Hardware & Technical X56 HOTAS: JUST SAY NO!!!

[JetsonRING]

To anyone considering purchasing the Saitek/Mad Catz (Logitech) X-56 Rhino HOTAS kit I am telling you NO! DO NOT DO IT! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! As an I.T. professional with over 20 years experience I am telling you to SAVE your money, AVOID FRUSTRATION with Logitech and their squirty-doody support and purchase the less-capable but more reliable competitor's device. It does not matter which competitor, ANY competitor, just DO NOT BUY THE X-56 HOTAS! Here's my story:

I purchased an X-56 in June of 2016 for $250 USD. The profiler software has no instructions to speak of, a non-intuitive GUI and it basically does not work (!) anyway. My X-56 failed within six (6) months and Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech told me it was "out of warranty". Apparently, for $250 in the U.S. customers get only a 90-DAY WARRANTY! That's right, only 90-DAYS!

Logitech purchased Mad Catz, which had previously purchased the Saitek brand and then ran Saitek into the ground with pee-pee poor quality control and cheap construction, relying on the highly-regarded Saitek brand name to sell the product. It worked for a while before they went bankrupt and sold out to Logitech. Now there are hundreds if not thousands of soon-to-be-defective X-56 HOTAS units floating around. DO NOT BUY ONE! Logitech says they have "upgraded the drivers and software". Don't believe it. I tried to update the drivers and the HOTAS bricked, requiring a full, clean Windows install to get it working again.

Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech eventually agreed to replace (not refund) my defective HOTAS unit, out of warranty "as a courtesy" and extend my warranty to two (2) years, (verbally, they refused to put it in writing saying they would "note it in my account") which would have been on-par with the European warranty except that now, the unit is failing AGAIN, the Logitech support website keeps "failing" my login even after resetting the password, the website forum will not allow me to answer other users questions about the product, most of the links on their support either website do not work or misdirect the user and when I finally get logged in to the website it says my X-56 is out of warranty even though Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech agreed to extend my U.S. warranty!

I used to be a big supporter of Logitech products however: my most recent mouse ($40) keeps drifting, my "illuminated" Logitech keyboard ($99) will not stay lit and the X-56 HOTAS ($250) is just . . . garbage. Stinky, squirty-doody.

My advice is, if you are considering purchasing a HOTAS, purchase the widely praised by Elite Dangerous players, less capable but apparently, much more reliable Thrustmaster T.1600 flight control kit instead. Or some other HOTAS, ANY other HOTAS but avoid the Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech X-56 HOTAS as if it were infected with plague.

Just saying . . . o7

Moderators Please sticky this thread, it is THAT important, this product is a MONEY-SINK that a lot of Elite Dangerous players are thinking of purchasing. It is hugely expensive, poorest quality and it is garbage!

EDIT: If anyone who has owned an X-56 for more than a year or two wants to make a POSITIVE post about the X-56 I am sure happy to give equal time. I'll wait . . . o7

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I used to be a big supporter of Logitech products however: my most recent mouse ($40) keeps drifting, my "illuminated" Logitech keyboard ($99) will not stay lit and the X-56 HOTAS ($250) is just . . . garbage. Stinky, squirty-doody.

Hmmm. I bought a Logitech F710 wireless gamepad for my wife to use for the camera suite - the supplied software simply doesn't work properly with Windows 10, the only way to make it work is to fool it into using the Xbox360 gamepad driver, and even that fails with disturbing regularity after updates.

Shame really as the gamepad itself is nicely heavy. But I won't be buying another one.

 

[Conch]

ive had an X55, used it for 2000 hours... then it became a bit wonky.

bought an X56 not long ago.. it had one issue, with the stick not going into neutral position.
easy fix, but it shouldnt happen with a kit of 250 euros.

its a shame that warthog doesnt got yaw, otherwise i would have bought that.

