HOTAS X45 v X52...

[Lucky Shaw]

Is anyone using the Saitek X45 Hotas control and if so is it suitable for this game? Does the X52 offer so much more than the X45 or is it not worth the money. I have been scoping out the X52 but came across the X45 and it seems to be really cheap in comparison. But is that because it is so far behind the X52?

Just want to know before I blow £100+ on a control system when I don't need to...

 

[kozality]

I'm using a Saitek X45.

I'd grab the X52, however. The x45 is long in the tooth, and does not have official support for Windows 8. The Windows Vista drivers will work for 7 and 8, but they're unsigned and you're on your own with them. That being said, I've had no issues with mine.

If the price is that much different, then the x45 could be alright. But if it's a new joystick that you want to last for a while yet, then I'd recommend the x52. Then you can be sure it'll be supported for Win 8 and probably 10.

If you do get the x45 and need drivers, send me a PM and I'll pass them along if you don't find them yourself.

 

[Lucky Shaw]

Thanks Kozality. I run Win 7 and I have seen a few X45 on ebay for peanuts compared to the average £80 secondhand trending price for the X52. Does the X52 have more buttons?

 

[pacefalm]

Retiring my X45 this week and moving up to an X55. It is finally showing its age and they have not updated the drivers. When I go to load a profile to the stick from the software provided it gives me a BSOD related to one of the driver files. I can program most of the buttons within the game but for other games and general flexibility I miss the button programming feature. I think the stick must be pushing 10 years old almost. Time to move to something newer for me. FWIW though it has been reliable up until recently.

 

[Jexter]

Doesn't the X45 have a rudder rocker on the throttle? That alone makes it WAY more suitable for basically any flightsim type game and certainly ED. In my humble opinion

 

[avow555]

Doesn't the X45 have a rudder rocker on the throttle? That alone makes it WAY more suitable for basically any flightsim type game and certainly ED. In my humble opinion

Had both and the twist is better.

 

[pacefalm]

Yes it does and I'll miss it. But the other features of the X55 are outweighing that for me. Well plus updated drivers that wont cause a blue screen.

 

[AndyWeller]

Is anyone using the Saitek X45 Hotas control and if so is it suitable for this game? Does the X52 offer so much more than the X45 or is it not worth the money. I have been scoping out the X52 but came across the X45 and it seems to be really cheap in comparison. But is that because it is so far behind the X52?

Just want to know before I blow £100+ on a control system when I don't need to...

Just bought the X52 Pro this weekend and can say that, for me, it is a game changing experience., Docking now feels fluid and fun, in combat I feel more confident and bad ass and just the very action of throttle up when launching from a platform brings a smile to my face.

Go get one

 

[Yabba Addict]

X52 here and I gotta say it was worth it. Managed to get mine for 50 quid. Just set up a search on ebay and it'll email any time there's a new listing, little bit of patience and you're gold

 

[reload]

Another X45 here and love my old reliable. Must admit I noticed a few of these going for peanuts on Ebay, and waaaay back before even Alpha was released I decided to pick up a set - have owned them in the past, and loved them then too.

Not had a single issue with them on Windows 8.1 x64 - plugged in and with what is presumably the default drivers I was up and away straight away.

Must admit though - the 'mode selector' switches don't seem to work, can't say I've experimented with them or even tried to get them to work for that matter. Have got my old reliables bolted to my chair with VESA pole mounts, couldn't be happier with them

 

[NEUTRAL]

Saitek X45 fake- rubber surface becomes very sticky !

Anyone had their joysticks fake-rubber surface turn very sticky ?
Feels like glue when I hold the joystick.
The shiny parts are not affected, only the fake-rubber parts.

I had my Saitek X45 in storage for about 10 years, and finally took it out of storage a couple days ago.

Does anyone know how I can fix and remove the stickyness ?

