Hardware & Technical New Logitech X56 HOTAS!

TheHarbinger

T
mp4x said:
How so, what's the inherit design flaw?
Click to expand...

Overall bad design I'd say.
Here's a few examples:
  • Ghost button presses still persist.
    Here's what a rep from logitech said on reddit:
    Random button presses can often be solved by running the X56 throttle through a powered USB hub (making sure that it's the only device running through it). If you have tried this and the issue persists then please get in touch with support.
    Click to expand...
    Translation: Throttle got too many functions for a normal USB port on your PC. No amount if improved wiring is gonna fix that
  • WHY does a product with THAT many functions released in this day and age NOT run on USB 3?
  • On the stick, could they PLEASE go back to the thumbstick of the X55?

To be honest, at this point you are better off with just getting an X52(pro). Less money wasted and Logitech has also applied the same improvements to the X52 models.
 

TheHarbinger

T
Oh snap, can't edit my own thread :eek:
Well, gotta ask one question:

Is it really necessary to put a split throttle on a hotas marketed towards space sims?
I mean are split throttles really THAT important?
Just make a single throttle and design it ergonomically, like the X52.
 

TheHarbinger

T
All Logitech did was improve the wiring and QC to increase longevity.
Things such as stronger, longer wires and improved wire routing to prevent them from snapping. They also used improved soldering techniques for similar reasons. But they did not change the overall design and functionality of the X56, which means problems inherent to the design are not going to get fixed. All you can do against ghost button presses is the workaround of giving the throttle it's own, individually powered USB hub.

You are better off getting yourself a different HOTAS until Logitech releases the successor of the X56.
 

mp4x

mp4x
TheHarbinger said:
All Logitech did was improve the wiring and QC to increase longevity. Things such as stronger, longer wires and improved wire routing to prevent them from snapping. They also used improved soldering techniques for similar reasons. But they did not change the overall design and functionality of the X56, which means problems inherent to the design are not going to get fixed. All you can do against ghost button presses is the workaround of giving the throttle it's own, individually powered USB hub. You are better off getting yourself a different HOTAS until Logitech releases the successor of the X56.
Click to expand...
I've had the x56 over a year. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, because the phantom button presses used to open my map in Elite, sometimes (not every gaming session, and not more than once or twice per multi-hour gaming session), but it stopped completely after I started using my onboard USB3.1 port for the throttle.
 

mp4x

mp4x
Some issues still persisted, though, and through analysis of forums, online reviews and support tickets we were able to determine that the original X56 can be susceptible to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). This update to the X56 takes multiple steps to further protect against ESD with the result that it is now in line with Logitech’s standards (and well above standard compliance requirements). This should prevent the axis/button failures that some people have experienced.
Click to expand...
So, if this isn't a fix for the phantom button pressing - what is it? (Not being funny, genuine question)
 

TheHarbinger

T
Letting the throttle get more power.
That's all there is to it.


  1. A USB 2.0 port is made to provide a maximum of 500mA to a connected device.
    The throttle of the X56 can run on that, but is likely cutting it pretty close, so if multiple devices use the same hub, you'd lose power.
    The solution was to use a single, powered USB hub so the throttle got the full max power to itself.
  2. A USB 3.0 port can provide a maximum of 900mA to a connected device.
    That means that your power-hungry throttle got more power available and it won't run into the risk of running dry, even if other devices are using the same hub.

Though to be honest, Logitech COULD have just replaced the USB cable of the throttle with a double USB, as it is commonly done to let power-hungry devices such as external BluRay drives have enough juice. That way, the throttle would've had the power of 2 USB ports to itself, making it mostly irrelevant what else is plugged into the rest of the USB hub...:D
 

Morbad

Morbad
Allotting for more power draw is a pretty easy thing to do and I'd rather have to put each device on it's own hub, or make my own powered adapters/splice a stronger 5v rail, than require USB 3.0 for a device that could get by on USB 1.1 levels of bandwidth just fine.

Seems like a pretty trivial issue really.

TheHarbinger said:
[*]WHY does a product with THAT many functions released in this day and age NOT run on USB 3?
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Cause the bandwidth isn't needed and not everyone has USB 3.0.

