Replacement HOTAS - X56 vs Warthog

Greetings:

After many years of use, my venerable X52 is on its' last legs. CH Rudder pedals are still going strong, so that's a plus.

I have decided to go with either the X56 or the Warthog.

I am looking for input, preferably from someone who has used both for Elite Dangerous.

Thoughts?
 
Greetings:

After many years of use, my venerable X52 is on its' last legs. CH Rudder pedals are still going strong, so that's a plus.

I have decided to go with either the X56 or the Warthog.

I am looking for input, preferably from someone who has used both for Elite Dangerous.

Thoughts?

I've had both and personally I prefer the Warthog. It is much more solidly built than the X56 (which feels like a toy by comparison).

That being said the various switches are more easily configured in the X56 (if that is your thing). Again personally that is not an issue for me as I rarely needed to do that.

Some people have commented that the Warthog is too heavy and uncomfortable on the hands after long periods of play especially as some of buttons and switches have a solid resistance to them although I have not found this myself.

I have big hands so it feels very comfy. Maybe if you have smaller hands it might be more of an issue.
 
If you have the budget, go with the WH.

If you have the chance to put them side by side and touch them, do it. You'll see where the extra money went.

I've had mine for almost five years; spilled many a beverage on the stick and it still works.

If mine broke today, I would buy another without hesitation. I may become single and homeless overnight, but I will have my WH.
 
That being said the various switches are more easily configured in the X56 (if that is your thing).

I did notice that the X56 switches are toggles rather than actual switches; how do the switches on the Warthog perform in Elite? If I, for example, map one of throttle switches for the cargo scoop, will it work as intended (extended in one position, retracted in the other).

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Never mind! Thread over!

I just saw the X56 does not have a two-stage trigger. Warthog being ordered immediately.
 
HA! Newegg is throwing in a free set of pedals with the stick right now, too! Now I have a backup if my CH's die. Anybody use the Thrustmaster TFRP's before?
 
Just checked out those Crosswind's ...oh..my ...I think I'm going to try and ebay the freebie tfrp's and my current CH's and get a set of those. They look immaculate.
 
Never mind! Thread over!

I just saw the X56 does not have a two-stage trigger. Warthog being ordered immediately.

Just be aware that you'll have to use TARGET in order to use the two stage trigger. No worries - it's pretty straightforward to setup and really worth it - great haptic feedback on all the triggers and the stick - the throttle itself leaves a little room for criticism, though.


Just checked out those Crosswind's ...oh..my ...I think I'm going to try and ebay the freebie tfrp's and my current CH's and get a set of those. They look immaculate.

You wont regret the Crosswinds judging from the reviews I've read, but I personally went for Slaw Device pedals due to them being made of metal and thus matching the WH better. Just a matter of personal preference and I don't think you'll go wrong with either of them.
 
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You wont regret the Crosswinds judging from the reviews I've read, but I personally went for Slaw Device pedals due to them being made of metal and thus matching the WH better. Just a matter of personal preference and I don't think you'll go wrong with either of them.

...jesus somebody needs to take my amex away before I wind up blowing a couple grand today.
 
...jesus somebody needs to take my amex away before I wind up blowing a couple grand today.

Yup.

I was looking at the Slaws too, they are a bit more and they have a good wait time, but the crosswind's customization won me over.

And make sure you get your VR of choice while you're at it.
 
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If my Warthog broke, the only reason why I would hesitate to replace it with another Warthog is I would want to wait for the rumored update to the Warthog line. No idea when or if it will come, but it would make me hesitate. Hard to imagine Warthog breaking though. It's well made.

My setup: Warthog, Crosswinds, Vive. Very happy with setup.
 
I played Elite with an X55 Rhino. Two weeks ago i switched to a Warthog and a set of the new Thrustmaster pedals... The precision and the quality, the Warthog delivers, is second to none. But, it is not a toy anymore - it advances the game you play to more realism. You need to apply some force to the stick to move it, but you can move it out of the center and hold it at any position with absolute precision. And you should take some time and thought into how to mount the HOTAS. Putting it on the table is not comfortable, due to its high base.

I use the pedals and the HOTAS set together with an Oculus Rift. Outstanding experience.

I cant imagine ever going back.
 
And make sure you get your VR of choice while you're at it.

Yep! I can either choose from my DK2 from January '15 or my CV1 from May 9th!

