Saitek X-52 Pro Worth my time and money?

[SilentGun]

I have been looking to buy a new stick going from my Logitech extreme 3d pro, and my option now is the X-52 Pro for the money (that's about as high as I can go money wise) but im looking to find information on what other people think. I have read a lot of reviews on the internet of how bad the stick can be but others say its a fine stick

(not the original X-52 but the madcatz X-52 Pro).

So... should I get the upgrade from my current joystick? or would it be a huge bust.

[Falcon_S]

Saitek X52pro - you will be very impressed. Don`t worry, it worth all money

you spent on it.

[Gladman]

I can't say anything about the 52, but the 55 is excellent. I've had no problems. I believe Saitek to be as good as any other.

 

Dale

[tommytank]

I had many years from my X52pro, after returning a faulty X52 non-pro, and eventually sold it for a reasonable price when I upgraded to a warthog.

 

There aren't obvious uses for the rotaries in DCS, but it comes with dual trigger - the X55 doesn't offer this.

[llama]

I agree with tommy on this, I have the X65 which is single trigger as well. Kind of a pain to find another button to substitute in for the PAC function, if that is a concern. Not impossible though. If you are not playing A10C or Black shark though, that need not be a worry, as from what I know, they are the only modules that use the dual stage. I started with the X52 non pro. Served me well for several years other than a button on the hat dying on me. That is what made me upgrade. Probably gonna sell my X65 in the next few months to get the warthog though. Not positive yet.

[flagg]

ka-50 doesn't use dual stage trigger

by now only a-10c

[Socket7]

The X-52 is a huge step up from the Logitech Extreme 3d.

 

Buy from an authorized retailer, and keep your receipt though. You'll probably need to RMA it at some point.

 

The Logitech Extreme 3d, for all it's terribleness, poor centering, and dead zones, is the single most durable joystick I've ever used. You can abuse the hell out of it. In contrast, both the X-52's I had, and the TM warthog I have, have required RMAs.

[Puma]

x-52 was great for me for years of intense f4af simming. Nothing wrong with it.

[313_Nevo]

SG maybe you can also consider buying Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X + T.16000M.

It is in the same pricing category as the X52 (non-pro). of course less switches/rotaries/sliders but maybe little bit better build quality.

[SilentGun]

Thank you for all the responses! I really wish there was a way to try out the sticks and see what it feels like to operate them.

[FONS]

Sir, i hope to be in time.

 

DON'T BUY A SAITEK

 

"The cheap things end up being expensive" Remember this saying?

 

I bought a Saitek X52 Pro 3 months ago, didn't regret a purchase more in my life. That joystick had such an insane friction, that flying was a nightmare. Trying to make small corrections ended up turning the joystick completely due to his friction points. I really don't know how to explain it in english, but in small moves, there's so much friction, that will end up stuck, and trying to overpass that stuck point, will make you move the joystick a lot more that you would want. Ended up trying to warranty exchange it after 2 weeks of nightmare, but as my shop had restock problems with Saitek. I payed 150€ to buy another one.

 

Bought a TM HOTAS Warthog. I really have no words to compare this masterpiece to that bullsh*t. Expensive, yes. But will last all my life, and it's a freaking masterpiece.

Edited January 23, 2015 by FONS

[KLR Rico]

^ As fantastic as that would be, the OP said the x-52 was as high as he could go, so I don't think something that costs as much as some used cars would be feasible. ;)

 

 

I had the original x-52, any of the shortcomings can be handled with slight modifications. If you'd like to try it out, you could buy it from Amazon or someplace else with a good return policy. An alternative is to find a good deal for a used one on eBay and if you don't like it you'd probably be able to resell it for at least the same amount of money. (I've made money on a few purchases like that) :thumbup:

[SilentGun]

Hello FONS, thanks for the review! do you remember what joystick you changed from when you got the x-52? I'm trying to get an upgrade from my Extreme 3d pro because I've had it for quite some time and I'm looking for a stick with more buttons and control.

 

So do you think that "friction problem" could have been solved with some oil?

 

And again thanks for all the responses and reviews, this is what I am looking for. Keep em coming! ;)

[algerad3]

SilentGun,

I had an x52(non-pro) which gave me many years of trouble free flight.

That one I gave to a friend after I upgraded to an x-52 pro. This one currently sits at the ready on the side of my desk. I use the pro model every once in awhile and as such the buttons get a little sticky (I need to clean the insides) but after a couple of pushes and clicks it clears up.

 

I never had a problem with the non pro or the pro. Just remember to take the time to set things up in detail(curves ,dead zones and such) to your comfort and control taste and you should be fine.

I also purchased an X-65 which got smacked around by a careless individual who acted like he owned the space I occupied and as a result the joystick could no longer send output.

I read on the internet that Madcatz's service was terrible and repairs/replacements took forever and a day. I e-mailed them anyways , explained the problems and they gave me RMA instructions. Due to the fact I was working aboard a ship and we were leaving in a week or two, I ordered a new one from amazon( Because of what I read on the internet, I did not expect to have mine repaired/replaced before we left ) and received it two days before my replacement arrived.

Long story short, many complaints on the internet are unfounded or from unrealistic expectations. I would imagine that the x-52 pro would handle the job as well for you as it has for me. I really feel bad for mine as I am about to turn it into radio/landing gear control console.

[SilentGun]

You know... ive been thinking, if the X-52 Pro's are going for $200 now a days, then I guess I should go for a Thrustmaster Warthog.

 

Should I get the X-52? or save up $300 more for a Thrustmaster Warthog.

[PFunk1606688187]

Craigslist is your friend.

