Saitek Controllers feedback / help

Rearden

Rearden
Hello dear forum members :)

I am having some issues with Saitek controllers and wish to know if I am a very unlucky guy or if this has been the general experience. In September or October I bought an X52 (standard edition) to play ED / SC. I was very happy with it for about 3 weeks at which point I don't know what happened (maybe I am a brute or something) the stick somehow "miscalibrated". It is hard for me to explain but basically if I left the stick alone it would be slightly coming backwards all the time - meaning my ship nose would constantly go up unless I had my hand in the stick to make sure it stay centered.

Obviously this was very annoying during supercruise and was not very happy to see problems with what I consider a mid-range stick just after 3 weeks. I spoke with Amazon and their super sweet customer service offered me a full refund for me to get a new joystick (I was able to keep my old malfunctioning one until I got the replacement). Determined to avoid the same issue again however I chose to get an X52-Pro instead of the base one since I had read about the dual springs and more stability in the stick which should prevent the same issue from happening to me again.

Today I am back talking with Amazon customer service (they are still super sweet to me) because my throttle "kinda broke". For those familiar with the X52-Pro you'll know that it has a "resistence" at both 25% and 75% throttle and apparently the 75% one broke on mine. The worse thing about it actually is that due to the way it broke it no longer goes to 100% unless I leave the hand on the throttle (again, problematic in super cruise) and the clutch button appears to have random moments where it just doesn't register any input.

Now once again Amazon volunteered to issue a full refund and let me keep the stick for 30 days while I buy a new one but I don't know what to do. When the sticks actually work I really love the X52 but I am afraid that if I buy a new one the same thing will happen again. If this keeps happening at this rate I am expected to get 5 new sticks from Amazon a year? I have a feeling at some point they will stop beeing so sweet as they are now. So can anyone tell me of their experiences with Saitek? Have I been really unlucky so far and just try it a 3rd time (feel like a sucker for even considering it) ?

Also since we're talking controllers, does anyone have the X55-Rhino? Is it good for ED? The throttle feels kinda strange and more geared towards actual planes rather than spaceships.

And any non-Saitek users around here? The Warthog seems to be pretty good quality but is it good for ED ? It was made for airplanes after all. I know this one can be quite pricey but after my experience with Saitek products I may be willing to shell out the money if it can guarantee a good quality product.

Thanks everyone in advance for your help and sorry to the mods if I should be posting this somewhere else.
 

KonigWolf

KonigWolf
The issue with the x52 (non pro) seems to be fixed by adding a 3% to 5% dead zone and keeping the controller properties screen open. Saitek's drivers are garbage. Doing what I said there has kept me free of any issues. I personally don't own the Rhino or Warthog so I can not comment on those. I can say that I have friends that play ED with them and love them.
 

Stinky

Stinky
I have used the X52 pro and never had any issues with it.
Been using the warthog for several years now and I have never had any regrets getting that stick. I'll never go back to saitek, the TM is much much better. that goes for the feel and the quality.

It doesn't matter if a stick is designed with airplanes in mind. It'll work well in any game that needs a joystick.
 

{SAS}Stalker

{SAS}Stalker
My X52 Pro failed after two weeks, the pitch forward no longer registered more than about 10% movement. It happened mid fight and was the same outside of the game in windows control panel and on a different PC. I assume one of the magnet sensors probably fell off or something but as there was a grip pad over the screws I didn't risk opening it, sent it back to Amazon who didn't sound surprised at all. The chap even read an email out to me outlining a known issue with the last batch without me even telling him what my problem was. They refunded me the same day, before they had even got the thing back.

All in all I consider the quality of Saitek stuff to be shoddy to say the least, certainly nothing compared to what it was several years ago. That said due to the complete lack of alternative I have just received an X55 Rhino which I have little confidence will last longer than a month either. We shall see!.
 
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OnePercent

OnePercent
{SAS}Stalker said:
My X52 Pro failed after two weeks, the pitch forward no longer registered more than about 10% movement. It happened mid fight and was the same outside of the game in windows control panel and on a different PC. I assume one of the magnet sensors probably fell off or something but as there was a grip pad over the screws I didn't risk opening it, sent it back to Amazon who didn't sound surprised at all. The chap even read an email out to me outlining a known issue with the last batch without me even telling him what my problem was. They refunded me the same day, before they had even got the thing back.

All in all I consider the quality of Saitek stuff to be shoddy to say the least, certainly nothing compared to what it was several years ago. That said due to the complete lack of alternative I have just received an X55 Rhino which I have little confidence will last longer than a month either. We shall see!.
Click to expand...

I can mirror this sentiment.

I have the x52 pro for 2 months now and can say it was the worst mistake I ever made in terms of what I should have gotten.
 

Rearden

Rearden
Stinky said:
I have used the X52 pro and never had any issues with it.
Been using the warthog for several years now and I have never had any regrets getting that stick. I'll never go back to saitek, the TM is much much better. that goes for the feel and the quality.

