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

Wed, 24 Apr 2002 13:44:35 -0400

Here is an update of my last e-mail. I was looking at the .pdf manual
version 1.4a. On page 50 of the manual is does state that there is a two
stage trigger accordingly labeled TG1, and TG2.

Frosty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tracy Armstrong" <frostbite01@earthlink.net>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Cougar Mod extension - Request suggestion
andfeedback

> 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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>
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