x52 / x55 Q's

[nameBrandon]

I currently have a Hotas T.Flight which I bought a while back, and it was good enough to learn some basics with (just downloaded the game yesterday). Clearly I need more buttons, though.

I've seen a bunch of mappings for both the Saitek X55 and X52 and had some questions..

On the X52, there are 3 buttons/switches below the actual stick that people seem to bind to sys/engines/weapons.. I'm toggling pips between those systems mid-flight, sometimes 6-7 times in the span of 20 seconds.. Do people really take their hand off of the stick and flip those switches?

Similarly on the X55, the switches/toggles/etc on the thrust device.. How difficult is it to find what you're looking for with the DK2 on? Also, I believe the X52 had an adjustable.. erm.. bottom-hand-holding-thing (insert proper term here).. is that adjustable on the X55? I thought I had read that it was not..?

Has anyone used them both (and when I refer to the X52, let's just assume Pro) and definitely felt one or the other was better for them (and why)?

I'm just trying to decide between the two, and each time I think I've figured it out, I change my mind..

Thanks!

 

[Knot2clever]

I currently us the X52 pro, it is my second X52 pro as the 1st had a throttle problem. On this stick I had to re position the main
fire micro switch after just 3 days of light use. I went to the X52 pro after the X52, I had two faulty X52's that's why I switched to the pro.

Many people have had build quality issues with the X52's, it seem very pot luck on the sticks reliability.

For the price of the X52 and pro I would have expected a much better build quality.

If I knew then, what I know now, I would have saved myself loads of hassle if I had just gone for the X55, the cost put me off.

If/when this stick has issues it will be the X55 next time. Buy cheap buy twice (or even more if it's a Saitek X52)

Only knowledge of the X55 is from what I have read on here, probably what you've already read yourself.

 

[mickeeie mouse]

I currently have a Hotas T.Flight which I bought a while back, and it was good enough to learn some basics with (just downloaded the game yesterday). Clearly I need more buttons, though.

I've seen a bunch of mappings for both the Saitek X55 and X52 and had some questions..

On the X52, there are 3 buttons/switches below the actual stick that people seem to bind to sys/engines/weapons.. I'm toggling pips between those systems mid-flight, sometimes 6-7 times in the span of 20 seconds.. Do people really take their hand off of the stick and flip those switches?

Similarly on the X55, the switches/toggles/etc on the thrust device.. How difficult is it to find what you're looking for with the DK2 on? Also, I believe the X52 had an adjustable.. erm.. bottom-hand-holding-thing (insert proper term here).. is that adjustable on the X55? I thought I had read that it was not..?

Has anyone used them both (and when I refer to the X52, let's just assume Pro) and definitely felt one or the other was better for them (and why)?

I'm just trying to decide between the two, and each time I think I've figured it out, I change my mind..

Thanks!

yes, iv used both.

i ordered the x55, then a friends arrived to have a play with, it was just waaay too big(joystick) for my hands, i couldnt use alot of the switches on the stick because of this, also the hand rest was none adjustable.......... oooh but that throttle! i did like the throttle part, but not enough to keep my order, the other thing was it just felt so cheap for what was a quite expensive bit of kit

so, iv purchased the x52, and im made up with it. i had to do the magnet mod and spring tension mod mind, so warranty is no void, but i think i can do a better job of repairing it than madcatz if it ever brakes.

im using a custom config, the no1 pov hat on joystick is my lateral thrust, the no2 pov hat allows me to cycle through targets and select subsystems and the little pov switch in the back of the throttle is for ships systems(engines, weapons, systems) t1-6 on stick base are for landing gear, lights, cargo scoop, silent running, hardpoints.

the x55 will allow you to use the stick and throttle independent of each other as both have there own usb lead, the x52 has a tether lead from joystick to throttle and 1 usb lead from throttle, so have to be used together

hope this helps

MM

 

[nameBrandon]

I currently us the X52 pro, it is my second X52 pro as the 1st had a throttle problem. On this stick I had to re position the main
fire micro switch after just 3 days of light use. I went to the X52 pro after the X52, I had two faulty X52's that's why I switched to the pro.

Many people have had build quality issues with the X52's, it seem very pot luck on the sticks reliability.

For the price of the X52 and pro I would have expected a much better build quality.

If I knew then, what I know now, I would have saved myself loads of hassle if I had just gone for the X55, the cost put me off.

If/when this stick has issues it will be the X55 next time. Buy cheap buy twice (or even more if it's a Saitek X52)

Only knowledge of the X55 is from what I have read on here, probably what you've already read yourself.

Thank you! I know since they've been discontinued, the X52 pro is the same price as the X55, at least here in the US.. You may have made that decision pretty easy with your unfortunate experience with Saitek X52 QC.. From what I've read, that QC issue doesn't seem to be present (or at least as wide-spread) with regard to the X55..

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yes, iv used both.

i ordered the x55, then a friends arrived to have a play with, it was just waaay too big(joystick) for my hands, i couldnt use alot of the switches on the stick because of this, also the hand rest was none adjustable.......... oooh but that throttle! i did like the throttle part, but not enough to keep my order, the other thing was it just felt so cheap for what was a quite expensive bit of kit

so, iv purchased the x52, and im made up with it. i had to do the magnet mod and spring tension mod mind, so warranty is no void, but i think i can do a better job of repairing it than madcatz if it ever brakes.

im using a custom config, the no1 pov hat on joystick is my lateral thrust, the no2 pov hat allows me to cycle through targets and select subsystems and the little pov switch in the back of the throttle is for ships systems(engines, weapons, systems) t1-6 on stick base are for landing gear, lights, cargo scoop, silent running, hardpoints.

the x55 will allow you to use the stick and throttle independent of each other as both have there own usb lead, the x52 has a tether lead from joystick to throttle and 1 usb lead from throttle, so have to be used together

hope this helps

MM

That was very helpful! I did not realize the X55 was the only one that had 2 USB leads.. That may be important down the road, I'll have to think about it..

 

[Beavis Tingleball]

I use the upper hat on the x52 stick to handle pips. lower to handle targeting and throttle hat(set 8-way) for up/down/left/right thrusters. my slider controlls flight assist. I never have to take my hands off the controls for anything except to hit ESC.

 

[nameBrandon]

I use the upper hat on the x52 stick to handle pips. lower to handle targeting and throttle hat(set 8-way) for up/down/left/right thrusters. my slider controlls flight assist. I never have to take my hands off the controls for anything except to hit ESC.

Great to hear! Thanks!

 

[Beavis Tingleball]

In regards to the x52 QC, the actuall setup itself is awesome...when it works..I had a helluva time getting drivers to act right. I recently found an updated driver that fixed all my X52 woes. I do really like the X55 but for ED I have to stick with the (now working) X52, simply because it's the model the game used and adds a little to the immersion factor...oh, and the throttle is REALLY comfortable for super long play. your fingers naturally fall on the buttons most used.

 

[Adam Lusardi]

I currently have a Hotas T.Flight which I bought a while back, and it was good enough to learn some basics with (just downloaded the game yesterday). Clearly I need more buttons, though.

You do know on the T-Flight you can use one or more of the buttons as a "shift" button giving you access to lots of key combos.
Have a search in the forums for some common maps.
You can also map a second controller, I use a old xbox controller with some of the less frequently used buttons mapped to it.

 

[Karnath]

Also using the X52 pro, I've had mine about 3 weeks now
The build quality compared to my very old cyborg 3d stick is light years ahead, I have found on a few occasions the duel spring in the flight stick can be a little noisy at times other than that I couldn't be more happy

I am using the default profile for ED and have no issue taking my hand off the stick to flick one of the lower switches to raise or deploy landing gear, if your struggling for buttons or don't really want to remove your hands of the stick you could always use voice attack to assist and add more immersion to your game

 

[nameBrandon]

Thanks everyone for the responses.. I did something a little unusual due to a good deal on eBay that randomly popped up last night.. This is either going to work very well, or be a waste of money.

I got a good deal on an x55 stick (stick only, no throttle) for < $50USD. I plan on pairing it with the CH Throttle Pro USB when it's available. I think the combination of the two should work really well.. and if not, well, it's back to the drawing board.

I very much appreciate all of the feedback!

 

[rkodey]

I've used a X-52 Pro for years, with no trouble. My hats/pov are as follows (it's somewhat of a carry-over from my DCS A-10 simulator setup). NOTE: coming from DCS, I heavily rely on "shift buttons" that allow mapping multiple function to various buttons. So, when I say Shift-POV1, for example, it means holding down a button on the throttle while activating the POV. Make sense?

Center joystick POV1: pips. Shift-POV1: Chaff, Heat Sink, Shield Cell. (These 3 function map nicely to their related pip directions. Keeps all system controls in 1 POV.)
Top-Left joystick POV2: targeting. Shift-POV2: Weapons Groups and Subsystem Targeting. (i.e. POV2 is all about targeting.)
Throttle POV3: Thrusters (up,down,left,right) & Galaxy Map movement. Shift-POV2: Thrusters (fore,aft). (i.e. all engine controls in your left hand.)

Since I'm playing with a Rift, I don't use the switches for anything, as I need to keep the hands-on aspect.

So basically, there are TONS of options - make it as simple or complex as you want!!

 

[Knot2clever]

To add regarding my X52 pro.

Yesterday evening the LED's on the throttle rotary hat started to flicker and randomly change colour as I operated the throttle.

Rather than wait till it got worse I dismantled the throttle and discovered the wire's were chaffing on the exit slot under the throttle.
Whilst there was some insulation to stop this, it was inadequate and also misaligned offering no protection.

