Hardware & Technical X-55 Throttle Issue

[Javert]

I have had an X-55 for a good while.

Recently, I've noticed that some of the buttons on the throttle have stopped working.

The red fire button on the throttle stopped working several months ago, so I've had to bind my boost button to somewhere else.

More recently, the two hat switches on the throttle which are normally bound to control your lateral thrust, and also targetting of next / previous item, are a bid dodgy.

Specifically, the switches work, except for when you pusch them to the left. Usually if I move the throttle back and forwards a bit, it starts working again, but in general the thrust left option doesn't work much. I can still thrust right, up and down.

Looking in the joystick programming screen, it's also not working there, so it's not a problem that's specific to ED.

Is this a known issue and if so is there anything I can do other than replacing the HOTAS?

If I need to replace it, what would be the recommendations for a HOTAS of similar functionality but which is more durable than X-55?

 

[Necronaught]

X55 as well as both X52 and pro version have utterly terrible build quality. Time for a new stick. https://vkbcontrollers.com/?p=2624

 

[FineVisionz]

T.16000M FCS hotas from Thrustmster!

 

[Asp Explorer]

If it's still under warranty - send it back for a new one.

If not, take it apart and fix it

 

[FoxTwo]

If it's still under warranty - send it back for a new one.

If not, take it apart and fix it

Any links teaching us the art of this? I'm very wary about taking anything apart, cuz usually I will have extra screws left behind after "putting it back together"....

 

[Asp Explorer]

Any links teaching us the art of this? I'm very wary about taking anything apart, cuz usually I will have extra screws left behind after "putting it back together"....

There's not really much to it. All you really need is a multimeter and some common sense.

Take it to bits, meter it out, fix what needs fixing, and put it back together.

 

[SMcA]

There's not really much to it. All you really need is a multimeter and some common sense.

Take it to bits, meter it out, fix what needs fixing, and put it back together.

That is really not good advice. Not everyone is handy with a soldering iron. It is okay for engineers and hobbyists but for the ordinary person it is daunting especially if they don't have the tools. Also a few of the joysticks I've looked at are not built for maintenance. The cabling is too short to move things out of the way and I've noticed that some of the soldering is poor and liable to break when disturbed.
I think FoxTwo or most people would need a tutorial.

 

[Necronaught]

That is really not good advice. Not everyone is handy with a soldering iron. It is okay for engineers and hobbyists but for the ordinary person it is daunting especially if they don't have the tools. Also a few of the joysticks I've looked at are not built for maintenance. The cabling is too short to move things out of the way and I've noticed that some of the soldering is poor and liable to break when disturbed.
I think FoxTwo or most people would need a tutorial.

On the other hand it is broken already. May as well have a go. I'm sure someone has a circuit diagram of these HOTAS? If not perhaps some engineered minded could make a database for fixes.

 

[SMcA]

On the other hand it is broken already. May as well have a go. I'm sure someone has a circuit diagram of these HOTAS? If not perhaps some engineered minded could make a database for fixes.

On the gripping hand* that's a fair point. Broken and very broken is still only broken.

Then there is the matter of replacement parts. My X52 Pro has a couple of switches with bouncing contacts. A quick look on the interweb came up with nothing. I managed to find a workaround using the software. That would not work for the OP's fault, unfortunately.


*
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gripping_Hand

 

[FoxTwo]

I think FoxTwo or most people would need a tutorial.

Indeed. I don't have a multimeter (whatever that is) and currently my HOTAS is fine. I was just wondering how easy/hard it would be to take it apart should the day come when my HOTAS starts acting up.

 

[SMcA]

Indeed. I don't have a multimeter (whatever that is)

A combination volt/current/ohm meter and the more expensive ones have other functions.

and currently my HOTAS is fine. I was just wondering how easy/hard it would be to take it apart should the day come when my HOTAS starts acting up.

It depends on the HOTAS, there are some tutorials out there. The difficult part is getting access to the component you want to fix without breaking other parts. And working out the order of things to do.
For instance It took me an hour to partially strip my PC to clean a fan. I undid some clips and the front cover moved a bit. I loosened the fan controler and DVD recorder and the front cover was still stuck. I cut the cable wraps holding the controller and DVD to get some leeway etc. In the end I had to remove the connectors to remove the front cover. A PC tower is spacious compared to a HOTAS. I'll do it quicker next time now I know what has to be done.
Depending where you live there may be a group of hobbyists who might help. In London there is one called the Restart Project and I believe that the idea started in the States.

 

[FoxTwo]

It depends on the HOTAS, there are some tutorials out there. The difficult part is getting access to the component you want to fix without breaking other parts. And working out the order of things to do.

I went to youtube to look for tutorials on the X52 Pro. Looks extremely daunting to me. I think I'll just do the normal layman thing and just send it back (if under warranty period). Or get a new set if out of warranty.

 

[Rob At Work]

I fixed mine with a BIG HAMMER and a credit card

 

[SMcA]

I went to youtube to look for tutorials on the X52 Pro. Looks extremely daunting to me. I think I'll just do the normal layman thing and just send it back (if under warranty period). Or get a new set if out of warranty.

Which was my point of my reply to Asp Explorer's post.
It is about 20 years since I got my hands dirty and I would have to think hard about changing some of the switches.

 

[Insomnia]

I fixed mine with a BIG HAMMER and a credit card

I hope you posted a DIY vid of it on YT.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Open it up and check if the wires are frayed.. It's a well know issue.

Loads of us have had similar problems.. Myself included.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/14153-Saitek-x55-rhino