Hardware & Technical New Logitech X56 HOTAS!
- Thread starter CMDR Reaper
- Start date
Nice, glad to see it happening and the fact that Logitech went and made easily distinguishable from the older set. I've always liked the style and amount of buttons the unit offers. But I'm happy with T1600m FCS.
Same thinking here. Was about to buy the T16000 FCS, but look at all those buttons on the stick... so tempting...
I've had an X56 since DEC-2016 and it's been fab. Read lots of bad news about it, but also lots of good. My only complaint was loudness from where the lower spring retainer on the stick contacts the circular edge in the body, however a spray of WD40 silicon lube has resolved. Seems I've been lucky (for once).
It's a shame that so many had issues and I'm glad to see that these are being addressed, because when functional it's really a decent piece of kit and makes Elite much more enjoyable.
I never get tired of those toggle switches.
It's a shame that so many had issues and I'm glad to see that these are being addressed, because when functional it's really a decent piece of kit and makes Elite much more enjoyable.
I never get tired of those toggle switches.
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This is hands down my fav stick and, though I have burned through two x55s and two x56's since ED alpha, it will be top of my xmas list once more if the quality issues have now been resolved.
Preferred the blue colour myself though!
Preferred the blue colour myself though!
Deleted member 110222
D
I'll once again look at it.
I have had the X55 which broke after 6 months or so. Then Saitek replaced it with an X56 - and after a year and a half everything is still working. The only thing that bothers me is the creaking when yaw'ing, but that is nothing compared to the x55.
I'm looking forward to hearing some reviews of this new unit.
I'm looking forward to hearing some reviews of this new unit.
I own the Thrustmaster TWCS as well as two T16000's so I have the ability to dual-stick or use stick and throttle as I wish.
I've looked at the X-56 often, but also often wondered at that price point whether I wouldn't just go with a more solid build quality (such as the Warthog, Virpil, etc.) instead of spending so much money on another plastic built system that has more switches/buttons, etc.?
If I'm going to drop money on something- I look at how my investment is going to pay off over time, and not just the immediate future. I've held off on splurging on input devices for a while because it seems as if there's a good development push going and we'll likely see substantial improvements in the future. Lately it's been just "more of the same" with color variations or a few buttons/switches added here and there.
Same thing goes for VR- and why I don't own a VR system. I've seen some tremendous improvements lately over Oculus Rift and HTC Vive coming from some less-well-known companies, which is great for all of us, because it raises the bar of expectations instead of allowing companies to sit on their pile of money and not really improve anything.
As a side note, I also steer clear of Logitech's products because of the double-click mouse button issues with inherent flawed switches in their devices- they never really did handle that issue very well with customers, and I had been a longtime fan of their products up to that point.
I've looked at the X-56 often, but also often wondered at that price point whether I wouldn't just go with a more solid build quality (such as the Warthog, Virpil, etc.) instead of spending so much money on another plastic built system that has more switches/buttons, etc.?
If I'm going to drop money on something- I look at how my investment is going to pay off over time, and not just the immediate future. I've held off on splurging on input devices for a while because it seems as if there's a good development push going and we'll likely see substantial improvements in the future. Lately it's been just "more of the same" with color variations or a few buttons/switches added here and there.
Same thing goes for VR- and why I don't own a VR system. I've seen some tremendous improvements lately over Oculus Rift and HTC Vive coming from some less-well-known companies, which is great for all of us, because it raises the bar of expectations instead of allowing companies to sit on their pile of money and not really improve anything.
As a side note, I also steer clear of Logitech's products because of the double-click mouse button issues with inherent flawed switches in their devices- they never really did handle that issue very well with customers, and I had been a longtime fan of their products up to that point.
Well, not to rain on the parade, but they don't seem to have addressed the main problem with the throttle- it's wiring loom. I'm almost done rewiring my (almost) three year old throttle. It's a pain in the Harris- the wires are tiny, the wiring run is tight and the connectors are insanely difficult to remove without risking damage, which precludes taking out the loom and copying it exactly. Instead, I'm snipping and soldering all over the place- a real bodge job!
The throttle wires move through 90 degrees under the throttle levers to attach to the base unit. They're constantly being stretched, meaning that over time they'll break. It's an inevitable point of failure, inherent to the design.
The wires on the right hand throttle lever pass through a tiny, square opening. This, too, is repeatedly stretched and becomes a second point of failure.
These are designed into the throttle from the start- there's no work around, natural wear and tear will break the throttle eventually.
Small design changes could extend the life of the unit. Higher quality silicone covered wire will outlast the brittle plastic covered wire they used in the X-55 (and which I strongly suspect is in the X-56).
A larger, round opening and pipe shaped wire channel would allow the left hand throttle wires some room to move, further extending their useful life.
Shrink wrap around the usual failure points would strengthen the loom and further extend the throttle life.
None of these features would be particularly expensive to implement- I may incorporate some of them myself. Any additional cost would be willingly borne by eager customers like me if they confirmed what they've done and why.
Unless and until they demonstrate a real commitment to fixing the design failure they inherited I won't be throwing any more money their way.
