Hardware & Technical which flight sticks should i get? X-52 or X-52 pro?
- Thread starter Ghost1
- Start date
Nice link. Seems a fair and balanced review of what we have so far.
Yeah, but it still flops about loosely. As he shows in the video, there is very little difference between the standard x52 and the pro version.
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There has always been complaints of quality issues with Saitek stuff but I can only go on my own experience. The first Joystick I had on a PC was a Saitek(it had fold down feet but I can't remember what it was called) that was given away good as new when I got an X45. I decided I wanted the X52Pro when it was launched and gave the X45 away, it is still going strong I am told. My early production X52Pro is working perfectly and it has had a lot of clatter one way or another. On that basis I can't complain.
I bought some CH Pedals and by comparison they gave up the ghost after about 18 months, customer support was non existent and I replaced them with Saitek pedals which again are going strong after years of use, the foot plates are further apart as well so they are more comfortable too.
The X55 hasn't tempted me for two specific reasons, the first is that I would miss the 4 way hat switch under my left finger on the throttle, I have that set up to lateral thrusters and particularly in combat that is very handy, the other is not being able to lock out the twist rudder. If the 52 Pro died on me I would buy the 55 but until then I think the 52 suits ED better.
I bought some CH Pedals and by comparison they gave up the ghost after about 18 months, customer support was non existent and I replaced them with Saitek pedals which again are going strong after years of use, the foot plates are further apart as well so they are more comfortable too.
The X55 hasn't tempted me for two specific reasons, the first is that I would miss the 4 way hat switch under my left finger on the throttle, I have that set up to lateral thrusters and particularly in combat that is very handy, the other is not being able to lock out the twist rudder. If the 52 Pro died on me I would buy the 55 but until then I think the 52 suits ED better.
Good point about different experiences across brands. The other side of my "he's an insanely experience simmer" point is that he'll be sensitive to stuff that people like me probably wouldn't even notice after it's been pointed out to us. Certainly the X52 pro works for a lot of people here, has some good tech in it and actually looks good on the desk.
I bought the standard X52. I think the biggest advantage the X52pro has over it is the double springs, but I've had zero problems with the centreing on mine, and if I ever do there's a very simple mod to increase the spring tension a little just by adding a plastic disk above the spring... it doesn't even affect your warranty! The pro looks nicer being black IMHO but not enough to pay the extra for it. I'm hoping someone'll write a profile for it to enable the screen on the throttle to do more than tell the time one day. If you want the pro pick it up quick... I'm told that saitek are dropping it and just keeping the standard version as an "entry level", with the X55 being mid-range and the X65F *drool* the top shelf model.
I think the X55's are a bit over priced really, considering they're basically just X52's with an extra throttle (which you won't need in Elite). If you're gonna splash out on one wait wait and see if there'll be an X55pro as the standard one has a rep of being "plasticy".
From everything I hear the CH sticks are comparably good but they don't have the stick twist rudder feature.
If you want to go cheaper I had a Thrustmaster for years which was quite servicable. They're not brilliant but they're not bad either, and is probably the most affordable HOTAS.
I think the X55's are a bit over priced really, considering they're basically just X52's with an extra throttle (which you won't need in Elite). If you're gonna splash out on one wait wait and see if there'll be an X55pro as the standard one has a rep of being "plasticy".
From everything I hear the CH sticks are comparably good but they don't have the stick twist rudder feature.
If you want to go cheaper I had a Thrustmaster for years which was quite servicable. They're not brilliant but they're not bad either, and is probably the most affordable HOTAS.
A quick FYI: those looking for UK stock of the X52 the Pro is due in at Scan Computers on the 9th of July while the standard X52 is due in on the 14th of July, just in time for the standard beta 
I suspect that most X-55 users would find this point of view a little over-simplistic. There have been a lot of changes have been made to the stick, throttle and the software during the X-55's development. However, I've not had any experience of the X-52 or its Pro variant, so I'm not really qualified to comment.
Would anyone who has moved from an X-52 or X-52 Pro to an X-55 care to give their take regarding this analysis, especially the part I've bolded?
If it helps, I have no regrets about buying the x52 basic. It works great for Elite.
Seconded.
X52 basic has pot issues especially on the yaw axis (twisty) so you may save a few quid but expect issues after moderate/heavy use.
Still got my old X52 but never looked back since getting Pro and anyway the springs on the Pro are much better which eliminates centering issues on the Basic.
Pay your money and tell me about it in 6 months...
Still got my old X52 but never looked back since getting Pro and anyway the springs on the Pro are much better which eliminates centering issues on the Basic.
Pay your money and tell me about it in 6 months...
If it helps, I have no regrets about buying the x52 basic. It works great for Elite.
Ever since i built my computer up, i've had this "go big or go home" mentality. B i think the flight sticks are the one thing that i'm gonna slack on, because i feel like the pricing of these saiteks were done by a freakin 7 year old. ill probably just pick up the X-52 on ebay an call it a day. i really want a pro, but everywhere i look people sell them for way over they're value for being used.
Nope, bought one a couple of weeks ago for £150 from Amazon. Took a week to get to the UK from Spain, but worth the wait.
Looks like they've sold out now though :-(
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LQ4HTS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you don't mind the shipping - this place still has stock.
http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/5474
Yah... when I was looking for one on ebay I had the choice of a brand new x.52 for au$149 or a 2 year old used x52pro for $20 more! Description on the pro read "works ok. Handle surface is a bit sticky". Ewwww.... hence I bought the new, non-sticky x52.