What is the difference between the high end joysticks

Makasouleater69

M
I have a 10 year old Logitech joystick I think I paid like 60 for it. What is the difference between, a cheap joystick like that, and say a 150 dollar x52. Is there a noticeable difference when playing elite. It's the only game I would be using a joystick for.but if there is a huge difference I may get one.
Thanks for any help.
 

Asp Explorer

Asp Explorer
Makasouleater69 said:
I have a 10 year old Logitech joystick I think I paid like 60 for it. What is the difference between, a cheap joystick like that, and say a 150 dollar x52. Is there a noticeable difference when playing elite. It's the only game I would be using a joystick for.but if there is a huge difference I may get one.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

I only really have experience with the FLY5 which is nice but could be a lot better, and the X52Pro which I really like!

I've never used one of the high end joystick setups though so I have no opinion to offer.
 

Siggi

Siggi
Potentiometers come in different qualitys (the bits that translate stick movement into signals to the PC). They work on physical contact and wear out over time, causing problems. Better ones last longer but cost more.

Up from that you get into contactless Hall Sensors (magnetic field), very precise and never wear out.

Better quality gimbals. More buttons, better ergonomics, springs and forces thereof...etc.
 

Wrathchilde

W
In general, even a cheap joystick made recently should be a bit smoother than an old one, just due to the improvements in the components. Of course, if you're used to the old one, it can take a bit to adjust to a new one.

Hall sensors are much better than the older pot's, but some people think they're too sensitive. Its all personal taste.

I use an X52 Pro which has hall sensors in some axis, pots in others. Loving the stick in ED more than I do in some other games, it seems to be very smooth, and centers easily.

Biggest advantage to any HOTAS is having all your controls at your fingertips, and far more control than a Kb/M combo, or even a joystick/Kb combo.
 

Siggi

Siggi
If you get a stick that can have its shaft extended (Warthog for example) you'll get far more precision on top of that afforded by its hall sensors. It would need to be hard-mounted between your legs, as in a real cockpit, for best effect though.
 

psykokow

psykokow
X52 pro is a nice stick, it looks pretty with LED's.

IT feels nice in the hand IF a little bit plasticy, the pinky switch feels a little bit brittle when adjusting it, but in game that feels quite secure.
Its soft movement means little strain on your wrist.

The build quality in the PRO is better than the X52 and from reports Is worth the extra. However I know a lot of people who have had issues with them not working out the box due to broken buttons etc. So make sure you check all buttons and throttles when you get it.

Everyone I know who had bought one LOVES it.

I however can not keep my hands off my HOTAS warthog. Its almost double the price of the X52 pro which I originally wanted to buy... but its METAL.

Its very heavy to use and leads to MASSIVELY THICK WRISTS (Think Popeye) (Also take with pinch of salt... I'm making this bit up).
Some people complain about the weight of the stick and using it, I like it THOUGH it does not twist at all.. The HATS are the biggest part of my game play for ED and I will never give it up.

If you are going to Lavecon you may get a chance to get your hands on my hotas... and possibly try out the X52 and X52 pro and a range of other peripherals.
 

Konflict

K
The problem is getting drivers for those old sticks. I have a Cyborg 3D Gold USB and driver support stopped back in Win XP, and I am using Win 8.1.

I can get it working but it's kind of flaky.
 

Togg

Togg
Honestly.. if you can afford it I would spend the extra money to get a CH HOTAS + Pedal setup. its 1000x more durable and uses high quality potentiometers that last for decades.
 

Katkon

K
I went with the X52 Pro purely based on the fact that it seemed to be the popular choice on this forum, and I LOVE it.

That being said, I much prefer the feel of the Warthog. It's so heavy, so authentic-feeling. Doesn't feel like a toy. I didn't buy it for one reason - and one reason only: I'd have had to buy pedals to get the rudder to work, if my research serves me right. I love the "twist rudder" functionality of the X52 Pro. Can play comfortably from the couch on a big screen TV, semi-slouched. :)

But yes - to answer the OP's questions: higher quality materials, better feel, separate throttle, more buttons and customizability is - as far as I can tell.
 

sfried

sfried
Makasouleater69 said:
New question is the pro worth 50 dollars more? Thanks again:)

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Fl...e=UTF8&qid=1401328690&sr=8-2&keywords=X52+pro

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Fl...e=UTF8&qid=1401328690&sr=8-1&keywords=X52+pro
Click to expand...

