X55 VS X52

[Zimmerdylan]

So it turns out that I have relatives in Europe who seem to be very giving. I got a 200 Euro Christmas gift card in my Email from a relative (that I have never met mind you) in Germany. It was an Amazon.com deal.

So I went up and looked at what I could get with this gift card. I was pretty surprised. The X55 well under $200! didn't think twice about that one. I immediately purchased it.

Right now, I'm using the X52. I have no complaints about it other than the whole programming issue. I could never figure out how to set it up for the 3 modes, nor could I ever figure out how to bind stuff to the pinky switch. There aren't any good YouTube vids on it, the manual is insanely vague on this function, and no one on the forums seems to really bother setting up modes and the like.

Other than programming issues, it has served me pretty well these past couple of years. But now, I have an X55 on the way. The reason I was so exited to get this HOTAS is because of the A10C and the Mi8. Both of these modules have too many functions to set up the X52 effectively (for me anyway).

I'm just curious: What stick or HOTAS are people who are flying DCS use? And is there a particular reason you chose the setup that you are currently using? Mine always revolve around $$ and versatility.

And.....was the X55 worth the $$$ to upgrade?:pilotfly: I know that for me....I'd be thrilled just to have my TMS, DMS, China hat, Boat Switch, and all of the other HOTAS stuff, actually on my HOTAS. :chair:

[Gladman]

X55 is a great system. I've had it for a couple years and no issues. I fly all modules with it and the stick is very close to the A10 so easy to configure. I suggest Shane's profile. You can find it on these forums.

[Ultra]

The X55 is worth it, due to the slightly better precision and mostly due to the toggle switches.

[Tirak]

I've seen some pretty awful reviews of the X55 in terms of ergonomics. It doesn't have the adjustable grip the X52 has, it doesn't have a two stage trigger, and it doesn't glow fun colors. I've thought about upgrading to an X55 a few times, but I much prefer how the X52 feels in hand, and since I started playing BMS, losing the two stage trigger is just completely not on for me.

[Zimmerdylan]

I've seen some pretty awful reviews of the X55 in terms of ergonomics. It doesn't have the adjustable grip the X52 has, it doesn't have a two stage trigger, and it doesn't glow fun colors. I've thought about upgrading to an X55 a few times, but I much prefer how the X52 feels in hand, and since I started playing BMS, losing the two stage trigger is just completely not on for me.

 

 

Yes. This is true. But before I got the X52, I read tons of reviews on it saying almost the same type of things. "It's unwieldy, hard to grip because it's too big, software problems, lousy warranty and support". But I really like the X52 and have never had any real problems with it.

I know that I will miss the double trigger for sure. But in my mind, the trade off is having a HOTAS that allows me to bind everything on one place instead of having to use the keyboard for some of the functions.

So I'm sure it will take a little getting use to. I really just want a clear path to programming modes and stuff. I have found some pretty good tutorials on YouTube about the X55, but no good programming tutorials for the X52. So hopefully this will be another perk to the upgrade.

[Goldsmack]

I can personally recommend the X-55. It dose have its qwerks the worst being the lousy soldering job on the wires inside and the hand rest being to low but I do not regret buying the X-55 as I can't afford the Thurstmaster HOTAS. They also released a new driver for Windows 10 compatibility. If your using it for A-10C I also recommend Sheins X-55 profile http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120911

[Andryl]

I'm using the X-55 and owned the X-52 (before my wife "accidentally" broke it).

I'm satisfied with the X-55 and it's surely a good improvement from the X-52.

The Throttle is absolutely superior, both in number of switches and precision.

The stick is good and much more precise than its counterpart. I only miss so much the 2 stage trigger and really don't understand why Saitek removed such a feature from the X-52 to the X-55. You only need to get used to the stick size: it's quite big and in the beginning it's not so easy to reach the release weapon button.

 

As an overall opinion, I recommend the upgrade, if you can't afford a T Warthog.

Edited December 25, 2015 by Andryl
typo

[Devrim]

I've used X-52 for many years. Today (5 mins. ago) I've ordered X-55, and I'll take it in my hands tomorrow!

