Hardware & Technical [HOTAS] If I play with it too much....

[Baelydon]

...or too rough, will I break it? :S



HA!

I have a Saitek X52 (non pro), have had it a little less than 2 months so far... and I'm curious... Has anyone literally, "physically" broken a HOTAS from being too rough with it and/or using it too much?

I don't mean having a pot wear out or tension getting weak, buttons not making contact any more... I mean, stick shaft snapping off from the axis stuffs inside or grip ripping off the shaft, etc etc...

I have a T-Flight HOTAS X as well, had it for about a year so far and used it solely with Elite, up until getting the X52 that is.... I've not broken anything on it, just wore out the yaw pot and made the grips shiny from use. I know that it is made of plastic and most people say it "feels like cheap plastic", well... DUH! Plastic IS cheap... so yeah... anywho. It's plastic but has never given me that "if I pull up too hard it'll snap" feeling, it feels tough enough to withstand a full night of over-caffeinated hardcore - gut wrenching - stiff neck making - pvp combat. The X52 on the other hand, it feels like it's bending almost.

I've taken the x52 apart to do the simple magnet mod, and having looked at how the innards are constructed, I must say... it's not very robust in there. When I'm completely enthralled by combat in a CZ or whatnot, I really start yanking on that sucker! Having it zip-tied to a DIY keyboard drawer (fairly heavy duty in its own right), the zip ties are streeeeeeeeetching out.... know what I mean?

So yeah... has anyone ever actually broken their HOTAS from reefing on it?

I'd like to know if anyone has and/or if anyone has found a way to make the x52 feel less.... fragile. Or, hear from someone that has had one for a long time and NOT had it break yet.

Groovy like a record! Thanks!
-Bael

 

[49rTbird]

I have a X52 that is at least 10 years old. I have it screwed (deck screws through the two holes on each unit) to a 42" x 8" board with my keyboard and mouse pad in between so I can sit in my recliner and game away . I am VERY hard on the stick and other than being worn (had to tighten up the spring), I have not damaged it beyond repair. I ordered another x52 a month ago as I like the design but the T6 switch went bad after a week or so and I had to put my old one back into service. I am now waiting for My X56 to be shipped and I hope it is made better than the prior models.

On a repair note, I read about and found out by trial that Chap stick (lip Balm) works great to lube the joy stick shaft to prevent sticky motion when older.

 

[Baelydon]

On a repair note, I read about and found out by trial that Chap stick (lip Balm) works great to lube the joy stick shaft to prevent sticky motion when older.

Do you mean for that plastic ring at the bottom of the spring? If so, I will have to try that. It came with some sort of (I assume silicone) lubricant on it and it was fairly squeaky, and I could feel it when trying to apply gentle force to the stick for fine movements. I used rubbing alcohol to remove it all, then sprayed all purpose/multi-surface pledge on a rag, folded the rag in half on the line of wet pledge... then flossed the crap out of the underside of the disc and all up and down the shaft. Solved... for a few days and then I have to do it again. I thought about trying graphite... but I will try the chapstick first.

Chapstick... heh... in the military we learned to carry a small piece of cotton string stuffed inside the cap. Then, come the time you need some candle light for short durations... you screw - up the chapstick, run the string through the hole... and voila... 10 minute candle. (also worked decently on an m-16's bolt/carrier assy when CLP just wouldn't cut it in the desert heat.)

And to think we put it on our lips....

Thanks for the input, and the tip!

 

[49rTbird]

I lube the metal shaft itself, above and below the plastic ring. I thought the ring was the problem also but it was the shaft that needed the lube. good luck.

 

[Sir.Tj]

A certain Mod here who shall remain nameless...although his avatar does reflect his penchant for destroying X55s could certainly give you his insight on joysticks and how to break them.

I've had a x55 for about a year with no real problems, it does creak a bit though.

 

[Rardain]

Do you mean for that plastic ring at the bottom of the spring? If so, I will have to try that. It came with some sort of (I assume silicone) lubricant on it and it was fairly squeaky, and I could feel it when trying to apply gentle force to the stick for fine movements. I used rubbing alcohol to remove it all, then sprayed all purpose/multi-surface pledge on a rag, folded the rag in half on the line of wet pledge... then flossed the crap out of the underside of the disc and all up and down the shaft. Solved... for a few days and then I have to do it again. I thought about trying graphite... but I will try the chapstick first.

Don't use graphite grease! Madcatz specifically advise using a silicon based lubricant. I use this stuff - https://www.intova.net/silicone-grease/?v=79cba1185463 - dirt cheap and available from any online scuba-dive store. I think I paid about £5 for a twin pack including postage and a little goes a long way.

 

[VukiBeer]

If you play with it to much you will go blind

 

[Insomnia]

My used X55 is still working after more than a year with ED. It squeeks and making wierd noices, but it's still working. Mind you I'm very careful with the hat-switches in general but can be quite hard on them when in stressful situations like combat.

 

[Captain Sharky]

Right half of my x-55 throttle literally snapped off. Fixed it by putting screws in place of bolts, holding so far. Still using it. On the contrary, stick looks intact but got so flimsy I had to replace it with Warthog.

 

[Jypson]

My X-55 4-way hats on the joystick are getting pretty loose over a years use. The TM Warthog is still rock solid though.

 

[Eminor]

I lube the metal shaft itself, above and below the plastic ring. I thought the ring was the problem also but it was the shaft that needed the lube. good luck.

Lubing the shaft works well... Oh wait, sorry, wrong thread... Hmmm, actually wrong website...