Hardware & Technical Got an x55 for Xmas - woe is me!

[Munial]

Yes, I got a shiny new HOTAS for Christmas, what a result I hear you cry.. alas no, its proving to be a disaster!
I'm coming from a T-flight , a lovely little cheap, simple stick, but now I have every button and hat I could possibly want, all glowing softly green on my desk.

Trouble is.. I don't like it! the stick is uncomfortable and too big - I can barely reach the hats - the throttle is sticky and unresponsive, and doesn't have a central point so I have to switch between reverse and forward throttle - but worst of all, the thrusters are now all on one thumb, whereas before, they were mapped to different switches on the throttle. The upshot is, I keep crashing, I cant land and I cant find any of my buttons in the heat of battle. I used to sail confidently though the smallest of gaps in the mailbox and effortlessly glide to my pad, now I usually clip the wall on the way in and smack into the tower. Then move to the right pad.

I feel duty bound to persevere so as to preserve the feelings of my dear old pa who sprung the not inconsiderable notes for this beast, but I'm feeling irresistibly compelled to go back to my trusty T-flight, and find myself 'cupping' it on the shelf when no-ones looking. I could use some reassurance that I'll get used to it eventually, but I'm not so sure, I think the t-flight will always have my heart..

 

[rote1]

I can help with one problem. Take a piece of cloth, like part of a sock, fold it neatly a few time and use some strips of duct tape to fix it the hand rest.
This way you can rest your hand a little higher on the stick and reach the various buttons more easily.
I have modded my G920 stick this way, because I had a hard time reaching the buttons on it, now I am very happy with it.

 

[Iskariot]

the stick is uncomfortable and too big - I can barely reach the hats -

This can be modded, but Saitek should have used an adjustable hand rest.

the throttle is sticky and unresponsive

That is weird. In general the X-55 throttle is considered to be quite good.
I love mine. You do know that you can loosen it with the wheel at the base?

but worst of all, the thrusters are now all on one thumb, whereas before, they were mapped to different switches on the throttle.

I do not understand this complaint at all. You are the one who decides which switches do what.
You can program the entire thing.

I cant find any of my buttons in the heat of battle.

Perhaps you need a bit more time than average to get used to it.
For me the Saitek felt like second nature in just a few hours.

I love the X-55.
I just wish the build quality would be a bit better.

 

[bootsam]

Anyone got that little thumb toggle switch to work on the throttle? One below red button.

 

[CAPT. Ho Chi Minge]

Yes, I got a shiny new HOTAS for Christmas, what a result I hear you cry.. alas no, its proving to be a disaster!
I'm coming from a T-flight , a lovely little cheap, simple stick, but now I have every button and hat I could possibly want, all glowing softly green on my desk.

Trouble is.. I don't like it! the stick is uncomfortable and too big - I can barely reach the hats - the throttle is sticky and unresponsive, and doesn't have a central point so I have to switch between reverse and forward throttle - but worst of all, the thrusters are now all on one thumb, whereas before, they were mapped to different switches on the throttle. The upshot is, I keep crashing, I cant land and I cant find any of my buttons in the heat of battle. I used to sail confidently though the smallest of gaps in the mailbox and effortlessly glide to my pad, now I usually clip the wall on the way in and smack into the tower. Then move to the right pad.

I feel duty bound to persevere so as to preserve the feelings of my dear old pa who sprung the not inconsiderable notes for this beast, but I'm feeling irresistibly compelled to go back to my trusty T-flight, and find myself 'cupping' it on the shelf when no-ones looking. I could use some reassurance that I'll get used to it eventually, but I'm not so sure, I think the t-flight will always have my heart..

Theres an issue i can help with too , change your control options in ED to throttle "full range" , this means you will have a middle and dont have to press buttons to switch from forward to reverse.

 

[Iskariot]

Anyone got that little thumb toggle switch to work on the throttle? One below red button.

You will need to use the software to do so:

https://madcatz.kayako.com/Knowledg...-x55-mouse-nipple-to-control-the-mouse-cursor

 

[Munial]

I appreciate I can set it up how I want.. It's just that it's harder coming from a different hotas. Also my post is only in jest so I wouldn't take it too seriously..!

 

[Iskariot]

I appreciate I can set it up how I want.. It's just that it's harder coming from a different hotas. Also my post is only in jest so I wouldn't take it too seriously..!

In jest?
I didn't get that at all.