I have since fitted some electrical tape to prevent chaffing.

This is also an issue reported relating to the stick, so I have now dismantled my stick and sure enough the wire's coming out of the stick base were chaffing
on the metal edge. The protective insulation was again misaligned and offering no protection. Electrical tape used again.

I took the opportunity to do the magnet mod whilst disassembled, it makes a big difference in a good way, feels far more responsive and positive.

 

[CylonSurfer]

All I know is that I had a T-Flight and upgraded to the X55. I wouldn't look back, it's a great bit of kit and a huge upgrade over the T-FLight. I have what I would describe as average sized hands but I am a bit more flexible than most, that said I have never had any issues reaching the X55's buttons, hats or switches. After a week or so most of the button positioning is now muscle memory so finding the right button is not a problem, even when I'm in the Rift.

 

[CMDR Bravo Zulu]

I currently us the X52 pro, it is my second X52 pro as the 1st had a throttle problem. On this stick I had to re position the mainfire micro switch after just 3 days of light use. I went to the X52 pro after the X52, I had two faulty X52's that's why I switched to the pro.Many people have had build quality issues with the X52's, it seem very pot luck on the sticks reliability.For the price of the X52 and pro I would have expected a much better build quality.If I knew then, what I know now, I would have saved myself loads of hassle if I had just gone for the X55, the cost put me off.If/when this stick has issues it will be the X55 next time. Buy cheap buy twice (or even more if it's a Saitek X52)Only knowledge of the X55 is from what I have read on here, probably what you've already read yourself.

My X52 just gave up the ghost - very poor quality control - lack of shielding the fine wires at the base of the throttle and stick. Mine too far gone to fix this time, 3rd repair already. Great fun while it lasted, but would not rebuy or recommend - I am now an ED addict so have splurged on a Warthog. Should be in the post tomorrow ... :-D

 

[nameBrandon]

Just to add an update to this.. I did get the X55 stick in from eBay.. it had a problem with yaw sticking.. I did a bunch of attempted fixes found on YouTube (greasing inside the stick itself) as well as on the ball in the 'box', etc.. no luck. At least it was only ~$50 USD. I've since ordered a T1600m which I really like (much more comfortable than the X55 was).

For now I'm using my old T.Flight for thrust, but will be picking up a CH Throttle Pro once they're back in stock.

After disassembling the X55 stick multiple times, I think I'm glad I passed on the Saitek route. Not only was the X55 not comfortable for me, the build quality was less than impressive.

 

[neo1874]

I use the X55 with no problems what so ever. I found the quality just fine and once I programmed it through ED it has been working great. I can't play the game without this setup. Except for the F12 command to center DK2 I almost never touch the keyboard or mouse once the game starts.

 

[Werppa]

I use the X55 with no problems what so ever. I found the quality just fine and once I programmed it through ED it has been working great. I can't play the game without this setup. Except for the F12 command to center DK2 I almost never touch the keyboard or mouse once the game starts.

Yeah, same thing with my X52 pro. Galaxy map is the only place where I use mouse and/or keyboard. And options of course. I've heard that X55 has some problems so that's why I bought X52, it looks cool too which is a plus.

 

[rkodey]

Except for the F12 command to center DK2 I almost never touch the keyboard or mouse once the game starts.

Why not map a button to re-center the Rift? It's an available mappable button in the Controls section. Personally, I use the Pinky switch as a "shift" button, so my re-center is Pinky+C (The "C" button on the stick)

 

[neo1874]

Nice idea rkodey I think I will do just that.

 

[Abbadon]

I currently have a Hotas T.Flight which I bought a while back, and it was good enough to learn some basics with (just downloaded the game yesterday). Clearly I need more buttons, though.

I've seen a bunch of mappings for both the Saitek X55 and X52 and had some questions..

On the X52, there are 3 buttons/switches below the actual stick that people seem to bind to sys/engines/weapons.. I'm toggling pips between those systems mid-flight, sometimes 6-7 times in the span of 20 seconds.. Do people really take their hand off of the stick and flip those switches?

Similarly on the X55, the switches/toggles/etc on the thrust device.. How difficult is it to find what you're looking for with the DK2 on? Also, I believe the X52 had an adjustable.. erm.. bottom-hand-holding-thing (insert proper term here).. is that adjustable on the X55? I thought I had read that it was not..?

Has anyone used them both (and when I refer to the X52, let's just assume Pro) and definitely felt one or the other was better for them (and why)?

I'm just trying to decide between the two, and each time I think I've figured it out, I change my mind..

Thanks!

I've got both of them, moreover i have got 2 saitek x52 both of them are crap... just an expensive junk. I strongly recommend the x55 if you want at least the minimal quality lvl and if u want to be able to bind everything u want.

If u got money buy a trustmaster warthog