Chunk's
review:
Shortly
after this product's release, I contacted Michael at CH Products to see if he’d
be willing to send me a review copy of the Throttle Quadrant. After some initial miscommunication between Michael and I, the
Quad was sitting on my doorstep a couple of days before Christmas. It was one of the cooler presents I received,
to say the least.
Upon
opening the shipping box, I was surprised to see a box that was smaller
than anticipated. There were no worries after opening the box
and examining the Quad though. As
is usual with CH gear, the Throttle Quad felt heavy and robust. This is a serious device for serious simmers.
I
immediately changed out two of the black knobs with the two included blue
knobs for the twin-engine look. One
of the nice features of the Quad is that you can configure it for either
a Twin-Engine or Multi-Engine aircraft.
I was then ready to plug the device into my PC and start flying. The Quad was plugged in and immediately recognized as a USB controller. In no time flat, the Quad was installed, and I was able to start
up the CH Control Manager software to do some configuring. Now I have to tell you, I’m the type of user who downloads other
people’s profiles and then tweaks them to my liking. I went to the CH-Hangar and immediately downloaded a profile for
Pacific Fighters by Revvin. On
a side note, Revvin is the Administrator of the CH-Hangar. I can’t say enough about this site, and the help it provides to
the CH community.
Usage
in IL-2 + Forgotten Battles + Pacific Fighters:
The
first thing that anyone will notice when flying IL-2 is that the game
does not allow for multiple axis’ to be assigned for multiple engines. This definitely takes away from the immersion felt in game as you’re
only left with TWO options when flying multi-engine aircraft.
The first option allows you to map the throttle
to one axis and activate all engines to operate on that axis. This works quite well and actually emulates
what I do normally when flying with my Pro Throttle.
The second option allows you to take the controller out of DirectX
mode so that you can map keystrokes to the different positions on the
axis’ you want to use to control all of your engines. This is a workable solution but doesn’t allow you minute control
of the engine’s throttle settings.
Here
is how the second option works. You
need to know what keys your 10% incremental power changes, and you increase/decrease
throttle settings (5%) are mapped too in IL-2. You then take the Quad out of DirectX mode and input all of the
keystrokes, from 0% to 100% in the normal key zones in the CH Control
Manager. This does indeed work
in IL-2, but the only drawback is that when you change power settings
with the marked axis’; you can only go in power increments of 5% at a
time. Again, while this is a workable solution, the
loss in precise control persuaded me to not want to use this option very
often. The one plus of this option,
is that it shows the true ingenuity of the CH Control Manager software.
After
resigning to the fact that I’d be using the first option, mapping the throttle
position to ONE axis, I was on my way. The Quad was placed on the front of my keyboard tray and clamped
into position. This was good spot for it, as it allowed for
a full range of motion with the Quad.
I chose a P-38 Lightning and off I went. Revvin’s profile includes Prop Pitch, Mixture, Gear, Flaps, Radiator,
and Throttle mapped to the SIX axis’. This proved to work incredibly well, especially for gear, flaps,
and radiator; as you are able to physically see what position these parts
were in. I went ahead and changed
the assignments for the SIX switches on the front of the Quad. I wanted them to emulate the buttons that I
use on my Pro Throttle.
I
love my Pro Throttle and the precise inputs that it offers, but I was
just as impressed with the Quad in this regard.
After flying for awhile and getting acquainted with what axis was
associated with what control surfaces; it became quite intuitive to use
while in flight. This was especially useful once I was airborne and wanted to set
up a fast cruising speed, while trying to make sure that I was not overheating. It also helped me slow down on my final approach to my airbase. I was coming in fast, and with the easy access to my prop pitch
lever and flap controls, I was able to slow down and level out in time
for a perfect landing right on the numbers.
I
used the Throttle Quad for a solid week with IL-2, and while I was happy
overall with its performance; I still had a few usage issues. The first issue is that while it works very well for level bombing
in an He-111 for instance, I was never able to get a good feel to use
it in fast-paced dogfights. It
may be that I’m so used to using my current profile in conjunction with
my Pro Throttle, but I felt a disconnect while trying to perform some
of the same button presses/keystrokes with the Throttle Quad.
The “feedback” from the front mounted switches feels odd for some
reason.
The
other issue is more of a personal “problem”. I have MASSIVE hands, much like the meat hooks portrayed in the
“Man Hands” Seinfeld episode. The
axis controls are too close together for me to use “eyes-off” manipulation. One too many times I was increasing my throttle, and I would inadvertently
change my prop pitch or my mixture at the same time. I envisioned the Quad being larger, and when
I saw the small box initially; I knew this was probably going to be an
issue for me. I like to have my
hands on the controls at all times, so this will be an ongoing “problem”
for me; unless I get hand-reduction surgery.
