A working Thrustmaser Cougar HOTAS (i.c.w. rudder pedals)
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Gents.
Back in the day I always had problems with calibration and other issues. Now, for some years I have no problems anymore. I use ‘Dunc’ full DX profile, that comes with the install of BMS. It’s maybe the easiest way, but as I’m not familiar enough with programming the Cougar I use Dunc’s profile and this profile is (for me) just simple and works great.Find the files here:
C:\Falcon BMS 4.35\Docs\01 Input Devices\03 HOTAS Setup\TM Cougar (Dunc_DX)Then: open and follow ‘BMS Device Setup Guide .pdf’ (Chapter 3.1) at this location:
C:\Falcon BMS 4.35\Docs\01 Input Devices\03 HOTAS Setup\Then, if you’re ready to go, watch this very important notice:
AAAAALLLWWWAAAYYYSSS make sure that you run Foxy - CCP first BEFORE LAUNCHING BMS!!! and click on ‘Apply’ to save the settings to the Cougar as shown here:
Last advice: in BMS - SETUP always check your ‘Flight Controls’ and ‘Avionics’ first and make sure that everything is working properly (especially the RADAR Cusrors ‘Left’ and ‘Rigth Toe Brake’), before you enter the 3D world
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@nick-san
Personally I use the “BMS-Full”.key with my own .tmj and .tmm files (basically the real F16 features), and works great. But I’ll take in mind your suggestion. Just in case -
@coral36 Thank you coral36
Yes, I know more pilots have there own tmj and tmm and use the BMS Full profile. I’m really not familiar with the Full BMS profile and always have something not working the way it should be. That’s why I use Duncs’ profile, together with his .tmm and .tmj files.
If I’m not mistaken there are pilots that don’t use a .tmm and .tmj file at all. That’s way above my knowlegde
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@nick-san said in A working Thrustmaser Cougar HOTAS:
Yes, I know more pilots …
In the end, most important is that Cougar works, no matter how
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@coral36 :
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@coral36 - not really “difficult”. I use a Warthog stick, so I don’t use any Profile at all, nor the CCP. I just assign the buttons from within BMS Setup, and it’s all plug and play - I don’t use TARGET either. I use a Realsim TUSBA with my Cougar throttle.
The only “difficult” assignment was the Trigger Detent 1/2 - the trick is to assign Detent 2 first, and then Detent 1, because of the way the switches engage. Once done, it all just works.
You can do the same with a Cougar.
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@stevie
Yes, direct setup is an option that works anyway. However, setting the HOTAS Cougar with Foxy ain’t a rocket science, once understand it’s logic, and allows you to assign a second fuction to the buttons - such the air refuel switch, some voice command, TrackIR reset or main gear handle - that personally I find very useful (You know, TM Hog HOTAS has got many buttons in it’s throttle body that Cougar hasn’t…). Plus, you can peronalize the buttons beheviour. Anyway, most important is that HOTAS works in all of it’s features, all other stuff are details . -
@coral36 - yes, for that I’d have to use TARGET and not Foxy because I usse a Warthog stick (but you can also use TARGET with the Cougar). And I can’t use Foxy with my Cougar TQS because all of the “smarts” are in the stick, and I don’t use the stick - the TUSBA has it’s own setup software package, and also upgrades the throttle from 10 to 12 bit resolution…which is VERY nice!
One of the other tricks to remember when using direct assignments is to use the generic assignment and let BMS figure out what the button is supposed to do - I generally try to use RL HOTAS function and not “add” functions. If the jet don’t do it, I don’t want my setup doing it.
With my FAF setup on my Mac I had a utility called ControllerMate that is WAY easier to use than Foxy or TARGET because it has a graphical interface and is like building flowcharts vice programing. Really, really too bad ControllerMate can’t be ported to the PC. Very, very, powerful utility that works with ANY HID USB device. I didd some wild things there like assigning my Cursor to arrow keys to halt drift, making proportional brakes by modulating key rate, and Paddle+Pinky to command Eject. But once I have my pit built I won’t even need any of that.
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Personally I got rid of Foxy and Target long ago for my Cougar. Too many keypress conflicts for my liking. I use only DX programming in key file for all 9 of my peripherals. It works way better and it accommodates the shifted layer as well. Just save the file and slap it in when you reinstall and you are good to go forever, no more programming ever again.