 

Let's see what will be happened. I'll report my review. :)

[Luse]

Where did you find your X-55? I can't seem to find it anywhere on the internet..

[Devrim]

It's in a website that located in my country Luse.

Bravoclick.com

[trooph]

X55 is a great system...but it has its flaws...

Throttle quadrant itself is great. Loads of switches, precision, additional axis...

But when it comes to stick...

Well... its not as good. Its made for people with large hands and there is no way to adjust hand rest. It has single stage trigger buttonts are positioned badly ergonomicswise...

But when it comes to precission...well its far better than x52 :)

 

Just my 2 cents on the topic :)

[Buzzles]

I'll echo what trooph said for the throttle, "slider" and a couple of the hat switches not withstanding (I'd personally have designed it without the upper of the two hats, made the lower bigger, and moved the upper hat to be on the throttle in the same place as the Warthog one is) it's actually a solid bit of kit.

 

The stick's quite odd in terms of ergonomics in that it's clearly designed to be used on a platform that's lower than your elbow. If you put it on your seat or next to your legs it's really quite comfortable. Don't bother trying to use the wrist rest.

 

My only gripes with it is that the it could have done with an extra button or two, the thumb button despite looking like the 4 way from the Warthog, is just a single button and the lever is an on-off button rather than an analog input.

 

It's good for the price though I think.

[Devrim]

...The stick's quite odd in terms of ergonomics in that it's clearly designed to be used on a platform that's lower than your elbow. If you put it on your seat or next to your legs it's really quite comfortable. Don't bother trying to use the wrist rest...

This! I've always used my X-52Pro like this. It has been always positioned between my legs. It was at the same height as my d.. aah, belly. :) So, I barely remember I've used handrest... It will be same on my X-55 Rhino which is on cargo right now. :D

[Zimmerdylan]

So I got the X55 via UPS a few days ago. And although I can feel the superior handling, and the buttons are very useful, the software is sub standard, unintuitive, and really needs a good looking over by MadCatz.

I do like the X55 setup, but man..........it's got issues. It looks like I'm going to have to keep my X52 right here next to my desk for the things that the X55 cannot be set up to do.

Here are some of my main problems:

 

1. The software has some serious compatibility issues with DCS. This is not to say that they cannot be gotten around. When I set up the P-51, everything went off without a hitch. That is until I tried to use some of the buttons for their intended purpose. When I went to lower flaps, nothing happened!. I kept pushing the button and finally the flaps went down. I thought that the X55 button was defective, but.....when I assigned the same button to the flaps on the F86, no problems whatsoever. Worked like a charm.

On some of the modules, the buttons seem to not want to assign unless I look for the number on the drop down window. This kind of sucks because there is no chart of any kind in the Mad Catz software so I really have no way of knowing what numbers or letters connect to what buttons. And yes....I know I can (and will) go look it up on some forum, or instructional on the internet. But the point here is that Saitek just makes terrible software.

Some of the modules, the buttons would assign but only after continuously pushing them. But once they were assigned, they worked great.

And the Hawk.....forget it. I read the forum posted on it only after I thought that I was losing my marbles trying to get that module to work correctly. I reported it to MadCatz but am sure that there will be no forthcoming solution. So rather than work around, I'll keep my X52 for now.

The X55 handles very well. It makes flying a better experience, but the software just closes any gaps in the price between it and the X52.

Not really worth the price IMO. But then again, I have yet to start setting up the A10C. The Mi8 is a pain in the a$$ to set up on the X55 and I am still working on it (buttons don't want to assign). But if the A10C is the only big deal about this thing..........

I welcome any advice or experience. I don't hate this thing, just that it's a pain to deal with the software.

Edited January 1, 2016 by Zimmerdylan

[Hadwell]

Don't use the madcatz software, it's pretty bad, just set up the controls in-game...

[giei]

Software works fine for me in all modules. Only the 190 has some delays on button recognition but it's a module problem (it's not happening in 1.2).

[Grundar]

The Mad Catz software is just a massive pain in the arse, I avoid using it and just map through DCS. This unfortunately rules out using the throttle mouse nipple, but it otherwise works just fine. The X-55 has no deadzones by default so you will have to set your own (if you want them).

