X52 Pro worth it?
- Thread starter Fabe
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I assume a deadzone issue is a fault not a universal design flaw, cuz mine is if anything twitchy on fine movements & I gave up trying to find satisfactory curves that would smooth that out.
They all introduced a lurch elsewhere in the movement range.
I never had that issue on my old x52, seemingly due to a less precise sensor on that original model.
If you're going to get an x52 I'd just get the normal version. The only difference is the display and you can't use that for much. If the pro had better construction and/or an analog hat on the throttle it'd be perfect, but ti doesn't.
I've used up two sets of x52 pros over 5000 hours elite flight time, they last @ 2500-2600 hours before there tired. got a set of x56 rhino's and have over 1000 hours on them and never been happier! if you can save a little bit and go for the x56's, you never have to touch the keyboard again in game!
My X52pro is from 2010, and i don't have any dead zone on the stick.
The only issue i have is the connector cable between throttle and stick that sometimes get unplugged. Checking the plug before playing in mandatory.
The TS16000 has compared to the X52pro a lower quality, problems with the twist axis are mentioned often.
The X52pro has a slightly better construction:
The stick uses 2 springs instead of 1, making it less "wobbely"
The disk under the springs is metal, so it has less friction than the plastic disk from the X52, making stick movement smoother.
The 3 dual switches on the base of the stick and the hats on the stick are made from metal.
Led color & brightness can be adjustet in the control panel
The black color matches better to black keyboards & mice
AFIAK the display on the pro does the same as display on the X52: showing time and - if you use the profiler software - the name of the button and it's function.
Hmm, I don't think that was apparent last time I checked their website. Good to know. You can also adjust the LED brightness in the control panel on the non-pro.The X52pro has a slightly better construction:
The stick uses 2 springs instead of 1, making it less "wobbely"
The disk under the springs is metal, so it has less friction than the plastic disk from the X52, making stick movement smoother.
The 3 dual switches on the base of the stick and the hats on the stick are made from metal.
Led color & brightness can be adjustet in the control panel
The black color matches better to black keyboards & mice
AFIAK the display on the pro does the same as display on the X52: showing time and - if you use the profiler software - the name of the button and it's function.
So you're getting good response on the stick with the ship moving once the stick moves?
i get even good response if i carless rest my hand on the stick: small minor movement of the ships nose.
So the X52 sensors are quiet sensitive.
As most sticks the X52 is centered by a spring, and the player has to apply force to move the stick out of 0% position.
The X52 uses one spring to center, pressed against a plastic disc that is sliding on a plastic ridge (with a little bit of silicon grease in between).
Some reviews of the X52 said that this plastic disc has sometimes too much friction, creating a sense of lag then moving the stick.
Removing the old grease (= removing dirt & dust) and adding grease new should improve that.
The X52pro uses 2 springs, and the disc is made from metal (less friction). Due the 2 springs the pro needs only little force to moved out of 0% position.
Some info about dead zones:
Dead zones can be set in the Windows game controller panel for each axis, or in Elite Dangerous input bindings.
Most stick don't have a dead zone from the sensor, but some players set dead zones to increase the size of the 0% position.
Normaly it should set a small dead zone because i can't touch the stick without moving it, but it's a minor movement, so it's not realy a problem.
Players also have to set somtimes dead zones if the sensor can't get 0% position anymore due aging of the potentiometers. The X52 uses hall sensors for the sticks main axis, and potis only for the twist handle, the main throttle axis and the throttle dials.
I have a small dead zone set on the dials (i use them in landing mode to roll or yaw on the spot, and for the VS Scanner).
I bought the normal X52 around a year ago after my old cyborg got a bit too much of a deadzone and then broke (but lasted for around 15 years with several mechwarrior games included). I decided for the X52 because it cost me 120 € and I knew it will be out of stock soon. I remembered it was praised back in the day when it was almost the only hotas available.
Build quality is that of a toy not an actual real life flight stick. It is plastic. But should be equal or better than everything else on the market up till a price range of 250 €. It is well enough, pretty sensible but stays centered, a lot of buttons, fits good into the hand (adjustable), good software and all axis available (no additional gear needed).
Overall my Cyborg Evo Force stick had a bit better build quality but I guess that was because it had force feedback (but costed only 50 €, no hotas though but I miss FF). With the inflated market prices for flight sticks at the moment I think you can't do better regarding price value and usability. I really like it. The Pro version should even feel a little less than a toy I guess. But you shouldn't spent more than 250 € max.
Personally I would not spent around 500 € for a stick if I'm not going to build a simpit around. Especially if they don't have full axis support and they can have issues too. But that's up to everybody to decide for himself.
Build quality is that of a toy not an actual real life flight stick. It is plastic. But should be equal or better than everything else on the market up till a price range of 250 €. It is well enough, pretty sensible but stays centered, a lot of buttons, fits good into the hand (adjustable), good software and all axis available (no additional gear needed).
Overall my Cyborg Evo Force stick had a bit better build quality but I guess that was because it had force feedback (but costed only 50 €, no hotas though but I miss FF). With the inflated market prices for flight sticks at the moment I think you can't do better regarding price value and usability. I really like it. The Pro version should even feel a little less than a toy I guess. But you shouldn't spent more than 250 € max.
Personally I would not spent around 500 € for a stick if I'm not going to build a simpit around. Especially if they don't have full axis support and they can have issues too. But that's up to everybody to decide for himself.
I operated some industrial stuff with industrial joysticks (from cranes to REMs), all of them use plastics for cases and buttons too.
The old Saitek Cyborg sticks use the same centering mechanism as the X52pro stick, but potis for the main axis.
Also the sticks buttons are of lesser quality compared to the X52pro buttons.
I have an old ST 290 and a Mad Catz V1 Stick, and while the main axis still work fine some of the buttons don't work well anymore.
The old Saitek Cyborg sticks use the same centering mechanism as the X52pro stick, but potis for the main axis.
Also the sticks buttons are of lesser quality compared to the X52pro buttons.
I have an old ST 290 and a Mad Catz V1 Stick, and while the main axis still work fine some of the buttons don't work well anymore.