 

[Munial]

In jest?
I didn't get that at all.

Well, mostly. It's all true but I'm not cross about it.. It's a fine stick, just different..

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Theres an issue i can help with too , change your control options in ED to throttle "full range" , this means you will have a middle and dont have to press buttons to switch from forward to reverse.

Yes thanks for the suggestion, I tried that but missed the physical 'stop' you get in the centre of the tflight throttle. Now using the slider button to switch between forward/reverse - I'm sure I will get used to it and no doubt benefit from having much finer throttle control..

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

I can help with one problem. Take a piece of cloth, like part of a sock, fold it neatly a few time and use some strips of duct tape to fix it the hand rest.
This way you can rest your hand a little higher on the stick and reach the various buttons more easily.
I have modded my G920 stick this way, because I had a hard time reaching the buttons on it, now I am very happy with it.

Thanks for this I may well give it a go

 

[RipperJack]

for ease of life when i had the thing.

I went on ebay, found a dude with a 3d printer and he made me a "riser" which i stuck on with 3dm tape at the time. Heres some pics.

Spoiler

thing was perfect, got full access...well kinda but imo its more of a design flaw in accessing the witchs HAT, it was solid for below next to the chair but not asgood as on a desk (too high)so you may need to get one specific to your setup. (I asked on here a rough mm from the base the second/third peg on the x52 was which i used before).

With regards to the deadzone, there is a temp fix which in all honesty has worked absolutly wonders for every throttle i've used. You may benefit from using the de-grease guide on the throttle (youtube it, voids warrenty though, your choice) because those things need a good wear until theyre smooth. I only have my ch pro throttle with me atm but it just sticking 2 bits of velco where the deadzone is so you have a physical stop when pushing and pulling but not enough to stop you if you intend to keep going past.

Spoiler

although i do intend to now do the pro thing soon with full range and a 50% reverse button when i can be bothered to learn it lol.

Buttons re-programmed etc will make the rest fine.

The main problem you'll have which i found i have is random problems will occur, lubricant leaking from the twist (you can actually see it in the pic, i didnt notice until i wrote this just now, heh), throttle misalignment (the game only uses the info from the left throttle iirc so may not matter if you only play elite). Squeaking on the springs etc. The biggest being they put a castle HAT on the stupidest place possible making everything above it effort to use even with the riser.

I dont wanna poo poo your present as the stick looks great but being there and moving on i'd chop it in towards something that'll satisfy you now rather than something you end up putting up with.

 

[grammatonfeather]

Yes, I got a shiny new HOTAS for Christmas, what a result I hear you cry.. alas no, its proving to be a disaster!
I'm coming from a T-flight , a lovely little cheap, simple stick, but now I have every button and hat I could possibly want, all glowing softly green on my desk.

Trouble is.. I don't like it! the stick is uncomfortable and too big - I can barely reach the hats - the throttle is sticky and unresponsive, and doesn't have a central point so I have to switch between reverse and forward throttle - but worst of all, the thrusters are now all on one thumb, whereas before, they were mapped to different switches on the throttle. The upshot is, I keep crashing, I cant land and I cant find any of my buttons in the heat of battle. I used to sail confidently though the smallest of gaps in the mailbox and effortlessly glide to my pad, now I usually clip the wall on the way in and smack into the tower. Then move to the right pad.

I feel duty bound to persevere so as to preserve the feelings of my dear old pa who sprung the not inconsiderable notes for this beast, but I'm feeling irresistibly compelled to go back to my trusty T-flight, and find myself 'cupping' it on the shelf when no-ones looking. I could use some reassurance that I'll get used to it eventually, but I'm not so sure, I think the t-flight will always have my heart..

Some people were given tiny hands as a cosmic punishment for past life crimes. I feel sorry for you but you should sell your X-55. I will give you £30 for it.

 

[shadragon]

Some people were given tiny hands as a cosmic punishment for past life crimes. I feel sorry for you but you should sell your X-55. I will give you £30 for it.

My word, the generosity. Good advice though.

 

[Hooplah]

Previous Saitek joysticks had a positional hand rest on the joystick. Don't know why they elected to make this one fixed. Still an inch of some nice dense foam on top of it should position your hand correctly. For me the top throttle thumb hat works very well for the thrusters while the bottom hat I use for L/R next/prev ship (also L/R panels) and U/D next/prev hostile. It just takes some getting used to.