 

The joystick is large and not particularly ergonomic, the throttle is great though, really enjoy using the X-55 over all though.

[Bullfrog_]

is it possible to use the X52 joystick with the X-55 throttle?

[Buzzles]

@Zimmerdylan

 

The button issue actually sounds like a power issue, it's was mentioned a bit when the stick first came out. Have you tried plugging it into some USB3.0 ports?

[Hadwell]

is it possible to use the X52 joystick with the X-55 throttle?

 

yes, of course it is, the throttle and stick on the X-55 are two seperate controllers, each with their own usb, unlike on the X-52, where the stick is actually an extention of the throttle.

[Zimmerdylan]

@Zimmerdylan

 

The button issue actually sounds like a power issue, it's was mentioned a bit when the stick first came out. Have you tried plugging it into some USB3.0 ports?

 

 

Yeah, thought about that one. But it doesn't matter. Last night I was setting up the A10C and DCS would not recognize any of the toggles (would recognize all the other buttons) if I pushed them when I was programming it. But when I selected it's number in the drop down menu, it would assign it, and everything worked fine. Very strange.

I'm just disappointed in the Hawk and the Hydraulic bleed problem. Have any of you guys used the dead zones to fix this issue? I haven't tried it yet.

None the less, I do like the X55 quite a bit. The awkward joystick button configuration combined with it's shape aside, it's a great stick. I just have to develop double jointed thumbs to use it sometimes.

[nd1312]

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. Had the X52 which was beginning to fail. I ordered the X55 despite the mixed reviews. Unfortunately it was unusable for me. I couldn't even properly reach the DMS, let alone the trim hat. The throttle was so stiff even at the lightest friction setting that I would lift the base every time I moved it.

 

I just couldn't justify the 200€ for a stick with that many flaws.

 

I'm not saying it's bad for everyone of course, but it was just incompatible to my hands. So I sent it back the very next day and ordered a TM Warthog and I'm very happy with my decision.

[Gladman]

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. Had the X52 which was beginning to fail. I ordered the X55 despite the mixed reviews. Unfortunately it was unusable for me. I couldn't even properly reach the DMS, let alone the trim hat. The throttle was so stiff even at the lightest friction setting that I would lift the base every time I moved it.

 

I just couldn't justify the 200€ for a stick with that many flaws.

 

I'm not saying it's bad for everyone of course, but it was just incompatible to my hands. So I sent it back the very next day and ordered a TM Warthog and I'm very happy with my decision.

 

Would you have had the same issues with the stick between your legs like it's designed to be and some velcro on the bottom of the throttle?

[Winfield_Gold]

I ordered the X55 despite the mixed reviews. Unfortunately it was unusable for me. I couldn't even properly reach the DMS, let alone the trim hat. The throttle was so stiff even at the lightest friction setting that I would lift the base every time I moved it.

 

someone else plagiarised ralfidude's review and made it their own :megalol:

 

Makes one wonder why you would spend money on this stick when you declared you bought a warthog? :music_whistling:

 

I'm not saying it's bad for everyone of course, but it was just incompatible to my hands. So I sent it back the very next day and ordered a TM Warthog and I'm very happy with my decision.

[MemphisBelle]

Don't use the madcatz software, it's pretty bad, just set up the controls in-game...

 

I cant recomment what you´re saying. I´m using the X-55 as well as I am using the respective Mad Catz Software.

 

One thing is to be said. The Mad Catz Software is crap, but it´s making its job. You can easily assign functions to all three modes which is not possible ingame though. Even if it is a crap software one can work with it. It is just unintuitiv, thats all.

 

According to the Device itself.

I am sometimes missing the 4 way switches on the correct position. The X-55 has just 2 Buttons where I used to have my common slew switch on the X-52. This one turned out to be 2 way switch for up and down.

 

The switches on the Throttle Unit are a bless and I would miss them if I´d return to the X-52.

 

Even if the X-55 has its downs, one can say that it is a solid device where a simmer definately can take its advantages from.