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ThrustMaster TopGun AfterBurner
by Len "Viking1" HjalmarsonProduct Name: ThrustMaster TopGun AfterBurner
Version: USB (only)
Category: HOTAS Controllers
Manufacturer: Thrustmaster, Inc. (A Division of Guillemot)
Release Date: Released
Support Files: TM Support
Past Articles: Joystick and Controller Central
Article Type: Review
Article Date: February 22nd, 2001
After the purchase of ThrustMaster by Guillemot there was some doubt about the future of the company. The F22 and TQS were out of production, and some other products had been adopted to meet the low-end and middle market that were proving to be of questionable quality.
Then in the spring of 1999 information was released about a new middle market product line. The TopGun series was to be renewed with a HOTAS product that would come in two flavors: standard, and force feedback.
I’ve been waiting for the TopGun AfterBurner HOTAS for quite some time. I confess that I was less interested in the standard version than in the force feedback flavor. No other manufacturer is making a separate stick and throttle combo with force feedback.
When the new AfterBurner set showed up at my door I was anxious to get it hooked up and flying. The weight of the box was encouraging. I had heard last summer that the system would include some metal, making this the first middle price range HOTAS with some real heft to it.
Throttle and joystick units joined together
The combination looks clean, though with something of a “space wars” appearance. Rubber texturing is applied freely to help with grip on key surfaces. The stick and throttle are united in the box, and as a unit they are hefty, but a little awkward looking.
The first order of business was to locate the hex wrench on the bottom and loosen the screws that bind the throttle and stick unit together. Having separated the units I located the additional foot that fits to the stick and slipped it over the hinge and into position. This additional foot is an integral part of the stick that has to be removed in order to mate the two units together. Adding it back to the single structure gives additional weight and stability to the stick.
Units separated. Note the extra foot on the inside left of the stick
By itself, the TopGun AfterBurner joystick is about 2.5x the weight of the FoxTwoPro. It’s identical to the FoxTwoPro except that it lacks the throttle slider, since this function has moved to the separate throttle unit.
Once separated, the two units are connected by a single 1/8” cable that allows them to sit up to 4 feet apart. They look much more attractive when separated and are certainly much easier to use. Since you can choose the combat spread on your desktop, you won’t have any trouble getting comfortable.
Before the physical connection to my computer I located the tension knob that is found on the underside of the stick. I cranked it to the maximum, which is almost right. I was impressed that there is no looseness or slop in the center area and the handle had a comfortable feel in my grip. In fact my average size male hand (I am 160 pounds, 5 feet 8 inches) is perfect for this system.
Installation and Setup
Gone are the gameport days.. thank goodness! As with most USB devices, installation is a snap. Plug in the unit and turn on your computer. Under WIN ME the unit detected immediately as a Human Interface Device.
Checking the Game Controller applet, I noted that there was none of the jitter associated with a gameport joystick. The controller was centered and completely stable.
The ThrustMapper programming utility
Next I popped in the included CD and installed ThrustMapper 3. This software allows the user to select program presets and build custom programs for ThrustMaster devices. Included flight sim presets were scarce, including only the original Combat Flight Simulator, Fly! and European Air War. No matter, I set about programming a command set for Battle of Britain.
I’ve heard that some have had problems with the ThrustMapper software. The instances seem isolated to certain kinds of installation. In one case the AfterBurner set was working perfectly until a racing wheel was installed. In another case it was a WIN 2000 installation that was giving trouble. I don’t recommend WIN 2000 for gamers, especially since many have had USB trouble with WIN 2000.
As with other digital control devices, ThrustMapper will install an icon to your SysTray for instant access. Right clicking on the icon brings up a menu selection for three different modes (Auto, Manual or Disabled) as well as a launch button for the ThrustMapper software.
Setting the software in Automatic mode means that a defined preset will automatically be launched when you launch a program that has been associated with the preset. Manual mode allows you to select one preset manually for each of the gaming devices connected and installed on your machine. Selecting this option will open a browser listing all these devices. I left ThrustMapper in Automatic mode.
Changing and assigning the various stick and throttle axes
The AfterBurner set allows you to select the rudder function you prefer. You can select to use a paddle lever on the throttle or for the standard twist function on the stick. A switch on the front of the base of the stick allows instant selection.
While it’s true that a twist rudder on the stick lacks some precision, since I am already familiar with the twist handle function, I elected to use that option. Unfortunately there is no simple way to match this pair with separate rudder pedals. There is a POSSIBILITY that the control mapping allowed in games like Battle of Britain might allow the use of USB pedals with this device, but I don’t have any USB pedals to make the experiment.