I've got a 4.4GHz 6c/12t Westmere setup that predates USB 3.0 that is still fast enough to not be CPU limited in ED with a 1080Ti driving the graphics. Sure, I could add USB 3.0 to this system, but I could also just attach some USB ports to the USB 2.0 headers already on the board, or get a cheap powered external hub.

TheHarbinger said:
To be honest, at this point you are better off with just getting an X52(pro). Less money wasted and Logitech has also applied the same improvements to the X52 models.
Click to expand...

Analog thumbstick(s) are a pretty big deal and once you have full analog control over all movement axes, it's very difficult to advocate anything less.
 

thirdeye333

thirdeye333
thirdeye333 said:
Hey folks,

I'm loving my new X-56. Small problem, that's more of an annoyance. I wonder if anyone has a suggestion.

Every time I launch the game three buttons don't work.

On the stick, main trigger....kind of need that.

On the throttle, button E and the scroller (on the left throttle).

It's easy to fix by going into the Windows (Win7) Devices and Printers control panel. Select the controller in the devices list and activate each of those buttons. Fixes it every time. Problem is that it's just annoying having to do this every time before I can use the controller. Any ideas on what I can do to get these buttons to work?

Yes, every time.

It's probably an easy fix. Advice appreciated :)
Click to expand...

Been using this thing for a month now (no USB3.0 here) and not a single ghost button press....

Any answers for my query above???
 

TheHarbinger

T
You are correct.
Analog sticks are great for giving you better control, there is no denying that. My issues are:
  1. Who the hell thought it was a smart idea to place two 4-way hats behind the analog stick???
  2. Speaking of the analog stick, aren't thumbsticks supposed to be located AT the thumb's resting position?
 

TheHarbinger

T
thirdeye333 said:
Been using this thing for a month now (no USB3.0 here) and not a single ghost button press....

Any answers for my query above???
Click to expand...
Whoa, that's some weird stuff right there :S
Try installing the most recent drivers/firmware.
Winderps 10 updates can sometimes mess with your programs and stuff because what basically happens is:

HTisMpC.jpg
 

TheHarbinger

T
Wish you luck.
You are kind of lucky though.

Usually, when a button on the X56 does not work, it's caused by a severed wire, courtesy of MadCatz Saitek's build quality.
 

Hooplah

Hooplah
In the USB 1.0 and 2.0 specs, a standard downstream port is capable of delivering UP TO 500mA (0.5A). With USB 3.0 it moves up to 900mA (0.9A). The charging downstream and dedicated charging ports provide up to 1,500mA (1.5A). Not all motherboards provide the maximum and limits the total amperage between all of the ports.

Thus a powered USB hub resolves a lot of intermittent issues. Given that they can be purchased for as little as $10.00 and the $250.00 cost of the X-55/56 it would have been convenient for Saitek/Logitech to supply them with their controllers. Oh well.
 

TheHarbinger

T
Hooplah said:
In the USB 1.0 and 2.0 specs, a standard downstream port is capable of delivering UP TO 500mA (0.5A). With USB 3.0 it moves up to 900mA (0.9A). The charging downstream and dedicated charging ports provide up to 1,500mA (1.5A). Not all motherboards provide the maximum and limits the total amperage between all of the ports.

Thus a powered USB hub resolves a lot of intermittent issues. Given that they can be purchased for as little as $10.00 and the $250.00 cost of the X-55/56 it would have been convenient for Saitek/Logitech to supply them with their controllers. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Good point.
But it would've been even cheaper for Logitech to use a double USB cable instead.

31BUPkDNtyL.jpg


If an USB device lacks power, you need those kinda cables.
Basically, a single USB cable got a second plug that only got two contacts for power. Aaaand your USB cable can now supply 2 USB ports' worth of power.
There you go. Cheap, user-friendly and a negligible difference in production cost.
 

TheHarbinger

T
Try getting a USB 3.1 hub and only plug the throttle in.
Still can't wrap my head around what the higher-ups at MadCatz were thinking when they decided to cut corners THIS badly.
 

CMDR Darth Vater

CMDR Darth Vater
My motherboard provides already an USB3.1 connector for the front panel with USB 3.0 ports. I also deactivated the energy safe mode for the USB ports. So it should work I assume?

I really hate the decision to use short 1.8 meters cables when the Hotas x even has got 3 meters.

Honestly the x56 has a lot flaws and bad design decisions. But the feeling of the Thrustmaster 1600m FCS was poor plastic.
 
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