow instructions nothing showed for rudder or toe brake left or right to start with but when completed everything works fine.
Settings in BMS as per duncs recommendations.
Hope this works for you -
Hi Dolphin, I just want to ask you regarding using your Cougar throttle with windows 10? I assume you use Win 10. But regardless, does all your buttons and controls work without dropping out on that Cougar throttle since you set it up by itself? Can you and or have you programmed all the buttons like in the pdf file from BMS where all the F16 HOTAS is laid out?
Do you like that better than getting by perhaps equivalent with a Warthog throttle? -
I told Thrustmaster this :
What would be a very cool and wise new product I think Thrustmaster should produce is a F16 throttle to add to our Warthogs for single engine aircraft or mainly BMS Falcon. Call it a Block 52 Viper! Have it be a stand alone modern version of the Cougar throttle but with a base the size of the Warthog’s throttle base. It could include the Fuel and aircraft light switches. People search the world over for the old Cougar for BMS Falcon and they pay hundreds of dollars for it. The main thing people are doing with it is just using the Cougar throttle with the Warthog flight stick. Then for DCS world if they ever produce that Hornet or for twin engine action I can just plug in my Warthog Throttle, but for BMS Falcon I can simply switch out with the simplicity of a USB plug. A Thrustmaster F16 Cougar II Block 52!! That would start a revolution. People search the world over for the Cougar’s HOTAS and load that old throttle up and search for parts because the HAT is worn out. I wish Thrustmaster would take that by the ear and produce what would be superb. There is a demand for it. One or two production runs of a Block 52 Viper Throttle would all sell!
MarcUSA
Wishful thinking but what the hell! Might as well tell them the truth or at least what “I” think would be a success. That would be cool man it they would make a Hornet set up. They made the Warthog for DCS’s A10 right?! If they made a F16 Throttle like I mentioned being a modern version with a larger base plate that could have some more functions on it we would all drop our Cougars if it was done right. It would be superb here on BMS Falcon!
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Hi Dolphin, I just want to ask you regarding using your Cougar throttle with windows 10? I assume you use Win 10. But regardless, does all your buttons and controls work without dropping out on that Cougar throttle since you set it up by itself? Can you and or have you programmed all the buttons like in the pdf file from BMS where all the F16 HOTAS is laid out?
Do you like that better than getting by perhaps equivalent with a Warthog throttle?Yes, Win10 Professional, everything works flawlessly via BMS internal config. Just assign the multiple axis and buttons and you are ready to go. I prefer the Cougar over the Warthog throttle because of the immersion factor….
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He Red Dog…
When we purchase the TUSBA and connect it to our Cougar throttle, did you have to install any of that Vista or Foxy stuff? I was just wondering if I can plug that TUSBA to my Cougar’s trhrottle and simply plug it into my system (Windows 10) and will it see it much like my Warthog?Thanx
Marc DFS -
Thank you sir knight! I like your picture logo! It’s character is unique! Reminds me of Kramer ……
Is there a picture to this being as it appears to be in a F16? This isn’t really a picture of you is it?
;p() -
He Red Dog…
When we purchase the TUSBA and connect it to our Cougar throttle, did you have to install any of that Vista or Foxy stuff? I was just wondering if I can plug that TUSBA to my Cougar’s trhrottle and simply plug it into my system (Windows 10) and will it see it much like my Warthog?Thanx
Marc DFSI can confirm that you can plug and about play - forget Foxy and/or TARGET; you may want to keep the CCP…but I’m not really sure what for - oh yeah, your Cougar stick (maybe…) - but you do need to load the interface and firmware from RealSim, with will give you a very nice graphical interface for setting up your TQS.
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load the interface and firmware from RealSim
? Do you have a link? ;p)
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…same place(s) you go to get the TUSBA - download links are on the page(s):
http://www.realsimulator.com/index.html