By the way, some may wonder what can be done with the rudder lever if you elect not to use it as a rudder? In fact, the lever becomes non-functional. It would really be nice to be able to program the lever. One could then use it for ZOOM IN/OUT or radar range or something similar.
As is standard these days, the hat is an eight-way switch. In earlier versions of the ThrustMapper software the positions are not programmable. Perhaps not a big deal, since current simulations like Battle of Britain and Combat Flight Simulator II: Pacific Theatre have no trouble recognizing the hat.
The driver version that was on the CD was earlier than 2.19, so I was not able to program the hat. But version 2.19 and later of ThrustMapper allow you to program each hat position, and also SHIFTED positions, giving you 16 more functions! This allows you to use the hat for views and double the functions for trim control. Pretty nice. (To obtain the newer version of ThrustMapper I had to visit the
TM Support pages).
The throttle has predefined detentes for idle and full military power positions. The detentes are pretty stiff and you will definitely know when you have gone past the defined positions. Unfortunately, the rotating throttle has no tension adjustment. I found it a bit loose but acceptable.
Programming The TopGun AfterBurner
Programming individual buttons is straightfoward
The ThrustMapper programming software seems bulletproof. I programmed a file for Battle of Britain in less than five minutes. The software gives you the ability to program any single button as a SHIFT function, effectively doubling the functions of the remaining seven buttons. This gave me a total of 30 programmable functions plus stick, throttle and rudder axes.
Are you wondering about the sixty functions mentioned on the box? I assume that this includes toggle and macro functions. A toggle function on each button and shifted button would make a total of 60 keys.
If you are looking for a detailed manual to help you through the programming steps, you’ll be making use of the online help file. The printed manual comes in a bazillion languages but only covers the basics of installation and three short pages on the ThrustMapper software. It’s a good thing that the software is simple.
Lighting the Fires
Time to light the fires . . . er, turn on the Magnetos and hit the starter. I immediately launched Battle of Britain after my programming venture.
As mentioned above, the hefty weight of this stick belies the price range. One does not normally expect a stick in this price bracket to be so hefty. The weight helps the units stay in place on your desk and also gives them a much nicer feel.
In use, I found button placement to be okay. Button three is the only odd position, falling above and to the right of the trigger on the front of the stick (the side facing the monitor). Button feel is average for this price range, and you’ll get the “click” with each press as positive feedback.
The yellow and black warning cover on the center stick button will seem cheesy to some, others will love it. It’s a quick action to snap the cover up for button access, so no problems for me.
109 in Battle of Britain
On entering Battle of Britain I chose the Bf-109, since that is the aircraft I am most familiar with flying in this sim. Moving from my force feedback stick to the AfterBurner was an easy switch and I had no problems getting used to the sticks.
I found the units reliable and predictable in use. They appear to give precise control, and the tension is almost right. All commands were recognized instantly (you can vary the delay when setting up the individual buttons, as well as adding advanced functions like Repeat, Group, Toggle, and Hold).
The eight-way hat worked perfectly. I had no problem accessing snap views or panning the view once outside the aircraft.
In Battle of Britain I used the ThrustMapper software to program trim commands to the shifted positions on the hat. I also used the TOGGLE setting on the UP view position: first press up gives me standard forward view, and second press up gives me UP and FORWARD for checking the mirror.
Sopwith Camel Imported into CFS II
Next I fired up Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator II and chose the nimble A6M2 Zero. Then I fired up the Sopwith Camel for a more relaxed experience in free flight mode. The HOTAS was comfortable in use and response was predictable.
My final trial was in Jane’s USAF. I entered the Desert Storm campaign and flew the A-10. USAF was the only one of these three simulations that stretched the AfterBurner HOTAS beyond its comfort zone. I found myself constantly reaching for the keyboard. One simply can’t program enough commands to the HOTAS. F/A-18, Falcon 4.0 and other jet simulations really need the flexibility that only HOTAS 2000 can offer (coming from ThrustMaster this spring).
A10 in USAF
Conclusion
At $59.99, the TopGun AfterBurner is a solid value for pilots on a budget or those who are primarily interested in military prop simulations. Note, however, that the force feedback variant of the AfterBurner will show up in March or April, and this would be my first choice for a simulation like Battle of Britain or IL-2 Sturmovik. If you are into the middle to high end jet simulations, from USAF to F/A-18 and Falcon 4.0, you probably should wait for the arrival of the new F22/TQS units.
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