April 28th, 2019
Classic Review -Suncom Strike Fighter Series Throttle
Originally posted Februday 2nd, 1997 at PCME.com
A few years ago, Suncom came along and really kicked some ass with their F-15 Strike Eagle series of joysticks. The Eagle was a really nice piece of work. We still have one and it still works like a charm. They introduced four sticks in all. The Hawk was a nice four-button joystick, the Raptor was a nice CH Flightstick Pro compatible stick, and the Talon was another programmable joystick, just a few steps down from the Eagle.
All of the Strike Eagle sticks had a big impact on the flight simulation community, but the Eagle caught Thrustmaster's attention. Around that same time, Suncom had some financial problems with its parent company. To this day, Thrustmaster and Suncom won't say much concerning the matter, but after Suncom came back with a new parent company, the Eagle couldn't be produced any longer.
Suffice it to say, Suncom made some really nice combat simulation gear that looked more realistic than the Thrustmaster stuff (at the time), felt better than the Thrustmaster gear (at that time), and I'm sure it got the attention of many Thrustmaster and CH owners, converting a good many of them.
There were three major competitors in the joystick market now instead of just two (CH & Thrustmaster). Microsoft was also building a foundation as a gaming hardware device manufacturer, but even today the TM, CH and Suncom gear is the stuff of choice among combat simulation lovers.
Most of us will never know what really went down between Suncom and Thrustmaster, but it sure sucks that Suncom couldn't keep manufacturing the Eagle without stepping on Thrustmaster's toes. But, that's big business stuff, best left to those who can stomach it.
Okay, enough history.
After Suncom's resurfacing they, announced a throttle of which they had briefly spoken before the downturn of Suncom's finances. We've been covering the hype on that throttle for some time now, but now it's a reality. We've put it through our hard-core gaming combat simulation compatibility tests, and the results are impressive. The Strike Fighter Series Throttle is here!
This is a split throttle. It looks very much like a real throttle from an F-15 or F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. There are two huge levers which move forward and back on an arc. They can move independently or collectively. This is achieved via a locking mechanism on the inboard throttle lever. Get ready to take up some real-estate, this baby is massive! Back in 1995, when they Eagle sticks debuted, they too were massive hulking brutes. If you can picture the throttle designed in scale with the Talon or Eagle then you have a pretty good idea of how impressive this thing is. Tim "the toolman" would grunt himself into submission after taking a gander.
As one might expect, there are hats and switches sticking out of this thing from everywhere. On the side of the inboard (right) lever are four two-way switches. The top two can be programmed, but the bottom two are used to select from one of four different program slots. Like the Talon, this throttle can hold four sets of pre-programmed configurations for your favorite simulations. There are also four LED lights on the base to tell you which slot you're currently using.
On the top inside portion of the grip, within perfect reach of your fingers, are two four-way hats on the inboard (right) lever. You'll find a spring-loaded two-way dial and a red button on the outboard (left) throttle lever both of which can be manipulated by your pinky finger. Found on the outside of the outboard (left) lever is a one-way pinky switch. A closer look also reveals a slider on right side of the base, which can be used to adjust the tension of the throttle movement. The spring-loaded dial is a really nice function to program your radar ranges forward and back to. That's just one, of many reasons why this is such a slick throttle. You'll also find four suction cups on the bottom of the unit, which do a fairly decent job of keeping it in one place.
We first hooked the Strike Fighter Series Throttle up to a new Suncom F-15E Talon joystick and a set of Thrustmaster RCS rudders. The throttle stops at full military power, then completes the movement into afterburner, very much like the Thrustmaster WCS and TQS. Here's a blurb from Suncom's on-line manual which details the throttle features.
Features
Authentic Grips: The Strike Fighter Series Throttle has two contoured grips that are modeled after the grips found in today's modern fighters. The two grips can be moved in conjunction with each other or they can be unlocked to be moved independently.
Outboard Throttle Function: The Throttle's left grip provides an additional game play function. This function is popularly called rudder control in most simulations, but can have different functions in other games. This function can be turned off if alternate rudder control is used.
Independent Moving Throttle Grips: The Strike Fighter Throttle is the first device of its kind that allows independent left and right grip movement. A grip lock is included to join the left and right grip together should you wish to move them in unison. Dual throttle control may control 2 engines, software permitting.
External Joystick Button Programming: The Strike Fighter Series Throttle allows for the programming of four joystick buttons and one joystick view hat. Each of these joystick button inputs (a total of eight all together) can have up to five keystrokes programmed into each. In addition, each button can be programmed to perform a different function in each of four program slots.