 

[Certacito]

Okay, so the general message is that the X-56 is pants. I have a mate who has had 3 now for the same reasons and says the same. What a difference from the older Saitek stuff sadly. I am still using my X-45 bought in 2000, and only last night did it start playing a bit funny around one of the buttons. I am reliably informed that the X-52 is better than the X-56 though.

I am certified MCSA (x2), MCITP, MCTS (x5), MCP (x2), CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CCENT and CCNA. What is your qualification, or are you just a forum troll, newbie?

He has a BSc and an SSc, Bronze Swimming Certificate and Silver Swimming Certificate

 

[FreezeFIN]

Flying X56 hotas, only complaint is the stiff thrust. If it breaks, it breaks. EU residents have good protection in warranty & breakdown situations. 2 year warranty from Logitech by the way... [yesnod]

 

[JetsonRING]

Flying X56 hotas, only complaint is the stiff thrust. If it breaks, it breaks. EU residents have good protection in warranty & breakdown situations. 2 year warranty from Logitech by the way... [yesnod]

Yup, in Europe you get a 2-year warranty. U.S. law allows Logitech to offer U.S. users a warranty lasting only 90-days for our $250 USD. The ad said 2-years when I purchased it, inside the "manual" I found a disclaimer stating that unless the manual specified a 2-year warranty U.S. users would get only 90-days. o7

 

[PiLhEaD]

Err, sorry to head back on-topic, but I've had my '£can't remember but cheap' Thrustmaster T-flight X since way before original beta.

It's got just enough buttons, especially if you use one as [SHIFT] to double the uses of the others, and the quality is slap-bang in the middle of decent.

It's still going strong, the only signs of wear being the button printing is getting worn away and the centre indent for throttle 'zero' is a little less crisp than it used to be.

Sorry to hear the OP's tale of woe.

Full disclosure - I am retired from IT, and now struggles to use an Android phone - ymmv.

 

[Ian Skippy]

I've heared many similar stories. Requesting this to be stickied is just daft though, you cant expect FD to actively support a campaign against another corporation on their main forum. Just allowing people to share negative opinions about other products (or ED ) is all you can ask, really.

 

[Connolly91]

I have heard many similar things unfortunately which has put me off purchasing. It's a shame because it really does look like it has the potential to be a great piece of kit for space sims. Controllable RGB to match your HUD, dual analogue mini-sticks for 6 degrees of freedom and a multitude of switches.

It is a shame, because I have owned Logitech products in the past and they have always served me well.

 

[JetsonRING]

I've heared many similar stories. Requesting this to be stickied is just daft though, you cant expect FD to actively support a campaign against another corporation on their main forum. Just allowing people to share negative opinions about other products (or ED ) is all you can ask, really.

I learned long ago, if you don't ask, you don't get. You're right, FDev probably won't do it but then again there is a LOT of money involved, it wouldn't hurt for FDev to work in the best interest of their customers, that $250 would buy a lot of ship-skins and expansion packs . . . o7

 

[JetsonRING]

I have heard many similar things unfortunately which has put me off purchasing. It's a shame because it really does look like it has the potential to be a great piece of kit for space sims. Controllable RGB to match your HUD, dual analogue mini-sticks for 6 degrees of freedom and a multitude of switches.
It is a shame, because I have owned Logitech products in the past and they have always served me well.

The design of the X-56 is SUPERB and for the first few weeks it worked OK. Feature-wise it is the best option available. It is just shameful the construction is done so poorly and that the support is so terrible. o7

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

In the UK, we have a Consumer Rights Law.

It has to last a reasonable time, or be replaced for fixed for free.

I pulled that trick when my girlfriend's iPhone died for no reason, 1 week outside of the warranty (It was really well cared for).
Got a shiny new one afew days later.



CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

 

[lysan]

To anyone considering purchasing the Saitek/Mad Catz (Logitech) X-56 Rhino HOTAS kit I am telling you NO! DO NOT DO IT! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! As an I.T. professional with over 20 years experience I am telling you to SAVE your money, AVOID FRUSTRATION with Logitech and their squirty-doody support and purchase the less-capable but more reliable competitor's device. It does not matter which competitor, ANY competitor, just DO NOT BUY THE X-56 HOTAS! Here's my story:

I purchased an X-56 in June of 2016 for $250 USD. The profiler software has no instructions to speak of, a non-intuitive GUI and it basically does not work (!) anyway. My X-56 failed within six (6) months and Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech told me it was "out of warranty". Apparently, for $250 in the U.S. customers get only a 90-DAY WARRANTY! That's right, only 90-DAYS!

Logitech purchased Mad Catz, which had previously purchased the Saitek brand and then ran Saitek into the ground with pee-pee poor quality control and cheap construction, relying on the highly-regarded Saitek brand name to sell the product. It worked for a while before they went bankrupt and sold out to Logitech. Now there are hundreds if not thousands of soon-to-be-defective X-56 HOTAS units floating around. DO NOT BUY ONE! Logitech says they have "upgraded the drivers and software". Don't believe it. I tried to update the drivers and the HOTAS bricked, requiring a full, clean Windows install to get it working again.

Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech eventually agreed to replace (not refund) my defective HOTAS unit, out of warranty "as a courtesy" and extend my warranty to two (2) years, (verbally, they refused to put it in writing saying they would "note it in my account") which would have been on-par with the European warranty except that now, the unit is failing AGAIN, the Logitech support website keeps "failing" my login even after resetting the password, the website forum will not allow me to answer other users questions about the product, most of the links on their support either website do not work or misdirect the user and when I finally get logged in to the website it says my X-56 is out of warranty even though Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech agreed to extend my U.S. warranty!

I used to be a big supporter of Logitech products however: my most recent mouse ($40) keeps drifting, my "illuminated" Logitech keyboard ($99) will not stay lit and the X-56 HOTAS ($250) is just . . . garbage. Stinky, squirty-doody.

My advice is, if you are considering purchasing a HOTAS, purchase the widely praised by Elite Dangerous players, less capable but apparently, much more reliable Thrustmaster T.1600 flight control kit instead. Or some other HOTAS, ANY other HOTAS but avoid the Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech X-56 HOTAS as if it were infected with plague.

Just saying . . . o7

Moderators Please sticky this thread, it is THAT important, this product is a MONEY-SINK that a lot of Elite Dangerous players are thinking of purchasing. It is hugely expensive, poorest quality and it is garbage!

Kill it with fire, I agree it's the worst HOTAS one can buy.

 

[Globusdiablo]

To anyone considering purchasing the Saitek/Mad Catz (Logitech) X-56 Rhino HOTAS kit I am telling you NO! DO NOT DO IT! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! As an I.T. professional with over 20 years experience I am telling you to SAVE your money, AVOID FRUSTRATION with Logitech and their squirty-doody support and purchase the less-capable but more reliable competitor's device. It does not matter which competitor, ANY competitor, just DO NOT BUY THE X-56 HOTAS! Here's my story:

I purchased an X-56 in June of 2016 for $250 USD. The profiler software has no instructions to speak of, a non-intuitive GUI and it basically does not work (!) anyway. My X-56 failed within six (6) months and Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech told me it was "out of warranty". Apparently, for $250 in the U.S. customers get only a 90-DAY WARRANTY! That's right, only 90-DAYS!

Logitech purchased Mad Catz, which had previously purchased the Saitek brand and then ran Saitek into the ground with pee-pee poor quality control and cheap construction, relying on the highly-regarded Saitek brand name to sell the product. It worked for a while before they went bankrupt and sold out to Logitech. Now there are hundreds if not thousands of soon-to-be-defective X-56 HOTAS units floating around. DO NOT BUY ONE! Logitech says they have "upgraded the drivers and software". Don't believe it. I tried to update the drivers and the HOTAS bricked, requiring a full, clean Windows install to get it working again.

Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech eventually agreed to replace (not refund) my defective HOTAS unit, out of warranty "as a courtesy" and extend my warranty to two (2) years, (verbally, they refused to put it in writing saying they would "note it in my account") which would have been on-par with the European warranty except that now, the unit is failing AGAIN, the Logitech support website keeps "failing" my login even after resetting the password, the website forum will not allow me to answer other users questions about the product, most of the links on their support either website do not work or misdirect the user and when I finally get logged in to the website it says my X-56 is out of warranty even though Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech agreed to extend my U.S. warranty!

I used to be a big supporter of Logitech products however: my most recent mouse ($40) keeps drifting, my "illuminated" Logitech keyboard ($99) will not stay lit and the X-56 HOTAS ($250) is just . . . garbage. Stinky, squirty-doody.

My advice is, if you are considering purchasing a HOTAS, purchase the widely praised by Elite Dangerous players, less capable but apparently, much more reliable Thrustmaster T.1600 flight control kit instead. Or some other HOTAS, ANY other HOTAS but avoid the Saitek/Mad Catz/Logitech X-56 HOTAS as if it were infected with plague.

Just saying . . . o7

Moderators Please sticky this thread, it is THAT important, this product is a MONEY-SINK that a lot of Elite Dangerous players are thinking of purchasing. It is hugely expensive, poorest quality and it is garbage!

Thrustmaster recommended. Even the cheap HOTAS X does the job.

 

[JetsonRING]

The whole sorry Saitek/Mad Catz saga is yesterday's news I'm afraid. Mad Catz in effect did a hatchet job on Saitek.
The good news is that Logitech bought Saitek (significantly for considerably less than MC originally paid for it) and I think we can expect improvements in the future. But not today. It'll take probably at least another year for Logitech to re-engineer the X56 (that's just a guess, make of it what you will).
As to the Warthog I heartily recommend it. It doesn't have a twist control, which is a nuisance, but it's not the end of the world (lots of other buttons, hats and doodads to help you around that) and in every other respect it's the best HOTAS(?) I've ever had.
Oh, it's always best to take a few deep breaths and calm down before posting. I speak as a sinner myself.
And one other thing.....don't tell us you're qualifications. No one's ever impressed, believe me. It only ever invites ridicule, as I think you're finding out.

Hey I spent several minutes composing that post! As for the certificates, it always amazes me how many people think all that paper is so important. o7

 

[S3B4ST13N]

I wanted the Rhino, I love the blue/black look of it but had to settle for the X52 due to price. I'm not regretting it though, the X52 is so good.
Sorry to hear of your negative experience OP.

 

[rootsrat]

I have removed the offtopic posts and moved the thread to Hardware forum.

Please stay on topic and discuss the subject and not the poster.

Thanks.

 

[Flimley]

That sounds extremely disappointing. I guess Logitech as new owners have a lot of catching up and restructuring to do. Especially regarding all round quality. Who knows what state madcatz left their house when they went to the wall.
Hope you find a solution to all this

Flimley

 

[rootsrat]

Now, with modhat off

My first HOTAS was Thrustmaster T.Flight X and it broke after 14 months of usage. I then purchased X52 Pro and I have it since then. I recently had to remove the throttle limiters (the part that marks -75% and +75%), but other than that I didn't have any problems with it.

My mate however has returned 12 X52 Pros because they keep breaking.

It is true that Mad Catz Saitek HOTAS' can be of poor build quality, but not all of them are that bad. It is a lottery unfortunately though... I would go for Warthog, but it lacks yaw, because it's a replica of a real life system - and yaw on the stick is a must for me. So I keep using my X52 Pro, hoping that there will be something nice and shiny available on the market by the time it breaks.

It's also worth nothing that the build quality of the former Saitek/MatCatz HOTAS' may improve when Logitech manufactured batches will start shipping.

 

[Ddraig]

Terrible.

I lucked out with my X55 Rhino. Still functioning since Agoust 2015. Read horrible comments but as I said, I lucked out.