Keep an eye out for the X52 Pro's price. It tends to fluctuate and I've heard reports it can get as low as $129.99. I got mine from Amazon (fullilled by Amazon) for around $138 but it was still worth it considering the first time I checked the buttons the trigger wasn't working (previously bought one from Microcenter at around the same price after tax), so I sent it back for a replacement, which now works fine. I was having second opinions about whether or not I should go ahead for the X55 Rhino for a couple of bucks more, but against my better judgement decided to stick it out with the X52 Pro since I don't need 2 throttles.

Edit: I don't understand the thing about the Pro "feeling like a toy" (It's construction is rather sturdy and having a frackking programable LED is pretty sophisticated). IMO these all feel like big boys toys to me :)
 
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Targas

Targas
Does anyone know if X52 pro / non-pro share the same drivers / sw ?
Got the X52 to work under 64bit Win 8.1 and wonder if I could just replug the pro.
Gone through Hotas Warthog, X55 and finally decided on X52, because:
a) drivers are working
b) not that expensive than the others
c) liked the cool spacy blue LEDs
d) no though button pressing like with the Warthog
e) will hopefully last until either X55 has stable drivers or until X52 pro replacement
 

Big Chap

Big Chap
psykokow said:
X52 pro is a nice stick, it looks pretty with LED's.

IT feels nice in the hand IF a little bit plasticy, the pinky switch feels a little bit brittle when adjusting it, but in game that feels quite secure.
Its soft movement means little strain on your wrist.

The build quality in the PRO is better than the X52 and from reports Is worth the extra. However I know a lot of people who have had issues with them not working out the box due to broken buttons etc. So make sure you check all buttons and throttles when you get it.

Everyone I know who had bought one LOVES it.

I however can not keep my hands off my HOTAS warthog. Its almost double the price of the X52 pro which I originally wanted to buy... but its METAL.

Its very heavy to use and leads to MASSIVELY THICK WRISTS (Think Popeye) (Also take with pinch of salt... I'm making this bit up).
Some people complain about the weight of the stick and using it, I like it THOUGH it does not twist at all.. The HATS are the biggest part of my game play for ED and I will never give it up.

If you are going to Lavecon you may get a chance to get your hands on my hotas... and possibly try out the X52 and X52 pro and a range of other peripherals.
Click to expand...

I was reading this thread hoping for some comments on durability.
I'm not allowed nice things coz i break 'em too easy.
X52 and pro sound a bit flimsy. The warthog may be better if it's metal(?).
Any recommendations on that front?
Or are they all much of a muchness and break whenever you get too excited in a dogfight?
 

Makasouleater69

M
Makasouleater69 said:
New question is the pro worth 50 dollars more? Thanks again:)

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Fl...e=UTF8&qid=1401328690&sr=8-2&keywords=X52+pro

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Fl...e=UTF8&qid=1401328690&sr=8-1&keywords=X52+pro
Click to expand...

Katkon said:
I went with the X52 Pro purely based on the fact that it seemed to be the popular choice on this forum, and I LOVE it.

That being said, I much prefer the feel of the Warthog. It's so heavy, so authentic-feeling. Doesn't feel like a toy. I didn't buy it for one reason - and one reason only: I'd have had to buy pedals to get the rudder to work, if my research serves me right. I love the "twist rudder" functionality of the X52 Pro. Can play comfortably from the couch on a big screen TV, semi-slouched. :)

But yes - to answer the OP's questions: higher quality materials, better feel, separate throttle, more buttons and customizability is - as far as I can tell.
Click to expand...
Well you just made my decision, thanks muchly. I can't stand joysticks with out twist lol. I had one from radio shack, where the throttle had the buttons on it for the rudder, and I keep trying to twist it lol. I ended up braking it off haha, I doubt I could do that to the warthog. I was thinking about getting that, I decided not to because I figured it would rip my leather couch. Now though I def won't if I would have to have petals.
 

AnnDroid

AnnDroid
Personally im selling my brand new Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog as ive just aquired a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 in perfect condition. I paid a fair whack for it, but judging by the reviews it seems like a good choice as it is very well made and has movement in all directions...Hope this helps...
 

Katkon

K
Makasouleater69 said:
Well you just made my decision, thanks muchly. I can't stand joysticks with out twist lol. I had one from radio shack, where the throttle had the buttons on it for the rudder, and I keep trying to twist it lol. I ended up braking it off haha, I doubt I could do that to the warthog. I was thinking about getting that, I decided not to because I figured it would rip my leather couch. Now though I def won't if I would have to have petals.
Click to expand...

I doubt you'll be disappointed - I love the X52 Pro, even if the Warthog feels like more serious business. And that twist rudder is fantastic - use it all the time in dog fights and the like. Maybe one day I'll get pedals, but I don't want pedals just yet.
 
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