Paccus HAWK-First joystick with hydraulic feedback

[engadin]

About the chance to get some screenshots from the stick configuration software - something like the FFB2 never updated but excellent application - Paccus says:

"The stick does not have any drivers. We completely support the direct X protocol. This means that we actually use the standard drivers from windows. So to configure things, you typically use the control option in your games."

Engadin.

[Forged]

Has anyone actually tried this stick out?

Not sure if I'd ever want to spend that kind of insane money on a single joystick - but I can't help being curious on how this stick performs. I can't find any real reviews anywhere (besides the few videos on their website).

-Forged

[ElAurens]

I'm guessing that at this point it's become vaporware.

[Fergal69]

Is it my imagination, or have they advertised this stick previously on either CloD or 1946 forum, as I remember seeing this before.

[proton45]

Hmm...I'm in the market for a new joystick, and I like "force feedback" (when done right), BUT I have to admit that I would rather have a stick that emulated the looks of a "real" old time joystick. The German "KG 13" looks cool, and has a few buttons (if you need that_LOL), but the P-51 or RAF control sticks have a nice feel too.

It seems to me...that if you had the basic mechanics worked out, you could finish off the control column with any kind of upper stick grip.

Anyway...I hate to say it, but I dont think that this is the place for the joystick you have designed. Thats NOT to say, that their are not people out there, that would love this kind of thing...but most of the people here, are into the "old time" propeller driven, oil stained, loud and rumbling WW2 aerocraft.

Good Luck and all...

P.S. Oh, and $600(?), I dont think I could spend "that" kind of cash....any day.

[engadin]

Originally Posted by proton45

P.S. Oh, and $600(?), I dont think I could spend "that" kind of cash....any day.

$600? Mate, look better, that's what you save, my friend, while the actual price is 1.872,86$ for the FFB Hawk and 1.570,86$ for the FFB less Falcon.

And given those prices, no, this product is a thousand miles away from being vaporware. Not at all. This people at Paccus are currently focused on industrial and surgical 'relatives' of the above mentioned.

Engadin.

[Forged]

Originally Posted by engadin

$600? Mate, look better, that's what you save, my friend, while the actual price is 1.872,86$ for the FFB Hawk and 1.570,86$ for the FFB less Falcon.

And given those prices, no, this product is a thousand miles away from being vaporware. Not at all. This people at Paccus are currently focused on industrial and surgical 'relatives' of the above mentioned.

Engadin.

No kidding! The price is pretty unrealistic, though people do sell and buy similarly expensive items, like helicopter collectives/cyclics.

But I can't help being curious how it feels compared to the current "top dog" in FFB - the MSFFB2 .

[Forged]

Curiosity got the better of me, and I emailed them a couple times with questions. I also posted this over at simhq, but I thought I'd post it here too since there was a thread discussing the paccus hawk.

SO... they've shown extremely good communication, taking my questions seriously and giving full answers to them.

I spoke with Bart Sikkens via email.

(note - I'm not in any way affiliated with them, I just wanted some info, and thought I'd share it with you guys!)
Some of what they said (paraphrased by me):

They are currently creating their first batch of joysticks (paccus hawk), which is aimed at universities and institutes. They will have this batch done by the end of the year, after which they will work on updating the website. They plan on sending a few sticks out to get reviews (to universities and magazines). The target market for the hawk is not the simulation crowd - which explains its cost. It's mainly targeted for industrial use (though it could be used for flight simulation). There is no dead band or play in the motion of the stick and the movement is almost without friction. It does not have the "ratcheting" feel of the g940. It also has no center notch, though a "spring" function can be created using the force feedback. Helicopter pilots said it really felt like the real thing. The grip communicates with the base using a microprocessor, so it would be easy to add new functions/buttons to the grip, or switch out the grip altogether. They have the hawk, which is meant for desk mounted applications, but will also have a floor mounted option.

Some of their long term goals are to create high end quality sticks for simulation consumer products. These would not be priced like the g940, they would not be competing with that market - theirs would be much higher quality, and higher priced - but MUCH more reasonably priced then the paccus hawk. They would allow users to create custom grips with an easy way to interface it to the base (such as USB). They would possibly make their own grips (they've already experimented with an F16 replica) and eventually throttles/etc. These are long term goals, and it's really too early to give price estimates or time estimates.

If anyone wants I suppose I could post the actual email response - but this gets to the heart of the matter much faster .

-Forged

[VO101_MMaister]

Well, 1800USD is a lot. But if you take a look at the technology they put into this system, it is reasonable (not affordable). Precision, high pressure hydroulics with tiny motors, pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, sealings and special electronics. Not cheap stuff I can tell you, especially when we are talking about development, prototyping and low production numbers, all made in the Netherland.

It is a very innovative FFb system, and I wish the best for Paccus, to reach their goals! If they really come up with a floor mounted version at a below 1000USD pricetag, then I willl sign up and risk that my wife will kill me!

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by VO101_MMaister

If they really come up with a floor mounted version at a below 1000USD pricetag, then I willl sign up and risk that my wife will kill me!

5./JG27 will send a Wreath........