[simpits-tech] Cougar Mod extension - Request suggestion andfeedback

[Tracy Armstrong]

I do not have my cougar yet, but from what I have read in the manual.pdf (
available for download on the internet @ http://cougar.frugalsworld.com) it
does in fact have a two stage trigger. I should have it sometime with in the
next two weeks, and will follow up on this for you.

Frosty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marv RR" <mdebeque@woh.rr.com>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Cougar Mod extension - Request suggestion
andfeedback


> Thanks, Steve, for the link.
>
> I have reviewed the pictures that show the grip and its connector.
>
> I don't like the connection method that was chosen for the grip, but
looking
> at the internal view of the end shows me that I can fashion an adapter
that
> will allow me to connect it to my F-16 base.  That is really good news.
>
> Frankly, I don't trust their mounting system to hold up to the force
someone
> might apply to it with a solid F-16 base.  It also does not have the
correct
> angle to it.  The real grip leans forward.  Besides, I think I could make
it
> look a little better in that department, too.
>
> I just happen to have, on loan, a real F-16 Block 50 grip to compare with
> the pictures and I must say that I am impressed with the Cougar.  I would
> love to have one just to compare the feel of the buttons to the real grip.
>
> The real grip buttons are much stiffer than the CH Products joystick I
use.
> It take decisive force to push any button which has a nice snap to it.
>
> The trigger is two-staged.  The first position is for the camera.  The
> second stage, which breaks with a healthy snap action, is the gun.  It
takes
> a good amount of finger pressure to engage the gun.  Looking at the Cougar
I
> think it may be possible to modify it to emulate that two-stage trigger.
>
> I am very much impressed with their grip.  Anyone that owns one is lucky
and
> all I can say is I want one, too.  ;-/
>
> Marv
>
>
> --
>
>
> > From: "Steve Wilson" <mafsix@attbi.com>
> > Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> > Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 18:02:42 -0400
> > To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Cougar Mod extension - Request suggestion
and
> > feedback
> >
> > Albert, I couldn't find the image file, but I agree with you.
> >
> > I've been considering what I'm sure is a similar extension of the Cougar
FLCS.
> > Essentially, one simply attaches the Cougar grip to a mount similar to
the one
> > that our clever bud Marv designed for his own pit.  The base of the Coug
is
> > then mounted at about deck level directly underneath, only 180 degrees
> > reversed.  A short extension cord connects the two electronically.  Then
a
> > simple, straight extension goes from the base of the grip down to some
sort of
> > simple cage style gimbal mounted on the base in place of the stick.
Voila -
> > short throw Cougar.
> >
> > This is 100% harmless to the FLCS side.
> >
> > On the other side of the pit, things get more fun, however.  The
internal
> > wiring of the TQS would very likely have to be cut and extended about
five
> > inches so that a realistic replica or real world F-16 TQS arm
(preferred)
> > could be substituted for the shorter arm that comes with the product.
There
> > are some great internal pix of the TQS on
> > http://mpgnetz.de/images/cougar/sh.html that really feed the imagination
for
> > this part of the project.  I don't have the Cougar myself, just yet..
:-(
> >
> > Lots of wires in there!
> >
> > After grafting the handle atop the throttle arm, one also has to figure
out a
> > suitable way to graft the hub back onto the shaft of the original TQS.
I
> > think that will have to be via some sort of indirect attachment via a
simple
> > linkage, however, to keep things from becoming too encumbered.  A Real
World
> > TQS arm does have a rather nice ball bearing pivot, and it would be a
shame
> > not to use it.  ;-)  If one could disconnect the internal plug and
interpose
> > some sort of extension, that would be cooler, however, and more
reliable.
> > With a little luck, one may be able to avoid any hacking and slashing,
and
> > have reasonable hope of maintaining their warranty.  The hard part would
be
> > getting the somewhat complex and wide plug out through the throttle
pivot, a
> > not-so-easy task, I fear.
> >
> > Still, with relatively little trouble, I'm sure we can completely hide
the
> > Cougar bases in our F-16 pits, and come away with one good looking,
reliable
> > and sanity preserving solution.
> >
> > Steve
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: A L B E R T
> > To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 5:12 PM
> > Subject: [simpits-tech] Cougar Mod extension - Request suggestion and
feedback
> >
> >
> > Guys,
> >
> > after we talked much the tight space we have got and how much Gene has.
I
> > spend tonight holding my cougar stick...thinking its not really hard to
modify
> > to sit in the f16 cockpit to its side stick position...
> >
> > I upload the picture to the simpit file section called cougar mod.jpg .
I am
> > sure Marv has already thought of something. However, this idea came to
my head
> > and I want to share it with you and get some comment on the design.
> >
> > First of all, I am no craftsman...I come up with the idea not know how
on
> > earth to machine the thing and its really frustrating...especially with
metal.
> > Second of all, the aim of this design is to minimise the heart break of
> > breaking apart a 300 dollars joystick. Finally, I tried to keep the
realistic
> > measurement in mind. All measurement used in this concept sketch is only
> > approximation.
> >
> > I first tried my hands on the cougar and was very disappointed that the
stick
> > still swing quiet alot side by side i.e. its still far too loose
compared to
> > the real movement on the FLCS. Also, the base of the stick is rather
big. As
> > you all know. The F16 FLCS has a small base sitting under the stick
> > itself...something like a pressure actuator? (Help me here pogo, I seen
you
> > have a real stick on your site :)
> >
> > Due to those reasons, I thought the cougar might be good for the desk.
but not
> > so much for the pit... But anyway...I brought it! Cant help
it...ouch...that
> > hurts! and the obvious aim now is to try get the stick into the cockpit.
> > That's how I came up with this little design so I dont have to break the
> > stick. yet I can still create the base of the FLCS and hide the actual
> > cougar's base under the panel. If one day I have to pull the cougar out.
I
> > simply remove the extension and the stick is back to its normal self
again.
> >
> > I spend the whole night drooling on this idea. so I started drawing it
up in
> > Illustrator (I dont know how to use CAD programs). I have absolutely no
idea
> > how I can make this thing myself. I am not skilled in metal at
all...creating
> > the screw tracks for the cougar to screw on the top and a male
attachement
> > like the existing one on the cougar will definetly out of my area of
> > expertise. Any comment and suggestion will be appreciated. I honestly
just
> > want to pay someone who knows how to machine such part for a decent
cost.
> >
> > Anyway, its sunrise...I better get to bed. My simpit habbit has once
again
> > ruin my sleeping pattern. :(
> >
> > Albert
> > Sydney, Australia
>
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