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Rating: 
Summary: Simply a Fantastic Flight Control System
Review: From the looks, feel, and mechanical function of the Hotas Cougar to it's programming flexability, it is quite simply the best flight control system, beyond the cockpit, that I have ever used. Yes I have bought, used, and enjoyed several other joysticks; but now, after using the Hotas Cougar, I don't believe I would ever settle for anything less.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy Duty Joystick
Review: I've read tons of reviews on the TM Cougar before I finally gave in, got my pennies together, and ordered it. All the reviews I read raved about it being the ultimate HOTAS setup for serious flight sim fans. Well, I've had my Cougar now for a few weeks and for the most part, I'd have to agree. It is a quality piece of hardware with very sophisticated programing abilities that's built to last. However, I think if your like me, you'd be led to believe that the Cougar is damn near perfect, especially with the hefty price tag, but you'd be wrong. There are a few serious points to be aware of before you rush out and spend your hard earn cash on your very own Cougar HOTAS.The most serious (for me) is the clunky stick feel. Everyone warns you about the strong stick resistance but none of the reviews I read at the time mentioned how difficult it is to control the stick smoothly, transitioning from one quadrant to the other (areas between the x & y axis). This is NOT a silky smooth stick out of the box. Far from it. The strong spring resistance is something I don't mind at all if it was smooth, but the cougar (because of the 2 spring, gimble design) has a tendency to "drop" into one of the axis' as you move it from one quadrant to the other causing the plane your flying to jerk or pull suddenly in the axis it drops into. Needless to say, this can be very frustrating when your .15 km behind a Bf109, manuevering to get that perfect deflection shot. There are modifications to correct this "characteristic" of the Cougar and a very strong, dedicated community of Cougar owners with advice and expertise to help modify your Cougar to your liking. Just be aware, some of the modifications will cost more then the price of the HOTAS itself. If your looking for a silky smooth stick feel with precise control throughout the complete range of movement of the stick, the Cougar may not be the HOTAS for you, at least not right out of the box. If your looking for a solid, high quality, built like a tank, HOTAS that you can get under the hood of and "Hot Rod" to your specs, then look no further. You have found nirvana.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy duty HOTAS
Review: THE GOOD
The Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS stands unique amidst it's peers. I Know of no other controller outfit that weighs in like this metal duo.
The Cougar is literally heavy and generously laden with function. Extensively configurable; designed for the most serious flight simulation enthusiast. Ergonomically accurate we're told, as close to the real thing without being attached to an F16 -- and all quite believably true.
The HOTAS has serious firmware, software and hardware support from a strong user base. http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/ offers a terrific home for Cougar owners. Cougar's World has an admirable compliment of information, files and web links.
THE BAD
Into year two, the HOTAS is a disappointment; here's why:
The flight stick has moderate spring resistance in direct X-Y movement. But diagonal movement requires nearly double effort simply because resistance comes from two springs instead of one. This may seem like a logical condition but it is the first stick in my possession that it becomes an obvious issue. The added effort isn't something to complain about from a hand/arm strength perspective but very fine adjustments really become difficult under the pressure. A niggling complaint that is almost embarrassing to mention is that I have to move my hand up off the stick's hand rest ledge when engaging the primary hat switch or pickle button. A very large hand will likely not experience this, but for me, with a large-medium size hand, it is something I noticed right away and would cut the stick length by an inch if I were part of the Cougar design team. I'm not even going to mention the persistant cold metal feel of these aluminum controllers in a cool room.
Now for a valid complaint: With VERY moderate use of less than 25 hours, the potentiometers have begun to spike and lose center. Primarily the X axis but the Y is showing signs of failure as well. Just as disappointing is the free play at center that is ever growing. A sliding switch on the throttle seemed to engage strangely from the first. Initially I considered the action accurate in order to differentiate it from the other similar dogfight switch above it. As use has worn into the switch, it becomes obvious that it has been, and is becoming, more defective. It often doesn't register a right side input and hardly snaps into the right end hold position. When it does, it is barely engaged. The centering action is now almost totally gone as well, as though a spring return is going to soon resign the job.
THE UGLY
Paint on the flight stick handle seems to have never fully dried, at least in one spot, as there is an area of soft erosion taking place where the low luster black is turning into a very flat tone with a rough, crumbling surface.
I wish I had not bought the Cougar. With it's current condition, I would have to sell it at a fraction of what I paid. Repairing it is not something I want to undertake. The pots may not be too tough but the sliding switch on the throttle looks to be very difficult to get to.
Buy the Cougar if you want a unique masterpiece for diehards. Look for something else if you don't mind plastic, mass produced, modern flight controllers.
Rating:
Summary: It is worth the upgrade
Review: Upgrading from the F22 to the Cougar Hotas joystick is well worth while. With it now getting more difficult to use the F22 due to XP disabling the keyboard port for software, thiw will take away all those problems. Foxy software is now included in the package and with the GUI interface makes it easier to program for novices. There is still the editor interface for the more experienced and you can take across you previous configs (with some minor modifications). The installation is not as easy as it might be and if you are using XP you will need to disable the power saver on your USB ports. It supports the use of analog rudder pedals and the CH analog ones now work correctly with this product. You don't need the magic rddr line for your configs for this to work with this device. the only point against it is the fact you cannot intergrate USB rudder pedals into it. Older flight sims that will only accept input from one input source will not use the USB rudders eg Falcon4. It is simply the best joystick on the market.
Rating:
Summary: Sierra Hotel
Review: What more needs to be said? It's that good. As a long time user of TM gear, I had expected the Cougar to simply be an updated, USB interface, all metal version of the F22 Pro and TQS. I was mistaken. The build quality of the HOTAS is excellent, it feels - and is - extremely solid. There's no chance of flipping it around or over or having it wander across your desk as you use it, which is more than can be said for most of the other sticks on the market. While the springs in the stick are stronger than those in the F22 Pro, it does not feel overly stiff due to the weight of the stick itself. It creates a very nice and smooth balance, and coupled with the significantly improved resolution over the older TM gear it is no problem at all to fly and shoot with extreme precision. For example, when flying in IL-2 with my F22 pro, I had no trouble hitting the targets I wanted. When I first used the Cougar, I was amazed. It was no longer a question of hitting the target I wanted, but /where/ on the target did I want to hit? Suddenly I was able to selectively dismantle enemy aircraft in flight; going for a wing here, an engine there, or even shooting for the cockpit for a quick kill. My first test with it against an Me-323 had me stripping off the outer right wing, followed by the outer left, then the tail section, and finally two of the engines - all while the target was twisting and spiralling toward the ground. The precision and smooth control of the Cougar allows this, and as good as the old F22 Pro is, it just can't come close to allowing me to do that. It is, without a doubt, the finest commercially produced HOTAS to ever hit the market. If you have any inclination at all, I suggest you pick one up, you won't regret it. My last TM HOTAS (the F22 Pro/TQS) has provided me with 8 years of flawless service, and I expect it to easily last 8 more. I see no reason not to expect the same from the Cougar.
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