CoBlue Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 Hi, Currently I'm flying with the x-52, that has performed fantastic as an "all round" joystick & throttle for me. But I'm looking for a truly HOTAS joystick. The x-55 rhino has been out on the market for some time now. I've read & seen very mixed reviews on the x-55. The best place to ask is here IMO, where the HOTAS truly gets it's daily pounding & abusing ;) I'm wondering if anybody is flying or have flown the A-10C with it? How is the quality, durability, HOTAS compatibility, precision, feeling? How are DMS, TMS, CMS, TRIM & Coolie hat buttons? Any inputs greatly appreciated, thanx:smilewink: (Even though TM Warthog is the best! it isn't an option for me coz the lack of rudder twist) 1 i7 8700k@4.7, 1080ti, DDR4 32GB, 2x SSD , HD 2TB, W10, ASUS 27", TrackIr5, TMWH, X-56, GProR.
Captain Spears Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) Hi Rodd I have been using it for one year. There's a great profile out there by Athlonic, and because of that the HOTAS set up is good. The throttle part is good to very good. DMS, TMS, CMS, TRIM & Coolie hat buttons all work well with that profile. The stick is acceptable to passable. It's rudder function works fine. But the stick design and feel is poor to bad. Sure, it will do what you want it to do, but it doesn't feel comfortable. Given that there are no alternatives, I would say go for it, but it doesn't take long for you to realize what you have is really a distant second best. It's what I use though and that profile makes flying sweet in tandem with TrackIR. Edited October 21, 2015 by Captain Spears typo
Tosher Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 I have the x55 and have had it for a year or two. In my opinion it is very good. But I did come from a generic stick . I too use the Athlon profile with a few minor changes. For the price I think it is a great setup. If I could afford to by the warthog setup I would have done that. But since money is not just falling from my trees I could not bring myself to pay for the warthog.
7rooper Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 The X-55 throttle is great but its stick is rather... cheap and lack many useful hats. That's why I suggest to buy the Thrustmaster WH Stick only if you can't afford the full HOTAS My rig specs: Intel Core i7 4770 @3.4Ghz // Corsair 16GB DDR3 // MoBo Asus Z87K // HDD 1TB 7200RPM // eVGA Nvidia GTX 760GT 2GB DDR5 // LG 3D 47" 1920x1080 // Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS // Saitek Combat Pro Pedals // Thrustmaster MFD Cougar pack // PS3 Eye + FTNOIR
Gladman Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 I have been using the X-55 for better than two years. I fly twice a week with my squad and I can guarantee you it is an excellent hotas for the A-10C. All the hats and buttons you need plus are there. I use Sheins Profile. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120911 I would never be so elitist as to say a product was not good enough because of its cost. To make comments suggesting the item is cheap shows a lack of knowledge about the X-55. You can find as many problems with thrustmaster products on this site as you can with Saitek. i9 9900K @ 5.1Ghz - ASUS Maximus Hero XI - 32GB 4266 DDR4 RAM - ASUS RTX 2080Ti - 1 TB NVME - NZXT Kraken 62 Watercooling System - Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas (Virpil Base) - MFG Crosswind Pedals - Pimax 5K+ VFA-25 Fist Of The Fleet [sigpic]http://forums.eagle.ru/signaturepics/sigpic99190_2.gif[/sigpic] Virtual Carrier Strike Group 1 | Discord
CoBlue Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 Thanx for the feedback guys! much appreciated :thumbup: i7 8700k@4.7, 1080ti, DDR4 32GB, 2x SSD , HD 2TB, W10, ASUS 27", TrackIr5, TMWH, X-56, GProR.
