Newcomer / Intro Opinions on the longevity of the Saitek x52 Pro?

[Kahuna Nui]

I'm considering picking a used one up from Facebook Marketplace, mainly for ED, X-Plane, the new MS Flight Sim, and Minecraft*

I'm just wondering if there are any issues with switches or analogue axes over time, or if they're built like a tank.








* This one may be a lie

 

[aRJay]

I think it depends, based on what I have read in various Elite forums over my time here, they were reportedly good when first released then another company took over and reliability dropped recently Logitec got hold of them and things are apparently getting better.

The are not tanks but neither do they feel especially frail.

 

[Chris Simon]

Mine lasted two years and one week. Like from a Gilbert comic about how things break immediately after their warranty runs out.

I was able to repair it (it was some scuffed and broken cables in the throttle base) but it broke again half a year later (probably sensors or something else that I wasn't able to diagnose so I threw it out.

That being said, while it worked, it worked extremely well. It was probably the most comfortable HOTAS I've ever used.

 

[metatheurgist]

Yep, it's a great stick but the quality is variable.

 

[d8veh]

The main thing that goes wrong very quickly is the throttle detent, which isn't needed for ED. If the throttle starts to stick, just take the bottom off and remove the detent (5 min job). Switches and axes are generally reliable, though some people have had failures. I had a spring go on the twist axis, but that was the basic X52, which is slightly different to the Pro version in that respect. I've had around 4000 hrs from my X52 and X52 Pro. The Pro was a free warranty replacement when the basic one broke.

If I were looking for a HOTAS, I think I wouldn't be put off from buying a used one, but it depends how much it's been used. If the throttle detent is still working, it hasn't been used much, so buy it.

Currys have got a deal on twin THRUSTMASTER T16000M FCS for £56.99 at the moment. I prefer twin sticks to a separate throttle for space sims.

 

[Kahuna Nui]

The main thing that goes wrong very quickly is the throttle detent, which isn't needed for ED. If the throttle starts to stick, just take the bottom off and remove the detent (5 min job). Switches and axes are generally reliable, though some people have had failures. I had a spring go on the twist axis, but that was the basic X52, which is slightly different to the Pro version in that respect. I've had around 4000 hrs from my X52 and X52 Pro. The Pro was a free warranty replacement when the basic one broke.

If I were looking for a HOTAS, I think I wouldn't be put off from buying a used one, but it depends how much it's been used. If the throttle detent is still working, it hasn't been used much, so buy it.

Currys have got a deal on twin THRUSTMASTER T16000M FCS for £56.99 at the moment. I prefer twin sticks to a separate throttle for space sims.

The x52 is clearly of higher quality, but would you recommend the T16000 over one, and if so, where does it score over the Saitek?

 

[Craith]

It is a bit hit or miss, what I heard some have problems right from the start - I have mine now for 5 years, and it started to show first problems in december - when you count the hours I used it it held up quite well. Needs to hold up a while longer though until I can properly replace it. It's not that I really need that fire button 1 that much. To be fair, it kind of works as a trigger, but can't hold it anymore. Used some creative firegroups until I can afford a replacement.

 

[Ozric]

The main thing that goes wrong very quickly is the throttle detent, which isn't needed for ED. If the throttle starts to stick, just take the bottom off and remove the detent (5 min job).

This is the only real issue I've had with mine. I have to now increase the deadzones on the axis slightly as the flight stick doesn't sit dead centre, but I blame CQC for that

I've had mine since October 2015 and other than removing the throttle detent which I had to do after about 3 years, I've had no issues with it at all.

 

[d8veh]

The x52 is clearly of higher quality, but would you recommend the T16000 over one, and if so, where does it score over the Saitek?

The X52 has a button layout that's very suitable for ED. I would buy one over anything else, except the mega expensive ones like my Virpils, just for that.

 

[Chaparral]

I loved my x52 for about 6 months. Then it died. I brought it back with the special grease, then it died again about 2 months later.

My t1600 with hotas is a beast that works and works and works.

 

[ebbrell]

I have had mine for over 2 years. Works great well worth it.

Only issue is I'm using USB 3 ports, I sometimes have continues firing of weapons in CZs when I released the fire trigger.

I'm putting 1.1 or 2.0 in PC to see if that improves it.

 

[d8veh]

I have had mine for over 2 years. Works great well worth it.

Only issue is I'm using USB 3 ports, I sometimes have continues firing of weapons in CZs when I released the fire trigger.

I'm putting 1.1 or 2.0 in PC to see if that improves it.

Is that a problem with your X52? It normally happens when the integrity of your weapons gets low during a fight when they target your modules. Also, it can happen when the integrity of your ship gets low. Did you check your ships integrity in advanced maintenance?

 

[Valorin]

I read complaints about teh x52pro, but never had any problems with mine. Using it for three years now, also flying FA off, which puts some extra strain on it. So far it's fine.

 

[avow555]

My X52pro was bought when I played Star Wars Galaxies, so I guess it was bought around 2005!
Throttle detent broke ages ago but apart from that it works great.

 

[B.Roberts]

Have mine since 2014. Never had any issues. Connectors on the cable between the stick and the throttle are getting deformed somewhat but everything still works just fine. Good value for the money.

 

[SirMaxxx]

I'm considering picking a used one up from Facebook Marketplace, mainly for ED, X-Plane, the new MS Flight Sim, and Minecraft*

I'm just wondering if there are any issues with switches or analogue axes over time, or if they're built like a tank.








* This one may be a lie

I've had mine for 2 years almost exactly. I use it on average for something like five hours a week. It's fine, nothing broken, still works like new.
The driver software is - I recommend jsut not using it and mapping your game to use the controls rather than trying to get the driver software to actually work.
Also, it regularly loses its settings ( so the (I) button becomes a clutch toggle instead of (in my case) boost) I just nip into control panel, and sure enough, 93,000,000 clicks later, it's reset properly (I did have a regedit file saved to reset it but it never seemed to work consistently even then!)