 

[reload]

Anyone had their joysticks fake-rubber surface turn very sticky ?
Feels like glue when I hold the joystick.
The shiny parts are not affected, only the fake-rubber parts.

I had my Saitek X45 in storage for about 10 years, and finally took it out of storage a couple days ago.

Does anyone know how I can fix and remove the stickyness ?

Can't say I've ever encountered that one! Sounds like something may have leaked on to it while in storage? Does it still work Ok?

Other than that... elbow grease and baby wipes?

 

[Fastdruid]

I had that happen on my old X35T / X36F. Thankfully when I was getting rid of them after years in storage rather than wanting to use them

Suggestion is to wipe them down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

 

[NEUTRAL]

Can't say I've ever encountered that one! Sounds like something may have leaked on to it while in storage? Does it still work Ok?

Other than that... elbow grease and baby wipes?

The stick still works great, except for the slimy feeling on my hands.
I had it sealed in its original plastic bag, and inside the box, before I took it out of storage.

Tried using soap and a cotton cloth and it did not work on getting the slime off.
Parts of the cloth now is stuck to the gluey areas.

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I had that happen on my old X35T / X36F. Thankfully when I was getting rid of them after years in storage rather than wanting to use them

Suggestion is to wipe them down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Thanks for the tip Fastdruid !
Sad that it happened to your old sticks.

I will buy some isopropyl alcohol and some 3M scotch brite cleaning pads to clean that slimy gunk off.

I also came across a similar post on reddit here discussing about the slimy gunk stuff:

http://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/2gjvkh/this_slime_on_gamepad_joystick_its_been_in/

Cheers and thanks!

 

[OVMorat]

My X-45 is retiring this week (hopefully) and I'll miss it. The rudder rocker is the ideal solution for me but mine has had quite a drift for the last few years which meant it needed a large deadzone. Now the Y axis pots have deteriorated to the point that I can't get pitch down to pass the pre-flight control check and I have to map a key to fake the result and get out of the station! In flight I just fly up instead of down

I have the same BSOD issue with the official drivers on win7 64 pro so I can't use modes, and yes - it's too old really unless you find a bargain in good working order. Also, the nipple/mouse thing is digital only so thruster control is a little harsh!

I will still miss it, I killed many a Quant and Sol when playing Jumpgate with that stick. Happy days!

 

[Fastdruid]

Thanks for the tip Fastdruid !
Sad that it happened to your old sticks.

Well not the end of the world, I'd held onto them from my Win98 days and it wasn't like I even had a game port anymore!
(although saying that I have my MS Sidewider FFB mk1 working in Win7! )

 

[Lucky Shaw]

Commanders thank you all for your comments. The wisdom in this forum is such a fantastic resource! I'm all about the X52 now. I may buy new as opposed to secondhand as I don't want to wait too long. Although if I can stomach my FLY 5 until the new year it is possible that I may pick up a post Christmas bargain. Noticed my FLY 5 has a drift to starboard last night though and it is bugging me. Like OVMorat I will have to tune it out with some big ol' deadzone...

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But what did I miss? Of course, I am mistaken! I very much doubt I will score a cheap X52 after Christmas because what game gets released in mid December? DOH!

That's right, me and 10000 others will be on the hunt for X52's after Dec 16. Darn Darn Darny Darn DARN!

 

[OVMorat]

It's time to buy the last joystick you'll ever own....

 

[kozality]

I had that happen on my old X35T / X36F. Thankfully when I was getting rid of them after years in storage rather than wanting to use them

Suggestion is to wipe them down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Man, that brings back memories. Can't tell you how many hours I spent playing TIE Fighter on those.

Did you have the first edition, with the AT-to-PS2 connectors? =D

 

[TheNameIsJambo]

Anyone here had any experience with the X55? I've heard that some of buttons can be flimsy/break!

The Warthog would be my first choice, but the lack of a Z (Yaw) control on the stick itself is a no-go. I can't be bothered with pedals.