Saitek X52's Robustness

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim (More info?)

I don't know that the X52 has been out long enough for there to be any
truly valid opinions on the durability of the X52's construction, but I'm
asking anyway.

I've owned a Saitek X45 for a little less than a year now, and while it
offered good functionality for the price, I have had a lot of problems
with it. Many of the problems I have experienced are well known to this
HOTAS combo, such as spiking (especially with the rotaries), an
increasingly large dead zone on the stick and increasingly loose
centering, and finally some of the buttons have begun to misfire.

I will be sending my X45 in for warranty replacement, but I suspect
whatever I get back will begin to experience the same type of problems in
due time.

I have probably used my X45 a lot more than Saitek originally intended,
and will no doubt do the same with an X52 if I choose to upgrade. I would
prefer, but cannot afford, something as sturdy and reliable as the CH Pro
combo.

So, what are people's opinions? Has anyone owned one long enough and used
it regularly enough to have a valid opinion on its durability? Are the
centering and spiking issues gone, or does the X52 use the same mechanism
as the X45? Are there any good reviews of this product on the Web that
might give me this info?

I really hope Saitek put some better construction into this stick instead
of just giving us a silly LCD screen and upping the price by 50%.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim (More info?)

I've had one for just under a month now, my advise is to stay well
clear of it. Large dead zones, spiking and sticking on the rudder axis,

poor build quality lots of free play in the stick but the throttle
works
fantastic tho. if you want to see most of the problems go here [url=http://www.saitekforum.com/sh...p://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=6740
[/url] .

But if you are still determined to get one make sure the serial
number is greater than S00245477. models previous to this have the
old firmware, and will most likely have the very large deadzone which
will cause you problems.

Go Ch products a bit more expensive but reliable and you can buy
spares for them

_________________________________________________________
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Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim (More info?)

I have a new X52. My Serial is 231171.

DeadZones are parameters you can adjust/change with about any modern SIM
game your play or it can be modified using the Saitek software itself. I
don't really understand this particular complaint about the X52.

My two problems with the X52:
1. When you boot the computer with the X52 plugged in, it does not
initialize correctly. You always have to unplug the X52 USB cable from the
computer after booting, and plug it back in before it will initialize
correctly.

2. I am still trying to get use to the twist stick rudder control in the
X52. I use to use a gameport version of CH F-16 Fighter Stick in right
hand and a simple Kraft 2-axis joystick in left for throttle and rudder
(with the springs turn off in the throttle axis). For me the twist stick
rudder control in the X52 is not as precise as my old way (when dogfighting
especially).

Saitek should have provisioned the X52 with rocker rudder control in the
throttle, in addition to twist-stick rudder control for folks like myself
that are use to controlling rudder with left hand. That way we would have a
choice depending on preference.

Note: There is a slider control in the X52 throttle than can me programmed
for use as rudder control. Its really not an acceptable option for rudder
control because the slider is not spring centered with center detent. You
don't know when the rudder is centered.

I may eventually get proficient at controlling the rudder, and just about
everything else with my right hand, as required with the Saitek X52 control
system. I may put softer springs in the twist stick rudder portion of the
stick to increase rudder control precision and improve maneuving in
dogfights.

Summarizing:
The only two issues I have with the stick are: (1)the slight loss of
precision using twist-stick rudder control, and (2)computer boot X52
initialization problem.

The X52 has ample HOTAS, programable buttons, wheels, and sliders. I think
its a very good control system. The construction looks robust to me. The
price was right. I am very happy with the X52 overall.


JoshIII
upstate south carolina
joshii on Warbirds2004




"Anadin" <Anadin@forums.simradar.com> wrote in message
news:1108833475.1238@forums.simradar.com...
> I've had one for just under a month now, my advise is to stay well
> clear of it. Large dead zones, spiking and sticking on the rudder axis,
>
> poor build quality lots of free play in the stick but the throttle
> works
> fantastic tho. if you want to see most of the problems go here > [url=http://www.saitekforum.com/...p://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=6740
> [/url] .
>
> But if you are still determined to get one make sure the serial
> number is greater than S00245477. models previous to this have the
> old firmware, and will most likely have the very large deadzone which
> will cause you problems.
>
> Go Ch products a bit more expensive but reliable and you can buy
> spares for them
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Posted via the -Web to Usenet- forums at http://forums.simradar.com
> Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim (More info?)

DedCat wrote:
> I don't know that the X52 has been out long enough for there to be any
> truly valid opinions on the durability of the X52's construction, but
> I'm asking anyway.
>

If you haven't already done it. Take a look on amazon.com and read the
customer reviews for the X52. I've learned a few things about my hotas and
corrected one misunderstanding. Not only are the comments helpful, they can
be edited and updated by the authors as time goes on.

BTW, I feel I've already gotten my $100 worth....

Regards

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim (More info?)

Howdy,

I have SZ0023???? so has my stick old firmaware..or is SZ00??? newer than
S00???

I haven't notice any bad issues of deadzone...I think moves in this stick is
better than in my odl TM Cougar.

-Iku

"Anadin" <Anadin@forums.simradar.com> kirjoitti
viestissä:1108833475.1238@forums.simradar.com...
> I've had one for just under a month now, my advise is to stay well
> clear of it. Large dead zones, spiking and sticking on the rudder axis,
>
> poor build quality lots of free play in the stick but the throttle
> works
> fantastic tho. if you want to see most of the problems go here > [url=http://www.saitekforum.com/...p://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=6740
> [/url] .
>
> But if you are still determined to get one make sure the serial
> number is greater than S00245477. models previous to this have the
> old firmware, and will most likely have the very large deadzone which
> will cause you problems.
>
> Go Ch products a bit more expensive but reliable and you can buy
> spares for them
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Posted via the -Web to Usenet- forums at http://forums.simradar.com
> Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!