2 Hat Switches: Each of the hat switches consists of four independent buttons. Each of the four buttons on a hat switch is programmable.
Multiple Keyboard Emulating Buttons: 16 individual buttons can be programmed to output from one to five keyboard keystrokes.
4 Program Slots: Four independent program slots. Each program slot can be accessed through a hands-on switch input.
Compatibility: The Strike Fighter Series Throttle has been designed for use with IBM PCs and compatible computers equipped with a joystick port.
Hooking it up wasn't too hard, once you know what's to be done. Suncom never was one for taking the time to provide quality documentation and to make it readily available when you need it. The Quick Start insert in the box offers about a page worth of info (in a few different languages), with two very crude diagrams of how everything should be hooked together. The images make no sense at all. Making matters worse, the Quick Start Guide says nothing at all about the fact that you must load the .inf file manually from the root directory of the CD-ROM (which is included).
This guide tells us to consult the User Guide for full installation instructions. The CD contains the on-line manuals with more information and a re-hash of the Quick Start Guide, but you'll need to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader, another thing you're not warned about. They should at least have included a launcher program or front-end for the CD, but they didn't. Instead, the .inf file must be manually installed by choosing Add New Hardware under Control Panel and then selecting Other and Have Disk, routing the procedure to the root directory of the CD-ROM just to install the .inf file.
This is going to be a major bummer for many average gamers that don't know much about what it takes to manually install an .inf file. It wouldn't be so bad if there were, at the very least, some form of document that details the installation process. I had to actually call tech support just to find out what the hell I was to do because most install programs feature a setup, install or launcher file. Not this gear.
After installation, a bunch of new driver options are given in the Game Controllers applet under Control Panel. Here, you can choose from any of the Suncom stick drivers, including the Strike Fighter Series Throttle in various configurations. This is where it can get confusing again. The driver choices are very hard to make out at a glance. Because of the many different joysticks available, a great number of different driver choices are provided.
Here's an example. This is the name of one of the drivers that comes up in General under Game Controllers.
Suncom SFS Throttle lft grip off +2ax,4 btn stick
That's the driver we're using with the Talon. Here's another example...
Suncom SFS Throttle lft grip on +3ax,4 btn POV stick
The bottom choice turns the left throttle lever on (for rudder support), and it's for a stick with a POV, or hat-switch.
Once you've figured out which driver it is you need (depending on which stick you connect it to), actually programming the throttle is a breeze. It works very much the same as the Talon does. Press the Program button to put the stick in "Program Mode". Hold the button, switch or hat position you'd like programmed, then hold down the key(s) you want there. After a second, let go of both, then press the Program button, again putting the throttle back into Use Mode.
Very simple, no need to download complex configuration files. The throttle can program up to six keystrokes per function. It can also be done on the fly, literally. I've done it in F-22 ADF and Longbow 2. I paused the game, programmed it, then un-paused the game back into the face of the enemy!
Using the Talon with the throttle was pretty cool, but hooking it up can be a pain in the ass. The keyboard connectors for PS2 keyboards on the Talon have always been a problem. The way connecting wire on the connector gets in the way of the mouse connectors on the back of most PS2 PCs has always been an issue. On the front of the throttle, where the joystick plugs in, is where the problem occurs with this combo.
This is where the PS2 connector gets in the way again. There's no way to plug it directly into the SFS Throttle, without leaving it plugged in at an angle, which would no doubt damage the connector in the long run. Suncom does provide one PS2 adapter, but that must be used on the other end to make the connection to the actual PS2 PC keyboard input. It took another set of PS2 adapters to get the Talon hooked up with the SFS Throttle.
Those without a Talon shouldn't have a problem, because the keyboard connects to a PS2 connection on the base of the throttle, so in most cases the adapter they provide is all you'll need. But, if you plan to use your Talon, you may need another adapter or two to make the right connections.
We also hooked the throttle up with a CH Products Force FX joystick. After selecting the appropriate driver it worked like a charm. The hat on the FX was working on its own, as it should, as did the other buttons. I then decided to try something. I picked the Combatstick driver, which is what I normally pick when using the CH Pro Throttle in conjunction with the Force FX and the TM RCS pedals. It worked like a charm too. I was only able to program the top hat-switch and the four buttons on the Force FX with the throttle.
We did initially run into a problem programming the throttle hats to pan around in Longbow 2 and Fighters Anthology, but we found the solution. Although you can't program the throttle to hold buttons, you can program it to repeat key(s) at two different rates. Instead of letting go of the button you're programming, continue to hold it after pressing the key(s). While still holding the button, you then hit the Turbo button once or twice, depending on how fast you'd like it to repeat. Two presses designates the fastest rate selection for that button. This is only detailed in the on-line manual in Adobe Acrobat format.