It doesn't matter if a stick is designed with airplanes in mind. It'll work well in any game that needs a joystick.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I guess the "weird" part for me is that it uses toggles in the throttle instead of buttons. But I guess that makes no difference then?
 

imashination

imashination
If youve bought two products from a company that have fallen apart in a hilariously short amount of time, why would you even consider buying a third? Ive yet to go for the stick route (still waiting to see if they add anything to the game worth buying it for) but if I do then it will be a CH throttle and stick, ive heard nothing but good things about them.
 

Rearden

Rearden
John_Stargazer said:
I orginal use a Saitek Cyborg EVO and since i start playing ED, I upgrade to Saitek X55-Rhino and I love it alot
Click to expand...

Can I ask how long you been using the Rhino for?

I ask because if you asked me how I felt about the X52-Pro two weeks ago I would also say it is great :)
 

Stinky

Stinky
Rearden said:
Thanks for the feedback. I guess the "weird" part for me is that it uses toggles in the throttle instead of buttons. But I guess that makes no difference then?
Click to expand...

Not to me anyway. Bought the stick mainly for DCS: A10. I'm used to toggle and flipping switches xD

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

[video=youtube;hY0mTd0SOLg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0mTd0SOLg[/video]

a nice review on a few sticks
 

Bingo Brewster

Bingo Brewster
Occasionally in game I lose control (usually in combat :)) and the ship starts spinning because the controller axis have gone crazy.
After much research and buggering about, I found the problem is the connections of the cable connecting the throttle to the stick. If I unplug and replug into the stick, control axis are returned to normal after the 1st or 2nd try.
 

Stinky

Stinky
Bingo Brewster said:
Occasionally in game I lose control (usually in combat :)) and the ship starts spinning because the controller axis have gone crazy.
After much research and buggering about, I found the problem is the connections of the cable connecting the throttle to the stick. If I unplug and replug into the stick, control axis are returned to normal after the 1st or 2nd try.
Click to expand...

Glue it in place .. that's what I did eventually :)
 

Scoob

Scoob
They did revise the X52 a little while ago, it now (supposedly) has a reinforced shaft and other enhancement over the original X52 - mine is one of these revised models, there's a blurb about it on the box somewhere.

Anyway, my X52 has been fine since I got it. The drivers and software were pretty shoddy, but I got updated versions of those and things have worked fine since. Didn't have to calibrate the stick as it was spot on out of the box - no drift on any axis. Had to play around to get the pinky switch and clutch to not act as shift buttons, but as buttons in their own right, but once that was done it's been working great.

Scoob.
 

Jedirogue

Jedirogue
I've had my X55 going on 9 months now and have never had any problems (maybe I was lucky). The TM sticks do seem more robust but the additional cost and lack of twist rudder on the stick makes them a no for me. I had a X45 for almost a decade with no problems so I am hoping that the X55 will give similar service. I should also point out that I also apply extra silicone grease to the internals of my stick and throttle as I believe that Saitek's biggest problem is plastic on plastic wear, but that's just me being super paranoid. Good luck whatever you choose.
 

{SAS}Stalker

{SAS}Stalker
imashination said:
If youve bought two products from a company that have fallen apart in a hilariously short amount of time, why would you even consider buying a third? Ive yet to go for the stick route (still waiting to see if they add anything to the game worth buying it for) but if I do then it will be a CH throttle and stick, ive heard nothing but good things about them.
Click to expand...

Because there is a severe lack of viable alternatives. Yes you can buy CH or TM variants but they don't offer a twist stick for yaw control and thus you are forced to buy pedals which I really don't want to do.

In contrast I have a Saitek Cyborg Evo pro that is 10 years old, looks and performs like new but has a lack of functional buttons for what is needed for ED.
 
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INSTG8R

INSTG8R
I have an original "SAITEK" X-52 Pro that I have had since release so it's easy 5yrs old and still works flawlessly. I had a regular 52 before it that saw YEARS of IL-2 that I sent to my buddy for ED and he loves it.

The problem is since MadCatz took over the quality has dropped ALOT clearly by all the reports of bad sticks. It's a shame because I couldn't see me using anything else other than maybe Logitech's now discontinued 940.
 

Slovakia

Slovakia
"Miscalibrating" problem - if this happens, first check what values are reported in Windows. I think problem is inside X52 and needs repair.
I had miscalibration only once, when I disconnected joystick during play. After PC reboot, joystick got calibrated and everything went OK.

Throttle broken - yes it`s well known problem of X52. I removed bottom screws, opened cover and took out one little piece of plastic, responsible for "freezing" just at 80% of full throttle.

My X52 also have minor cosmetic problem, thin plastic material on throttle is slowly tearing. Now it looks like X52 True Military Edition.

Still, I am very satisfied with my Saitek X52. Not cheap one and eats big part of my table, but love to fly in Elite with it.
 

Stinky

Stinky
{SAS}Stalker said:
Because there is a severe lack of viable alternatives. Yes you can buy CH or TM variants but they don't offer a twist stick for yaw control and thus you are forced to buy pedals which I really don't want to do
Click to expand...

ugh ..twist stick. If you want RSI it's the way to go ;)
Pedals ftw!
 
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