Sorry guys, I know it's very shiny, but I'd advise against buying it until someone's taken it apart and had a look at the internals. If the loom and right hand throttle are improved then I'll be delighted to stand corrected, but if they're more of the same be aware that your new toy will have a distinctly limited lifespan.
Totally agree with you Evo, but I suspect that throttle is on borrowed time. Mine lasted just shy of three years. I've used various types of lube on the base of the stick, vaseline and silicone grease work even better than WD, when that can runs out.
So the X-56 was a higher quality unit? That's good to hear, especially if the new unit is a step above that.
I don't think the alleged 'quality' of Thrustmaster's Warthog holds water. The outside may be metal, but the internals are pretty much the same cheap switches and plastic bearings. The difference between the mighty Warthog and Saitek is that Thrustmaster will support you if and when your product fails. The Warthog stick isn't any better built than the X-55, the base connectors are particularly flimsy, for instance. But when it all goes South Thrustmaster will supply you with spares to sort out your issues, where Saitek will rudely ignore your requests for product support the second your warranty expires. For what it's worth, I prefer the soft, rubbery feel of the X-56 over the cold, bakelite texture of the Hog. Mileage varies, I guess...
Yep, I'm going to hold off a while, too. If I'm wrong about the internals I might take a punt, otherwise I'll be buying my next controller from VirPil or VKB.
The throttle wires move through 90 degrees under the throttle levers to attach to the base unit. They're constantly being stretched, meaning that over time they'll break. It's an inevitable point of failure, inherent to the design.
The wires on the right hand throttle lever pass through a tiny, square opening. This, too, is repeatedly stretched and becomes a second point of failure.
These are designed into the throttle from the start- there's no work around, natural wear and tear will break the throttle eventually.
Small design changes could extend the life of the unit. Higher quality silicone covered wire will outlast the brittle plastic covered wire they used in the X-55 (and which I strongly suspect is in the X-56).
A larger, round opening and pipe shaped wire channel would allow the left hand throttle wires some room to move, further extending their useful life.
Shrink wrap around the usual failure points would strengthen the loom and further extend the throttle life.
None of these features would be particularly expensive to implement- I may incorporate some of them myself. Any additional cost would be willingly borne by eager customers like me if they confirmed what they've done and why.
Unless and until they demonstrate a real commitment to fixing the design failure they inherited I won't be throwing any more money their way.
Sorry guys, I know it's very shiny, but I'd advise against buying it until someone's taken it apart and had a look at the internals. If the loom and right hand throttle are improved then I'll be delighted to stand corrected, but if they're more of the same be aware that your new toy will have a distinctly limited lifespan.
Totally agree with you Evo, but I suspect that throttle is on borrowed time. Mine lasted just shy of three years. I've used various types of lube on the base of the stick
, vaseline and silicone grease work even better than WD, when that can runs out. So the X-56 was a higher quality unit? That's good to hear, especially if the new unit is a step above that.
I don't think the alleged 'quality' of Thrustmaster's Warthog holds water. The outside may be metal, but the internals are pretty much the same cheap switches and plastic bearings. The difference between the mighty Warthog and Saitek is that Thrustmaster will support you if and when your product fails. The Warthog stick isn't any better built than the X-55, the base connectors are particularly flimsy, for instance. But when it all goes South Thrustmaster will supply you with spares to sort out your issues, where Saitek will rudely ignore your requests for product support the second your warranty expires. For what it's worth, I prefer the soft, rubbery feel of the X-56 over the cold, bakelite texture of the Hog. Mileage varies, I guess...
If I didn't already have my TM rig I might have to seriously consider these. But I would wait for a few reviews offering different perspectives and go from there. Looks good on paper though.
Yep, I'm going to hold off a while, too. If I'm wrong about the internals I might take a punt, otherwise I'll be buying my next controller from VirPil or VKB.
Smart move getting that product fixed before VirPil and VKB release en mass.
I had an early X56. I gave it to Kerrash as I couldn't get on with it (mostly the joystick thumb stick getting in the way and the hats being too far for my smallish hands).
I far prefer the hat/switch combination on the X52 Pro. Having said that, the throttle unit (once I debreased it a bit) was quite nice.
Unfortunately bits started breaking quite quickly after Kerrash started using it. It was less than 6 months old at the time.
I far prefer the hat/switch combination on the X52 Pro. Having said that, the throttle unit (once I debreased it a bit) was quite nice.
Unfortunately bits started breaking quite quickly after Kerrash started using it. It was less than 6 months old at the time.
It's great to see Logitech is acknowledging the problems with Saiteks products, even if all issues aren't adressed yet. As mentioned, the wiring is the biggest flaw with the X55 and apparently the X56 as well.
When the issues has been resolved, maybe I'll get the X56, but by then it probably costs just as much as the Warthog. :/
When the issues has been resolved, maybe I'll get the X56, but by then it probably costs just as much as the Warthog. :/
Thank you so much for posting this.
I was hoping that Logitech would take the X56 seriously, because it is a truly awesome design for a game like Elite.
The stick needed some quality improvements, like the centering of the thumbsticks.
I hope this bodes well.
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