X-55 Rhino impressions?

[JG-1_Vogel]

Hey everyone. For some time I've been wanting to get a Warthog to replace my aged Cougar, but am slowly realising I may not be able to afford the extra £120-150 to get one over the price of it's closest rival as I see it, the X-55.

 

I've had some bad experiences with Saitek products in the past, my rudder pedals broke after only a few weeks and needed repairing with some parts Saitek sent me. I got a flight yoke from them which too had broken buttons etc when it came to me. It hasn't exactly inspired confidence.

 

My question is this, has Saitek's product quality improved over recent years? Can I expect several years of frequent use out of an X-55? Or am I simply better off scrimping and saving for a few extra months to get the Warthog? Not only that, but is the X-55 as accurate as the Hog? I know the Hog HOTAS uses HALL sensors while the Rhino uses springs much like my Cougar. Is there much of a difference?

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

[King_Hrothgar]

The X-55 uses Hall sensors for the stick and pots for the throttle and rotaries, just like the warthog. Accuracy is not an issue with the X-55 or X-52. Both are high end sticks. In any case, I replaced my 8+ year old X-52 Pro with an X-55 a couple months ago and haven't had any real issues with it. It's accurate and is made of high quality plastic with a nice feel to it. I will say it doesn't feel like a cougar or warthog. Those have extremely heavy springs on them, the X-55 is sprung more like a regular PC joystick. A lot of WH users dislike the feel of it for that reason and I've heard stories of a few hamfisted users actually breaking it, though that seems unlikely without deliberately trying. In terms of longevity, my old X-52 Pro still works fine after 8+ years of heavy use. I can't comment on the longevity of the X-55 but I haven't had any issues so far.

 

With all that said, there are two common problems with it that pop up. One is power usage. It uses too much power for the average back panel USB. You will probably need a powered USB hub for it to work properly. Common issues due to a lack of power are ghost button presses, losing calibration and in my case, the entire computer switching off when I plugged it in the first time. The other common problem is the stick tends to come without lubrication, thus it is sticky. The WH has the same issue of course, as does pretty much any other joystick. It is easier to lube the X-55 with a little silicone grease than most, so not a big deal imho.

 

Overall I'm very happy with my X-55 and would recommend it to anyone. But coming from a metal stick with an absurdly heavy spring, it may not be for you. I'd recommend checking one out at a store to see if you like the feel first. It comes with 4 springs, the default being the heaviest. Most I've talked to prefer the lightest spring and I do too.

Edited March 15, 2015 by King_Hrothgar

[Deezle]

I had an X55 for a few days before I decided to spring for the TM WH. The ergonomics of the stick isn't great but not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be.

 

I really do like a lot of the ergonomics of the throttle. I do like the 2 way momentary switches, makes mapping in DCS a lot more simple than toggle switches. I think the stick accuracy is fine except it does have the "center detent" to overcome, something you don't feel in the WH. Also in mine, in the centered position, there was actually a bit of slop with no spring tension, which I really didn't care for.

 

It really doesn't have a great button layout to fly the A-10C, no two stage trigger, no CMS hat, 3 way boat switch mapping is awkward, ect.

 

I sold my X55 to a friend, after a couple months the throttle went haywire, it's currently on RMA and he too bought a WH.

[BrassEm]

I have found that;

 

Silicone grease is definitely required for all slides on the joystick tension mechanism and the red spring. (Teflon grease is better). Takes some getting use to it on the detent and no proportional tension.

 

Throttle tension still tight even at lowest friction setting. (This needs to be revisited).

 

Programming a profile is tedious between modes. Setting up a switch is fine but no two stage. Profile printouts primitive.

 

Mouse stick on the throttle is useless. Inconsistent U/L/R and no Down, even after adjusting trigger thresholds. This was on two different units. Ended up moding it myself by replacing the carbon switch with a 4 way tactile switch (Voiding warranty to get it to work as it should have out the box).

 

Other than that in my opinion it is okay.

Edited March 16, 2015 by BrassEm
speeling

[Bourrinopathe]

Hi Lonewolf,

I own a X-55 throttle for a few months and I really enjoy the ergonomics. Even the two close hats are manageable (I have a medium/large hand).

Nevertheless, like BrassEm, I really don't like the mouse nipple. It feels cheap and imprecise even if I only tried to use it as a (two) way hat with a 40% deadzone - I don't even use it as a four way hat because of the feeling (not smooth and no way to find the desired direction instantly).

 

In my opinion, the real problem with the X-55 is the build quality.

The big plastic rotaries seem flimsy and have way too much play and friction variations to my taste (at least on the unit I own).

