Hardware & Technical The Mindblowing experience of the Rhino X56 HOTAS

[Iskariot]

I know all about the less than ideal quality of the Saitek HOTAS in general.
Let's not talk about that now.

I have used many joysticks and HOTAS in my life.
I have bought the X55 specially for ED and had some issues with it and I recently started using the X56.

In general the Rhino HOTAS have everything you need for spaceship control, although I do wish their quality was better.

So what is so especially mindblowing about that X56?
The answer is: The two analog mini thumb sticks on the throttle and joystick.
To me these things are game changers.
If you use them for lateral and vertical thrust + forward and backward override thrust you will be blown away by the added level of control you suddenly get for your ships.

I have been flying with it for a few days now and I am still seeking the ideal configuration for many of the other buttons, but those two little thumbsticks... just WOW!
I fear I will never be able to go back to a HOTAS that does not have these. It would feel like they removed the steering wheel from my car.

I hope Logitech recognizes that this is a very special product for space sims and that they will improve upon it, because this is absolutely mindblowing! The X56 is the ultimate spacesim HOTAS as far as I am concerned.

 

[JetsonRING]

I know all about the less than ideal quality of the Saitek HOTAS in general.
Let's not talk about that now.
I have used many joysticks and HOTAS in my life.
I have bought the X55 specially for ED and had some issues with it and I recently started using the X56.
In general the Rhino HOTAS have everything you need for spaceship control, although I do wish their quality was better.
So what is so especially mindblowing about that X56?
The answer is: The two analog mini thumb sticks on the throttle and joystick.
To me these things are game changers.
If you use them for lateral and vertical thrust + forward and backward override thrust you will be blown away by the added level of control you suddenly get for your ships.
I have been flying with it for a few days now and I am still seeking the ideal configuration for many of the other buttons, but those two little thumbsticks... just WOW!
I fear I will never be able to go back to a HOTAS that does not have these. It would feel like they removed the steering wheel from my car.
I hope Logitech recognizes that this is a very special product for space sims and that they will improve upon it, because this is absolutely mindblowing! The X56 is the ultimate spacesim HOTAS as far as I am concerned.

Sort of like Democracy, it sucks (due to the quality control issues) but is by far the best system available. Mine has been replaced twice now and I still have not bought another. o7

 

[evilscoop]

I was v. v. tempted with the rebadged x56...did a lot of hunting, and while still seitek, they seem to have gone back through qa, so should be a little better...

x56 is a lovely stick, and there is little better out there atm.....that said...i moved to a warthog.

 

[Toumal]

Logitech bought Saitek.

 

[gruffta]

Thanks. Must have missed this step. User reviews don't suggest any significant QA improvements though...

Sometime this year Logitech will be relaunching the controllers after they have reengineered them.

 

[Iskariot]

As you mentioned Logitech, I'm a bit confused here. The Rhino X56 HOTAS is made by Saitek, correct? But then I also found this offer:....

As others said Saitek is now owned by Logitech.
I hope that is a good thing, because if they would improve the quality of the stick, then it would rule the spacesim market.

Btw, gets very bad reviews from Amazon users, mostly about bad quality (no surprise, guess it's still Saitek then). Would you really want to pay almost 200 bucks for a lump of steaming crap?

Quality is a problem.
Although I do not have problems with my X56 yet, I do expect them to show up eventually, but I might be lucky.
And you are right the X56 is too expensive for the quality it offers.
But they can afford to ask the price because there is no other HOTAS of this kind available.
The general design, as in the sheer number of useful buttons and options and the 2 ministicks and Joystick with twist axis is unique.
This is the spacesim king among HOTAS.
But it is a bit of a low quality king.

Nevertheless it is a pleasure to use.

I wish Thrustmater produced a Warthog with minisicks and twist axis, but they don't.

- - - Updated - - -

Sometime this year Logitech will be relaunching the controllers after they have reengineered them.

Are you sure?
That is really good news... if true.

 

[Toumal]

Sometime this year Logitech will be relaunching the controllers after they have reengineered them.

