CH joystick/throttle or x55

[pepto]

so a little while back i made a x55 or warthog post but after doing some more digging i found some interesting stuff about the CH sticks/throttle (the thrustmaster is simply just not an option due to price vs what i think it really is worth in terms of practicality and flexibility with other modules and sims) i heard that CH actually designs sticks for real world usage ie construction vehicles and military sticks but anywho i was wondering how it would hold up against the apparently flashy but sometimes unreliable x55. one point that was brought up in the video i watched was how while it may be plastic on the outside the actual system is metal which i found interesting. however i am a bit wary of the throttle, i'm a bit concerned with the lack of switches and rotaries, although there is certainly no shortage of hat switches :P. no doubt because they are rather clearly based off of the stick and throttle of the F-16 it seems like it would be certainly good for BMS but what about DCS? i'm not too worried about other more relaxed games like Il-2 and war thunder. finally if i do choose the CH stick/throttle over the rhino, should i get the fighterstick or the combatstick? a trim hat seems a little awkward for use as a tms/dms/castle switch/whateveryouwannacallthem and if i wanted to i could use one of the very plentiful hat switches on the throttle to serve as a dms switch leaving the hat on the stick for slewing or vise versa

the reason i came to here was because of the severe lack of videos on it that were not just for elite dangerous or star citizen so please good people of the ED forums shower me in your thoughts and opinions :smartass:

[panzerd18]

I had a X-52 Pro and went to an all CH HOTAS setup. I just love the CH Fighterstick it is amazing compared to the X-52 Pro. The range of motion is very big allowing you to delicately control your aircraft with precise movements.

 

Although I have not tried the X-55, any CH products gets a big tick from me.

[Feuerfalke]

For usage on a desk there is no better HOTAS than CH Pro Throttle + CH Fighterstick.

 

While there is virtually no difference between the general layout e.g. of the Warthog and the Fighterstick, the Throttle makes a huge difference. It's not really modelled after any aircraft AFAIK. But it has all it's tons of buttons in reach no matter what throttle-setting. Linear throttle-movement is the magic word.

 

I also prefer the Pro Throttle's Ministick over any alternative on the market. It's very precise and allows great handling of the TargetingPod/TDC in DCS as well as lateral and vertical thrusters both in EliteDangerous and StarCitizen. I literally use it as a second joystick for these spacesims.

 

I wouldn't go for the Combatstick. The Fighterstick offers more buttons for little less money. I can only speak for myself, but this thumb-hat is the one I use the most.

 

One comment on the buttons and hats:

The Combatstick and Fighterstick have no dual-stage triggers. No problem for me, but I had another discussion about this being a standard for modern joysticks. I don't think so. However, this should be stated.

The Coolie-Hats are not 100% accurate as in the F-16 or A-10C. The hats have been reshaped for easier usage and also the resistance is much lower than e.g. that of the Warthog-Buttons. Not realistic, no, but it makes working with the HOTAS very comfortable.

[Sokol1_br]

The CH F-16 Fighterstick in details:

 

https://flying-barans.ru/ru/articles/ch-fighterstick-usb.html

[rrohde]

I never liked the spring tension of Saitek sticks, and I really love the rather smooth center of the CH Fighterstick. Overall, I am very happy with the CH Pro Throttle and Fighterstick; for those that worry that there's no twist-stick solution for rudder -- I simply mapped one of the CH Pro Throttle thumb-sticks axes to be my rudder. Works surprisingly well. :)

[King_Hrothgar]

In my experience, both CH and Saitek make good gear that last pretty much forever if taken care of. I think the two are of comparable quality overall. So that really just leaves features as the deciding factor. At this point I should mention the X-55 has a twist stick and the CH sticks do not. If you choose CH, pedals are mandatory. Just keep that in mind when deciding. So, back to features...

 

In terms of buttons, both setups have plenty. The CH system has a few more hats but the X-55 makes up for that with a myriad of switches (2 buttons each) on the throttle base. Overall, the X-55 has a few more buttons. I don't think it is a major consideration though as both have more than enough buttons for DCS.

 

That really leaves just two questions: how much do you value rotaries and a split throttle? That really is the difference between the two. The CH throttle has the mini-stick while the X-55 has split throttles and 4 rotaries. The mini-stick is good for TDC control in DCS but not much else. It is absolutely perfect for lateral and vertical thrusters in Elite Dangerous though. The rotaries on the X-55 are great for zoom, prop pitch, mixture and other such things. You could control the TDC with them, but don't. I tried it once for the lols and do not recommend it.

