X52 QC Issues

[goon3r]

I just wanted to get some insight from the folks here before I make a decision on this.

 

Over the past year, through exchanges and returns, I have been through 4 Saitek X52's all purchased from the same retailer. My fourth one is on it's way out now.

 

The first had calibration problems and would not re-center during gaming.

 

The second and third, had random issues with the blue lights not coming on some times and then causing windows vista/7 to BSOD at wakeup. I had to plug it out each time I put the PC to sleep or hibernate.

 

The fourth one is having issues with the ministick not recentering and occasionally the joystick. This is a real aggravation since it keeps simulating me pressing the "/" randomly when I'm in windows and screws with me in a couple of games from time to time.

 

I've heard that Saitek has some QC issues but this is a bit silly. I have a replacement warranty for this so my decision is either between getting a 5th X52 or washing my hands of Saitek altogether and getting something else. I have the saitek pz35 pedals as well, and I'm not sure what to do with those.

 

I quite like the X52, and its worked well for me while it actually worked. I've just about had enough of this though. How can 4 different units have so many issues ?

 

Given the complaints I've seen here about the G940 I'm scared to even touch one of those now.

[CyBerkut]

It's definitely a bummer that you are having so many problems. Mine has worked well with both Win XP and Windows Vista.

 

1st off, if the pedals are working well for you, I see no reason to abandon them.

 

As for the X-52, I'm wondering if at least some of the problems you are listing might be related to drivers / software. I have no idea what you have tried so far, or what versions you are running. If you have not yet tried a different version of the drivers & software, I'd start with that before completely giving up on the X-52.

 

Good luck!

[goon3r]

We'll I'm running the latest drivers and sst software from the saitek site. I've uninstalled and reinstalled about a dozen times in the past 6 months. The current issue with the ministick goes a way when I unplug the usb cable but it comes back not to long afterwards. I'm pretty confident that this isn't a software thing though.

 

The pedals are a bit noisy, but have been ok so far, I guess I'm just wary of Saitek with all the problems with the X52 and feel like I need to draw the line somewhere.

[topdog]

The ministick may be clashing with your mouse (and its driver), since that's more or less what it tries to masquerade as by default. Crazy idea perhaps but maybe you'll have success tackling the problem from the other end, any chance of a driver update being available out there for the mouse or is it a basic MS mouse just driven from the OS-supplied drivers?

 

Conflicts with my existing mouse (Razer Copperhead - so has its own systray icon and macro abilities for buttons and stuff) was a worry I had to begin with, but was glad when I had none. It's what I'd try if I did hit any though.

[Ramstein]

I can only say, I have not had any QC issues, and have been a Saitek user for 10 years.. that doesn't help you much though.. maybe you had a problem with you computer which causes these issues? I am not trying to be arguing.. (wrong word..)..

 

I just mean that there are quirks where sometimes the stick will not come to life after a bad boot, and you have to reload drivers.. or there is a conflict with commands..

 

O also find that with talking with everyone else who has many other brands and models they too have times with their joysticks have little problems, and have to go out of a game and fix them... so it happens to everyone..

 

:joystick:

[goon3r]

The ministick may be clashing with your mouse (and its driver), since that's more or less what it tries to masquerade as by default. Crazy idea perhaps but maybe you'll have success tackling the problem from the other end, any chance of a driver update being available out there for the mouse or is it a basic MS mouse just driven from the OS-supplied drivers?

 

I have a logitech g5 laser mouse, even when the ministick is disabled I can still see some input in the control panel.

 

O also find that with talking with everyone else who has many other brands and models they too have times with their joysticks have little problems, and have to go out of a game and fix them... so it happens to everyone..

 

I don't mind tweaking, or having little issues with the software at all. i almost kind of expect it. Its just that all the issues I've had so far have been with the hardware itself.

 

I do quite like the X52 though, tis great value for money. I'll have another go at reinstalling the drivers and see what happens. I'll report back with my findings.

 

Thanks for the input guys.:thumbup:

[goon3r]

Well, I spent several hours last evening trying different things, uninstalling drivers, changing mice, swapping usb ports and O/S. I have to conclude that this stick is broken. The ministick has a mind of its own, sometimes it's moving right of center then other times its centered but won't move right.

 

Not sure what to make of the whole thing to be honest. This stick is only about 4 months old and it's only been used lightly for the past 2 months or so.

 

I just don't think I can handle a 5th set of X52's, I gotta draw the line somewhere.

 

I found this posting here from saitek support on their forums @

 

http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?p=69319

 

The mouse cursor drift has been covered many times before on the forum - a simple search would have let you know that I've told many people to return the sticks for an exchange as it's usually a hardware fault.

 

Other calibration issues are obviously not "to spec" either and are also sometimes a hardware fault. We did have some people reporting a lot of trouble with calibration drift this summer though and we found in a lot of cases that it was actually down to the temperature that the stick was operating in. Especially here in Europe where the vast majority of households do not have air conditioning, once the ambient temperature got close to 30 degrees centigrade, the calibration started to drift.

 

I'd like to spend under $200 on a new HOTAS setup. Any recommendations ?

[SAM77]

Are you talking about the non pro version only?????

 

 

I bought my X-52 Pro about 2 years ago and everything still calibrates ok (touching wood)

 

I just opened it up for the first time this week just to clean it out and reapply some grease.

 

Its a good value stick for me, My first HOTAS and its lasted two years

[Sarge55]

Try disabling Saitek "Magic Mouse" in your device manager. It maybe conflicting with the mouse and causing the ministick issue. Just a thought.

[goon3r]

We'll I had a change of heart.

 

The store decided to honor the manufacturer warranty and offered me a new x52. so I decided to give Saitek another chance, I'm hopeful that this one lasts a bit longer. I really don't have the ca$h for a Cougar or CH setup right now and until the G940 is sorted out I'll bide my time with the X52s.

 

So far, I see a noticeable improvement in the handling. The ministick is working fine again and the joystick is definitely smoother.

 

Are you talking about the non pro version only?????

 

Yes, It is the non pro version.

[HitchHikingFlatlander]

That sucks man I really wish I could give some ideas but my X-52 has been very good to me.

 

I've had some issues but mine always ended up being operator error and some funky USB connection issues due to the use of USB hubs. It really is a great stick for the money and hope the newest one works out for you. If you do have to get something else I recommend waiting for the Thrustmaster A10 HOTAS which could be the best HOTAS anyone has seen in a long time (we just have to wait and see).

[rattler]

Have had one of the original x52's for years and it is still working fine. I have a backup x52 because it was a price one could not pass up. I have been using windows xp sp1,sp2 and sp3 and now on windows 7 and stick is still working fine.Nock on wood. I also have the saitek rudder pedals and they also work great. I know the newer x52's are not built as heavy as the older ones but I would assume the internal setups are the same. Hope everything works out this time.Cheers.:thumbup: