For all you pilots out there who are having issues with the pinkie switch. You are not alone. I had this working, but for some reason, it does not (or rather did not) work with new Logitech drivers for Win10. I've read a few threads on this, but mostly driver information was missing, - which was the key for me, so hoping to roll everything into a one stop shop solution here.
So I finally put a bit of time into this to try to figure it out, and got the solution. Firstly, some of the solutions you see, which are correct, talk about the programming software / grid view, joystick icon on the notification area. Well I had none of these. I used to use the “Madcatz” software, but that doesn’t work, and will not detect the X52 under win10, and USB3 (well not in my case anyway). The problem is then compounded by the fact that the new Logitech drivers, come with their own set of issues. Often they simply will not detect the X52, unless you manually change it in device manager to Generic USB device. Sometimes, it will appear as unknown device, so you cannot even change it to Generic USB. – This was my starting point, completely Non-functional.
So first: I ran control panel, went into device manager:
[Win key], type “control panel”, and hit return
Select “Hardware and Sound”, then select “Device Manger”
From there, click and expand “Human Interface Devices”
You will see a list, and on it somewhere near the bottom, will be (if you are lucky and drivers are good) “X52 H.O.T.A.S (HID) X52 H.O.T.A.S (USB)
Alternatively, you may have got an error when you plugged in your X52, as I did saying the device was not set up properly. In which case:
Click on the error shown in this list, and select remove device.
Power off your system completely,(including PSU power) –basically you want to hardware reset the USB Bus, and it will enumerate again once windows boots. The hardware should be displayed, if not get the driver software …
Now here is the key. DO NOT USE THE LATEST LOGITECH SOFTWARE. The driver seems problematic, and it does not come with any programming software.
The latest “BAD” version is Software Version: 8.0.213.0 / Last Update: 2018-09-24
https://support.logi.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360024847013--Downloads-X52-Space-Flight-H-O-T-A-S-
This is the version you will be pointed to , if you go directly to the Logitech support downloads. It does not have the programming software included, and drivers can be problematic.
Instead : click “Show All Downloads” , and you will see previous versions.
The “GOOD” Version, or at least the version that worked for me was:
Software Version: 8.0.132.0 / Last Update: 2017-05-11
https://download01.logi.com/web/ftp/pub/techsupport/simulation/X52_HOTAS_x86_8_0_132_0.exe
This version installed without issue, and I now have the joystick icon in the notification area on the bottom right of the windows desktop.
That however is not enough to make the Pinkie recognised. You need to open the software, go to “programming”, click view, until you see a “grid” view, displaying all of the shifted modes.
Delete all of them, until there is only 1 column left.
Then right click on “Pinkie switch” and ensure “Fall Back” is ticked, (you will see a check mark beside it).
Then select save, and save the profile as “Elite Dangerous”.
Finally right click the joystick in the notification area, and select the elite dangerous profile you have just created.
Then run ED, and Ta-Daa .. Map the pinkie as normal.
Hope this helps,
Darkstar.
So I finally put a bit of time into this to try to figure it out, and got the solution. Firstly, some of the solutions you see, which are correct, talk about the programming software / grid view, joystick icon on the notification area. Well I had none of these. I used to use the “Madcatz” software, but that doesn’t work, and will not detect the X52 under win10, and USB3 (well not in my case anyway). The problem is then compounded by the fact that the new Logitech drivers, come with their own set of issues. Often they simply will not detect the X52, unless you manually change it in device manager to Generic USB device. Sometimes, it will appear as unknown device, so you cannot even change it to Generic USB. – This was my starting point, completely Non-functional.
So first: I ran control panel, went into device manager:
[Win key], type “control panel”, and hit return
Select “Hardware and Sound”, then select “Device Manger”
From there, click and expand “Human Interface Devices”
You will see a list, and on it somewhere near the bottom, will be (if you are lucky and drivers are good) “X52 H.O.T.A.S (HID) X52 H.O.T.A.S (USB)
Alternatively, you may have got an error when you plugged in your X52, as I did saying the device was not set up properly. In which case:
Click on the error shown in this list, and select remove device.
Power off your system completely,(including PSU power) –basically you want to hardware reset the USB Bus, and it will enumerate again once windows boots. The hardware should be displayed, if not get the driver software …
Now here is the key. DO NOT USE THE LATEST LOGITECH SOFTWARE. The driver seems problematic, and it does not come with any programming software.
The latest “BAD” version is Software Version: 8.0.213.0 / Last Update: 2018-09-24
https://support.logi.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360024847013--Downloads-X52-Space-Flight-H-O-T-A-S-
This is the version you will be pointed to , if you go directly to the Logitech support downloads. It does not have the programming software included, and drivers can be problematic.
Instead : click “Show All Downloads” , and you will see previous versions.
The “GOOD” Version, or at least the version that worked for me was:
Software Version: 8.0.132.0 / Last Update: 2017-05-11
https://download01.logi.com/web/ftp/pub/techsupport/simulation/X52_HOTAS_x86_8_0_132_0.exe
This version installed without issue, and I now have the joystick icon in the notification area on the bottom right of the windows desktop.
That however is not enough to make the Pinkie recognised. You need to open the software, go to “programming”, click view, until you see a “grid” view, displaying all of the shifted modes.
Delete all of them, until there is only 1 column left.
Then right click on “Pinkie switch” and ensure “Fall Back” is ticked, (you will see a check mark beside it).
Then select save, and save the profile as “Elite Dangerous”.
Finally right click the joystick in the notification area, and select the elite dangerous profile you have just created.
Then run ED, and Ta-Daa .. Map the pinkie as normal.
Hope this helps,
Darkstar.
