Torn between joysticks

[Davidof]

Hi all, i would like some opinions about sticks, i've seen allot of them, but i want some tailored for myself.

I've used the X-52, the X-52 pro, the X-55.

My latest stick is the X-55, i've had it for 5 months now, and already have to return it to sender to have it fixed.
There was a slight wiggle on the stick already, that was not there before and the twist is extremely rough, and has to be lubricated almost every 2 weeks in order to keep working properly.

The pinky button on the stick requires hard pressing also the 2 grey buttons behind on the throttle require hard pressing too.

Aside from all these flaws, the prescission is good, and i do like the throttle allot, the stick itself not all that much, because of the extremely rough twist that gets choppy after 2 weeks because it needs lubrication (again), but i do like the double pinky button.

Now i'm at a breaking point here, sinds i get my money refunded, and i have the option to either:
-Buy back the X-55 Rhino.
-Or buy another stick.

I looked at CH products, they seem nice, i would insta buy the stick (the latest one, the fighterstick) if i only knew if it has a Twist feature on it or not.
But then i do not have a throttle, i like the buttons on the CH pro throttle but i do not like the sliding action of the throttle itself.

And sadly throttles alone are not for sale.

The Warthog is simply to expensive for me, and does not justify the cost, my friend has the warthog, and its good stick (perhaps the best), i played with it, but no twist on the stick makes me buying a pedals for rudder action, making it even more expensive, and for me it does not need to be full metal either, i need performance quality.

i would so much LOVE to just buy the CH products, nothing but praise from everyone in terms of performance quality, but does it have twist on the stick? (The fighterstick).
Also, someone has has any feedback on the defender cobra M5?
Or do i just have to buy 4X Thrustmaster T-Flight hotas? Is that really the only option there is for me?



Kind regards, David.

 

[vinnybags]

Hi all, i would like some opinions about sticks, i've seen allot of them, but i want some tailored for myself.

I've used the X-52, the X-52 pro, the X-55.

My latest stick is the X-55, i've had it for 5 months now, and already have to return it to sender to have it fixed.
There was a slight wiggle on the stick already, that was not there before and the twist is extremely rough, and has to be lubricated almost every 2 weeks in order to keep working properly.

The pinky button on the stick requires hard pressing also the 2 grey buttons behind on the throttle require hard pressing too.

Aside from all these flaws, the prescission is good, and i do like the throttle allot, the stick itself not all that much, because of the extremely rough twist that gets choppy after 2 weeks because it needs lubrication (again), but i do like the double pinky button.

Now i'm at a breaking point here, sinds i get my money refunded, and i have the option to either:
-Buy back the X-55 Rhino.
-Or buy another stick.

I looked at CH products, they seem nice, i would insta buy the stick (the latest one, the fighterstick) if i only knew if it has a Twist feature on it or not.
But then i do not have a throttle, i like the buttons on the CH pro throttle but i do not like the sliding action of the throttle itself.

And sadly throttles alone are not for sale.

The Warthog is simply to expensive for me, and does not justify the cost, my friend has the warthog, and its good stick (perhaps the best), i played with it, but no twist on the stick makes me buying a pedals for rudder action, making it even more expensive, and for me it does not need to be full metal either, i need performance quality.

i would so much LOVE to just buy the CH products, nothing but praise from everyone in terms of performance quality, but does it have twist on the stick? (The fighterstick).
Or do i just have to buy 4X Thrustmaster T-Flight hotas? Is that really the only option there is for me?

Kind regards, David.

Did you not like the x-52 pro? I have been using it and prefer it over the x55. But it may be a personal flight style that conflicts with your choice. Is there any reason you decided not to go x52 pro?
...and no, i do not believe any of the CH sticks have a twist stick.

 

[Davidof]

I did like the X52 yeah i did, but i went for the X-55 because of the buttons, allot of them.
Now it just feels like a downgrade? or is that just in my mind?

...and no, i do not believe any of the CH sticks have a twist stick.

Are there any mods for the fighterstick from CH products that let you install a twist?

