X55 Rhino impressions.

[DaveRindner]

I just got X-55 as replacement for my trusty X52Pro which has started to malfunction. X52pro buttons are not registering as pressed or producing multple signals. Anyhow back X55

X55 is a catastrophe and a disaster! Its a complete goatScrew from start to finish. Its simply a bad product. Badly designed and implemented. Especially on the stick side. The three hats on top of stick and top red button are unreachable when by thumb when flying, and precision controlling. They also interfere with one another. It difficult to use one hat (on stick) without brushing and activating other two. The system as a whole is a goatScrew of the 1st order. I do not understand, how this made past the testing stage. Buttons on stick. The wheel brake lever on stick is supposed to be pressure sensitive slider, not a button, which it is. To control wheelbrakes. DCS: A-10C, DCS: Mig-21, and DCS: KA-50, and DCS: F-15C all have pressure sensitive wheelbreak functions. Saitek disappoints with making wheelbreak lever as just another button. On X52Pro, on throttle, there is thumb slider, that worked relatively well as wheelbreak pressure. X55 omits this function with no equivalent. BAD SAITEK BAD VERY BAD. X55 Buttons in general, are too hard. You have to exert way too much pressure , and when they do press they do so with a loud pop and vibration that affects stick control. I foresee the buttons are first thing that would wear out and malfunction on X55. Flying DCS: UH-1H is way too difficult with this stick, especcially with precision, like when trying to hover. Much easier with X52Pro.

Rudder twist. For some reason when X55 stick is back and to the left, rudder twist becomes harder and looses precision. Back and left with rudder is normal flight regime for UH-1H.

 

X55Thorttle. Not as many problems but not good either.

THere is no idle detente, and no afterburner gate as in X52. This is OK for its use as collective in KA-50 and UH-1H, but poor for AB jets.

X52Pro had a very usefull hat on front of the throttle and a mouselike wheel. X55 deletes those and replaces them with two buttons and two way rocker switch.

The throttle hat are moved to the side in X55 and there is an additional hat, which is nice. But does not make up for other issues.

Split throttle. Nice idea. BAD BAD BAD execution. When locked there is jaring motion, and the left throttle handle lags a little. The friction is too tight, even when friction control wheel is loosened. Lets assume,for the moment that this is just adjustment, as my hand gets used to this. Assuming I don't burn the X55 in a fit of anger.

The throttle slider button. which is great in X52Pro, is just a normal button that is slid, and registers only as single press when pushed forward. It is not a true slider, and there is no button function as it slides back. So assigning it as speed break extend/retreat is not possible. I am not sure what its most usefull as, right now I set it as idle detente switch for DCS:MIG-21 for engine start up.

X52Pro wheel scroll, is replaced with scroll wheel on side of X55 throttle. Thats actually an OK feature.

 

There is something wrong with either stick, throttle hardware or drivers. Becouse on any axis (stick or throttle) there is signal noise thats causing the axis to be jumpy. X52Pro has that problem, but only on throttle sliders (not throttle axis itself). On X55 all axis are jumpy. On stick side, when doing snap roll to the left, the control comes back to center by itself, even if stick is deflected to left.

 

So conclusion. X55 is a miserable failure, a $190 dollar mistake, that needs to be recalled, and replaced with a properly tested product.

[thunderchicken02]

YMMV..I enjoy my X55, with a small addition to the hand rest on the stick so I can reach all the buttons. It's not a perfect product but I've never owned a X52 to compare it to.

[DaveRindner]

Good for you. I hate my X55. I hate it so much, matter of fact, I want to keep it, and ritually burn it , to cleanse SAITEK's engeeneering of foul spirits. I owned X52, then X52Pro, untill it worn out. I liked SAITEK's products. Though I'd replace it with X55. I was shocked with how utterly bad, poorly thought out, and badly designed , the product was. Everyone , on Web that is, has nearly same complaints. The hats on stick are unreachable when wrist is resting on stick during flight. The two small hats on throttle are too close together and interfere with each other. Accuracy diminishes towards deflection limits. The wrist rest needs to be at least 1" higher and adjustable. Its like SAITEK did not test the product. I cannot understand how something so terrible can be released.

[Buzzles]

I had the same thoughts as you regarding the stick with the rest being too low, the buttons hard to reach and difficulty using the HAT's...until as an experiment I put the stick on my seat by my legs, at which point all the placement issues are no longer a problem.

 

By having the joystick below you natural elbow level so that your wrist is level or slightly lower than your elbow, it makes your hand rest naturally at the top of the stick and everything can be easily reached and used.

