Hardware & Technical Finally had enough of Saitek's poor quality.

I've been using the 52 pro since Dec and starting to find I lose control at critical times - I have to pull out the wire between the joystick and throttle and re-insert it to restore joystick control. No good when flying towards a star or dropping into a battle! I've tried fiddling with the contacts and cleaning etc but it seems that the plugs are just weak. So I am considering going for the Warthog. My reserve is; how do you get round the lack of twist for yaw? I am so used to using twist on the x52 and don't want to get pedals. How do you cope with this? Opinions gratefully received?
 
I've been using the 52 pro since Dec and starting to find I lose control at critical times - I have to pull out the wire between the joystick and throttle and re-insert it to restore joystick control. No good when flying towards a star or dropping into a battle! I've tried fiddling with the contacts and cleaning etc but it seems that the plugs are just weak. So I am considering going for the Warthog. My reserve is; how do you get round the lack of twist for yaw? I am so used to using twist on the x52 and don't want to get pedals. How do you cope with this? Opinions gratefully received?

Roll and pitch!

My X-55 was acting up after upgrading to WIN10. Took the opportunity to take it apart, clean it out and apply some silicone grease here and there. Changed the spring to a harder one as well, as I'm flying a fat old Asp now and not a Cobra or Vulture. Gave the controller new life, it feels like.

:D S
 
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The second X55 Rhino has developed exactly the same faults (switch failures) as the first.
Obviously, it's the switches one uses the most on the Stick & the Throttle.

The failing switches have (both times) been the "down" microswitch on the castle hat and the "pinky" switch on the LH throttle lever.
For a product that cost my boys around £200 to buy me for my 60th birthday at the end of December last year this failure rate is totally unacceptable.
I have asked my boys to attempt to obtain a complete and total refund because I am fed up of going through this pathetic cycle of failure and expensive exchange with the retailer.
I don't think it is "fit for purpose, or of merchantable quality".

I will not buy another Saitek product for as long as I continue (please God) to live; and I would wish you all to be aware of my experiences.

Replacement CH products are now ordered as I understand their build quality to be of "Arcade Quality" using first-class components.

UPDATE:
=====

After an exchange of e-mails the Vendor of the X-55 has agreed to refund most of the original purchase price (£149 out of £189).
I think the offer of a visit to a small claims court where it would be demonstrable that the goods were not of merchantable quality did the trick.
So full marks to them for seeing sense and meeting me part way. There are companies that behave a lot worse.

So a good week. Got my trading "Elite" AND a closure on this issue. Now I am after my Combat Elite.

Fly Safe CMDR's.
I have a CH Pro Throttle and Fighterstick. Excellent HOTAS for Elite Dangerous. Hope you enjoy yours.

- - - Updated - - -

I wonder if the new Star Citizen branded Saiteks will be of similar quality.

It would suit them. SC has similar build quality and from what I can see it will be a similarly buggy game.... When it comes out in another decade.
 
I've had my X52 Pro for less than a month and found the throttle has some sort loose connection. When at full throttle some of the LED's dim and the mouse will not go right of centre. Other times the mouse goes to the right all by itself which is very annoying when in Windows. Usually if I throttle to the middle or less, everything's back to normal and the mouse moves correctly.

I bought mine from PC World and have been waiting four days for a response from their customer services. I'll be calling tomorrow. I hope my replacement fairs better...
 
I've had my X52 Pro for less than a month and found the throttle has some sort loose connection. When at full throttle some of the LED's dim and the mouse will not go right of centre. Other times the mouse goes to the right all by itself which is very annoying when in Windows. Usually if I throttle to the middle or less, everything's back to normal and the mouse moves correctly.

I bought mine from PC World and have been waiting four days for a response from their customer services. I'll be calling tomorrow. I hope my replacement fairs better...

After being burned, similarly, with gaming keyboards from a number of 3rd party sites, I only buy gaming accessories direct from manufacturers. I just don't want to take a chance when paying $150+ for HOTAS, and other higher-end accessories, when I don't know how or by what arrangement, these 3rd party (and I am talking about pretty decent mega-sites) come by their supply--not even mentioning eBay purchases. After much research on issues, i decided to buy my X55 HOTAS direct from Mad Catz/Saitek while some friends ordered from a mega-site and while I have had good fortune some are returning their purchases for warranty swaps or have experienced DOA X55 HOTAS's. When paying a lot, I think it is just smarter to deal directly with the manufacturer, even if one has to pay a few more dollars. I wish you luck in solving your problems.
 