 

[Magic Man]

Are there any mods for the fighterstick from CH products that let you install a twist?

Not to my knowledge, that would be quite a major mod.

Unless you want to go with pedals or use another axis/keys for rudder, then your best bet is to stick with Saitek.

 

[Thisdale]

http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/hotas-warthog

 

[Antmax]

If they released a fighterstick with twist rudder I'd be all over it. I don't have time, space and do have three puppies that chew plastic things lying on the floor. Plus I got really used to the twist rudder after having a Extreme 3D, X52 and Microsoft FFB2.

I actually like the FFB2 best overall, Using it with a CH Throttle pro and thinking of modding it to work with a different handle that has more buttons.

 

[Iskariot]

If the Thrustmasters Warthog would have had twist rudder I would have bought that one, because everybody tells me it is of superior quality.

I bought an X55 instead and I have no complaints about that stick whatsoever. I hope it stays that way.

A long time ago I had an indestructible CH flight stick. Great product, but twist rudder really is a must for me and I feel the throttle could use some more buttons.
CH's products really could use an overhaul. I would have gladly paid a bit extra for their products, but they lack the features I want.
The X55 is perfect for me in that respect.

 

[Blastbeats]

CH Sticks = quality, but aging design (imo). I hear they are the Toyota of flightsticks, but they don't have enough buttons for me.

x55 Rhino = The stick i currently have and the best stick Saitek has out atm, despite it's flaws. Make sure you have a 500ma powered USB hub when you use it, especially if you use an AMD cpu (AMD USB driver issues). The design is better than CH imo, but $200 is a LITTLE steep, considering Saitek products seem to be a gamble. Mine has a LITTLE "wobble" but since I fly with deadzone anyways, I don't notice it. If you play DCS or FSX, you might notice it. If you get a good one, it's worth the $200 imo. You can take the stick off, and replace the springs. It comes with 4 different springs, which is nice. I use the stock one, which is the heaviest one it comes with, and I've gotten used to it.

Thrustmaster Warthog = I haven't used it yet, but it is THE best stick (and hotas) on the market right now. If money is no object, buy this with pedals. Even for ED, everyone I've talked to who has one swears by it. It is made of Metal, and you can take it apart and replace parts. TM even sends you parts for free! $400 investment for a stick that may last you 12 years, and it is modeled after a real stick and throttle setup, so if you're into immersion, nothing beats this right now. If you do get this, be warned that this stick tries to simulate the real thing, which means the 4-spring system it uses has HIGH tension. You will have arm pump for the first week lol. If you have weak forearms, then this stick is going to kill you after a few hours flying. But, that's the cost of flying using this stick, while blasting Danger Zone, right??

If you can find an x-52 Pro for under $100 brand new, and all you play is ED and maybe SC, then get it. You may need to do the CD case spring mod (google it) to get your spring tension where you want it, as the default spring is really flimsy. Some people like the light spring tension though. But if you are a hardcore flight sim nut, you will want to go with a CH stick or the warthog. Flight sticks are pretty cookie cutter right now, as there aren't many good ones on the market (at least for now). The x55 is the poor man's Warthog, which is why I bought it. You get what you pay for, a $200 stick that thinks it's a $400 stick. So far, my x55 has been good after I sorted out it's Ghost Key issues by buying a powered USB hub.

Get what fit's your style, and your keybinding needs, and budget. So far, my x55 has done ED justice.

 

[Antmax]

If the Thrustmasters Warthog would have had twist rudder I would have bought that one, because everybody tells me it is of superior quality.

I bought an X55 instead and I have no complaints about that stick whatsoever. I hope it stays that way.

A long time ago I had an indestructible CH flight stick. Great product, but twist rudder really is a must for me and I feel the throttle could use some more buttons.
CH's products really could use an overhaul. I would have gladly paid a bit extra for their products, but they lack the features I want.
The X55 is perfect for me in that respect.

The Throttle isn't too bad. All the hats can be used as buttons instead. So 16 buttons on hats, analog stick and three regular buttons aren't bad. Especially when you can use button combos in ED.