The aluminium rotary/encoder near the pinky also has a friction problem on my throttle: there's a significant friction on a third of its total rotation (like a centering problem or some plastic rubbing the surface). It was that way out of the box.

I also have a momentary push button (the one for the index finger) which requires a bit more strength now. No idea how it will withstand the test of time.

 

Also, there's no slider. The button labelled "SLD" is a 2-position toggle switch.

I'm satisfied with the throttle friction and the feeling is great (it's internally coupled with a set of gears). I don't fly any helicopter with it though.

There's no AB or idle detent.

 

I think it does the trick for the price tag but be aware it's not a top notch quality device.

 

@BrassEm: would you have any picture or additional info on your mouse nipple replacement/mod please? How easy would it be to replace that little thing? That sounds really interesting ;)

[BrassEm]

@BrassEm: would you have any picture or additional info on your mouse nipple replacement/mod please? How easy would it be to replace that little thing? That sounds really interesting ;)

 

I didn't photolog this mod - wasn't sure whether it would work - and it does. But I have all the details. If you can solder some wires together then it is very straight forward. Disassembly and reassembly can be a bit tricky though and there are some things to watch out for. At least the damn thing works reliably now as a 4 way switch! Stand by while I revisit this and I will post a thread in this section. Give us a couple of weeks to re-order the parts and do the build log.

 

I don't regret buying it but disappointed at the build quality like you mention.

Edited March 16, 2015 by BrassEm

[BrassEm]

...

Edited March 16, 2015 by BrassEm
double post???

[Bourrinopathe]

[…] At least the damn thing works reliably now as a 4 way switch! Stand by while I revisit this and I will post a thread in this section. Give us a couple of weeks to re-order the parts and do the build log. […]

 

Excellent! Thanks :thumbup:

[Steel Jaw]

made of high quality plastic

 

Isn't this a bit of an oxymoron? :pilotfly:

 

Just comparing to my x65 which is mostly metal.

[HiJack]

We need a X55 Pro :)

[7rooper]

The X-55 would be the greatest budget multi-plane HOTAS if:

*The stick had a CMS hat w/ push button. This is a 10 usd switch only so there isn't a big saving here for Saitek.

*The throttle hat switches were more ergonomic. The edge of the hat is uncomfortable to your thumb finger

*The throttle had AB/IDLE detents

*The throttle usd hall effect sensor instead of potentiometers

*some switches and rotaries were better quality. The pickle button feels really weird to press because its travel is too short and you feel like pressing a microswitch directly. I ended up modding mine trimming the button shaft shorter -so it can be pressed down a little bit longer- and gluing a spring to the microswitch. Now I love it! It feels high quality

 

In short, for an A-10C the X-55 runs out of buttons but for any other plane is great with rotaries, antenna elevation pinky finger wheels and F-16 style rotaries. Even my X-55 came with weights glued to the base that doesn't allow it to move so easily. Seems that is something lacking in the first batch of units.

I don't regret buying it!!

Edited March 16, 2015 by 7rooper

[Gladman]

I've never really had any issues with mine. No sticky buttons, no loose dials. The stick is a little "sticky" around the center as some have stated but that's easily fixed with a little grease.

I did have an issue with installation and ended up reinstalling my OS to get the drivers to install but have had 0 problems since.

Probably been using it for better than a year now, flying 2-3 times a week. I'd say, bang for the buck, its the best on the market.

 

Dale

[LowLee]

[JG-1_Vogel]

Thanks for your input guys, the lack of a two stage trigger is kind of pants amongst other things... I'm leaning towards the WH again.

[King_Hrothgar]

Isn't this a bit of an oxymoron? :pilotfly:

 

Just comparing to my x65 which is mostly metal.

 

Not really. Plastic can be cheap or nice. There is the CH products cheap plastic that both feels and looks like it was made by Fischer Price and then there is the X-55 which has a nicer plastic grip than a high end handgun. Not all plastic is created equal.:smilewink: Note, I'm not knocking CH products. They make first rate equipment that puts both Thrustmaster and Saitek to shame in terms of longevity. But that doesn't change how it looks and feels.

 

In any case, I haven't had any issues with mine. It seems well built and has plenty of buttons on it. The only plane that it runs short on is with the A-10C, but you have to admit that thing requires 2-3x as many buttons for any given thing as it ought to. Even so, I've managed to get everything I actually need on it. I only use the keyboard for things like flaps and gear and this is with a single mode assigned in game. I don't use the Saitek software and thus don't have 3 different modes on it. Most of the switches on the throttle base are unassigned btw. The things that aren't assigned are those that I couldn't figure out what they did.