Plea for some help on X52 Pro. :-(

DanTheMan · Oct 14, 2023

I have finally had to give up with my CH sticks because of driver errors and WIn11 boot refusals caused by the CH software driver.

So I bought a nice shiny X52Pro.

Despite looking at lots of Youtube vids I just cannot get the darned thing working.
Could any kind soul please send me a link to a working X52PRO binds file AND a logitech/Saitek *.PRO file that actually works?

I have tried (many times) to get the stuff from Matt Wagner to work but.....
The Logitech software seems to fail to load the settings to the X52 itself and/or the widget does not offer the variety of profiles I know are in the directory that I should be able to choose from with a RMB click;
OR, the .binds file that goes with the .pro file loaded to the sticks gets rejected by elite with a "Failed to find GUID for device: Saitek X52 Flight Control System" message whatever the heck that means. If I look in Devices and printers it has a name that is "X52 Professional Space/Flight H.O.T.A.S" and not Saitek X52 Flight Control System".

I am losing the will to live here :-(

The CH sticks and software are ancient and not really supported well, this "NEW" SAITEK/LOGITECH stuff has me running round in circles and I am at the end of my tether.
I've got a limited lifespan available and I am so frustrated at the time I am wasting/burning up trying to get this stuff to work.

I'm not a total idiot( some parts may be missing) but this is just not at all straightforward and the support from the stick manufacturers has me going round in circles.

If you could be bothered to help out an aling commander of advanced years with poor eyesight and health, please do.

If you can explain my mistakes/errors in simple language I would be most grateful.

Many thanks in advance.

Dan.

Helmut Grokenberger · Oct 14, 2023

Here you go. My stuff is probably out of date - at minimum, I don't have a 4.0 binds file, because that post is pre-Odyssey, and I have not used my X52 in a looong time. But at the time I programmed it with Logitech's latest crappy software I and made use of the profile switching feature. For this to work correctly remember to disable the clutch function.

Maybe my old stuff gets you started.

Edit says: the 3.0 file should get you started, Elite should automatically convert it into a 4.0 file. You will have to fill in the blanks, though.

GJ51 · Oct 14, 2023

If the drivers are loaded for the stick you should be able to just go into the Options/Controls menu and just press buttons and move the stick/throttle to record what you want each function assigned to. , That should then automatically create a Custom.binds file that will use those settings.

Loading someone else's settings are likely to fail unless they have EXACTLY the same hardware. Binds always fail if a defined device is missing.

HTH

Helmut Grokenberger · Oct 14, 2023

That's usually not an issue. I don't think there are real hardware revisions of the X52 Pro, mine, despite being a brand new Logitech one (at the time), still was identified with a device ID of "SaitekX52Pro". So it's fair to assume they all have the same ID regardless.

DanTheMan · Oct 15, 2023

Many thanks Helmut, I will give it a try.
Hopefully I will be back in the black soon.

GJ51 · Oct 15, 2023

Helmut Grokenberger said:
That's usually not an issue. I don't think there are real hardware revisions of the X52 Pro, mine, despite being a brand new Logitech one (at the time), still was identified with a device ID of "SaitekX52Pro". So it's fair to assume they all have the same ID regardless.

The issue isn't just a matter of matching the device ID of the X52. ALL devices in a user defined binds file must be present in a Custom.binds file for it to be seen and loaded into ED. If your just talking about loading the base X52 file predefined by FD then it should be seen and able to load if the X52 is correctly installed and recognizable by the system.

In Dan's case, he's nor seeing the predefined definition for his X52 as an option. Therefore it's either not the correct Device ID or it isn't recognized/installed properly. If it is installed correctly but not the correct Device ID, then the workaround may be to just go into the Game Options/Controls and manually define a Custom.binds setup.

If the Options/Controls inputs are not accepted then you know the controller isn't properly installed.

In that case it's time to uninstall/re-install to see if that resolves the problem. If not - it's time to RMA the controller.

Dan should also go into the Windows Devices and Printers section in Control Panel and see if the controller shows up in windows and do any testing available there to see if the controller is installed/working properly.

HTH

BDelacroix · Oct 15, 2023

When I used an x52, I had to use the saitek (now logitech) software or it wouldn't identify all of the buttons. Didn't have to do much with it other than have that running.

metatheurgist · Oct 15, 2023

I'm not sure the game always uses the device id. I've had to swap out one x52, the second one just worked. I've also swapped DS4s without issue. Maybe it's smart enough to just go with the device if only one of the type is plugged in?