 

I think any design issues will have come about because Saitek are perhaps expecting people to use it like that, and not expecting everyone to use it on their desk with their wrist above the elbow.

 

On the whole, I actually don't think it's a bad product, but it's certainly not a great one, and from the design, features and quality I definitely don't think it's worth its RRP of £170. £100 would have been probably about right, maybe £120 if the brake lever was actually a proper analogue lever and the slider was actually a slider.

 

 

Fyi, this thread should be in the Hardware and Input section of the forum.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Buzzles

[VIKBELL]

For the most part, I very much enjoy using my X-55 rhino not thrilled about how the software pairing program for the stick and throttle. Other than that it fine.

[HiJack]

Thank you Dave for this review! I have for many many years also flown with the X52 Pro and have just bought a new X52 Pro set. I was in thoughts of weather I would get the X55 but I'm now glad I didn't. As you say the throttle mouse-wheel and the small HAT on the front of the X52 Pro throttle is invaluable! The buttons on the X52 Pro is very very good buttons, real quality, and I'm afraid the X55 would not satisfy that for me. From the start of the X55 announcement and specifications I was very disappointed that there were no slider like on the X52 Pro but from what I read in your review there are also other pressing issues.

[Suchacz]

...until as an experiment I put the stick on my seat by my legs, at which point all the placement issues are no longer a problem.

 

By having the joystick below you natural elbow level so that your wrist is level or slightly lower than your elbow, it makes your hand rest naturally at the top of the stick and everything can be easily reached and used.

This! Same with my G940 :joystick:

 

...you can try to lean your stick base a little bit back, for example put a thick book or something under the front end of it

Edited July 19, 2015 by Suchacz

[Gladman]

Yeah, I have mine on a roger dodger setup between my legs and think its great hardware.

I guess if I had it on my desk (don't understand why anyone would) it might be a problem but so would anything.

Opinions vary I guess.

[Sokol1_br]

The wheel brake lever on stick is supposed to be pressure sensitive slider, not a button, which it is.

 

As consolation, in this famous 'stick the lever in front press a... button (cost less than pressure or analog - axis - devices). :)

 

[Dudikoff]

As consolation, in this famous 'stick the lever in front press a... button (cost less than pressure or analog - axis - devices). :)

 

Yeah, thought it a bit odd to hold that against the X55 which is basically a cheaper HOTAS (a cheaper version of the X65 design where they replaced several hats with plain buttons for no good reason) when neither consumer range flight stick has an analog brake pad device AFAIK.

[Esac_mirmidon]

I have the X-55 and i´m pretty happy with it. No other HOTAS have the price-quality relation like the 55 IMHO.

 

If you have enough money go for the Warthog. If not, the X-55 it´s a very good choice. I think i have a regular size hand and i´m able to reach every single button, hat or axis with my fingers without any problem. The position of the stick is very important and over a desktop table it´s not a very good solution.

 

Between the legs is the best option and it´s very easy to reach every hat or button at this position.

 

Also i don´t find the buttons hard to press at all. In resume, it´s a good piece of hardware for that price. Fine, sensitive, precise enough, with good quality. It´s not a Warthog of course, but for this price i can´t find anything better.

 

For me it´s a lot better than the X-45 or X-52 and it worth the money.

 

You can sell your X-55 out there if you hate it so much, i think a lot of people could be interested in it.

[Dav IRL]

I strongly considered going from to x52 pro to the x55 but after reading your post I am glad I got the warthog. You wanted an upgrade but the x55 let you down in that regard. Hope you still have it under warranty and get a refund under customer dissatisfaction grounds.

[Gladman]

Soooo, did you buy the warthog hotas yesterday afternoon or this morning? If you don't mind me asking where did you buy them and what was the price. Just curious if you paid full price or found a deal.

[Esac_mirmidon]

+1.

 

Because the Warthog cost roughly 200 euros more than the X-55. And it´s playing in other league.

 

This is why i insist, if you have enough money go for the best: Warthog. If you can´t afford such price the X-55 is a great price-quality HOTAS.

[DaveRindner]

WOW! Did not intend this thread to be negative. That is my fault. Actually I am forcing myself to use X55. So far I developed wrist pain on the stick side. Puting stick on my lap is not a solution I can work with. It prevents keyboard interaction. Likewise puting stick on a side tray is more 'realistic', but geometry of my desk precludes that. I am a 'real world' visual effects artist (CGI for film + advertising), and my workstation is for my job.

