Hardware & Technical X52 pro vs 16000m. First hand knowledge wanted.

[Lanceor]

I have no experience with the X-52, but I own an X-55 and I've made an observation as well.

Pretty much every single thread I've read about the Saitek X-52, X-55 or X-56 has a report of "something broken" or "warranty return" or "crap quality" from an existing owner.

So here's what to expect from Saitek HOTAS ownership:

• At least one button will stop working within a fortnight.
• You will return it for warranty probably 1-3 times during the two year warranty period (1-2 weeks without it each time).
• You will probably need to buy a new HOTAS shortly after the warranty period ends.

So therefore, I'd only consider getting one if I lived within 15 minutes of the retailer (for returns) and I have plenty of time to run this kind of errand.

 

[CMDR Corlas]

I've had an X52 Pro for years, and it's been rock solid most of that time. In the past year or so though, it's started to act weird, and although I could reseat connections, swap the PS2 cable, etc, something else would always crop up after a while.

I replaced it with a T.16000M in December, and I love it. Beautiful stick.

Knowing what I know now, even if Saitek resolved their apparent current QC issues tomorrow, I'd recommend the T.16000M hands down.

 

[Connor Caple]

I can't argue with the many, many complaints about Saitek/Madcatz posted by disgruntled users. The statistics seem to indicate that TM are more reliable.

I have an X52. I actually like it. I wanted one for years (ever since playing the original IL-2 Sturmovik and taking an online Combat Flight School using my crappy TM that had so many issues I ditched it and got a Speedlink instead!).

I was tempted to return the X52 after seeing all the complaints, but it was a gift. It has a 2 year warranty and, if they fail me, it's just a Flightstick/Throttle assembly. I used to be an Electronics Engineer - I figure I'll be able to fix it.

I didn't try to fix the old ThrustMaster years ago because the problem was jerkiness in the response, not an electronic failure. WW2 German fighters don't take kindly to rough landings *coughs*

The SpeedLink Black Widow is still working smoothly after many years of use and only cost me about £30 at the time. It still sells for the same price and feels solid in use. If they made a proper HOTAS I'd buy it in an instant

 

[Starstrydur]

I have been using an X52 for more than a year now and have had no problems yet. After seeing a thousand reviews on the most used flight control setups I have come to the conclusion that the main factor in choosing a setup is how hard a player is on a setup.

Any setup can be destroyed by a brutal player.

 

[IamKnowjaun]

The t16000m has yaw on the handle (a 3 axis joystick) and it has 16-bit resolution. Mine has always centered perfectly but I can't talk about the other joysticks. As far as buttons, I use two modifer buttons on the throttle which gives me 3x on all buttons and hats (I actually have buttons I am not using)! The CH Pro throttle is awesome after I put a very small amount of 'Lay' lub on the sliders and the button layout is also great.

I chose to start out with the keyboard+mouse configuration file and then integrate my joystick/throttle. That approach let me just start using VoiceAttack/Astra without any modifications to the binding file, it just worked (not true with Saitek/Thrustmister HOTAS). I can use the mouse and keyboard for some of the more tedious things like maps).

I read all of the bruising reviews about Saitek so I just started with the t16000m + CH Pro throttle. I had to learn about integrating them with the game, it's not rocket science but can be frustrating. But now I also don't have a remap driver running in the background (you will on both the Saitek and T16000m FCS). Initially I was jealous of the Saitek users because they have a configuration built in to ED and now so does the T16000m FCS. Now that I've learned about the binding file I do think I have the best setup available... YMMV

 

[XrayRomeoAlpha]

I have been using an X52 for more than a year now and have had no problems yet. After seeing a thousand reviews on the most used flight control setups I have come to the conclusion that the main factor in choosing a setup is how hard a player is on a setup.

Any setup can be destroyed by a brutal player.

I worried about that as well.
I don't think that I'm rough on my hardware.
I have however not had the pleasure of using a flight stick or HOTAS for any length of time.

Having said that, i have been swayed away from the x55 and x56 due to the amount of negative reviews i have read.
Extremely sad due to the way the x56 is setup!
I would have gone that route had it not been for the resounding "NO!!!" From the community.
If the x52s are not good, and the x55 &56 are not lasting the way they ahould for that kind of money, samn.
Really only leaving me with one option without going full warthog.

Looking more and more like i will own a thrustmaster.
Do i bother with the rudder pedals of just forgo it for now?
The box with all 3 is like $200 usd.
About $140 without pedals.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

I worried about that as well.
I don't think that I'm rough on my hardware.
I have however not had the pleasure of using a flight stick or HOTAS for any length of time.

Having said that, i have been swayed away from the x55 and x56 due to the amount of negative reviews i have read.
Extremely sad due to the way the x56 is setup!
I would have gone that route had it not been for the resounding "NO!!!" From the community.
If the x52s are not good, and the x55 &56 are not lasting the way they ahould for that kind of money, samn.
Really only leaving me with one option without going full warthog.

Looking more and more like i will own a thrustmaster.
Do i bother with the rudder pedals of just forgo it for now?
The box with all 3 is like $200 usd.
About $140 without pedals.

Pedals are worth it if you have room. Wish I had room. But I don't. If I did I'd have a Warthog.

 

[Zallibik]

Been using the FCS since Christmas not had a single problem, never used an x-52 but had a x-55 which I had to return, then had 4 yes 4 x-56's 3 of them were broke out of the box. That's obviously when I chose the FCS system and I've never looked back.

 

[B1rdy]

I think I wouldn't buy the 16000m because of not having an extra throttle, but, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the x 52 either.

It has a seperate throttle! It is even connected by a seperate USB cable.

I'm possibly interested in looking at the 16000M combo as a replacement (I'll never get another Saitek product again!). I have used the 16000M joystick before (when I started playing ED back in PB actually) and it was great. But, as has been asked further up this thread, what is the throttle like using the slide motion instead of rocking? That's my only (possible) issue with the combo really.

I am still adapting from the X52Pro to the T16000m. So far the throttle is very precise and I still need to adapt a little bit to the straight forward/ backward motion. To me, atm, the overall ergonomic of the throttle poses more of a problem than the motion of it.

 

[WOLFMALTA]

Hmm I've had my X52 Hotas since 2014 and I've never had a single issue with them, still play with them daily.

 

[shadowfax986]

Warthog!!!!!! Sell your car and buy one.

 

[askavir]

My personal experience with the T16000M HOTAS (without pedals):

Pros: Very ergonomic, nice feel (feels a it too light though), very confortable to use, loads of buttons, cheap(ish), components can be purchased seperatly making them easy and cheap(ish) to replace if needed, for the price is quite awesome indeed (while it works). Probably the best bang for buck you can currently get.

Cons: Cheap plastic, a bit too light, throttle tends to slide unless anchored due to being too light, throttle requires frequent regreasing or becomes sticky, my left throttle paddle stopped working after a few months, joystick yaw stopped working after a few months.

Never had the X.52 so I can't comment on that, but now I do have an X-56 (logitech, not saitek) and it's just fantastic on all accounts, not confortable for smaller hands though, especially the joystick.

 

[askavir]

Warthog!!!!!! Sell your car and buy one.

What if you could install a Warthog in your car to replace the steering wheel?