That is my hope too...

 

[Iskariot]

I just discovered that these little thumbsticks are incredibly useful to navigate the galaxymap and system map too.
Very precise and quick.

I am stoked.

Edit:
And they turn out to be invaluable for cam controls too.

I am double stoked .

 

[bitstorm]

Ahhh sods.

Just bought an X56 to replace my X52 Pro. :|

Been looking at the X56 for ages, the X52Pro really is awesome but I've always felt I needed a few more buttons, and the thumbsticks always looked useful. But then kept being put off by the (significant) reliability issues.

Can always send it back if there are problems, and I'll keep my X52 Pro around for a backup.

 

[JetsonRING]

As you mentioned Logitech, I'm a bit confused here. The Rhino X56 HOTAS is made by Saitek, correct? But then I also found this offer:

Spoiler

http://www.redcoon.de/B679224-Logit...TzmNnphh9NXvOvav1fuPlA8VIJ2LMC6PYQaAq4_8P8HAQ

What does it mean? I would seriously consider to buy it at some time - if it actually would be produced by Logitech (and not just labeled). But from Saitek? Never ever.
Btw, gets very bad reviews from Amazon users, mostly about bad quality (no surprise, guess it's still Saitek then). Would you really want to pay almost 200 bucks for a lump of steaming crap?

Saitek was once an independent company that produced peripheral devices including HOTAS kits. For many years, Saitek HOTAS were the best in the world. Then Saitek sold out to a company called Mad Catz who gutted Saitek quality-control in favor of quick profit, then Mad Catz sold Saitek to Logitech who have been doing their best with the doo-doo sandwich they have been handed. Logitech is re-branding Saitek HOTAS kits with the Logitech name and they are really working to help out owners like me who have had this HOTAS fail multiple times. Beware that in the USA the Saitek/Logitech X-56 HOTAS comes with only a 90-day warranty.

 

[bitstorm]

Just arrived.

First impressions.

Aye the thumbstick on the joystick is brilliant.

But the throttle is so stiff, even with the tension right down, like this is bordering on unuseable levels of stiffness, this thing will loosen up will it Do I need to squirt some wd40 in it or something.

Measuring it, it takes 1.06kg of force to move the thing on the lowest setting!

Also the hats on the joystick are too far away, you cannot reach the top one without taking moving your hand position, even with the added handrest. I would say I have average hands, the X56 does not feel as comfortable as my X52.

I do like the double pinky buttons though, and the extra buttons on the throttle.

 

[bitstorm]

Well gotta say I am just not sure about the X56.

The unit comes with springs you can swap out so the stick is tighter or looser. I went for weakest spring and the stick feels great, really loose, quick.

But the yaw tension is not changeable, so the stick now has this huge contrast between easy movement and a too stiff yaw.

But even without the contrast to stick movement, the yaw generally is too stiff. In order to use it I'm finding I have to let go of the grip, and reposition my hand to get enough purchase to turn it.

And so I've moved yaw to the little thumbstick, which is fine I suppose and may actually work quite well but it's a forced compromise I've already had to make, on what is supposed to be a premium stick. I also worry because I've heard a few complaints about the thumbstick reliability that after a while it has issues recentering.


The throttle, as mentioned above it's far too stiff. It takes ~1kg of force to move the thing on its loosest setting. And due to the tension, moving from 0 => 100% throttle with one hand takes around 2 seconds. It really is bordering on unuseable, I'm hoping it loosens up over time.

I'm also getting an issue with the throttle where, when viewed in the windows settings, the throttle very quickly goes from 0 => 50%, like there's some curve being applied, but I have nothing set.


The button layout for the main stick isn't great, it's a reach to press the second fire button, it is also a reach to press the top hat.

I'm also not sure about button quality, a number of times I've flicked the toggle switches and they haven't quite registered properly, or pressed some of the throttle buttons slightly off centre and nothing's registered.


But on the other hand yes the mini-sticks are great, as are the extra buttons, it's just it seems so many corners have been cut.

