Buying a Saitek x55 Rhino.Any tips?

Jake Savage

Jake Savage
I am enjoying ED so much that iv decided to buy the Saitek x55 rhino, just for this game, even though I don't play flight sims.
Does ED recognise the x55 and allocate bindings? I don't want rudders, the twist grip is good for me.
Also do any of you fellow x55 users out there have any suggestions, or tips, or good binding setups for me?
Not set to arrive until 29th ish though! Damn. Still, something for me to look forward to.
Thanks guys.
Back to my type 6 for some more ED methinks.
 

Ady

A
x55 is pretty good. The presets are a good starting point, but I've customized my bindings to something I feel more comfortable with, and are pretty different to the defaults.
 

talshiarr

talshiarr
Keep your receipt and the RMA number hand just in case. I don't have one personally but my friend does and he had to send his first one back because the throttle was DOA, and his second one is already losing the 'clickiness' on some of the buttons he uses frequently. They still work but he says the feel is cheap. Other people have no problems whatsoever. It's just something to be aware of.
 

Schoolboy

Schoolboy
After getting elite with my hotas X stick from yonder years I sold it off and bought the x55 never looked back. you'll be flying like a pro the min you take off. Do the tutorial mission first you dont wanna dent the hull of your ship on the first outing with it :)
 

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
I stopped using my HOTAS because I didn't like the response curve compared to flying with the mouse.

I'd like them to add the ability to edit that curve for the axes before I'll be tempted to use it again - it was too twitchy for small aiming corrections, which was not an issue in other flight sims I play (IL2, FSX, X-Plane, etc.)

I have also seen warnings about Saitek's recent product quality, apparently owing to them outsourcing to the far east.
 

Void Dancer

Void Dancer
I'm using a x55 since October and generally I like the product. Still, I'm not convinced that this HOTAS will live more than 1-2 years. For that kind of money much too fast (if that happens).

I've heard CH products are great quality products, had bought them myself but I didn't like the throttle.
If money is not an issue, I'd say buy the Thrustmaster Warthog and rudder pedals (which is probably double the amount of the x55 in total).
 

Enride

Enride
I also have an X55 on the way, and are well aware I might have to send it back one or even two times.
But when getting one that isnt defective, they sure seem like a great midrange hotas!

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Void Dancer said:
I'm using a x55 since October and generally I like the product. Still, I'm not convinced that this HOTAS will live more than 1-2 years. For that kind of money much too fast (if that happens).

I've heard CH products are great quality products, had bought them myself but I didn't like the throttle.
If money is not an issue, I'd say buy the Thrustmaster Warthog and rudder pedals (which is probably double the amount of the x55 in total).
Click to expand...

Where I live, the warthog alone is more then twice the price of the x55 :/
 

Kiasu

K
Connor Caple said:
I'd like them to add the ability to edit that curve for the axes before I'll be tempted to use it again - it was too twitchy for small aiming corrections, which was not an issue in other flight sims I play (IL2, FSX, X-Plane, etc.)
Click to expand...

I thought the X55 software was for adjusting the curves?
I have an X55 set but have problems with the software not recognizing them. From what I've read it doesn't like some USB ports or mainboards that also have USB3. The joysticks work but I can't calibrate or program (never got around to look for a fix as I don't have any issues using them as is in Elite but I read somewhere that running them through a USB hub helps)
Also, I found the stick and throttle to be larger than I expected. I don't have tiny hands but I can't reach all hats without moving a bit.
I'm skeptical about their durability, especially the hats since I bang them pretty hard for vert/hor movement but time will tell.
As for bindings, you'll probably want to spend (quite) some time finding something that works for you. I didn't like any of the standard ones. Still fine tuning my current setup.

Other than that, pretty happy with them.
 

GSJap

G
I have one and love it. But now the lights on the stick flicker. Have to keep forward pressure the on stick. Opened a support ticket with Saitek and would be without it for 2 weeks at least while they decide on the course of repair for it. Will need to get another set just to hold me till it gets repaired :(
 

Aussiedroid

Aussiedroid
Hey mate! Do a search in the forums for X55 and you should come across a big thread with a lot of info on mappings that have been shared, among other things. They can be a good start if you want to jump right in.

The default keybinds are ok to start you off, but personally I found I spent many hours just changing things around to suit how I wanted it ... lots of going into the tutorials and practicing etc. Even trying other people's setups were ok, but in the end i just took some of their ideas and started from scratch myself.

Most say there is no need for an X55 profile (through their software) and this is correct but I did find it handy to adjust the curve of the acceleration of the axis to make it more responsive for me personally. It helped in that small zone in centre where the lip gives a little more pressure to move out of the rest zone.

Software is a bit crappy tho IMO.

Great HOTAS, but for me I also needed to lube it up since it started squeaking very quickly.

After using a HOTAS I could never go back to ED on gamepad or mouse :)
 

Sniger

S
The X55 in Elite:
The default X55 setup in ED is a good starting point, though you will most likely want to tweak it to your personal playstyle. My recommended approach is to first start up the target practise and docking training missions, and experiment with the controls.
you may find this useful: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21522&page=9&p=677217&viewfull=1#post677217 - a thread about X55 in the archived beta forum.

the X55 in General: great precision in stick/throttle, rather poor quality in button/hat assembly, lots of possibilities for tweaking/programming though the software can be a bit tricky (frooglesim has a vid on youtube with a few tips)
Also, be aware that the X55 can be a bit picky regarding USB ports (several posts around the forum on this subject). Personally I find using USB 2.0 ports directly on the MB works best.

My personal experience with the X55: So far, I like it (2 months old by now). The precision in the stick is pixel-accurate, more buttons than you can shake a stick at ;) (I only ever use the keyboard in ED for system search).
It does take a bit of practice getting used to the stick, as with all controllers, but in general I'd say a few hours should have you flying like an ace :)

Will I recommend using this controller with ED ? Yes.
 

TheNameIsJambo

T
You'll maybe need a dry lubricant for the joystick - To stop it clicking/snapping. I wanted one, since they just look awesome, but avoided buying one after hearing too many horror stories in both real-life and online! The same issues occur with Saitek/Mad Catz hardware, over, and over, and over, and over. Their quality control stinks. They should maybe use higher quality components to justify the price; instead of maximising profits.

I have since bought a CH Pro Throttle and Thrustmaster T.16000m! They're both arriving tomorrow [at some point]. I'll let you know how I get on! :)
 

EvilDog77

E
Just a side note on the X55: There's a switch on the throttle handle that doesn't register as a joystick button. You'll need to use the profiling software to bind it to a key if you want to use it (you don't have to map everything else). I mapped mine to # and assigned the # key to 'flight assist off' and set it to 'hold'.
 

Schoolboy

Schoolboy
EvilDog77 said:
Just a side note on the X55: There's a switch on the throttle handle that doesn't register as a joystick button. You'll need to use the profiling software to bind it to a key if you want to use it (you don't have to map everything else). I mapped mine to # and assigned the # key to 'flight assist off' and set it to 'hold'.
Click to expand...

Ah now thats a great idea for that button and thanks for the tip for setting it up as i never got that button working. +rep
 
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