Hardware & Technical Really disappointed with Saitek X55 Rhino build quality.

Ozimandeus · Jul 15, 2015

Have to agree with the consensus.. the build quality overall is not good on my existing X55, its a great stick that's been really let down by whoever is making them. I had to send my first one back because the torque was too tight on the throttle, and then the main stick started to fail. It took another month to get a return and everything sorted via the retailer. I phoned Madcatz directly because their base in the UK is just up the road from me. They refused to discuss it and would only allow me to go through the retailer.. up in PRESTON (I'm in Milton Keynes!). Sadly my budget wont go as high as a Warthog so I'm a bit stuck with this one.. at least until some bright spark creates a new joystick out there that delivers and is at a reasonable price point.

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Phoenix_Dfire said:
Does this sound like the same kind of thing?

I bought my x-55 2nd hand at Elite Meet and it's been working fine since then. However, a couple of nights ago, the buttons on the stick just stopped working. No response from any of them, I looked it up and people suggested a whole load of things ranging from tighten the screws or run it from USB3 or switch off the lights.

I did take the joystick off and put it back on again and the buttons started to respond again but very intermittently and since then the joystick has't really been responding correctly anyway.

As it's 2nd had there's no warrantee, Have I got a dead stick?

Sounds like the same problem I had with my first X55... sorry to be the bearer of bad news

BillD · Jul 16, 2015

jonny taco said:
save money and get the better stick! Go with x52 pro.

But I much prefer the button layout and hat arrangement on the x-55 throttle. I seems much better than my X-52.
I thought about the warthog, but I don't like the layout and switches on the throttle. Also I love to twist. Adding peddles is another cost as well.
In my ideal world I would use the x-55 throttle with the Warthog stick an some peddles but that's an expensive rig indeed.

Sysmon · Jul 16, 2015

X-55 do seem light. That being said, mine has seen moderate to heavy use for a year now and only need a bit of lubrication once in a rare while to reduce the squeakiness. It might be luck.

S

Sahaj · Jul 20, 2015

Sell your X55 stuff and go with the Warthog, you won't be disappointed my friend.

BillD · Jul 21, 2015

Sahaj said:
Sell your X55 stuff and go with the Warthog, you won't be disappointed my friend.

How does ED handle the controls on the throttle that are switches rather than momentary buttons? Do you have to switch them and then switch them back? Or do you just not use them?

Stressfest · Jul 21, 2015

Bought one on Saturday, returned it Monday. I can't say there was one thing I liked about it.. big, cumbersome, awkward, a lot of ghosting and tried both usb 3.0 and 2.0 and yeah, the build quality. That being said, I grabbed the standard X-52 and it feels what it is, cheap..BUT, in terms of form and fit, it works. Plus it's half the price..

I think for what I need, this one will do. When it craps out I'll go the CH Products option again..

Phoenix_Dfire · Jul 21, 2015

Sahaj said:
Sell your X55 stuff and go with the Warthog, you won't be disappointed my friend.

The only problem I had with the Warthog is that there's no yaw twist on the stick.

warlock · Jul 21, 2015

I bought a Thrustmaster t flight, it cost me just over 30 quid and i have had it 8 months, the letters on a couple of the buttons has been worn off but for the money it is absolutely amazing.