In all honesty from a quality point of view my X52Pro is just better, but switching back would be a trade off to what I feel is not quite enough buttons and the lack of mini-sticks which are just so good for thruster use.

 

[wrmiller]

Thanks for posting your impressions. I have a X52 Pro from the pre-MadCatz days and it has held up very well for many years doing flight sims and now ED, but it is starting to get a little too loose. I was going to just upgrade to the Warthog HOTAS and buy new rudder pedals, but now that I am playing ED I would really miss the yaw twist I get with my X52 Pro which (to me) seems more intuitive than using pedals.

And while I have read other complaints about how large the stick is, I think it would be well suited for my XXL hands. And at 6'3" tall and ~260 lbs. I think I can manage a too stiff throttle while it's breaking in. And I really want to try those little mini-sticks.

At less than half the cash outlay compared to a Warthog/premium pedal setup, I may just go ahead and give it a go and see what happens.

 

[Iskariot]

Well gotta say I am just not sure about the X56.

The unit comes with springs you can swap out so the stick is tighter or looser. I went for weakest spring and the stick feels great, really loose, quick.

But the yaw tension is not changeable, so the stick now has this huge contrast between easy movement and a too stiff yaw.

But even without the contrast to stick movement, the yaw generally is too stiff. In order to use it I'm finding I have to let go of the grip, and reposition my hand to get enough purchase to turn it.

And so I've moved yaw to the little thumbstick, which is fine I suppose and may actually work quite well but it's a forced compromise I've already had to make, on what is supposed to be a premium stick. I also worry because I've heard a few complaints about the thumbstick reliability that after a while it has issues recentering.


The throttle, as mentioned above it's far too stiff. It takes ~1kg of force to move the thing on its loosest setting. And due to the tension, moving from 0 => 100% throttle with one hand takes around 2 seconds. It really is bordering on unuseable, I'm hoping it loosens up over time.

I'm also getting an issue with the throttle where, when viewed in the windows settings, the throttle very quickly goes from 0 => 50%, like there's some curve being applied, but I have nothing set.


The button layout for the main stick isn't great, it's a reach to press the second fire button, it is also a reach to press the top hat.

I'm also not sure about button quality, a number of times I've flicked the toggle switches and they haven't quite registered properly, or pressed some of the throttle buttons slightly off centre and nothing's registered.


But on the other hand yes the mini-sticks are great, as are the extra buttons, it's just it seems so many corners have been cut.

In all honesty from a quality point of view my X52Pro is just better, but switching back would be a trade off to what I feel is not quite enough buttons and the lack of mini-sticks which are just so good for thruster use.

I agree with most of your points.

I think the throttle is extremely stiff compared to the X55.
But I expect it to loosen up after a while, just like the X55 did.

I have no problem with the sticks stiffness. I use the standard spring and z axis rotation is fine.

I agree that many corners have been cut with the quality of the X56.
And considering the price this is not justifiable.

As I said I hope that Logitech recognizes what a great potential the X56 has to become the ultimate spacesim HOTAS.
If they decide to release a version two that improves upon the mentioned shortcomings then I will dish out the money to buy it for sure.
I love using the X56 with Elite.

 

[Hooplah]

The X-56 throttle has too much grease which causes the stickiness. One could open it up and clean some of it out but I'm too lazy to do that. Meanwhile after 3 months it just slightly sticks then very low resistance (per my settings) once it is moved. I have no issues with the default stick spring. It's probably 20% of the resistance on the Warthog. I fly with the X-56 and the Logitech G13 gamepad for the camera suite. The stick yaw is very convenient so I don't have to add my feet and body staying in one position for hours playing the game. For ED it is hard to consider any other controllers with this setup.

UPDATE: After 81 days the Saitek X-56 X and Y axis (roll & pitch) died. Starting the warranty process. I guess we cannot rely on Logitech/Saitek to resolve the reliability issues. Using a Warthog joystick and an X-55 throttle for the moment but having a HARD time without the joystick yaw now programmed to another control. I cannot even land smoothly much less go into combat. Frustrating. Flying an Adder while I practice. I have the pedals so we'll see...

