Replacing X52 Pro?

[Major Klutz]

I have a Saitek X52 Pro from 2016, before Logitech took over. Between Elite and MS FS, it has ~2500 hours on it now.
The primary flight controls and throttle are still working ok. X, Y, Z (twist) and throttle are still centering well and stable. The buttons are all still reliable with the exception of the pinky trigger sometimes sticking.
I'm starting to get "ghost" inputs for some reason and don't think it's coming from the actual physical controls, but something in the software not updating changes.
I also use the X and Y rotary dials for vertical and horizontal thrust control and those have become jittery and no longer center reliably.
I started to try to take it apart to clean and lube it, but getting to those small buttons and knobs to do a full rebuild is going to be a serious chore.

So, I'm starting to think about retiring it and looking at replacements. I've heard that the new Logitech X52 has much lower build quality than the original Saitek.

Has anyone replaced their X52 with a new X52? How did the new one compare with the old one? My muscle memory for the X52 is deep.
Who has upgraded from X52 to something like VKB, Virpil or WinWing? I have some rudder pedals but due to my desk setup I'm more used to twist-stick rudder and I don't want to pay $1000
I was looking at the Turtle Beach Flightdeck but the reviews are not great and it's ball and socket type gimbal is a deal breaker.

Thanks

 

[B.Roberts]

I did replaced my original 2014 X52 PRO with the new one few years ago after I broke return spring in the grip twist. New X52 PRO is indeed somewhat lower quality. Have some free play in all axes and when I'm not holding it in my hand in the long cruise it will start drifting, mostly pitch wise. I still like it though and it is adequately good for the price. Last week got my Virpil kit. WarBRD-D Base with Alpha Prime Grip and MongoosT-50CM3 Throttle that they selling as a bundle for $855 or so. VPC is immeasurably better in every way and highly customizable, but it is much heavier (both, weight and control feel), which is expected since there are no plastic parts in it. There are steel cams, ball bearings and heavy duty steel frame. MongoosT-50CM3 throttle is much larger than X52 and has much longer travel. Throttle and grip, both were definitely designed for a larger hands and everything feels little bit to big for comfort compared to X52 PRO. My muscle memory is just as deep as yours and after decade of X52 switching is not that easy. But at least Alpha Prime Grip has somewhat similar layout and it is possible to make it work very similar to X52. Overall size of the Alpha Prime Grip mounted on the WarBRD-D Base is also pretty close to X52 and it is still pretty comfortably fits on my desktop (actually I am using my under desk sliding keyboard tray for it). I also like how Virpil's tech support works. Got an issue with programing the LEDs and received help from these guys the same day. Programming software from Virpil is more sophisticated and probably was meant to be used by more or less advanced users, while Saitek stuff is more forgiving. I didn't use any intricate programming for the Virpil. Just calibrated all axes in the beginning, changed some LED settings and that's it. Everything binds to ED with no issues and works just like my X52 PRO. Hope it helps.

 

[Darth Ender]

I went from a decade old x52 to dual VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Omni's. Very awesome if all you use sticks for are space games.. will make you question life decisions though, as you'll probably only use joysticks with elite.

 

[Major Klutz]

Last week got my Virpil kit. WarBRD-D Base with Alpha Prime Grip and MongoosT-50CM3 Throttle that they selling as a bundle for $855 or so. VPC is immeasurably better in every way and highly customizable, but it is much heavier (both, weight and control feel), which is expected since there are no plastic parts in it. There are steel cams, ball bearings and heavy duty steel frame.

Does all that steel make it louder or is it fairly quiet? I put mine on my desktop too, held down with blue-tack during use. I've love to mount it lower but the front of my desk is curved.
Hopefully the Virpil software is more stable than the Logitech. I think most of the problems I have with my X52 is the buggy software.
Does the software let you adjust the output curves, or do you still need to use something like Joystick Gremlin?

will make you question life decisions though, as you'll probably only use joysticks with elite.

Yeah, it's hard to justify the price. I've been playing Elite for over 2000 hours and already lost interest for a few years, so who knows how much longer I'll keep playing,
But there's always the next space game and other flight simulators.

 

[Major Klutz]

I went from a decade old x52 to dual VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Omni's.

