X-55 HOTAS Rhino - good stories

[jaznit]

Hi

 

I have read lots of issues, or hits and misses, with the recent X-55 HOTAS Rhino model since the recent Mad Catz involvement,

 

I'm upgrading from the Logitech 3d pro to the x55 - but buying through a retailer in Sydney that has a good return policy.

 

I want to hear if you have recently, say inside 6 months, bought a X55 and had a good experience?

 

My options are:

x55 = AUD$400 (preferred)

Worthog = AUD$800 + Pedals for AUD$200 (2.5 times the price is just ALOT of money)

Logitech 3d pro = free :) but very average

[Hadwell]

well I got mine in 2014, as good now as it was then...

 

the x-55 has more rotaries and buttons than the warthog, but it's also bigger, less ergonomic, made out of lighter materials, and just downright cheaper, but it should be, considering it's nearly half the cost.

 

one thing, if your x55 throttle is really stiff, the grease they use is really thick, remove some of it, the tension adjust is great on it otherwise.

 

pedals are a good thing to invest in, twisty on any stick doesn't compare.

Edited January 27, 2016 by Hadwell

[=DECOY=]

I can second that Hadwell, bought mine about the same time and it has been going strong since day 1. i love it !

 

the only thing i have had to do is apply lube to the stick, as it started to get sticky. (took 5 seconds and i simply class this a maintenance :)

[Devrim]

...from the Logitech 3d pro...

Man... Even if X-55 is worse than what they told, you should buy it with closed eyes, especially after 3DPro.

 

They say lots of things about X-55's bugs. I used X-52 for years. Now I use X-55 for a few months. After X-52, -yes- X-55 has some ergonomic issues but it's OK, I love it.

 

4 rotaries, 5 eight-way hats, 7 two-way switches and other buttons are great for me (I didn't even mention about additional functions that will come with pinkie and mode switch). That's why I didn't hesitate to buy it.

[antzti]

well I got mine in 2014, as good now as it was then...

 

the x-55 has more rotaries and buttons than the warthog, but it's also bigger, less ergonomic, made out of lighter materials, and just downright cheaper, but it should be, considering it's nearly half the cost.

 

one thing, if your x55 throttle is really stiff, the grease they use is really thick, remove some of it, the tension adjust is great on it otherwise.

 

pedals are a good thing to invest in, twisty on any stick doesn't compare.

I don't agree with the ergonomics part. I'm currently using Warthog but X55 / X65f throttle (I've had both) is far more comfortable and buttons are placed in a more "reachable" way. BTW the throttles are actually smaller compared to Warthog. (Warthog is designed to be used with gloves in a "slightly" different environment so there's a reason for the more spacious button layout I guess.)

 

Where X-55 really can't compete is the stick, Warthog's is much more enjoyable what comes to centering and smoothness. Also the button layout and build quality is much better in Warthog.

 

IMO, Ideal setup from all three of those would be Warthog stick, X65 throttle handles and X-55 or Warthog throttle base.. :lol:

[Devrim]

Is Warthog stick sold separately?

 

Personally my "non-ergonomic" part is on stick too. The hat (or head) area of X-52 was positioned a little bit forward compared to X-55. On X-52 my thumb was very comfortable and accessing hats easily, but on X-55, I have to pull my thumb back first to access any hat. As I said, it's not big deal actually...

[Vitaliq]

I'm using a T16000M and I'm looking for a throttle, the X55 seems good

 

Do you know where you can find a spare X55 throttle ? (some on ebay are usa ship only)

[Sokol1_br]

Is Warthog stick sold separately?

 

Yes, as well the throttle, individual price is ~33% more than in combo.

[Gladman]

I'm the same as the rest. I bought mine about 2 years ago and have had no problems with it. There's always nay sayers and elitists in every group but the facts are that it is a good hotas and it will server your needs for years. You can find many a sad story about TM as well, poor plastic, poor pots, broken this or that. Buy it and enjoy.

[Grogshop]

I love my X55. The mode switch is awesome, I usually have 'combat mode' 'normal flying' and 'takeoff/landing' commands (mostly) set up, really helps with a 'switch' plane like the mig21.

 

I find it a bit hard to use the stick twist, so pedals are a future purchase, need TrackIR first!

 

Cost was the biggest thing for me, I got a full HOTAS with the X55 for $300AUD.

Sure the Warthog might be better, it would want to be for $500+.

 

Recently started trying the different springs, my god, the helos got so much easier with the small springs, so much more control!

[jaznit]

Thank you all - I have now ordered the x55 :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TomOnSteam]

Hi

 

I have read lots of issues, or hits and misses, with the recent X-55 HOTAS Rhino model since the recent Mad Catz involvement,

 

I'm upgrading from the Logitech 3d pro to the x55 - but buying through a retailer in Sydney that has a good return policy.

 

I want to hear if you have recently, say inside 6 months, bought a X55 and had a good experience?