[Vedexent]

I like the X52 Pro very much. I bought it with the non-combat pedals as well, and enjoy those.

 

Mine have served me well for a couple of years now.

 

I would disagree that there's no uses for the rotaries - I use them for Shkval tageting on the K-50 (one for zoom, one for gate size, with the throttle joystick for slew) - but if you don't fly Ka-50, or Su-25T, there may be less uses for them.

 

Only two complaints so far:

 

• I would pay more for screw in connectors on the ends of the cable betwen the throttle and the flight stick. They seem to work out of sockets too easily, and I've had it happen at really inopportune times!
  

 

• The pinkie trigger toggle seems to be unreliable: did it catch this time, or not?
  

I think they're a good medium level setup - but I've never tried the high-end sticks like the Warthog.

[algerad3]

Vedexant, Make sure the screw at the back of the joystick is tight.

I was having the same problems until I noticed it was loose and not allowing the pinky trigger to make good contact.

[313_Nevo]

SG and what about CH Combatstick + CH Pro Throttle for around $270 ? not as cheap as X52, and not as expansive as Warthog :)

[King_Hrothgar]

I used an X-52 Pro until a few weeks ago. At 8+ years old, it still works surprisingly well and I never had any complaints about it. A little silicone grease on the moving bits once a year and it lasts just about forever with reasonable precision. It does date from before Mad Catz took over Saitek, but the current X-52 Pros get high marks too. I would highly recommend it if it weren't for the price gouging. Mine cost $120 new but now they cost $200, the exact same price as the X-55.

 

The X-55 so far seems to be a very good stick too. It is more accurate and has a few more buttons on it + a very useful set of switches and rotaries on the throttle base. I can't comment on longevity since I've only had it a few weeks, but it seems to be of good build quality. Like the X-52's, you do have to grease the moving bits. Out of the box, pitch, roll and twist were all very notchy. A few dabs of silicone grease smoothed them right out though. The X-55 is also much easier to grease than the X-52 thanks to the easy to remove flight stick handle.

 

As for other options, there is a big jump in price from an X-52 Pro or X-55 to the next up HOTAS. The TM Warthog half our forum users think is the only good stick out there costs $400 + a set of pedals (stick doesn't twist), so that's no less than $500 total and closer to $600 honestly. The CH setup is a little cheaper, being about $350 for a full setup (CH sticks also lack twist).

 

For $200, you simply cannot beat the X-55. Nothing else comes even remotely close save for the X-52 Pro. The non-pro version for $120 offers nearly all the functionality too. It should be more or less the same quality. I think the only difference is the MFD, which is useless anyways tbh.

 

Other options include mixing and matching. I did consider a T.16000m + CH throttle when looking at a new setup. I dismissed that option due to the lack of rotaries on the CH throttle and a shortage of buttons on the stick itself. I should point out that everything I listed is massively superior to your current Logitech 3D pro. That is possibly the second worst joystick currently on the market (attack 3 being worse). As for Saitek quality, you can see it all in this thread. Only one person had anything bad to say about Saitek. The Saitek haters are a passionate but very small minority.

Edited January 28, 2015 by King_Hrothgar
few errors

[313_Nevo]

The Thrustmaster setup is a little cheaper, being about $350 for a full setup (CH sticks also lack twist).

I think you wanted to say CH Products. anyway good point about the lack of twist (I forgot to mention). the CH setup needs definitely extra pedals :thumbup:

[GenericFloat]

Hello FONS, thanks for the review! do you remember what joystick you changed from when you got the x-52? I'm trying to get an upgrade from my Extreme 3d pro because I've had it for quite some time and I'm looking for a stick with more buttons and control.

 

So do you think that "friction problem" could have been solved with some oil?

 

And again thanks for all the responses and reviews, this is what I am looking for. Keep em coming! ;)

 

Why upgrade from a 3D pro? Just make the 7 - 12 buttons modifiers, and you have some 60+ functions :P

 

Honestly, hearing all the people ripping on saitek just makes me want to save my money for the TM warthog.

[King_Hrothgar]

I think you wanted to say CH Products. anyway good point about the lack of twist (I forgot to mention). the CH setup needs definitely extra pedals :thumbup:

 

Indeed, fixed.

 

Also, only one person ripped on Saitek in this entire thread.

[SilentGun]

Why upgrade from a 3D pro? Just make the 7 - 12 buttons modifiers, and you have some 60+ functions :P

 

Honestly, hearing all the people ripping on saitek just makes me want to save my money for the TM warthog.

 

 

I want to upgrade to the saitek because I want a HOTAS joystick with more functions and better controllability.

 

And all the bad reviews on the saitek is also making me consider the TM warthog.

[King_Hrothgar]

The thing you have to keep in mind is that the people ripping on Saitek are those who rip on absolutely anything that isn't a TM Warthog. I'm serious, dig a little deeper and you'll confirm that. Saitek does seem to have a QC issue atm resulting in them shipping more duds than you'd expect. But the vast majority do work as intended and are of high quality. If you do get a dud, simply exchange it at the retailer. It's annoying but not a bid deal tbh. I have never had a dud from Saitek in 15+ years of using their gear.

 

Edit: I should point out that the only person in this thread who disliked the X-52 didn't bother to lubricate it. It shouldn't be required on a new stick, but saitek does skimp on the $0.01 it would cost them to grease the moving parts. It takes less than 5 minutes to do and the silicone grease costs under $5 for a tub that would grease hundreds of HOTAS's. It also lasts forever, so one thing of it will last several lifetimes.

Edited January 28, 2015 by King_Hrothgar