Note that except for the analog thumb stick the Warthog controls are identical to the X-56. The Warthog uses a 4 position hat where the analog stick is. As I use it for fast Fwd/Rev thrust the Warthog is better for me as it goes instantly maximum versus the analog stick delay.

​

 

[bitstorm]

I agree with most of your points.

I think the throttle is extremely stiff compared to the X55.
But I expect it to loosen up after a while, just like the X55 did.

I have no problem with the sticks stiffness. I use the standard spring and z axis rotation is fine.

I agree that many corners have been cut with the quality of the X56.
And considering the price this is not justifiable.

As I said I hope that Logitech recognizes what a great potential the X56 has to become the ultimate spacesim HOTAS.
If they decide to release a version two that improves upon the mentioned shortcomings then I will dish out the money to buy it for sure.
I love using the X56 with Elite.

It's all about that thumbstick, cannot overstate that, it really is that awesome!


I'm kinda looking at this atm : http://www.instructables.com/id/Add-a-little-two-analog-axis-thumb-joystick-to-you/

Maybe mod the X52Pro? If it had two thumbsticks and a few more buttons it would be a slightly higher quality X56 I think.

Hmm. Actually the100thmonkey is in the comments, maybe I will message him!

 

[Rormir]

I love my x56 but I have to agree that the quality could be better. Let's see what Logitech will do in the future.

 

[Mr. Bridger]

I love my x56 but I have to agree that the quality could be better. Let's see what Logitech will do in the future.

For those interested/concerned regarding quality issues and considering a purchase of the Logitech G (nee Saitek) X56 you may wish to note that Logitech now offer a 2 year warranty on this stick. Only applies to post April 2017. Check the big blue box near the bottom of this page. http://gaming.logitech.com/en-gb/product/x56-space-flight-vr-simulator-controller.

Back to the OP, the stick and throttle are fantastic and those analoge thumbsticks just transform your flight/combat. Personally I think it's great value, there is a lot of stuff going on for a couple of hundred quid, (just paid £150 for a plastic window winder mechanism for my wife's car, no electrics, no wires, just plastic!) The software is pretty straightforward and in most cases you can ignore it anyway and bind everything in game. I have only 3 mouse keys I have bound to the controllers directly and that took all of 2 mins to do.

 

[BurnyBurns]

Welcome to the experience CH Products users have had since Elite launched! Edit: With far less breaking units, if tales are anything to go by.

HOTAS makers finally start to realize that a mini stick is a valuable thing. The Thrustmasters FCS HOTAS does sport one as well. And maybe, hopefully, the real high end options will arrive with a throttle and proepr mini stick as well, like VKB-Sim and some day hopefully Virpil as well (after they're done recalling the first batch of sticks and fixing the issues they have). Both have to get out with their actual modern style combat sticks first though.

 

[Lucius-Darcia]

I have also bought a few weeks ago the x-56 Rhino and my experience is insanely good

I am using the two rotaries on the throttle for analog input of lateral and vertical thrusters as landing override and suddenly the Achenar challenge wasn't a challenge anymore. I went down smoothly with 5m/s like on a 0.02g planet what was important for me, that i was able to get the roll on the joystick on the z-axis. Other Hotas' would have only been able to get pitch and yaw but for roll i would have needed pedals (the reason why i didn't have chosen the warthog)
The amount of control that i have now of my ship is insane!!! After setting my controls to the place where i like them, it feels so natural! I can't believe how i was ever able to fly with KB+M.

I have no idea how long the Saitek quality of the material will serve my gameplay but i've decided already, that i will never have anything else than this Hotas. The buttons and controls are all at a perfect place, the layout is really really good and most important, there are enough possibilitys. I don't need my keyboard anymore, for nothing! Everything i do, i do on the x-56.
I can recommand it to everyone who has the coins for it because it's definitly the right choice. At least for me it was the best decision i could have made.


If logitech would release a remake of the x-56 but with the material quality of the warthog, i would buy it immediatly. That would be my dream