Thrustmaster F/A-18C Hornet Hotas Add-On Grip - Realistic Flight Stick Replica for PC

Son is loving the new joystick, especially in DCS helicopters. Yes not cheap, but stuff like this never is and worthwhile.

This thing surprised me.Paired with the TM Viper F-16 stick (which I believe is identical to the original Wathog stuck) it is awesome.Now I've come from a Saitek X52 so no surprise... but I also have a Moza R5 direct drive wheel, and this reminds me of it.The resolution is clear to see in 1 percent increments, with the tiniest movement of the stick; zero deadzone; and zero stiction.I am using the Medium Springs and the Aero Cam with MSFS and it is a joy to use.The stick is very heavy so you will need a decent clamp if using on a stand/shelf etc.The only improvement would be more clicky buttons on the stick. So I hope they bring out some new, better sticks for this new base.

Excellent upgrade from a standard Thrustmaster Warthog Base. After reading a myriad of reviews was a little hesitant due to some criticism - but believe it is a definite step up in terms of control. The option to change springs and cams (which is a breeze - and required tools supplied) allows you to customise the feel to exactly how you want, and existing handgrips from Thrustmaster fit. If you have a desktop mount for the old base, the Ava comes with two sets of screw holes on the underside, so fits on older mounts. Just a bit of caution is needed as two of the holes have limited depth, and you can impact the internals if you force things. TM recommends 8mm long screws but I still found these too long - opting for 6mm. The base is powered by USB - the connector at the base being USB C and the other end of the supplied cable being a standard USB connector. The base also has a calibration button (if changing cams etc) along with a small LED (indicating power and also calibration status when setting it up). It took me around 10 minutes to change the springs and cams, and recalibrate the unit (photo showing the fore/aft axis cam and spring - accessed by undoing 4 screws and lifting the base unit cover). In addition to the base and USB lead - you also get one set of different cams and 2 sets of different tension springs, plus 2 'collars' that you can swap out that limit the overall angular movement of the stick.There is talk of a 'wobble' around the centre point - which is noticeable if you knock the stick as it re-centres on the cams. Some reviews lead you to believe this is a problem. It is not, and makes for a very relaxed feel around the centre point - which increases control if say using it for helicopters in DCS.Very good product - and do not regret the purchase one little bit - just wishing I had taken the plunge earlier.Absolutely recommend this product.

Got this due to the similarities to the new F15 module and it didn't disappoint. Great feel to the stick and buttons although the pickle (red top left) feels really far away to reach.Worth noting that the number of buttons between this and the A10 / F16 stick is the same (19) with many buttons in similar or same place (like the trigger etc) so DCS doesn't know the difference between them. This means you can swap back to other airframes with the A10 / F16 stick without having to rebind buttons all over again :-)

Having had the Warthog for a good few years I was quite surprised when I learned this base had been released. I immediately looked into it & decided I had to have one. It hasn’t disappointed, the level of control now available is literally next level. I’ve only used it straight out of the box & haven’t even tried the adjustments that are available. If you own a warthog you NEED this base 👍🏻

Edit: 30/09/2024:Be very weary, Thrustmaster is dragging their feet, with Other addons: Ava Offset Adapter and also the adjustable dampers which were also advertised.They ran out of stock immediately off the Offset Adapters, Why would a company like Thrustmaster make such a small amount of these? Now it is looking like December 2024 before these may become available to purchase again!!I would recommend either going for Virpal, Winwing, or VKB.Just want to say, for thos of you who had the older original Thrustmaster Base and stick.This AVA base is 1000 times better, its smooth, precise, and as good as other similar bases, VKB, Virple....Its compatible with the older Warhog stick, so if you are upgrading from the 2010 Warthog Stick and base, it is well worth it.It took them a long time to catch back up, but they got there, if not a little too late.As force feedback is just starting to come back to the Flight stick market "Moza", who knows, maybe a force feeback variant may come from thrustmaster?

Excellent and quality design! easy to just plug and play with a few tweaks here and there.

Really precise, makes Air to Air refuelling in DCS a doddle, in the A10 that is.