Here's my setup if it will help:

click on image to enlarge
View attachment 98469

View attachment 98470

You have it difficult? I'm a leftie and had to learn to fly the X-55 right handed!

 

[Lobey]

Sorry to hear the "fancier" stick doesn't suit you - have had friends report similar - I still think the T flight is the best Hotas at any price and wouldn't change it even if I won the lottery.

 

[Parmo]

Previous Saitek joysticks had a positional hand rest on the joystick. Don't know why they elected to make this one fixed. Still an inch of some nice dense foam on top of it should position your hand correctly. For me the top throttle thumb hat works very well for the thrusters while the bottom hat I use for L/R next/prev ship (also L/R panels) and U/D next/prev hostile. It just takes some getting used to.

Here's my setup if it will help:

click on image to enlarge
View attachment 98469

View attachment 98470

You have it difficult? I'm a leftie and had to learn to fly the X-55 right handed!

Us left-handers are not well catered for.
It's discrimination I say!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/left-handed-facts-lefties_n_2005864.html

 

[Wasp0]

Yes, I got a shiny new HOTAS for Christmas, what a result I hear you cry.. alas no, its proving to be a disaster!
I'm coming from a T-flight , a lovely little cheap, simple stick, but now I have every button and hat I could possibly want, all glowing softly green on my desk.

Trouble is.. I don't like it! the stick is uncomfortable and too big - I can barely reach the hats - the throttle is sticky and unresponsive, and doesn't have a central point so I have to switch between reverse and forward throttle - but worst of all, the thrusters are now all on one thumb, whereas before, they were mapped to different switches on the throttle. The upshot is, I keep crashing, I cant land and I cant find any of my buttons in the heat of battle. I used to sail confidently though the smallest of gaps in the mailbox and effortlessly glide to my pad, now I usually clip the wall on the way in and smack into the tower. Then move to the right pad.

I feel duty bound to persevere so as to preserve the feelings of my dear old pa who sprung the not inconsiderable notes for this beast, but I'm feeling irresistibly compelled to go back to my trusty T-flight, and find myself 'cupping' it on the shelf when no-ones looking. I could use some reassurance that I'll get used to it eventually, but I'm not so sure, I think the t-flight will always have my heart..

Hey OP, don't worry about the stick, you won't have it for long! Some of it's time you will have it, most of the time it will be in :

Transit to Customewr Support

In Customer Support

In Transit, back to you,

with you

In Transit to Customer Support

In Customer Support

New one back to you

With you

In Transit to Customer Support


You get the Picture by now

Brilliant Sticks when they work, but shoddy build!

How do i know this???? Had 3 since June 2015!!

 

[Joey2o15]

Hey OP, don't worry about the stick, you won't have it for long! Some of it's time you will have it, most of the time it will be in :

Transit to Customewr Support

In Customer Support

In Transit, back to you,

with you

In Transit to Customer Support

In Customer Support

New one back to you

With you

In Transit to Customer Support


You get the Picture by now

Brilliant Sticks when they work, but shoddy build!

How do i know this???? Had 3 since June 2015!!

It's posts like this that have stopped me buying an x52 or X55...thank god my trusty MS Force feedback 2 stick still works. It might not have a lot of buttons but the joystick itself is top notch

 

[Lemonhoko]

Sorry to hear the "fancier" stick doesn't suit you - have had friends report similar - I still think the T flight is the best Hotas at any price and wouldn't change it even if I won the lottery.

Exactly!

Im on my 2nd T-flight Hotas, my first one burnt out after 2-3 years of warplanes and war thnder, Elite was the final nail in the coffin.
I bought a cheap Logitech T-16000m, hated it compared to my T-flight...so Iwentand bought another T-Flight for myself and one for my brother for Christmas with a copy of Elite.

T-Flight Hotas is the way to go...imo, its the best stick out there for durability, comfort and performance....and its cheap too.
You can buy 5 T-Flights for the price of an X-55, and those 5 will last you a life time.

 

[GunnerBill]

T-Flight by far the best.
Bought second as backup even though original shows no sign of wear after 3 wks of in game play.
With voice attack no need for extra buttons, infact I now have disused buttons.

Sorry no help to OP I know.

 

[Munial]

T-Flight by far the best.
Bought second as backup even though original shows no sign of wear after 3 wks of in game play.
With voice attack no need for extra buttons, infact I now have disused buttons.

Sorry no help to OP I know.

Ah it's ok, you're all just confirming what I know in my heart already..