The SCG is a great price. I also play MS FS and I like that I can swap the grip if I want to in the future.
I'm not a dual-stick flyer so I need a throttle also and the STECS Space Throttle looks great.
The two combined come to about $360 USD which is a great price.
The new X52 Pro is $300* and the Turtle Beach Flightdeck is $430, so this feels like a no-brainer.
* The X52 Pro is on sale now for $170

Is anyone out there using the STECS Throttle?

 

[BelExandor]

VKB my dude. Best value for money and I can attest to how robust they are.

 

[Helmut Grokenberger]

Another vote to look into VKB from me.

I've not replaced an old X52 Pro with a new one, but I had the "new" one for a while. New as in bought in 2020. Used it for a while and it was fine. I had two issues, one was the stick not centering properly, which was easily fixed with a chapstick on the spring and the spring plate, and one loose wire in the grip after a while, which I resoldered. The stick was fine if not very precise. Don't know how it compares to the Saitek ones, but for the price it was good.

I've replaced the X52 Pro stick with a single VKB Gladiator NXT Evo after two years because I wanted a "better" stick, but kept the throttle for a while until I replaced it with another EVO with the Omni Throttle. The Throttle works very well standalone without the stick connected, but of course you lose the twist thingie profile switch and access to the software, if you used it ever before. But if the throttle is also staring to go that's not an option of course.

The VKB stuff is great and punches way over its price tag. The EVO starts at 169 Euro which is about what you pay for a whole X52 on Amazon, but if it is in your budget is is well worth it. A very good open for a throttle replacement would be another EVO stick with the Omni Throttle adapter. That combination can be used as HOSAS, but it can also be configured as a traditional throttle or a hybrid.

VKB has also introduced a traditional throttle, the STECS, but I don't know which one would be the right one for ED, and they are not exactly cheap compared to the X52.

In general the build quality of the VKB stuff is great, and it's all modular and designed to be maintained and repaired buy the user - everything is replacable, and VKB offers all the spare parts. So maybe take a look at the VKB stuff. They are absolutely great and probably the best you can get in that price bracket.

There's also the new Thrustmaster Sol-R. It costs about the same as a VKB stick, and I've heard people say good things about it, but I have no personal experience with them.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

fill a jar isopropyl alcohol partialy undo it give it a bath and soak for an hour let it dry out for 24hrs then reasemble

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJK4ofmLEs&ab_channel=ChachiSanchez

 

[Major Klutz]

I've replaced the X52 Pro stick with a single VKB Gladiator NXT Evo after two years because I wanted a "better" stick, but kept the throttle for a while until I replaced it with another EVO with the Omni Throttle. The Throttle works very well standalone without the stick connected, but of course you lose the twist thingie profile switch and access to the software,

Good idea. Unlike other HOTAS options, I can buy the stick now and see how I like it before I invest in the throttle.
I can remove bindings to the X52 stick, and leave it connected out of the way while I just use the throttle.
I'm still trying to decide between the STECS and other throttle options but the pricing on the NXT Evo makes it an easy decision.

Uh Oh, Now I'm looking at the Virpil sticks ...

 

[B.Roberts]

Does all that steel make it louder or is it fairly quiet? I put mine on my desktop too, held down with blue-tack during use. I've love to mount it lower but the front of my desk is curved.
Hopefully the Virpil software is more stable than the Logitech. I think most of the problems I have with my X52 is the buggy software.
Does the software let you adjust the output curves, or do you still need to use something like Joystick Gremlin?

Yeah, it's hard to justify the price. I've been playing Elite for over 2000 hours and already lost interest for a few years, so who knows how much longer I'll keep playing,
But there's always the next space game and other flight simulators.

It is silent. Nothing rattles or making any noise except for the click that you get from the throttle when you moving it over the detent (if you using it. I have it removed on mine). You can adjust all the curves in the programming software, adjust friction with the adjustable friction clutches and change forces by switching cams. Once you done with the initial programming all the settings and parameters getting flashed into the stick itself, no other software required when you running the game. Just plug it to the USB and launch ED. I also have a curved front edge on my table. I have that sliding PC keyboard tray mounted under the table. I put my joystick on it.

 

[Helmut Grokenberger]

Good idea. Unlike other HOTAS options, I can buy the stick now and see how I like it before I invest in the throttle.
I can remove bindings to the X52 stick, and leave it connected out of the way while I just use the throttle.
I'm still trying to decide between the STECS and other throttle options but the pricing on the NXT Evo makes it an easy decision.

