Is the X56 an upgrade over the T16k+TWCS?

[VC]

My current HOTAS is the Thrustmaster T16000M and their TWCS. The stick I've had for 5+ years, throttle more recent. Overall I'm really happy with it but starting to feel the lack of buttons on the stick. Also, the trigger on the stick is starting to go a bit so I may need to buy a replacement anyway, don't know how soon.

 

I was looking at the X56, it looks gorgeous and on first inspection has way more buttons, on the stick at least but I think in total as well. The trouble is, I keep reading the stick spring is not very good, the stick has play, there's no force near max deflection, the sensor is not as accurate. After 5 years of the T16k I really don't want to spend several hundred £s only to find it feels worse and less accurate to fly.

 

Am I right to be worried about this? Is the X56 a straight upgrade over what I have or is it more of a sidegrade?

[A2597]

My current HOTAS is the Thrustmaster T16000M and their TWCS. The stick I've had for 5+ years, throttle more recent. Overall I'm really happy with it but starting to feel the lack of buttons on the stick. Also, the trigger on the stick is starting to go a bit so I may need to buy a replacement anyway, don't know how soon.

 

I was looking at the X56, it looks gorgeous and on first inspection has way more buttons, on the stick at least but I think in total as well. The trouble is, I keep reading the stick spring is not very good, the stick has play, there's no force near max deflection, the sensor is not as accurate. After 5 years of the T16k I really don't want to spend several hundred £s only to find it feels worse and less accurate to fly.

 

Am I right to be worried about this? Is the X56 a straight upgrade over what I have or is it more of a sidegrade?

 

 

The throttle you have is great, honestly doubt you need more. (Especially if you've used nylogel or other similar on it). But yes, the T16000 stick leaves a lot to be desired. I looked long and hard at the X56, but ultimately settled on the CH Fighterstick, which I absolutely love. It's old, it's kinda ugly, but it works so well I don't even care!

[erniedaoage]

I went from a x52 to a t16000 complete set 2 years ago and my first impression was that the 16000 is so much better overall except the lack of buttons. But i use the 3 buttons on the throttle as modifiers. If you really wanna do an upgrade keep the throttle and go for vkb or virpil, since the resolution of the stick is the same as the warthog its to much money for a different grip/button layout. But just my opinion. I wanna get a vkb gunfighter but i still don't know if i should buy one or wait till the mk 3 arrives.

[BlacleyCole]

I have an x56 somewhere and I purchased the twcs for a throttle to go with my gladiator. I could never get the x56 to work correctly ever. I regretted the purchase of it. I prefer the tm equipment over the saitek or Logitech.

[VC]

The throttle you have is great, honestly doubt you need more. (Especially if you've used nylogel or other similar on it). But yes, the T16000 stick leaves a lot to be desired. I looked long and hard at the X56, but ultimately settled on the CH Fighterstick, which I absolutely love. It's old, it's kinda ugly, but it works so well I don't even care!

 

Yeah the throttle is fine but the X56 can't be bought separately. In any case in terms of number of buttons the throttles seem equivalent.

 

The CH doesn't have twist and that's a deal-breaker for me as I don't own rudder pedals and don't plan to buy them anytime soon.

 

I went from a x52 to a t16000 complete set 2 years ago and my first impression was that the 16000 is so much better overall except the lack of buttons. But i use the 3 buttons on the throttle as modifiers. If you really wanna do an upgrade keep the throttle and go for vkb or virpil, since the resolution of the stick is the same as the warthog its to much money for a different grip/button layout. But just my opinion. I wanna get a vkb gunfighter but i still don't know if i should buy one or wait till the mk 3 arrives.

 

But is the X52 comparable to the X56 in terms of sensor accuracy and feel? That might not be a fair comparison from your side. I use a single modifier on all aircraft and it works, but I would like to create more realistic setups where more functions are just there on the stick.

 

I looked at VKB and Virpil before. The Gladiator looks nice but isn't really an upgrade over the T16k. The Gunfighter and all Virpil stuff are way out of my price range :(

 

Any opinions on the sensor accuracy and stick "feel" of the X56?