Flight sim is a side hobby. Does anyone here use SAITEK combat rudder pedals? Is it a receomended product.

I found this interesting 'real world' sim defense contractor. What kewl is that their product show the actual HOTAS as implemented on specific aircraft.

 

http://www.bugeyetech.com/#!primary-flight-controls/clng

 

I really like throttle (collective) combo for MV-22.

F-35 HOTAS is simpler then I though it would be.

F/A-22 HOTAS is same as F-16 Block 50. How cool is that. THat makes F-16 a cost effective F-22 trainer.

What got my attention is the generic COTAS design, that can be adjusted for functions of many (if not all) aircraft, without having to be shaped like HOTAS for that specific type. No Russian types, this is NATO aircraft only.

Edited July 20, 2015 by DaveRindner

[Sokol1_br]

Well, looks like Budgeye plan a "low cost" F-16 for public flight simulation.

But prepare to pay 3 figures in their HOTAS (and no TARGET soft'): ;)

 

Bugeye Technologies Understand that this is a simulation grade stick and throttle, considered a low cost unit for the military and based partially on there spec. It will cost about $2,800 US (versus 20K) , so we are going to offer it to the public. The site is http://www.F-16Grips.com and both the military and public will purchase through this site. More details as we get them.

https://www.facebook.com/Bugeyetechnologies?ref=hl

[Gladman]

Check this guys stuff out:

 

http://www.rogerdodger.net/videos/pvc_flightsim_part1.html

 

Its plumbing pipe that make really great sim pit stations. Cheap too. It`ll get you where you need to go with placement of the stick and throttle. When your done flying you can move it out of the way. I simply put a hub on it and unplug the hub when I`m done.

[spaceraver]

I love my X55 stick. But then again, I have made numerous small mods and one large one.

I will say that they dropped the ball on making a good ergonomic HOTAS setup. But with these mods I think I have a fighting chance.

Things I have done so far:

Shortened the Castle switch and the Pow switch, easily done with a handfile and some patience.

Added a layer of heatshrink between all hats and the mounting screw on the stick, this made them tighter and feels nice.

Made an extension from brass for the stick itself. Just typed up the tutorial..

Removed all the grease from the throttle retainers and shot some Teflon lube everywhere, no sticky throttles anymore.

Still need to replace the awful minimouse with a PSP thumbslider..

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

[DaveRindner]

Dont do it. X55 is my $200 mistake. I may just keep it , as hate to return merchandise, and see what I can do about it. But I doubt I will use to the degree where muscle memory develops, as it did for X52Pro. I planning on replacing it with Hog and pedals. The thing is I am doubtfull how Hog HOTAS will work for helo sims.

[ctguy1955]

My X-52 died and they replaced it. I sold it to another person brand new never opened

for 100 bucks. I wanted to get the warthog, but money is a little tight and ive been

saving up for a VR headset, Once the Vive and Rift and others come out around 2016.

 

I was thinking about getting the X55, but after reading this, I would rather save up

and get a warthog. The old Saitek X36F and X35T I am using now works just fine

but I did feel I flew better with the X52 when it was working. I cant get my M2 and M3

to do anything but be single key presses, as I dont run any software.

 

Thanks for your opinion on the X55, I appreciate it very much.

\

[Hadwell]

Well, my opinion is... yeah, the X55 isn't the best quality in the world, but I've used both the warthog and the x55 now, and i'd feel like someone cut off a limb if i had to use a hotas with less buttons than the x55 now...

 

function over form...

 

it really comes down to 2 things when you compare the warthog to the x55... price, and functionality, since it's already apparent the warthog is built better.

 

the x55 is a lot cheaper, and you get more, functionally, than you do with the warthog.

 

the warthog is expensive, has way less buttons, less rotaries, you can just do less with it, but it is built like a tank...

Edited July 21, 2015 by Hadwell

[wilbur81]

I've got the X55 and like it just fine. It's absolutely the best HOTAS for the price. My gripe is primarily with the hand rest being too low... but it still is just fine when one gets used to it. I have the combat pedals too and love them...

[Sokol1_br]

but it is built like a tank...

 

A "tank"... but with under the hood parts in... plastic, that some people broken when attach new extensions. :)

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2220432#post2220432

[kobac]

I know that this is primarily writes about X55 Rhino, but considering that it is the same manufacturer, I want to just draw your attention to this detail - I had problems with X52 and twitching of the Y-axis, and how the warranty period has expired, technical assistance did not want to help me, and says what could be causing the problem. So much for the Saitek / Madcatz.