Uh Oh, Now I'm looking at the Virpil sticks ...

For later: In the end, I really liked moving from a dedicated throttle to the stick with the Omni Throttle adapter, but I don't do any other flightsims. For the 6doF space flight, a HOSAS is perfect. But if you wish, you can reconfig the OT to traditional throttle control - you can lock the X axis, remove the springs and tighten the Y axis for a traditional throttle axis. You can also hybrid it in either keeping the spring for on Y direction, or even keep the X axis as a normal axis too. It is very flexible.

 

[Dougie]

Just a little bit extra info here.

I mainly fly flight simulators and use a yoke and throttle quadrants (and rudder of course) but I have a Virpil Alpha that I use for flying helicopters in the sims with a VKB EVO Omni as collective (Virpil collectives are stupidly expensive). When I got sucked into Elite Dangerous I started by using the Virpil but desk-mounted (instead of crotch) I found it uncomfortable so threw some money at buying a VKB EVO stick which is just about perfect height and feel for desk-mounted use*. So my 2cents: Virpil is amazingly well built, rugged and reliable - for much less money the VKB is great, not had any issues and comes with spare springs in a range of strengths.

* ... and saves me changing cams and springs on the Virpil.

 

[alex194]

The Saitek X52 was my first HOTAS and I used it for over 500h on ED. It was nice and I liked it very much back in 2016/2017. It didn't break but it was obvious its rather cheap hardware not made to use for thousands of hours. This being said I conclude the X52 is a good entry level HOTAS but nothing you should buy again when you've decided fligh/spacesims with HOTAS is a passion for you.

My next HOTAS was (partially still is) the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS. I got it used but in pristine condition for 250 € back in 2017. Before I decided to look for a Warthog I've ordered an X55 through Amazon. It was shipped faulty so I opened a ticket with Logitech including a very detailed error description... no response within 10 days so I returned the X55. About 4 weeks after I opened the ticket a Logitech support desk person who obviously was blind or unable to read answered me asking "whats wrong" completely ignoring anything I wrote into the ticked.... I told him he wasn't only too late but obviously blind. I mention this because I was never so ****** at a company for bad support.

About the Warthog: For Elite I hated the missing Z-Axis but everything else was great and a huge improvement over the X52. Over time the biggest flaw of the Warthog turned out to be the base. Everything of the Warthog appeared to be of good and lasting quality except the base. A few buttons failed over time but those were cheap and easily replaced. One day when I already decided to buy a new base from Virpil (the Warthog stick is compatible with Virpil bases) I intended to remove the stick from the base for maintenance but it was a bit stuck. It turned out the damn plastic ball inside became frail and broke. I remember that day I was so ******.... I immediately ordered the new base from Virpil and also couldn't resist to order an Alpha Prime too. Delivery took over a week and of course I couldn't wait so I went to several garage sales and found an old VKB Gladiator MkII. It had some minor flaws but disassembling cleaning and reassembling fixed the good old stick.
I didn't like the stick/grip very much because of the few buttons it had. Its designed to use with both hands so you can operate all the buttons on the base. But that's where my critic with the Mk2 ends it is a great stick precise and feels good. It was then when I realized how much worn down the old Warthog base was.

When my Virpil arrived on a Saturday I started to put it together the same day but I ran into several issues. Long story short: I gave up figuring out whats wrong next morning and opened a ticked on Sunday. Not expecting any response until Monday I went outside with the children and when I returned several hours later I found out someone answered less than an hour after I opened the ticket. The guy from Virpil guided me through debugging my new hardware (on a Sunday!) and it turned out they shipped a faulty cable. The replacement arrived a few days later and I didn't have any issues with the base and stick ever since! I never had such good support especially when I consider ******* Logitech when they took over Saitek.

There is no doubt the Virpil is the better overall stick but that old VKB is a decent stick too which earned my recommendation. My children sometimes play with it on my 2nd computer . And since many people report so positively about VKB its safe to assume their newer products can be bought without hesitation.

If you want to save some money / try out the hardware first you might want to keep the x52 throttle and replace the stick with a VKB or Virpil.

PS: I still use the Warthog throttle. Its not perfect but its very good.