Saitek X-55

[TMatzelle60]

Hey All i know a lot of you here have many different control setups but i am wondering i read all these horrible reviews about the X-55 rhino and want to know your take is it really that bad?

[slowhand]

I've had mine almost 2 yrs and in that time Madcatz has replaced the throttle for there was bleeding of the controls. since then I have not had any trouble with it . hope that helps:thumbup:

[TMatzelle60]

I had my X-52 Pro which finally broke for like 5 years with no problem till recently want to make sure its a good buy. Want a Joystick with Buttons and Twist

[slowhand]

the rhino has all of that its really not a bad setup. the 1st run had a few lets say hick ups :megalol: but I would buy a 2nd one...I see your from Levittown/Bethpage home of the F14:pilotfly: I grow up about a mile from the old runway..:thumbup: Also Welcome to the Farm...

[TMatzelle60]

Thanks just like i said wanted some peoples input.

 

Also yes live 5 mins from the old Grumman. Still love seeing the Tomcat sitting near grumman on the grass

[Len62]

The new X-56 is due out soon. Some minor changes from the X-55.

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x56.html

[lazduc]

Here is what I have found....people's opinion on flight sticks is just that. Their opinion, which is very biased. I remember all the rave on the Warthog Hotas....turns out this expensive assembly has had more problems than your less expensive models. The most important part...the gimbal is the cheapest design they could have used. A nylon ball. And it fails continually. (Yes I have one unfortunately.) Spending 500.00 bucks on a device and having to repair, service and modify it, in some opinions, is very acceptable. For me it is absolutely not.

 

important points. 1. How much time are you going to use the device?

2. How aggressive and how hard are you on it?

3. How much money do you want to spend?

 

A lot of setups are plastic....they will not hold up to a lot of intense pressure.

However you can probably purchase 3 to 5 of the less expensive items and they will last cumulatively, longer than one that costs an arm and leg.

 

I have a X-55 rhino. I have not used it very much and I am very easy on my equipment. I have not experienced any problems with it. But I have not had any problems with my X-52, nor have I had any problems with my Logitech G-940.

 

I have over the years purchased over 50 setups.

My only advice is to figure out the money you want to spend.....For 100.00 bucks an X-52 for 200.00 X-55 and there are numerous others in between.

These less expensive products are just that. You are not going to get a super-deluxe, metal based, hall sensor, ballbearing type setup for the lower price points.

 

If you are really into flight simulators and intend to make sim flying a long time hobby....then it might be worth it too you to get a professional setup. But you will pay for those. If you decide to go this route, skip the Warthog from Thrustmaster....For the price, the design just is not there.

 

If you want to really know about the rhino, order one and try it yourself.

If you do not like it...send it back.

Good luck.

Lazduc

[TMatzelle60]

The new X-56 is due out soon. Some minor changes from the X-55.

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x56.html

 

 

 

The X-56 has 2 new scroll type wheels that i do not need and honestly other then that i don't think much will change to warrant the price

 

Also the reason i ask is I'm worried mine with break 5-6 times lol like i hear the horror stories thats all

[King_Hrothgar]

My experience with Saitek:

1) X-45, lasted 2-3 years and broke (keep in mind this was around 2005)

2) X-52 Pro, used heavily for 8+ years, sitting in closet and still works as far as I know

3) X-55, heavy use for over a year, works well so far

 

I also had a Cyborg for a while when my X-45's stick broke, it worked fine with the still working throttle. I gave it away when I got the X-52 Pro.

 

In terms of functionality, the X-55 is great. It has enough buttons for even the A-10C and is reasonably comfortable after getting used to it. The stick isn't as nice as the X-52 Pro's, but it does have more buttons (the main reason I bought it). Accuracy is good on the stick thanks to hall sensors while the other axis' all have about a 1% jitter due to pots, but that doesn't hurt anything. The 4 rotaries on it are particularly useful and were the main reason I bought it over a CH setup or a TM WH. I do not regret that decision and fully recommend it.

[Sokol1_br]

For 100.00 bucks an X-52 for 200.00 X-55 and there are numerous others in between.

 

In true in between 100-200$ there's no much options:

X-52 PRO for little less than X-55 or CH throttle + T.16000M (the only "entry level" stick that worth buy) for ~180$. :)

 

CH combo (stick/throttle) is ~250$ and require rudder pedal (+120-500$).

 

In their price range Saitek HOTAS has no competition in cost/benefit.

[slowhand]

They back'm up for a yr from DOP:thumbup: Was an EZ ship back...I like mine.:joystick: its 2 yrs old now also mine came from the 2nd run:thumbup::music_whistling: and all is well in FighterTown:megalol: Who knows what it is now..and the X56 too spacey for me..lol:D lots of luck.

Edited April 3, 2016 by slowhand

[Bourrinopathe]

Cracked internal cables (throttle)

 

Here's a quick report about an issue with my throttle (almost two years old).

 

A few months ago some buttons started to be unresponsive with the throttle handle in the middle position.

Just recently, I noticed another issue with the dual throttle behavior:

 

(black: left throttle, red: right throttle, x: time, y: axis input 0 to 100%)

When I push the left handle (only) it also sends some right throttle input. The dual throttle became unusable independently.

 

Here's why:

 

The cables feel harder to the touch, compared to another area (same cables).

 

I had to cut the cracked cables and I soldered some new cables borrowed from a spare RJ45 cable to repair the throttle.

 

 

I'm not sure how long it will last, but the throttle behavior is back to normal.

 

I live in a tropical climate so it might have helped the plastics to age faster and fail sooner.

 

So if you experience some weird throttle or buttons responses, you could take a look at the innards. There's a chance it's a simple cable issue.

[Pocket Sized]

I have at least 1000 hours flying my X55, no real problems other than occasionally rubbing petroleum jelly under the spring.

 

Beware, however, many of the hat switches and a few buttons have a very cheap feel. The tactile feedback is fine when pressed is good, but the hat switches in particular like to jiggle around in their center position.

 

Also, if you have small hands the stick can be uncomfortable to the point of being painful at first.