Edited November 28, 2019 by VC

[A2597]

Yeah the throttle is fine but the X56 can't be bought separately. In any case in terms of number of buttons the throttles seem equivalent.

 

The CH doesn't have twist and that's a deal-breaker for me as I don't own rudder pedals and don't plan to buy them anytime soon.

 

 

 

But is the X52 comparable to the X56 in terms of sensor accuracy and feel? That might not be a fair comparison from your side. I use a single modifier on all aircraft and it works, but I would like to create more realistic setups where more functions are just there on the stick.

 

I looked at VKB and Virpil before. The Gladiator looks nice but isn't really an upgrade over the T16k. The Gunfighter and all Virpil stuff are way out of my price range :(

 

Any opinions on the sensor accuracy and stick "feel" of the X56?

 

No twist in ch, but the twcs throttle has the rudder paddles, no?

I think if twist is a constraint, you will be stick with x56 or a virple offering with twist.

(Or cheap rudder pedals)

[VC]

No twist in ch, but the twcs throttle has the rudder paddles, no?

I think if twist is a constraint, you will be stick with x56 or a virple offering with twist.

(Or cheap rudder pedals)

 

Heh, there's no such thing as "cheap" rudder pedals :lol: it's not just that though, it's impractical in my current desk setup (and other life reasons) to buy pedals and I've used twist for as long as I've had a joystick. I'm very comfortable with it and wouldn't want to re-learn to use the throttle paddles as they aren't realistic either (and they're already in use as my brake lever anyway). Pedals are one of those things on my very long term wish-list!

 

In any case I'm not likely to risk buying an X56 at full price with the amount of negativity floating around it. I can't seem to find any black friday deals on this kind of hardware though... :(

Edited November 28, 2019 by VC

[Sokol1_br]

My current HOTAS is the Thrustmaster T16000M and their TWCS. The stick I've had for 5+ years, throttle more recent. Overall I'm really happy with it but starting to feel the lack of buttons on the stick.

 

You can easily modify your T.16000M grip, adding to the the 6 buttons on "wrong side" of base, what is easy to to, since each button has their own connection point.

 

But is the X52 comparable to the X56 in terms of sensor accuracy and feel?

 

T.16000M and X-56 use the same Melexis 3D Hall sensor for X,Y axes.

Probable no accuracy difference in between.

Gimbal is similar in both, a compressed spring, but X-56 advantage is that you can exchange coils for customize feel.

 

Since twist rudder is important for you a really good upgrade will be:

 

VKB Gladiator ~$90

SCG Kosmosima upgrade kit ~100

 

Because will have twist stick with contacless sensor.

 

Keep you TWS throttle and sell T.16000M and VKB KG-12A grip that worth ~ $40 and people want, include for use as shift knob in hot hod due their Luftwaffe heritage. :thumbup:

[VC]

You can easily modify your T.16000M grip, adding to the the 6 buttons on "wrong side" of base, what is easy to to, since each button has their own connection point.

 

I googled that now, looks awesome and a great idea but don't trust myself to do it :music_whistling:plus I actually use those buttons...

 

T.16000M and X-56 use the same Melexis 3D Hall sensor for X,Y axes.

Probable no accuracy difference in between.

Gimbal is similar in both, a compressed spring, but X-56 advantage is that you can exchange coils for customize feel.

 

Thats exactly the kind of thing I wanted to hear, thanks!

 

I've seen some complaining about the "play" in the X56 stick near center, people say it needs a huge deadzone. If you say they are similar, is this true?

 

Since twist rudder is important for you a really good upgrade will be:

 

VKB Gladiator ~$90

SCG Kosmosima upgrade kit ~100

 

That looks very nice, thanks for the recommendation. Shame the grip is out of stock in my region :( and they only sell Gladiator Mk.II, not "Pro", and I think only Pro can change grip. Will keep an eye on it! A bit expensive, do those guys ever have sales?

Edited November 28, 2019 by VC