I had a x52 that had lasted about 8 years. Some of the buttons started sticking on it, and it developed terrible centering. So I opted for a x52pro about 2 months ago, first one lasted 2 weeks and something went haywire in the throttle assembly, it would no long recognize the stick. Tried changing out the connection wire thinking that might be the problem. Still no luck. So I returned it and got a new one, that one lasted 3 weeks and the stick had worse wobble and centering issues than my x52 that is 8 years old and replacing. I returned it and said the heck with it, got a refund.

I then set-out and done a bunch of research and I have settled on a full CH setup (stick, throttle pedals). Now I just hope I can adapt to using pedals after all the years of using a twist stick! Now I am sitting here waiting on the UPS truck.
 
The second X55 Rhino has developed exactly the same faults (switch failures) as the first.
Obviously, it's the switches one uses the most on the Stick & the Throttle.

The failing switches have (both times) been the "down" microswitch on the castle hat and the "pinky" switch on the LH throttle lever.

For a product that cost my boys around £200 to buy me for my 60th birthday at the end of December last year this failure rate is totally unacceptable.
I have asked my boys to attempt to obtain a complete and total refund because I am fed up of going through this pathetic cycle of failure and expensive exchange with the retailer.
I don't think it is "fit for purpose, or of merchantable quality".

I will not buy another Saitek product for as long as I continue (please God) to live; and I would wish you all to be aware of my experiences.

Replacement CH products are now ordered as I understand their build quality to be of "Arcade Quality" using first-class components.

UPDATE:
=====

After an exchange of e-mails the Vendor of the X-55 has agreed to refund most of the original purchase price (£149 out of £189).
I think the offer of a visit to a small claims court where it would be demonstrable that the goods were not of merchantable quality did the trick.
So full marks to them for seeing sense and meeting me part way. There are companies that behave a lot worse.

So a good week. Got my trading "Elite" AND a closure on this issue. Now I am after my Combat Elite.

Fly Safe CMDR's.

I took 1 apart after the switches where gone it turns out they ar switches that are about 5 cents each and not intendende for constant use .the insides are cheap and put to gether with masking tape.
you can get better switches from an electronic store from the togle to dip switches and and head switches .it will take you about 25 Euros some tin to solder them in and you have a better product that last longer .

Its a horible product and quality terible .

i spend a litlbit more and get the warthog or use the x43 .
 
X-52 Pro

I take very good care of electronics I own in general and with that said the quality of this X-52 unit I have is absolutely terrible. Everything I've heard is coming true with this thing in under a years time!

Is it even worth trying to exchange this thing because with the quality I see and hear about i'm led to believe their support would be poor as well??

1. Throttle afterburner bumper resistance thingy broken off and rolling around inside.

2. All the features of their wonderful software don't work at all and have to leave the control panel open for all buttons to even work.
- Windows 8.1

3. Weapon arming button safety cover doesn't turn green when flipped down anymore and sometimes flickers.

4. Tons of wear dust gunk caked up with little use around the spring retainer area at the base of the stick.

Would be nice if it worked as well as it looked. LOL

I wish their were more HOTAS options, some of the other solutions don't have the twist axis and that's a dealbreaker for me.......
 
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I take very good care of electronics I own in general and with that said the quality of this X-52 unit I have is absolutely terrible. Everything I've heard is coming true with this thing in under a years time!

Is it even worth trying to exchange this thing because with the quality I see and hear about i'm led to believe their support would be poor as well??

1. Throttle afterburner bumper resistance thingy broken off and rolling around inside.

2. All the features of their wonderful software don't work at all and have to leave the control panel open for all buttons to even work.
- Windows 8.1

3. Weapon arming button safety cover doesn't turn green when flipped down anymore and sometimes flickers.

4. Tons of wear dust gunk caked up with little use around the spring retainer area at the base of the stick.

Would be nice if it worked as well as it looked. LOL

I wish their were more HOTAS options, some of the other solutions don't have the twist axis and that's a dealbreaker for me.......

Yup...this is why I have held off and am still sporting my Logitech 3D Pro.

Hoping the X-56 is vastly improved in build quality. Though I'm not holding my breath.
 
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