We tried Comanche 3, F-22 ADF, Longbow 2, Fighters Anthology, Flight Unlimited II, Red Baron II, F/A-18 Hornet: Korea, Heavy Gear, F-22 Raptor, Wing Commander Prophecy and a few others games and simulations with the Strike Fighter Series Throttle. In a DOS box, Comanche 3 performed beautifully with the SFST. Flight Unlimited II, Red Baron II and Flying Corps Gold all worked (with force feedback enabled) just fine while the Force FX was connected to the throttle.
Our tests confirm that the SFS Throttle, combined with a Force FX, are the best rig to have if you'd like to fly realistically with a throttle in your left hand, stick in your right and feet planted firmly on your rudder pedals, with force feedback to boot!
In Heavy Gear, the throttle worked like a charm without any issues... issues we've seen when we used a Pro Throttle in the game. In Heavy Gear, the entire range of motion of the SFS Throttle was recognized and utilized, enabling us to come to a complete stop in the Gear. With the Pro Throttle / Force FX combo, we had to calibrate the Pro Throttle while not reaching its entire range of motion at the bottom. This is the only way in which Heavy Gear utilizes a Pro Throttle, enabling you to come to a complete stop. With the Strike Fighter Series Throttle we calibrated it as usual and it worked without incident.
Suncom has done it again. They've unleashed yet another fantastic piece of hardware for the combat simulation lover. If only they could get it together enough to provide some quality documentation with their gear. It should be there when you need it, at time of installation. Fact is, the lack of a real Quick Stark Guide sucks!
The Quick Start Guide leads you that there is no step which requires that you manually install the .inf to install the proper joystick drivers. The manual (on the CD-ROM) covers most of what you need to know, but most people won't know how to read it because there's no launcher or setup.exe on the CD. There's not even a hint in a readme.txt that's in the root directory of the CD-ROM. The manual on CD will fill you in on 90% of what you must know, but even it doesn't cover a few of the features well enough.
So Suncom stinks in the documentation department, but this is one fantastic piece of hardware! If you have experience with this type of gear, you shouldn't have a problem figuring out what goes where on your own. It's the first-time buyer of programmable PC gear that may have to waste time calling tech support.
Once you discover just how simple this throttle is to program and use, the fact that Suncom stinks at helping you get it out of the box and in the air starts becoming less of an issue. That's when you start to realize how amazing this massive piece of hardware really is.
There is one thing to consider before buying this throttle. If you have very small hands or just smaller than average hands, it may not be the throttle for you. Even those with average to larger than average size mitts could run into problems. We have the Thunderseat side consoles. These are nicely laminated wooden stands which position my throttle on my left, and my joystick on the right. They're both of equal height, but the throttle is so big that I'm not used to moving the throttle at that height.
It's really a beast. I consider my hands slightly larger than average, and I just couldn't reach everything while maintaining my grip on the throttle. If my hands were any smaller, I'd imagine the throttle would be a lot less fun to use. Using the right lever alone without locking the sides together, it's not as much of an issue. Without locking the levers together, the throttle fits firmly in hand. It's actually pretty cozy, but it will still take a little time to get used to the massive size of this thing over the Pro Throttle and TQS I'm used to flying with. As cool as this thing is, I don't think it'll take me much longer to fully adjust. :-)
The one thing this device really has going for it is its split-throttle design. The bummer is, no game or simulation supports the split-throttle to control each engine independently, nor is there a way to program the throttle to do this. This throttle is also not programmable like the CH Pro Throttle or Thrustmaster WCS and TQS are, because you can't program this unit for digital throttle emulation. Currently, the split-throttle design is a novelty feature. If developers support it in software, this could be really impressive. There are already a number of two-engine aircraft to fly in combat simulations. I'd love to see Jane's F-15 use this feature, but since this throttle is very new, I wouldn't count on too much support for the split-throttle idea from anyone right away.
The good news is that the locking mechanism locks both levers together, allowing the SFST to operate as a single lever throttle, which most gamers are used to. Best of all, it works like a charm as an analog stand-alone programmable throttle. It worked well with the Talon, but I liked using it most in conjunction with the Force FX and the Thrustmaster RCS rudders.