 

My options are:

x55 = AUD$400 (preferred)

Worthog = AUD$800 + Pedals for AUD$200 (2.5 times the price is just ALOT of money)

Logitech 3d pro = free :) but very average

 

Where on earth are you buying from? The warthog is around $550AUD, and the X-55 is less than $300AUD in most places that aren't inside a shopping center. (Try Umart, IJK, PC Case Gear, MSY etc). It's still double the price, but hardly $800.

 

Every store in Australia by law has to replace or refund a faulty product up to 12 months.

 

Btw unless you have giant hands, you might wanna try the X-55 because a lot of people aren't able to press the fire button while holding the stick in the default grip.

 

Edit. I personally would have gone with CH products Top Gun Pack. It's slightly more than the X-55, and a lot cheaper than the Warthog + pedals.

Edited January 28, 2016 by TomOnSteam

[TomOnSteam]

Thank you all - I have now ordered the x55 :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Well in that case, enjoy :)

[jaznit]

Thanks :)

 

I had some jb hifi vouchers given to me so part of it was free - which justified paying more than most other retailers.

 

Plus I ordered the combat pedals too separately :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Laobi]

I too have the X55 for about a year now. I read a lot of the complaints and even watched some videos. There seems to have been (it may still exist) a QC issue at Madcatz, however, the internet being the internet I would venture that half of the posts you read rubbishing it are from people who have never used it. I also watched some reviews which were firmly divided between the shrill edgy clickbait "this is a turd and I'm returning it!" and the fanboy "this will make you an ace!".

 

I have no complaints, it's well made (of plastic), the soldering and wiring inside is of good quality (yes I open things to see how much care was taken with wiring and soldering - if it looks like it was assembled by blind slave children wearing boxing gloves in the PRC, then it's going back).

 

It's definitely not a rival for the Warthog, it's half the price, but I have found it very accurate and reliable. As I'm a module whore it was more of a fit for me than the Warthog. It is designed for those with larger hands, that's a bit of a non-issue though, you can adjust your thumb position quite easily for most operations.

 

The only real con for me is that the plastic buttons do feel a little cheap, I bought mine from a German company on ebay for €180 and considering the cost of higher end Hotas controls this one is a bargin.

 

As mentioned by others you will need to lubricate the throttle and stick from time to time. I use graphite lubricant which is non-erosive, I've been using it for years on my guitar trems without any adverse effects. If you've any issues programming it drop me a PM.

 

Cheers

[Bourrinopathe]

I'm using a X-55 throttle for about a year and a half now. Mostly for DCS but it's been used many hours with Elite Dangerous.

 

The number of rotaries and switches for the price is really good but do not expect top-notch quality and durability.

I currently have an issue with the throttle position disabling some buttons response. When the throttle is in the middle position, a few buttons do not trigger any input. I have to move the throttle back or forth to use these buttons. It probably has something to do with the wiring.

 

I like most of the ergonomics but the overall plastic feel and quality is underwhelming. Also the mouse nipple is really cheap and mostly unusable.

I would not recommend it as the software solution and tech support are not up to my expectations when it comes to the reliability I need for the flight/combat sims.

 

If I had to choose again, I'd go for a CH Products Pro Throttle, even if there's no dual throttle and less buttons/rotaries. Imho, quality over quantity is a better choice.

[kobac]

I use a Saitek X55 about 3 months, and I can say the throttle is satisfying, but pilot stick is not very ergonomic done, because switches are too far away for the thumb, and the touch is not very well different. (e.g. "A" nad "H")

 

Since I previously used X52 for many years, to me missing pinky switch a lot. It's because with that button I doubled the number of commands and much faster I was changing the modes or profiles.

 

I have BSOD due SaiKa215.sys drivers, but the problem is resolved with new drivers as I explained in the post #293.

[Grundar]

Hi

 

I have read lots of issues, or hits and misses, with the recent X-55 HOTAS Rhino model since the recent Mad Catz involvement,

 

I'm upgrading from the Logitech 3d pro to the x55 - but buying through a retailer in Sydney that has a good return policy.

 

I want to hear if you have recently, say inside 6 months, bought a X55 and had a good experience?

 

My options are:

x55 = AUD$400 (preferred)

Worthog = AUD$800 + Pedals for AUD$200 (2.5 times the price is just ALOT of money)

Logitech 3d pro = free :) but very average

 

Got mine from PC Case Gear in Melbourne near a year ago and had nothing but enjoyment with it. The Warthog is too pricey for me to seriously consider for the same reason you list, it's not feasible to outlay that much when I have young kids in school etc..

 

I haven't had any problems that you see listed around the net and it works great for me. It's a plastic stick, but tough you won't break it easily. Just keep it wiped down with a microfibre cloth to keep the dust out and she'll be fine.

 

The Madcatz software is pretty un-intuitive to use and I just tend to avoid it and assign everything through DCS. I really like the option to change springs as I can switch the stick between props, jets and helo's and have it feel right. The stick is large though and the hat positions are just ...special (ie poorly placed).

 

The Throttle is beautiful though, I really like it. The stick and throttle are prone to sliding around if you just start shoving things around, they come with holes you can bolt them with though, I just don't shove things forward or back overly hard and rarely have an issue with sliding.