X55 Rhino HOTAS ghosting.

Tenshi · Nov 27, 2021

I keep getting ghosting on some of the commands from my X55 Rhino when playing Elite Dangerous. I know it is a ED related issue only, as Star Citizen doesn't have this problem. I have two powered usb hubs to power the hotas set up but still having problems with ghosting on the landing gear, cargo hatch and booster.

Does anyone have a solution?

TheMindBuddah · Nov 28, 2021

I have a Logitech X56 and use a sata powered pcie card just for the HOTAS.
Your already using the main solution to the problem, and yeah it only seems to happen in Elite as never encountered the issue in X4 (can not say for SC as while as its installed. Never left the concourse).

I know that even with the powered pcie card, I still have to replug the HOTAS every now and then.

Caydran · Nov 28, 2021

I had this problem with the X55

I had them plugged into powered USB hubs with those plugged into a USB 3.0 port.

Then I realized the X55 is only USB 2.0 compatible.

After removing the powered HUBS and plugging into a non-powered USB 2.0 port on the MB, the problems went away.

The X55 does not seem to work well on powered USB hubs/ports, or USB 3.0 ports.

Minimum System Requirements:

PC: Windows XP (32- and 64-bit) and Higher;
2 USB 2.0 Ports

gorankar · Nov 28, 2021

Turn down/off the illumination and/or use a powered 2.0 hub, not 3.0/1/2, and those issues went away for me on the X56.

Great joysticks for the price. If only they were built better.

Caydran · Nov 30, 2021

Not many of you know the Windows Kits SDK has a USB Viewer which will allow you to view all of your USB hubs and devices.

Download the SDK

Follow these instructions to install the USB Viewer, then go to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Debuggers\x64\" and run USBView.Exe

As some of you know, the X55 and X56 can develop ghosting if the USB Hub has too many devices on it, and this utility will allow you to see how your USB devices are being used.

The optimum goal is to have your HOTAS on a USB Hub by itself, but barring that, the USB Hub with the least number of devices.

To use this software, once opened, it will display your current USB configuration. Manually move your HOTAS USB connectors to different USB 2.0 Ports and hit the REFRESH button under OPTIONS. Continue to move your HOTAS USB connectors until you have them on a hub with the fewest devices.

Keep in mind that both the X55 and X56 are USB 2.0 compatible and should be plugged into a USB 2.0 Hub on the front or back of your computer. Plugging them into a USB 3.1/2 Hub is not recommended, if ghosting is an issue. As well, powered hubs are really not needed for input controllers. The LED's are extremely low power devices.

Fly Safe.....

Tenshi · Dec 6, 2021

Took the time at work today to inspect the insides of the throttle. On one of the wiring looms that contain the landing gear, boost and SC buttons the insulation has peeled away from the copper cores. Just like the last X55 Throttle I had. This happens every few years for me as the cable work hardens and breaks due to poor design.

Going to push the boat out this Christmas and treat myself with a Virpil set up I think.

STRONTIUM DOG · Dec 6, 2021

had the same basic x box controller +20 year's still works fine even with fa off (voice attack and track ir being a must)
and if it breaks ill just get another even though I could afford a virpil
just too much muscle memory invested methinks and very minimalistic which is a plus for me

[xtc]mrsly · Dec 11, 2021

i plugged my x56 in to seperate usb pairs on the motherboard and it fixed this issue also worth mentioning i thiunk the x56 is usb 2 and doent like usb3 slots, i ahd the same issues many years ago and the solution was to not share the same hardware usb thats soldered to the |MB, as apparently then the problem was usb power or the lack there of

Tenshi · Dec 11, 2021

[xtc]mrsly said:
i plugged my x56 in to seperate usb pairs on the motherboard and it fixed this issue also worth mentioning i thiunk the x56 is usb 2 and doent like usb3 slots, i ahd the same issues many years ago and the solution was to not share the same hardware usb thats soldered to the |MB, as apparently then the problem was usb power or the lack there of

I opened up the case of the throttle and I have seen the broken cables. All the insulation has broken off and is causing the wires to short circuit and give random commands when the throttle is moved.