[simpits-tech] The Cougar Has landed - Mating Season

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 21:55:31 -0400

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<div>Is there a sane way, when=
 operating an EPIC on a second independant PC, to transfer rotary=
 input data to the PC on which one runs one's flight sim? ( I=
 have an ISA EPIC, and I'm pretty sure my ultimate sim PC will=
 not have an ISA slot). </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Will the output of the force transducers be as precise as=
 a Cougar if used on a soundcard gameport? </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Considering how easy it is to unplug the pots on the=
 Cougar, it sure would be simple swap out if the transducers=
 could be electronically adapted. </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Hehe, I've taken my Cougar apart too!!&nbsp;=
 ;-) </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Steve 
--
 
 Steve Wilson, mafsix@attbi.com on 10/16/2002
 
 
 
On Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:47:33 -0400, Marv De Beque wrote: 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; I stole a quick look inside the=
 grip. &nbsp;There is good news and 
:::: &nbsp; bad news: 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; First the Bad News: 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; The screw on gray collar must=
 go. &nbsp;In fact, so too, the shaft 
:::: &nbsp; that it 
:::: &nbsp; attaches to on the grip side.=
 &nbsp;The screw on collar is too big 
:::: &nbsp; for a real 
:::: &nbsp; base. &nbsp;Also, the mounting=
 angle is wrong. &nbsp;The Cougar sits 
:::: &nbsp; strait up off its 
:::: &nbsp; mount. &nbsp;The real grip=
 leans forward 13 degrees. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; I will need to make a coupler=
 that adapts the Cougar grip to 
:::: &nbsp; my base and 
:::: &nbsp; corrects the mounting angle.=
 &nbsp;This will add a little to the 
:::: &nbsp; price of the 
:::: &nbsp; base, but not much. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; The user will need to open his=
 grip to make the mod (4 
:::: &nbsp; screws). &nbsp;Once=
 made, 
:::: &nbsp; it will not fit the original=
 base unless you remove my adapter 
:::: &nbsp; and reinstall 
:::: &nbsp; the original parts. &nbsp;At=
 least it is not a permanent mod. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; Some Good News: 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; I can make an adapter that is=
 easy for the user to install. 
:::: &nbsp; Fortunately, 
:::: &nbsp; Thrustmaster used a tiny plug=
 and socket on the inside PC 
:::: &nbsp; Board for the 
:::: &nbsp; wires, so you can unplug their=
 mount and plug mine in. &nbsp;That 
:::: &nbsp; means no 
:::: &nbsp; soldering required! &nbsp;There=
 is one screw you need to unscrew 
:::: &nbsp; inside the grip. 
:::: &nbsp; It is easy, even for the=
 mechanically declined. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; Right now it looks like I will=
 make an extension cable to plug 
:::: &nbsp; into the 
:::: &nbsp; Cougar base. &nbsp;This will=
 allow the user to keep his software 
:::: &nbsp; the same. &nbsp;I 
:::: &nbsp; don't know how I will interface=
 the output of the force sensor 
:::: &nbsp; to the 
:::: &nbsp; Cougar's base, if at all.=
 &nbsp;If I can, it will require a mod to 
:::: &nbsp; the base. &nbsp;I 
:::: &nbsp; am steering away from that=
 idea. &nbsp;You may need to use the game 
:::: &nbsp; port or EPIC 
:::: &nbsp; for the force transducer=
 interface. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; All in all, it is good news for=
 Cougar owners. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; If you are thinking about a=
 Cougar, I wouldn't hesitate to get 
:::: &nbsp; one. 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; For those guys that have the=
 real grip and base, hang in 
:::: &nbsp; there. &nbsp;After=
 I 
:::: &nbsp; finish my stick base, I'll be=
 building am interface card that 
:::: &nbsp; will allow a 
:::: &nbsp; real F-16 base and grip to work=
 with the PC game port or EPIC. 
:::: &nbsp; &nbsp;;-) 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp; Marv 
:::: 
:::: 
:::: &nbsp;=
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 &nbsp;Thanks! 
 
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