I played Elite with an X55 Rhino. Two weeks ago i switched to a Warthog and a set of the new Thrustmaster pedals... The precision and the quality, the Warthog delivers, is second to none. But, it is not a toy anymore - it advances the game you play to more realism. You need to apply some force to the stick to move it, but you can move it out of the center and hold it at any position with absolute precision. And you should take some time and thought into how to mount the HOTAS. Putting it on the table is not comfortable, due to its high base.

I use the pedals and the HOTAS set together with an Oculus Rift. Outstanding experience.

I cant imagine ever going back.

I'm currently using this Ikea desk:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50219044/

With this Ikea table:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40242177/

Basically; I mounted the table top in a reverse fashion, so the pedals fit between two of the three stabilizing parts on the ground. I then slide this slightly under the desk narrow end first, scoot the pedals into position, and place my stick and throttle on the table. When I'm done, I set the stick and throttle to the side of the desk, push the pedals back against the wall, set the table in a corner, and I am back to having a normal work-space.

I am glad to hear that the hog is going to take some force. I'd always had the tension on the X52 throttle at the max, but as it's aged (and I got a LOT of flight hours out of it..had the thing since I think '11) it's like a hot knife through butter. There is no resistance left on the throttle, the stick creaks and moans when I maneuver...etc.

I wonder what this is going to do to my piloting, having super-fine control back again.
 
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Warthog, CV1 owner, never looked back.

Actually, the Warthog HoTAS had more HOLY FRACK WOW factor getting it out of the box than the Rift (I know, sacrilege!). It was so heavy, so obviously over-engineered and... so real.

I don't have a pedal set though. I just use the throttle thumb hat for yaw. The Rift and a 1080GTX has bled me dry for now!
 
Another vote for the Warthog. Used X55 previously and that is on its last legs and was problematic since day one so never again.

I am very interested to check out that new Thrustmaster Throttle they are releasing in Sept 16 to replace the Warthog one as I don't like it as much compared to the X55 throttle layout. Lacks a buttons on the base but other than that looks pretty sweet layout!
 
Am I the only one who is not 100% satisfied with the WH?

In my opinion the Warthog is pretty good, no argueing here, but the hat switches (not the metal two/three stage switches) are very wobbly and unprecise, especially on the throttle. I have had numerous CH sticks in the past which had much better hat switches. Also the "mouse" is pretty much unusable. The rest is awesome, the metal switches are rock solid and switching on the light (which - for me - also switches on the throttle LEDs, well... not really noticable with the Rift now) with a real switch instad of a keyboard key is so much more immersive.

For a future version I would love to have at least one decent (gamepad quality) analog stick on the throttle and possibly a kind of trackball. That's the only things I'm really missing.
 
Am I the only one who is not 100% satisfied with the WH?

In my opinion the Warthog is pretty good, no argueing here, but the hat switches (not the metal two/three stage switches) are very wobbly and unprecise, especially on the throttle. I have had numerous CH sticks in the past which had much better hat switches. Also the "mouse" is pretty much unusable. The rest is awesome, the metal switches are rock solid and switching on the light (which - for me - also switches on the throttle LEDs, well... not really noticable with the Rift now) with a real switch instad of a keyboard key is so much more immersive.

For a future version I would love to have at least one decent (gamepad quality) analog stick on the throttle and possibly a kind of trackball. That's the only things I'm really missing.

Actually, you're right there... the Warthog throttle mouse 'nipple' is pretty much useless. Everytime I tried to map something to it, you'd bind "Up and press" or "left and press" at the same time.
All the hat switches have been fine for me; the stick hat under your thumb does feel looser than the upper 3 hats.

I remember having the old CH Flightstick way back in my uni days - that hat had very positive click by click response.
 
Greetings:

After many years of use, my venerable X52 is on its' last legs. CH Rudder pedals are still going strong, so that's a plus.

I have decided to go with either the X56 or the Warthog.

I am looking for input, preferably from someone who has used both for Elite Dangerous.

Thoughts?

I know that this is a rather boring suggestion but if ED is the main reason for your purchase, why not get another X52 Pro ? In terms of ergonomics and functionality for ED, it's simply better than the X-56 and, indeed, the Warthog. There are many direct comparisons on YouTube showing this. As to the Warthog, no one will deny how impressive it looks and how well it's built. But... again, for ED, it 1) doesn't fit the space theme, 2) no twist rudder (not an issue if you're using pedals, of course, but damn convenient), 3) the thrust unit for the X-52 is both better ergonomically and easier to use with VR since you can't see all the buttons and switches, and 4) the Warthog costs much more. Anyway, it's all a matter of personal preference but it seems to me that the X52, for ED, is the best choice in terms of functionality and value for money.
 
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