Hardware & Technical New Logitech X56 HOTAS!

[Evoflash]

annnnnnnnd my X56 has finally developed a fault. Yaw return spring has failed. Logitech a bit slow on the warranty claim. It's in fact a Saitek, but they have advised me that I have a 2yr warranty (my X56 is 20 months old).

Let's see how long it takes to resolve. In the meantime I have calibrated a wider deadzone so the stick is plenty usable until it is replaced. Did feel a little bit like the pilot of a bucket of bolts having to do running repairs, indeed my Asp the Ithacan Wanderer is surely aging now....

 

[PiLhEaD]

Greetings...Regards

Thanks for taking the time to write up and post +1. Having owned a couple of Saitek designed joysticks before I really dislike the 'cup and spring' tensioning as I always felt some 'suction' in getting the cup out of its holder prior to getting the joystick moving, so doubt I'll be going back anytime.

 

[TheHarbinger]

Well, if you got a X52 pro, then the spring tension is so light you don't really feel much beyond a small "bump" in the middle.
Guess the "bump" is much more noticable on X56 models, which have stronger springs

 

[stephen_usher]

Well, if you got a X52 pro, then the spring tension is so light you don't really feel much beyond a small "bump" in the middle.
Guess the "bump" is much more noticable on X56 models, which have stronger springs

But you can change the springs on the X56 for different tension preference. The lightest is less strong than the X52 Pro.

 

[mp4x]

My luck has run out - After 16 months, one of the axis on the flight-sticks analogue "C-stick" has stopped responding. I contacted Logitech to return it, so far they've been helpful enough but I won't be able to return the HOTAS back to the retailer, until Thursday. If there are any problems with the warranty claim, I'll report them back here in this thread

I forgot I had posted this... Keeping in mind I am in Australia, so there's some logistics with returns like this. The process was pain free; I contacted Logitech, they took the info, gave me a job number and asked I drop it to the retail outlet that I purchased it from. I did that, eventually, and they sent it off. (There was about two weeks whereby I just couldn't be bothered taking it to the store.) Approximately three weeks after I did take it back, the store advised me that Logitech have issued a full credit for the purchase amount. During the two weeks between me making the claim and actually taking the X56 back to the store, Logitech mailed me about every three days to make sure there wasn't any problem with returning it to the store/telling me to get in touch if there's a problem. Three week turn around isn't too bad, from Aus.

 

[mp4x]

I forgot I had posted this... Keeping in mind I am in Australia, so there's some logistics with returns like this. The process was pain free; I contacted Logitech, they took the info, gave me a job number and asked I drop it to the retail outlet that I purchased it from. I did that, eventually, and they sent it off. (There was about two weeks whereby I just couldn't be bothered taking it to the store.) Approximately three weeks after I did take it back, the store advised me that Logitech have issued a full credit for the purchase amount. During the two weeks between me making the claim and actually taking the X56 back to the store, Logitech mailed me about every three days to make sure there wasn't any problem with returning it to the store/telling me to get in touch if there's a problem. Three week turn around isn't too bad, from Aus.

That said, I am using the store credit towards a Thrustmaster Warthog instead of another X56...

 

[JetsonRING]

T recently received one of the new version X-56 HOTAS as (another) replacement for my (twice) defective Saitek/Mad Catz X-56 HOTAS. Time will tell whether the "new" version is any more reliable or durable than the older units. In JOY.CPL the Z-axis still does not center correctly when twisted to the left but it seems to center OK in-game. I have not yet experienced any of the "ghost-input" or spontaneous disconnect problems that my old HOTAS had but this means nothing since those problems were caused by wear of the internal components. I have noticed the LED colors are not consistent across all LEDs on both devices. I set them to orange to match Elite Dangerous and a couple of them (not the MODE select switch) are lighting up in a completely different color.

In the USA the replacement process is this: Logitech will not take telephone calls, it must all be done via email. They are nice enough, they reply to emails pretty consistently and requested I send them pictures of the serial/part numbers to verify it was a Saitek X-56. They gave me a case number and when the exchange was provisionally approved they asked for more pictures showing both devices "destroyed" i.e.: rendered inoperable by cutting the cables. I also had to attach a hand written (Post-It) note to both devices in the pictures showing my case number. They then shipped me a complete, new HOTAS setup. So now I have a new, "Logitech" X-56 HOTAS kit plus the old unit for spare parts.

At least the joystick does not creak (yet) when I move it. o7

 

[CMDR Darth Vater]

How many deadzone and play you x56-owner have got in center of the Stick?

Physikally, there's a little wobbly play in the center. I have put a 10% deadzone and a standard S-curve on all axis in the Logitech SW - according that recommendation I've found on Steam:

It's quite hard to aim with fixeds when the movements are "jumping" over the center.