BSS_Sniper Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) Hi, Currently I'm flying with the x-52, that has performed fantastic as an "all round" joystick & throttle for me. But I'm looking for a truly HOTAS joystick. The x-55 rhino has been out on the market for some time now. I've read & seen very mixed reviews on the x-55. The best place to ask is here IMO, where the HOTAS truly gets it's daily pounding & abusing ;) I'm wondering if anybody is flying or have flown the A-10C with it? How is the quality, durability, HOTAS compatibility, precision, feeling? How are DMS, TMS, CMS, TRIM & Coolie hat buttons? Any inputs greatly appreciated, thanx:smilewink: (Even though TM Warthog is the best! it isn't an option for me coz the lack of rudder twist) If you're looking for a good HOTAS you may as well save a little more and get the TM Warthog. Saitek is ok for a starter stick, but IMO they are mediocre and you probably won't ever see that unless you move up to the warthog. You said you are looking for a "truly HOTAS joystick", it isn't anything other than the TM Warthog. The only other substitute would be a CH. Saitek is just, well, cheap. Cheap in cost and how they are made. I used an X45 for a long time, but never again. There just is no substitute for a Thrustmaster or CH. If you don't believe me here's a great review and side by side comparison of the X52, X55 and the Warthog... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0mTd0SOLg Edited October 22, 2015 by BSS_Sniper I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
BSS_Sniper Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I have been using the X-55 for better than two years. I fly twice a week with my squad and I can guarantee you it is an excellent hotas for the A-10C. All the hats and buttons you need plus are there. I use Sheins Profile. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120911 I would never be so elitist as to say a product was not good enough because of its cost. To make comments suggesting the item is cheap shows a lack of knowledge about the X-55. You can find as many problems with thrustmaster products on this site as you can with Saitek. Actually, no you can't find as many problems with the Warthog as you can with any Saitek. Take a look at the review and comparison of the X55 and Warthog I posted above. I've used both and many others and nothing comes close to the Warthog, especially for DCS A10. It's not being elitist saying that the Warthog is night and day compared to a Saitek, its just a fact. Anyone that says otherwise is either lying to themselves or have never used a Warthog. Having said that, if all you can afford is a Saitek, no problem. At least you have a HOTAS and something to work with, however, it is worth the extra time to save up for the Warthog. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
Daimaju Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Actually, no you can't find as many problems with the Warthog as you can with any Saitek. Take a look at the review and comparison of the X55 and Warthog I posted above. I've used both and many others and nothing comes close to the Warthog, especially for DCS A10. It's not being elitist saying that the Warthog is night and day compared to a Saitek, its just a fact. Anyone that says otherwise is either lying to themselves or have never used a Warthog. Having said that, if all you can afford is a Saitek, no problem. At least you have a HOTAS and something to work with, however, it is worth the extra time to save up for the Warthog. +1 bought a Warthog 2 weeks ago and besides the ridiculous slew-nipple, the HOTAS is a dream come true. Stopped playing 3 years ago because I was using a X-52 - a true piece of plastic crap. Told myself I won't re-enter any DCS cockpit without that Warthog HOTAS and I don't regret waiting/saving so long. Sell one of your kidneys, it is well worth it. Trust me...
Sryan Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Hi, I'm wondering if anybody is flying or have flown the A-10C with it? How is the quality, durability, HOTAS compatibility, precision, feeling? How are DMS, TMS, CMS, TRIM & Coolie hat buttons? Any inputs greatly appreciated, thanx:smilewink: Let's get you some actual answers. if you have a trackIR, you're set for DMS and TMS, as you can use the POV and the H2 for those. Trim is working as intended. This thing doesnt have a CMS button. The thumb button is just another button, nothing like how the CMS functions on the hog. I use it as the weapon release key as the normal weapon release key, the red button on top of the stick is to high for all but the biggest of hands to reach. I've got the CMS functions on the back of the throttle though. there's 4 rotary's on the throttle that you can assign some functions to like the zoom axis or differential breaks. You can assign some 42 functions to all the toggles on the toggles on the throttles. There's only a few gripes I have. The trigger is single staged. So you won't be able to go PAC-1 before you start shooting unless u hold down another key. And then ofcourse the release key being to high, I saw they fixed that on the X65. A lot of people complain about the build quality but it seems decent to me. Sure, it's plastic but most of the thing is rigid. The only gripe about it are the 3 on the stick; the pov, the trim and the DMS ones are a bit to loose for my taste. I've had it for 10 months, decent choice, but still way behind the hogstick. Check my F-15C guide