We may have found what could be one of the best HOTAS combos you can get, because the FX works like a CH Flightstick Pro and as a Combatstick when in chorded mode (which is how I use the FX). Additionally, the Force FX (used in conjunction with an analog throttle and rudders) is the only way you can fly like a true pilot in Red Baron II, Flying Corps Gold, Flight Unlimited II, Fighter Duel, and Jetfighter III with force feedback. The MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro doesn't allow the use of a true stand-alone throttle and rudder pedals. Yes, the SFS Throttle worked without incident with the Thrustmaster RCS rudders and the Force FX, making it one third of one of the best HOTAS trios a combat simulation lover could ever want!
Like the Saitek stuff, once you decide you want to program any buttons on the stick, you must kiss your joystick's native compatibility goodbye because the stick becomes a slave to the SFS Throttle. Switching a button on the unit allows you to operate a joystick attached to it in Keyboard Emulation Mode or Standard joystick mode leaving your stick free to work as normal. That's the only way to program the stick, but when doing so, you lose the ability for Win95 to see them as trigger, hat, and three more buttons (or whatever the case may be).
So, unless you program the trigger, it won't work or be recognized by a game or simulation in Emulation Mode. You must either program the stick completely or just don't bother. When used in conjunction with the Force FX, I lose my CH Flightstick Pro and Combatstick compatibility when I program the hat and four buttons on the stick. So, I don't bother programming because it already gives me a four-way hat and four buttons in many games and simulations, and in titles that support the Combatstick, all 14 functions work like a charm while connected to the SFS Throttle, as long as I leave it out of Keyboard Emulation Mode.
All in all, the Strike Fighter Series Throttle is well worth a close look -- ever more so if you have a Force FX joystick, CH Combatstick or Fighterstick. Expect some odd-ball occurrences where you'll need to reboot now and again, but lack of documentation and limited programmability (when compared to the Thrustmaster gear) aside, you won't find a bigger, meaner, more kick-ass looking throttle for combat simulation action!
I'm more than fond of this device, I'm truly impressed by how well it works. It was a long time in the making, but now that it's here, Thrustmaster and CH have the biggest and baddest competition ever in the Strike Fighter Series Throttle.
Having to drop the excellent Eagle from their line-up and the lenghty financial setbacks just didn't stop Suncom. As far as I'm concerned, they are (once again) the new player in town, but with a product so awesome the competition can't beat it. I can't think of a better way to spend $129 (possibly less, depending on where you shop) enhancing your joystick for adrenaline-charged combat simulation action.
If your joystick is lonely, this is the best way to enhance it and all of your extra circular hard-core gaming activities which require throttle control. If a game doesn't support throttle control, you can still use the throttle to program your joystick for it. It's just the beginning of 1998, but it looks like we already have a candidate for best hardware of 1998 because this is one fine piece of work. Best of all, it just feels so good to fly with. At a glance it looks like you might break the switches right off, but I was truly impressed with how durable the entire unit was. It felt solid, not cheap or weak in any way.
Simplicity, durability, enhanced programmable functionality, authentic military looks. That best describes the Strike Fighter Series Throttle. Using a Pro Throttle or TQS, after having flown a few sorties with this baby powering your thrust, isn't easy. This is what flying combat simulations is all about.
The Quick Start Guide leads you that there is no step which requires that you manually install the .inf to install the proper joystick drivers. The manual (on the CD-ROM) covers most of what you need to know, but most people won't know how to read it because there's no launcher or setup.exe on the CD. There's not even a hint in a readme.txt that's in the root directory of the CD-ROM. The manual on CD will fill you in on 90% of what you must know, but even it doesn't cover a few of the features well enough.
So Suncom stinks in the documentation department, but this is one fantastic piece of hardware! If you have experience with this type of gear, you shouldn't have a problem figuring out what goes where on your own. It's the first-time buyer of programmable PC gear that may have to waste time calling tech support.
Once you discover just how simple this throttle is to program and use, the fact that Suncom stinks at helping you get it out of the box and in the air starts becoming less of an issue. That's when you start to realize how amazing this massive piece of hardware really is.
There is one thing to consider before buying this throttle. If you have very small hands or just smaller than average hands, it may not be the throttle for you. Even those with average to larger than average size mitts could run into problems. We have the Thunderseat side consoles. These are nicely laminated wooden stands which position my throttle on my left, and my joystick on the right. They're both of equal height, but the throttle is so big that I'm not used to moving the throttle at that height.
