The battle of the HOTAS: G940 versus CH and X52!

[Pilotasso]

Got the stick yesterday, so I thought about giving you guys considering buying a new HOTAS some clues of what you can expect from it.

 

Since I already own a X52 and the complete CH setup I will also make comparisons.

 

-G940 Packaging:

The box is fairly compact, so you wont look like a fool carrying on the street. :D

I haven’t weighted it but I estimate total weight of the box at 6kg, bout 13 pounds.

 

-G940 Installation:

Skip the CD in the box; go straight for the newest driver and software release at logitech’s site.

Installation is completely hassle free. The only thing that bothered me was the extensive cable work. The floor around my desk is a complete mess!

 

-G940 Setup:

For LOMAC and DCS as many other games, make sure to assign the correct axis and rotaries to each in-game function. Don’t do like me who left X and Y stick axis as sliders and observed funky behaviour (plane wouldn’t fly level although it turned and pitched normally and made me wonder what trouble I have gotten into by purchasing this stick) :D

The software programing features are somewhat poorer than I expected, but easly acessible for monkeys.

 

-G940 Design and ergonomics:

The stick has some weaknesses in this area. The throttle is too big (or the buttons too widely distributed) to grip all the controls at all times (I got average size hands). The top stick mini stick is reached if you lift your hand from the rest. But for those with bigger hands won’t suffer this issue (same for the throttle).

When the sticks tension is set to high (in %) it tends to make your hands joints become sore after prolonged use. The stick is quite solid (has to be  ). The throttle has the main advantage of being split for 2 engines, apart from that it’s no different from others except in details. The distance between pedals change with travel wich is kind of odd, but not troublesome.

 

 

-G940 handling & performance:

(Before taking this review make sure you correctly assign all axis properly as described above).

Many people have reported center play. I think it’s not the case, instead, since the stick uses motors for return to center tension there’s a small range near the center where the motors are loose for avoiding being constantly exerting force against each other.

The return to center force is adjustable. It can be quite hard or very loose. The travel, or stick throw is less than my X52 and way less than my CH combat stick. This enables you to make snap manoeuvres faster than the other HOTAS.

Force feedback is very strong (adjustable independently from centering force), It scared me the first time I tried, the stick looks spaghetti thin (no jokes please :D ) but it throws your hands around like a rabid bull throws a cowboy. I wasn’t expecting it. 

A slight negative point: The travel is grainy, probably caused by the motors when the magnets align inside them. It causes a slight snap X times per rotation, I don’t think its any kind of gear hard contacts. But after a while you forget about it.

Overall handling is pleasant and precise despite the “slack” at the center (no bigger than my X52 anyway).

Gun aiming doesn’t seem to be any more difficult or easier than my X52 (IMHO). The stick dual throttle helps in turns during runway approaches or slow speed dogfights. very handy. 

 

 

G940 Versus CH and X52.

 

-Packaging:

The X52 is the most compact of the lot. That’s because it doesn’t include the pedals. CH takes the most space, if you buy all 3 parts together.

 

-Instaling:

None of them gave me any trouble, though I have to say the X52 profiler was the one I mastered the fastest. CH has a steep learning curve to program it but it will reward you with superior possibilities.

 

Design and ergonomics:

Of all the 3 the X52 wins hands down, even despite lacking in aesthetics. All buttons and rotators are easely accessible, The G940 leaves a bit to be desired both on stick and throttle. Also the X52 fits into my hand the best of all 3. However it also is the least solid in feeling. There are some slacks in the X52’s mechanisms, the horizontal rotary is too stiff even though its already 3 years in use. G940 has 5 of them, 2 on the throttle (useful for radar aiming) and 3 at the sitcks base, versus 2 on the 52’s throttle and 3 on the CH sticks base.

 

-Performance and handling:

Of all the sticks the X52 is the smoothest, also has homogeneous return to center tensions distribution. CH has highly differential forces between X and Y axis. The G940 sits between the 2. The tension is slightly (or pears to be) larger on roll and on the 4 corners of the travel. It would be a good idea for Logitech to provide the possibility to adjust tension on each axis independently. The G940 provides the quickest response in manoeuvres, the CH is the slowest (big throw).

 

The throttle on the G940 has a detent, X52 has one but can hardly be named after that. Sometimes I don’t even feel it. CH has none, wich makes a bit unpredictable to guess where the afterburner engages.

 

I haven’t saiteks pedals, but comparing the one of g940’s with CH’s I have to say CH wins hands down. Its travel is constant (G940 changes distance between pedals with throw) even though CH has no carpet lock feature nor tension adjustment like the G940.

 

G940 has only slightly more buttons but many more rotaries than the X52, but both are positively beaten comparing to CH’s shear number of buttons (though not as many rotaries).

 

-Price:

Ah the amount of sweat and blood from work you invest! (to some, also some rage to face from their wives!).

 

In Europe the X52 is much much cheaper, around 100 Euro versus 160-200 for each piece of the CH setup, or the G940’s 300 mark (curiously the same in dollars in the US…LOL no comments ), but it comes with pedals, a somewhat redundant feature for serious simmers who are used to buy things seperatly or the lower class simmers who can be persuaded away from the purchase just because the pedals makes the difference to blow over their budgets.