bzhnono Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 My only problem is the slew nipple on the X55 which is... a PITA but otherwise works great (need a dead zone on the stick...) [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Andryl Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I use the X-55 since a year, more or less.... I think it's a good improvement from the X-52: lots of buttons, good throttle,... I agree that the stick is poorly designed (too big and the top hats and weapon release are difficult to reach). Also I miss the 2 stage trigger for the GAU that was present in the x-52. The slew (according to the Shein profile) isn't the best, but usable. I couldn't afford the Warthog, so, for now , I'm happy this way :) ASUS Z170 PRO Gaming || i7x6700K@4.6GHz || Noctua NH-U14S || Corsair16GB DDR4 - 3000MHz || Asus Strix GTX-1080 TI-11GB || TrackIr 5Pro || Saitek x-55 Rhino || Saitek Pro Rudder Pedals || Win10 pro
Gladman Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Actually, no you can't find as many problems with the Warthog as you can with any Saitek. Take a look at the review and comparison of the X55 and Warthog I posted above. I've used both and many others and nothing comes close to the Warthog, especially for DCS A10. It's not being elitist saying that the Warthog is night and day compared to a Saitek, its just a fact. Anyone that says otherwise is either lying to themselves or have never used a Warthog. Having said that, if all you can afford is a Saitek, no problem. At least you have a HOTAS and something to work with, however, it is worth the extra time to save up for the Warthog. LMAO, nope nothing elitist about your comment at all. i9 9900K @ 5.1Ghz - ASUS Maximus Hero XI - 32GB 4266 DDR4 RAM - ASUS RTX 2080Ti - 1 TB NVME - NZXT Kraken 62 Watercooling System - Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas (Virpil Base) - MFG Crosswind Pedals - Pimax 5K+ VFA-25 Fist Of The Fleet [sigpic]http://forums.eagle.ru/signaturepics/sigpic99190_2.gif[/sigpic] Virtual Carrier Strike Group 1 | Discord
BSS_Sniper Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Especially if you're a beginner, HOTAS Warthog will make you an expert in a week. I wont mention quality and so on. As far as budget is concerned, you can check second hand pedals. I got my CH Pro Pedals from 2nd hand and makes me happier than Saitek ones. Daimaju meant that slew nipple is ridiculous. I disagree, with right settings it works just fine. There are some easy mods to make it even more versatile. Are you guys talking about the mini mouse on the throttle and the speed of it? If so, it's in the aircraft software and you can change the speed of it in the aircraft. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
Captain Spears Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I have to say, if I could do it again I would have waited another month or two and saved for the Warthog stick. The Saitek SST software used to program the stick would try the patience of a saint - convoluted and overly complex. And using Windows 8 the product actually fails to work at times (known and permanent issue). I have to lubricate the stick with vaseline every few weeks (hilarious how to video from Froogle here: ) Support is next to none, and you will get better assistance from forums here and at SimHQ. Finally, I will never buy Saitek again. But like I said in my previous post, if you are really stuck, the X55 will do. It's "done" me for the last 12 months.
slowhand Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I use the X55 almost everyday for over a yr now its not a bad hotas, but its not a Warthog!! and to compare the two is apples and oranges! if your wallet lets you drop 4-500 bucks on the setup go for it. if not that x55 will do the trick in what ever sim you fly.Now the rudder is a whole other ball game so you can now add another buck or buck fifty($150) for your rudder. X55 has a twist rudder (not the greatest way to go but its there../WH has no rudder...hope that helps:thumbup::smartass::pilotfly::joystick::D [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] SMOKE'M:smoke: IF YA GOT'M!:gun_rifle: H2o Cooler I7 9700k GA 390x MB Win 10 pro Evga RTX 2070 8Gig DD5 32 Gig Corsair Vengence, 2T SSD. TM.Warthog:joystick: :punk:, CV-1:matrix:,3x23" monitors, Tm MFD's, Saitek pro rudders wrapped up in 2 sheets of plywood:megalol:
Daimaju Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Daimaju meant that slew nipple is ridiculous. I disagree, with right settings it works just fine. There are some easy mods to make it even more versatile. And because you are a nice human being, of course you are already looking to share what you know, instead of just hinting at those who sometimes wanna rip that nipple out... ok that sounds wrong but you catch my drift. :helpsmilie:
CoBlue Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 Thanx for all the inputs & very helpful info:) I would have bought the TM Warthog, if it had a twist rudder & big zoom rotary, those are a must for me. I have to try out the x-55 hands on & fell it, at a store, before I decide on buying it. i7 8700k@4.7, 1080ti, DDR4 32GB, 2x SSD , HD 2TB, W10, ASUS 27", TrackIr5, TMWH, X-56, GProR.