The
last issue again relates to having my hands on the controls at all times. I was not comfortable having to manipulate switches on the front
of the Quad while engaged in fighter combat. Again, this was not an issue when flying bombers, as it’s more
slow paced, and there isn’t a constant need for manipulation of buttons
and axis’. This boils down to
personal preference, and I was just never able to get comfortable in a
dogfight setting with the Quad.
While
I may continue to use the Quad in a bomber environment, I am going to
stick with my Pro Throttle when I take a fighter up into the air. I am so satisfied and comfortable with the profile I’m currently
using, and the role that the Pro Throttle plays in that profile, I’m not
willing to make any changes to my HOTAS right now. This is a combination of the my hands being too big for the Quad,
and the fact that the Pro Throttle is so good at what it does.
Usage
in Microsoft Flight Simulator - A Century of Flight:
I
don’t fly MSFS that often, but the Throttle Quad seemed destined to become
a staple of my setup when I did fly this sim. The good thing about MSFS is that you can use a profile within
the CH Control Manager, or you can go into the game’s control setting
and assign everything yourself. I chose the latter option, and assigned all
of my axis’ and buttons in no time at all. I could then go from flying a King Air 350, to a 747-400, and all
I would have to do is change a few settings.
I’ll
admit that most of my trips in MSFS take place in a 747-400, and I’m usually
taking off from SFO, and flying all over the world.
I felt like I finally had a truly immersive setup when I was using
the Quad within this sim. I need to get my hands on a CH Yoke so I can
perform a review with 100% immersion. Nevertheless, I used my Fighterstick in conjunction with the Quad
and they worked quite well together.
As
stated in the IL-2 review section, the Quad really shined for me in a
slower paced environment, where I didn’t have to make constant axis adjustments,
or switch manipulation. So, I was sitting on the tarmac, and after
making all of my pre-flight checks I began to spool up the engines. I have to admit I had a large smile on my face
when I began to push the FOUR throttle levers forward, and all FOUR engines
responded in unison. I let them
spool up, released my wheel brakes, and I was rolling. After rotating, I raised my gear and began
a climb with a slight turn to the West. I was making a short flight to LAX, and I was going to take the
coastal route.
After
I was airborne and up to altitude, I leveled out and engaged the autopilot
(level only).The feeling of immersion was fantastic, as I was able to
look at the throttle section of my cockpit panel on screen, and the Throttle
Quad was the physical representation of what I was looking at on the monitor.
After the short flight, I was once again able to make a perfect
landing due to the small corrections I was able to make with the Throttle
Quad. I touched down, and dropped
all four levers into the rear detent, activating the reversers. I taxied to the gate and ended my flight. It was a wonderful flight from beginning to end. The Throttle Quad adds so much to MSFS in terms of immersion, that
I use it exclusively when flying any aircraft in this sim.
The
only issue I had with this Quad in this Sim was due again to it’s size
in comparison to my giant hands. Luckily,
there is not an inherent need to make quick decisions by feel in MSFS,
so I didn’t have the problem of hitting the wrong levers that I had in
IL-2. I will continue to use the Quad exclusively
in MSFS, and I can highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys not only
flying the heavy jets, but any aircraft available in this sim.
Conclusion:
I
would recommend purchasing this controller to anyone who logs a lot of
flight time in MSFS. The immersion
that the peripheral provides makes it a worthwhile purchase by itself. When combining that with the fact that the
axis’ and buttons are so precise; you end up with the perfect controller
for a beginner all the way up to the seasoned veteran.
If
IL-2 had multiple axis assignments built into the Sim, then this would
also be a slam dunk recommendation. While
the keystroke workaround is more than passable, it just doesn’t give me
enough control over the engines. Combine
that with the fact that if you’re already using a Pro Throttle with your
current setup, there is no over-riding reason to change to the Throttle
Quad.
When Maddox comes out with their next Sim,
Battle of Britain, and if it includes the multiple axis assignments, then
I’d be willing to make the switch to the Throttle Quad. Especially if they finally include some 4-engined bombers.
CH
Products produces high quality gear at affordable prices. Couple this
with the CH Control Manager, and you end up with a top-notch controller
and easy-to-use software.
Immersion: Yes, there is much to be said about
the immersion aspect in the flight simulation community. We expect it out of the software we play, and the hardware we use. While the Quad didn’t quite measure up for me in IL-2, though it
was limited by IL-2’s lack of axis assignments; it absolutely shined in
MSFS. I will only use the Throttle
Quad when flying in MSFS, period. It makes that much of a difference.
If
you want to purchase a Throttle Quadrant as part of your HOTAS setup, then
look no further. Just be aware that
you will run into some issues if you have large hands, and the lack of multiple
axis assignments in IL-2 is definitely a bummer. That being said, I can’t think of a better
peripheral for the MSFS series. If
you were to combine this with a yoke and some rudder pedals, you would have
complete control and confidence.
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