 

Main advantages of each HOTAS:

 

CH: shear amount of buttons and programmability-> loads of functionality and the most durable of all times.

X52: more ergonomic of the 2, and cheapest (that, is if its light centering force doesn’t bother you)

G940: The dual throttle and force feedback.

 

 

 

 

Main disadvantage of each HOTAS:

 

CH: costs its weight in gold (lol almost) and some ergonomic issues.

 

X52: has some electronic bugs that apear over time and cause the Y axis to produce parasite rudder inputs even if you have rudder disabled on the stick). Becomes worn faster (until I see further from the G940), specially the twist rudder (huge spikes, buy pedals).

 

G940: No way to get around the lack of force at the sticks center ( not critical). The pedals-in-package makes its more expensive than it needs to be, for what it is. Also can’t reach both throttles rotaries at the same time when aiming the radar dish (can be assigned for other things).

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all I don’t regret buying the G940, I like it (I am extremely picky and demanding for HOTAS, mind you). It gives me more possibilities than my X52 and handles the best of all sophisticated HOTAS I ever owned. Curiously my lower end MSFF2 (mines still working) handled better. No FF stick to date has matched its durability or smooth of travel (had no center "play"). G940 is not as smooth, and it remains to be seen if it is as durable, I have faith .

 

I dread microsoft for providing the most popular SIM's out there but none modern military, and the most high tech inovating sticks but without any HOTAS configs ever released. bah! :S

 

Hope you liked reading as much as I liked writing this. Cheers!

Edited October 14, 2009 by Pilotasso

[Vekkinho]

Great reading, might come in handy when I go looking for a new gear!

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

Good read.

[Pilotasso]

Just a heads up if you guys havent already seen this. If the G940 FF is enabled in LOMAC it will always pitch down slighty when in rest. Disabling it in the games producer.cfg fixes this.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Just a heads up if you guys havent already seen this. If the G940 FF is enabled in LOMAC it will always pitch down slighty when in rest. Disabling it in the games producer.cfg fixes this.

 

Trim? :)

 

Good review!

I have a x52, but indeed im suffering from the durability. The joy is a little flimzy, but nice to use. Since about 2 hours ago, the rotator to lock the hand palm in place broke.. Great..-_- I dont wanna tie rip it together because for one I dont think it will work and second, I think its ugly. Whenever I rest my palm on the joystick now, it tips backwards and I cant use the pink trigger.

 

Now for my question: Would you recommend the g940?

 

Greets!

[Pilotasso]

After the months since I bought it, it started having reliability issues. Throttle travel causes spikes on R1 and R2 rotaries, They are now almost useless. Throttles are very inprecise, same travel causes different imputs, and it takes about 1cm of travel to see the difference in input, too much. Also thanks to its crummy and barely programable software, I cannot recommend this HOTAS to anyone at this time.

 

The real battle will now be X65 versus TM's Warthog HOTAS

Edited January 23, 2010 by Pilotasso

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

After the months since I bought it, it started having reliability issues. Throttle travel causes spikes on R1 and R2 rotaries, They are now almost useless. Also thanks to its crummy barely programable software, I cannot recommend it to anyone at this time.

 

The real battle will now be X65 versus TM's Warthog HOTAS

Thanks for the follow up.

[Boulund]

After the months since I bought it, it started having reliability issues. Throttle travel causes spikes on R1 and R2 rotaries, They are now almost useless. Throttles are very inprecise, same travel causes different imputs, and it takes about 1cm of travel to see the difference in input, too much. Also thanks to its crummy and barely programable software, I cannot recommend this HOTAS to anyone at this time.

 

The real battle will now be X65 versus TM's Warthog HOTAS

 

Very nice to hear some comments after a couple of months wear-and-tear. Thanks!

[MTFDarkEagle]

Ok, thanks for the input. However, I'm up for a new joystick, but do you know when the x65 and the warthog will be released? (x65 feb 2010? or something?) If the x65 comes out then, i'll go for that one, i'm not really one for waiting a couple of months for new hardware.., but if the warthog and x65 come in feb it will become a difficult choice.

[Pilotasso]

Yes, both are due out soon.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Damn.. Damn.. Damn.. Do you have any idea about the price of them? I found on the saitek shop the x65f will be around $400, but how much will the warthog be?

[Pilotasso]

The X65 will be 400 Euro, the warthog is unknown but expect the price to be in the same category. They are both huge devices.

[MTFDarkEagle]

holly s&@*$t... I feared those kind of prices.. When I bought the x52 it was top of the line.. However the one I use now is full of wear and tear..

The size is not a problem, i've got a lot of space.

I think in matter of money wise, I haven't got that amount of money, im just a poor student hoping to be a pilot in real life :) (military of civilian). So I think I'm going for the g940. I think that's my best bet everything considerd.

[Pilotasso]

In my comment, huge= sofisticated :)

 

Just get the X52 pro. Its your best bet right now.