It's really a beast. I consider my hands slightly larger than average, and I just couldn't reach everything while maintaining my grip on the throttle. If my hands were any smaller, I'd imagine the throttle would be a lot less fun to use. Using the right lever alone without locking the sides together, it's not as much of an issue. Without locking the levers together, the throttle fits firmly in hand. It's actually pretty cozy, but it will still take a little time to get used to the massive size of this thing over the Pro Throttle and TQS I'm used to flying with. As cool as this thing is, I don't think it'll take me much longer to fully adjust. :-)
The one thing this device really has going for it is its split-throttle design. The bummer is, no game or simulation supports the split-throttle to control each engine independently, nor is there a way to program the throttle to do this. This throttle is also not programmable like the CH Pro Throttle or Thrustmaster WCS and TQS are, because you can't program this unit for digital throttle emulation. Currently, the split-throttle design is a novelty feature. If developers support it in software, this could be really impressive. There are already a number of two-engine aircraft to fly in combat simulations. I'd love to see Jane's F-15 use this feature, but since this throttle is very new, I wouldn't count on too much support for the split-throttle idea from anyone right away.
The good news is that the locking mechanism locks both levers together, allowing the SFST to operate as a single lever throttle, which most gamers are used to. Best of all, it works like a charm as an analog stand-alone programmable throttle. It worked well with the Talon, but I liked using it most in conjunction with the Force FX and the Thrustmaster RCS rudders.
We may have found what could be one of the best HOTAS combos you can get, because the FX works like a CH Flightstick Pro and as a Combatstick when in chorded mode (which is how I use the FX). Additionally, the Force FX (used in conjunction with an analog throttle and rudders) is the only way you can fly like a true pilot in Red Baron II, Flying Corps Gold, Flight Unlimited II, Fighter Duel, and Jetfighter III with force feedback. The MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro doesn't allow the use of a true stand-alone throttle and rudder pedals. Yes, the SFS Throttle worked without incident with the Thrustmaster RCS rudders and the Force FX, making it one third of one of the best HOTAS trios a combat simulation lover could ever want!
Like the Saitek stuff, once you decide you want to program any buttons on the stick, you must kiss your joystick's native compatibility goodbye because the stick becomes a slave to the SFS Throttle. Switching a button on the unit allows you to operate a joystick attached to it in Keyboard Emulation Mode or Standard joystick mode leaving your stick free to work as normal. That's the only way to program the stick, but when doing so, you lose the ability for Win95 to see them as trigger, hat, and three more buttons (or whatever the case may be).
So, unless you program the trigger, it won't work or be recognized by a game or simulation in Emulation Mode. You must either program the stick completely or just don't bother. When used in conjunction with the Force FX, I lose my CH Flightstick Pro and Combatstick compatibility when I program the hat and four buttons on the stick. So, I don't bother programming because it already gives me a four-way hat and four buttons in many games and simulations, and in titles that support the Combatstick, all 14 functions work like a charm while connected to the SFS Throttle, as long as I leave it out of Keyboard Emulation Mode.
All in all, the Strike Fighter Series Throttle is well worth a close look -- ever more so if you have a Force FX joystick, CH Combatstick or Fighterstick. Expect some odd-ball occurrences where you'll need to reboot now and again, but lack of documentation and limited programmability (when compared to the Thrustmaster gear) aside, you won't find a bigger, meaner, more kick-ass looking throttle for combat simulation action!
I'm more than fond of this device, I'm truly impressed by how well it works. It was a long time in the making, but now that it's here, Thrustmaster and CH have the biggest and baddest competition ever in the Strike Fighter Series Throttle.
Having to drop the excellent Eagle from their line-up and the lenghty financial setbacks just didn't stop Suncom. As far as I'm concerned, they are (once again) the new player in town, but with a product so awesome the competition can't beat it. I can't think of a better way to spend $129 (possibly less, depending on where you shop) enhancing your joystick for adrenaline-charged combat simulation action.
If your joystick is lonely, this is the best way to enhance it and all of your extra circular hard-core gaming activities which require throttle control. If a game doesn't support throttle control, you can still use the throttle to program your joystick for it. It's just the beginning of 1998, but it looks like we already have a candidate for best hardware of 1998 because this is one fine piece of work. Best of all, it just feels so good to fly with. At a glance it looks like you might break the switches right off, but I was truly impressed with how durable the entire unit was. It felt solid, not cheap or weak in any way.
Simplicity, durability, enhanced programmable functionality, authentic military looks. That best describes the Strike Fighter Series Throttle. Using a Pro Throttle or TQS, after having flown a few sorties with this baby powering your thrust, isn't easy. This is what flying combat simulations is all about.
This is another oldie but goodie. Originally published at PCME.com in 1997. It goes to show how different hardware was back then, and what we had to deal with to get HOTAS gear to work with various PC titles. It was the wild west when it came to flight sim hardware lol