Jack Schitt · Oct 16, 2023

Every setup is slightly different so it's difficult to offer specific advice. All I can say is that I long ago gave up trying to use any of the problematic Logitech/Madcatz/Whoever custom software with my X52 Pro. Instead I just have the Windows Game Controllers applet running with the X52 Properties sheet open (necessary for some of the buttons to be selectable) and I bind everything in-game. There are a couple of stubborn buttons on the throttle that can't be used, and the Mode switch just acts like any other button upon rotation, but I find this is more than enough for ED, with the remaining controls on the keyboard.

If you're playing in VR and/or you need the Mode switch to put more controls on the HOTAS, you will need some sort of controller software so good luck with that. None of the software worked reliably for me, but when it comes to mileages varying these sticks are in a league of their own so you might be fortunate enough to find the golden combination.

Another thing I found was that the X52 is very picky about which type and configuration of USB port it will work with. And if you move it between different ports, especially if you move it back to where it once was before, it can "partially remember" settings and cause all sorts of issues that look like software or even hardware glitches but are more likely to be driver issues. In the end, the only way to make mine work reliably was to put a dedicated four-way USB 3.x card in the PC (even though some will swear with their dying breath that these sticks only work reliably with USB 2.x) and to use it purely for the X52 and nothing else. It works perfectly, but I've not been brave enough to disconnect that port in over six years for fear that it might stop. You never have true confidence with these things, just longer and longer uptime.

X52s are great value peripherals when they work. But getting them to that point can be something of a dark art. Best of luck.

colprice2002 · Oct 16, 2023

Hi,
I recently acquired a Logitec X52 (not the pro), but IIRC there are a few minor differences.

First, use the windows run command to run "joy.cpl", then select the X52 Pro - in your case, then "properties". Here you can check the buttons, slider, wheel functions, toggle switches. I have also set up time and date functions (MFD tab).

Use Helmut's website and download a suitable pr0 file, save it in "C:\Users\Public\Documents\Logitech\X52" Probably X52Pro in your case.
The should be a matching binds file (C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Frontier_Developments\Products\elite-dangerous-64\ControlSchemes)

Right click the joystick icon and select the binds file.

You will also need to download the Logitec gaming software app - https://support.logi.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360025298053

The default pr0 and matching binds file should get you started. I found that for my play style, I didn't need the commands for team mates, Flight control toggle, dump cargo etc, so - use the tutorial modes to see how you get on with the flight/driving modes. If you make a mistake, in tutorial, it doesn't matter!
You will probably want to edit your binds file to make it more your style. That's ok, just remember to save the original binds file (copy & rename it) before you start - note that the same binds file should be in all th sections with the exception of "on foot!" for this I still use mouse & keyboard.

The binds file will have (generally) two columns - use the left one for the X52Pro, and the right one for alternative commands (i.e. so you can still use keyboard & mouse when you forget which button to press!)
When all is happy, use the Logitech editor and rename the keypresses and keystrokes associated with them as appropriate. This lets you see on the LCD throttle panel which command you've selected.

Good Luck,

Colin

DanTheMan · Oct 16, 2023

I thought it would be only polite to report back on my progress (so far) and thank everyone for their kindness in offering their advice and guidance.

Firstly, I managed to get it working enough not to blow myself up immediately (but just in case I swapped out to a cheap to replace hauler

).
I like the X52 PRO HOTAS, but I think Logitech's support for them at the "instantly grabbable" level is poor.
Why they think www.Logitech.com/Support/X52Pro is sufficient guidance on a piece of paper in the X52PRO box I am not sure.

At the least a printed step-by-step would have been nice. I guess I'm just old and preternaturally stupid.

No Win 11 versions, and some of the earlier versions fail to install the system tray widget where you can instantly apply differing profiles to the sticks.

I have not tried the software CMDR COLPRICE pointed out yet, but I will. I had worked my way back through X52 specific software downloads on the Logitech sight until I found one that worked. TBF I did go there of my own volition but the description that said : "Lets you customize functions on Logitech gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, speakers, and select wheels." did not mention HOTAS or X52 at all.

So how did I get it to chooch?

I edited the "binds" file I was trying to get ED to accept and replaced all instances of the device name in there with the name ED use in their default X52 Pro option.
Magically it then read the binds file OK with no errors.

There's still bits of it I don't think work as it should. I am fighting 9 years of CH sticks muscle-memory and familiarity which trips me up often; but I can play with it over some time to make it do what I want.

My grateful thanks once again.

Dan.

katadori · Oct 16, 2023

ChaosWullf made this excellent tutorial on setting up the X52 Pro -

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMHwFg2oiMc

I don't think I could have ever it setup without it! Also I mainly play in VR and have found that using the "shift trigger" at the little finger position you can bind every setting you need to fly purely with the HOTAS so no immersion interruptions. Or at least until you have to search for something on the Galaxy Map...

Enjoy the X52 when you get it up and running, it is a great setup!

Katadori