 

[the100thmonkey]

The curve on my T.16000Ms is a lot shallower towards the centre than yours. The numbers don't translate between sticks, but yeah - your X axis is really sharp, so I'd expect a lot of the "jumping" you mention.

 

[roryscarlett]

Ive had an X56 for about a year and it appears my main complaint has not been addressed. the stick is just too damn big. I am a six foot tall man with average size hands and I struggle ro reach all the controls with my thumb!!!!!

 

[Zerocz]

Ive had an X56 for about a year and it appears my main complaint has not been addressed. the stick is just too damn big. I am a six foot tall man with average size hands and I struggle ro reach all the controls with my thumb!!!!!

This is easy to fix. Just stick a small cushion to the rest. I did it for my X55. I was cutting a foam keyboard wrist rest down to fit a mini keyboard, and just stuck one of the cut off ends on with some double-sided scotch tape. Easy.

 

[Hesperusss]

Hi all,
my T16000m just broke today and luckily was bought on Amazon, so I can ask a refund.
Looks like I'll be with no HOTAS for a while.
The new version isn't on Amazon Italy yet.
I'm curious to try this new model, but actually the old x56 by Logitech is 230,00€ on Amazon, 100€ more than t16000m, which I'm thinking not to rebuy.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Ive had an X56 for about a year and it appears my main complaint has not been addressed. the stick is just too damn big. I am a six foot tall man with average size hands and I struggle ro reach all the controls with my thumb!!!!!

That's a problem with many sticks sadly. They must be made for bears or something.

My solution for the CH Fighterstick using pipe insulation which was a bit scratchy at first but got better after a few evenings (fixed to the stick with the awesome power of gaffer tape):

 

[mp4x]

Ive had an X56 for about a year and it appears my main complaint has not been addressed. the stick is just too damn big. I am a six foot tall man with average size hands and I struggle ro reach all the controls with my thumb!!!!!

You know, I thought that when I had the x56 but just figured I must have small hands. Now I'm the owner of a Thrustmaster Warthog, I feel like the x56 was almost novelty-size big. The Warthog fits a hand much better, and you can reach all the coolie hat switches without having to half let go of the main stick. I don't know why they went so big with the x56...

 

[CMDR Reaper]

So you guys who have had it for a while now. How is it holding up? Everything working, any creaking sounds?

One thing that bothers me with my X56 "first gen" from Saitek is the creaking sound from the yaw.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

So you guys who have had it for a while now. How is it holding up? Everything working, any creaking sounds?

One thing that bothers me with my X56 "first gen" from Saitek is the creaking sound from the yaw.

I'm interested in this too. The feature set is very attractive. Of course, I don't want to buy if there are still quality issues.

 

[Dahill]

So you guys who have had it for a while now. How is it holding up? Everything working, any creaking sounds?

One thing that bothers me with my X56 "first gen" from Saitek is the creaking sound from the yaw.

I have had mine since June and had no issues at all...The only things that even get my attention are the stick center movement (just the design; does not make an input until actual deflection), the throttle indicator markings are off and blue (should have been done in grey or made transparent and RGB lit) and the locking mechanism between the throttles is flimsy in my opinion and could have at least been a little closer tolerance for single throttle use. I'm being picky here. I definitely prefer the soft touch materials and the price compared to the more expensive counterparts...

 

[EUS]

I have an X55. The rocker switch on the back of the throttle and one of the hats on the side of the throttle wore out very quickly and no longer click.

Does this X56 have any improvements in this area? I am tempted to replace mine but not if I'm going to have the same issues again.

For me, the hat switch on the joystick is garbage. 2 weeks of use turned to mush.
The big button on the top of the throttle is garbage as well, is doesn't spring back up. It's my reverse/forward thrust button, and I have to manually pull it back up after pressing it.
If the X56 is of the same quality as the X55, there's not much for me to look forward to.

 

[Vedmo]

So you guys who have had it for a while now. How is it holding up? Everything working, any creaking sounds?

One thing that bothers me with my X56 "first gen" from Saitek is the creaking sound from the yaw.

I've been using the new X-56 since March of 2018 and have had zero issues with it, other than what's already been stated about it being designed for use with giant hands. If I'm really getting after it with twist and yaw there is some creeking noise, and I can't say it's always been that way, so I'm guessing it's wear at the pivot point where the spring is putting down pressure. If that bugs you, then it bugs you, but I don't notice any difference in function since it started. I'm a sample size of one, but I'd give it top marks for quality after nearly a year.

 

[Sysmon]

I've had mine for more than a year now. Silicone grease has sorted any creaking and stickiness issues so far, and the stick works fine still.


S