VIKBELL Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 It works good for the A-10C... There are 2 categories of fighter pilots: those who have performed, and those who someday will perform, a magnificent defensive break turn toward a bug on the canopy. Robert Shaw
Buzzles Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 It's okay. Dunno whether it's just mine, but I get a lot of stiction in the twist action. The designers have defintely made some questionable choices with buttons and hats, but on the whole it's a reasonably okay joystick and I don't have many problems with it. It's actually pretty good on the X and Y axis, and the throttle unit is good on the whole. Could have lost a hat switch on it though and just had one single bigger one. The problem really lies in the current market. It's much better than the £30-50 offerings, but at £170 there's a bit gap between the cheapies, it, and then the Warthog at nearly £300. Fancy trying Star Citizen? Click here!
BSS_Sniper Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 LMAO, nope nothing elitist about your comment at all. If that's what you think, I can't and wont' change your mind, but you're wrong. I used a Saitek for quite a long time and it served me well. I enjoyed it and I liked it, but after getting a top of the line HOTAS, such as the warthog, there is a huge difference and I think anyone that uses one will say the same. I'm not trying to make it a contest nor am I saying anyone is better than another because of the stick and throttle they use. Like I said, I used cheaper stuff for a long time. It is just a fact that some are made better than others and there's no question that if you're flying DCS A10, the Warthog can't be beat for that specific module. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
BSS_Sniper Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 And because you are a nice human being, of course you are already looking to share what you know, instead of just hinting at those who sometimes wanna rip that nipple out... ok that sounds wrong but you catch my drift. :helpsmilie: What exactly are you guys having a problem with? I don't notice a problem with the mini joystick on the throttle. Like I mentioned before, you can change the slew rate from inside the cockpit. Other than that, it works fine IMO. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
BSS_Sniper Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Thanx for all the inputs & very helpful info:) I would have bought the TM Warthog, if it had a twist rudder & big zoom rotary, those are a must for me. I have to try out the x-55 hands on & fell it, at a store, before I decide on buying it. There is a slider on the warthog throttle that is unassigned. I use that for zoom. As far as a twisty stick, I say to each his own. I, however, can not use that for a rudder. Maybe it's because I fly IRL, I don't know, but a twisty stick is barely useable on the ground, forget coordinated flight. I know it gets expensive but if you're going to do flight sims, some things are a must and pedals is one of them. Then again, if it works for you... I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
bzhnono Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I have to say, if I could do it again I would have waited another month or two and saved for the Warthog stick. The Saitek SST software used to program the stick would try the patience of a saint - convoluted and overly complex. And using Windows 8 the product actually fails to work at times (known and permanent issue). I have to lubricate the stick with vaseline every few weeks (hilarious how to video from Froogle here: ) Support is next to none, and you will get better assistance from forums here and at SimHQ. Finally, I will never buy Saitek again. But like I said in my previous post, if you are really stuck, the X55 will do. It's "done" me for the last 12 months. You don't really have to use the saitek software for configuration. All is done in game. I just use the software for the M1/M2/M3 rotary and the "speedbrake" switch (juste check the latched option) and of course the mouse nipple :( [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
bzhnono Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 What exactly are you guys having a problem with? I don't notice a problem with the mini joystick on the throttle. Like I mentioned before, you can change the slew rate from inside the cockpit. Other than that, it works fine IMO. Ok you're talking about the warthog and not the X55 (which is the subject of the thread)... [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
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