[313_Nevo]

for those that worry that there's no twist-stick solution for rudder -- I simply mapped one of the CH Pro Throttle thumb-sticks axes to be my rudder. Works surprisingly well. :)

 

nicely implemented :) I wasnt aware that Pro Throttle has mini-stick so I checked the pics again and there it is :thumbup:

[pepto]

thank you all for your input :smartass: rudder pedals shouldn't be a problem as i'm operating with a price range of about 450$-475$

another question i should probably ask is how flexible are the x55 and CH stick/throttle in terms of variety? i range from all dcs products to falcon bms to more arcade-type games like war thunder to simple fly around games like FSX and prepar3D, i think i would be leaning on the x55 for that seeing as the CH throttle has much less range in functionality

also on a bit of a side note i'm still wrapping my head around the x55 software and programming, is it not possible to simply input desired commands through the dcs control menu (or any other game control menu at that) or is it really buggy?

[Cali]

I used CH for almost 10 years, they are built to last. I had a X-45, that lasted all but 6 months before it started getting center play. CH can be used for anything and it can be programmed to do anything. I would probably still have CH but I wanted a better feel and the warthog was a great fit for me. You can buy all 3 CH (stick, throttle and pedals) for about $300-330 in the US. I used my CH for Lock on, FC 1,2 and 3, DCS A-10C, DCS BS, Arma and BMS. I had zero problems and still have all my old profiles just in case I ever switch back to CH.

 

I have not seen or used the X-55 in person, so it could be a great HOTAS. I hate the twist rudder and I have heard a few buttons could of been placed better.

 

Make sure you do some good research about both products before you buy.

[King_Hrothgar]

I've never used the out of game programming software for any joystick, wheel or other controller I've had (TIR5 exception). To me, they are completely redundant. So no, there are absolutely no issues using the in game controls setup in DCS for an X-52 or X-55. The same is true in every single game I've ever used a joystick in.

 

From an adaptability standpoint, both are fine. As I previously mentioned, it really comes down to rotaries vs mini-stick. Rotaries are great for trim, prop pitch, mixture and other such things. The mini-stick is good for some TDC's in DCS and thrusters in space games. Assuming you're getting pedals either way, the two setups are very nearly the same price. So yeah, have fun deciding! :P

[pepto]

after a lot of research and thinking and reading of these comments i think i will be going with the cH stick/throttle/pedals :thumbup: a very big thanks to everyone who replied, your input was very useful! :D

[Cali]

I've never used the out of game programming software for any joystick, wheel or other controller I've had (TIR5 exception). To me, they are completely redundant. So no, there are absolutely no issues using the in game controls setup in DCS for an X-52 or X-55. The same is true in every single game I've ever used a joystick in.

 

From an adaptability standpoint, both are fine. As I previously mentioned, it really comes down to rotaries vs mini-stick. Rotaries are great for trim, prop pitch, mixture and other such things. The mini-stick is good for some TDC's in DCS and thrusters in space games. Assuming you're getting pedals either way, the two setups are very nearly the same price. So yeah, have fun deciding! :P

 

The "out of box software" for CH is outstanding! When I had CH I used it and it did so much more then the game could allow me to do. Plus, it was easy to program, load and change things as I saw fit. But it all comes down to what people want to do and how they do it.

[King_Hrothgar]

I looked at the Saitek profiler when I installed my X-55 and it does look very powerful. But I just don't need it. With 5 hats, 14 buttons, 4 rotaries and 7 switches (2 buttons each), I really don't need all of them doing 3 different things. I couldn't possibly keep track of what does what like that ;). And I can set axis curves in game, so nothing is gained there. Haven't had a CH setup in a while, but it was pretty much the same at the time. Never had a shortage of buttons. But as you said, it's just a matter of preference. I always preferred in game configurations. Both normally work just fine.

[hannibal]

CH is the best!!!!!!!

[Gladman]

I had CH back in the day. The only reason I moved on was they were serial port connections and didn't work with the more modern OS's. I had my TM days, not the topic, and now run the X55. I think the Saitek equipment is giving me as good an integration into all games as the CH products did. I've had no problems with programming and I like the feel of them, no problem ergonomically as others have stated.

Both are excellent. Tough choice.

 

Dale

[pepto]

well it appears that fate has either chained be back or thrown be a bone in terms of what i should pick because i just noticed that the CH throttle is out of stock so i guess the deciding factor would be if it can come back in stock once i actually have the money ready :P

[Cali]

No matter which one you get, I hope you like it. You know there is support and help here for you.