[MTFDarkEagle]

In my comment, huge= sofisticated :)

 

Just get the X52 pro. Its your best bet right now.

 

good point ;)

However, if a lot of the size is taken up by weight, it's a good thing :)

hmm.. x52 pro.. good joy as well, however i've been taken over by the dual throttle's.. But the x52 is just as flimsy as the x52 isnt it? I want something strong and dependable..

[GuntiNDDS]

I had the X52 pro for about a year now and recently switched to the CH Fighterstick.

 

I liked the button layout of the X52 alot, but over time it developed center play and became inprecise. it`s also not the most precise stick out of the box.

smooth movement was difficult because you had to reduce force the more you applied, due to how it is build with the spring on the disc design.

 

the fighterstick beats the x52 in any regards except button layout imo. it is build sturdy, is very precise and allows for force to be evenly applied, thus allowing much smoother input.

i was very suprised about the plastic quality aswell. feels very good. also unlike other people i find the stick very comfortable aswell. but then again i have pretty big hands.

 

i wouldn't recommend the x52 over the fighterstick to anyone unless they were tight on the money or have small hands.

Edited January 23, 2010 by GuntiNDDS

[MTFDarkEagle]

I slept over this last night, I came to the following conclusion: X52Pro is out for me because if i'm buying a new hotas, i want a leap forward, not a step. The G940 is out as well, because of the comments on it becoming inaccurate, and the most important reason for me: it has pedals. I'm using the pedals from my g25 which I screwed tight under my desk. I dont want to unscrew those pedals when I want to do a racing game or visa versa. So, the competition is between the saitek x65f and the thrustmaster warthog. Hmmm... difficult. Depends a little on the release date(s) and the cost.

[delevero]

G940 is really good.

 

I had both the x52 standard, and x52 pro, and also the x45 i belive it was named... both they all had the same problem.

After a period ( typical 3 - 5 month ) of use especially the joystick become very unprecise, and in games like blackshark you hand will hurt after a long flight becourse you have twisted the joystick again and again.. The trust i okay, but after alot of use it will become unprecise and cannot hold it self were you put it.

 

The G940 is very accurate and the best joystick i have ever had.

I have had mine since day 1 and its still 100% accurate.. i especially like the Trim function in the joystick. I almost never use force feedback other than the "force feedback" that center the stick.

Also the trust stick is good, you can adjust the force of how hard it should feel ( on the back side of the stick ) and you can ofcourse twist the trust so you can fly with 2 engines or more, its really up to your self if you group engine 1-2 and 2-3.

There are also some programable buttoms..

 

I only recommend that you install the g940 hardware driver, do not install the software that you can use to config your game...

Its simply more easy to coinfig the joystick ingame and let the game remember the settings.. and one reason why i say this is that the logitech software actually interfeer with some games, such as Black shark.. it took me a couble of houres understanding why every time i pushed a buttom it did someting els than it was programed to do... it turned out that the logitech software had loaded a default blackshark profile so no matter how i config the ingame controls it just kept interfeering.. once i discovered this and disabled/uninstalled it worked perfect..

 

The pedals is really good, they even have some "hooks" that will let the pedals grap the carpet and hang on to it so it does not slide arround when you push it... But what i like the most is that you have toe brakes tht are both precise and work really well. Also the pedals can be adjusted to being easy to push/pull or heavy.

 

Well with my G940 that i use almost every day from everything from Fsx, black shark, lockon, arma2 ect. i must stay that its still precise as the day i bought it. ( I cannot remember correctly exactly when )

 

The ONLY annoying thing is that sometimes the joystick can make a sound when its Idle, the reason is that if you leave the joystick not centered the small engine inside will make a sound, to fix this problem just push the joystick very gently 1mm to any side and you will not hear anything until you restart your computer then you have to do it again...

[sobek]

Also the trust stick is good, you can adjust the force of how hard it should feel ( on the back side of the stick ) and you can ofcourse twist the trust so you can fly with 2 engines or more, its really up to your self if you group engine 1-2 and 2-3.

There are also some programable buttoms..

 

It seems you got lucky. Lots of people who bought the G940 are reporting that their rotaries are beginning to spike/behave strangely when the throttle is moved (myself included). I might try one replacement and hope that it's not faulty again.

[sobek]

The X65 will be 400 Euro, the warthog is unknown but expect the price to be in the same category. They are both huge devices.

 

It can be preordered for 400USD which roughly converts to 300€.

[Vekkinho]

I'm using TM Cougar for jet fighter sims I play (FC and F4OF) and my Cougar is 3,5 years old (or almost 4). For WW-2 sims I bought Saitek Aviator and difference between it and Cougar is huge. When I play FC with Cougar and switch to Il-2 there's a period of getting used to it. It's much more snappy! However, I think I'll go for a Warthog, not just because of DCS:A-10C but split throttle should also help with planes I fly in FC and I'm about to in FC2.0.

 

Anyway, very good thread Pilotasso, it's nice having all that gear you've got and very nice of you to compare it!

[Pilotasso]

I wish...doesnt work that way, we pay shiping an customs taxes, the price will be roughly the same on Euros.