Anyone got an saitek x65F?

[sliderslot]

Just curious. Just wondered if anyone is using the saitek x65F and if so what they think about it.

 

I mean, hardly going to hate it - sure, but whats the profile editor like compared with the TM HOTAS.

 

Anyone know the dimensions of this baby anyway? and the weight>?

[=Panther=]

I don't own one but I've tested one. I didn't like it because the throttle tension was viscous even at the lowest setting. I'm a fan of throttles that glide smoothly with little or no tension.

 

Here's a link to a Staff member's review at SimHQ: http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_088a.html

[Poor mans sniper]

Just curious. Just wondered if anyone is using the saitek x65F and if so what they think about it.

 

I mean, hardly going to hate it - sure, but whats the profile editor like compared with the TM HOTAS.

 

Anyone know the dimensions of this baby anyway? and the weight>?

The HOTAS Warthog will be 400$, that is the same price as this, so you will probably like the Warthog better.

[hawka]

Iv'e had mine for a week now and reckon I won't go back to a conventional stick again, the throttle was really tight to start with but its good now and getting better all the time all those hats and sticks are great and programing with sst soft ware in blackshark is easy one thing I must say though I do think you need pedals with it I found it all just came together so much better once I got my pedals hope this helps by the way I had a x52 before this

[Willy p.]

$329 US dollars for me, this HOTAS is everything they said it was. My fist stick was a MS Sidewinder then an X-45, had the 45 for over 6 years. I’ve never used any other HOTAS other than the 45. I’m sure they all have good and bad points (other brands) and customer loyalty will edge it one-way or the other. That being said, the X-65F and force sensing are the way for me. The first time I tried it, I was intimidated by the thing, did not understand what Saitek was doing. Now, all I can say is awesome! It was like going from a 1972 Bug (spring loaded) to 2010 Lamborghini (force sensing), the difference is that big. I’m still settling in with the force sensing part as for you have to find your sweet spot, dead zone, curve setting and a comfortable button layout. I made programming the stick harder than it really was (read the manual). And there is an enormous amount of places to input key commands and don’t get me started on the number of hats! And just to let you know, I read reviews for a week before I bought it. The good and the bad opinions.

 

As for the throttle issue; being able to have split thrust and the debate over viscous, not an issue for me. Split throttle, there’s a work around, viscous, feels fine to me. You just have to tune it to where your sweet spot is and how it feels when you fly. Again I’m in the tuning process and will continue to tweak it and move things around until I’m happy. I have already taken off two hat buttons and moved them, yes you can do that and they give you the wrench to do it (just take care when doing it, their small screws). Force sensing, I get it now…awesome! UPS said it weighed 8lbs in the box.

Edited August 21, 2010 by Willy p.

[Callsign.Vega]

I was thinking about getting this force sensing stick but really there are only a few aircraft that use it. Such as the F-16, F-22, F-35.

 

I pre-ordered the Warthog HOTAS as it seems to have a lot of good features like the X65-F, but in a traditional movement stick. All of the sim's I fly (BS/A-10C soon/MS FS X/Rise of Flight) all have aircraft with traditional movement sticks.

 

Another thing that sold me on the Warthog HOTAS is that the stick base is very small (round) with a very thin "plate" at the bottom. This is so that you can fit the stick between your legs on a larger chair, rest your thighs over the plate to keep it in position. Very nice idea for those of us that don't have/want dedicated cockpit setups.

[Flim]

I ordered the x-65 for testing and to see how it would do in a cockpit environment. I have a cougar Fssb to compare and will give the 65f a good test. Also I have some time with the TM Warthog and really like the stick, but I also like force sticks as well. While using my fssb in Blackshark , I had no issues and could fly the helicopter perfect, so I guess it is what you get use too! I'll will report back after the 65f is compared to the Cougar Fssb.

Edited August 23, 2010 by Flim

[Bvoiash]

Anyone that has a problem with his/her X-65F throttle stiffness can try this solution, as it solved my X-65F throttle stiffness problem for me.

[tronicson]

i have a X65F since about a week, and i am very satisfied with it! :thumbup:

 

it is top notch quality and you are able to fully program it to your needs and preferences - it gives a good feeling when flying (better tough in FC2 than in 1.xx) and you're real quick in rolling / counter-rolling (you don't have to move the way from one position to the opposite.. just twich a bit)

 

i bought it together with the TrackIR5 and first i was a bit doubtful if i get really happy with that buy, but now after a week - after programming and finetuning the deadzones (you have to tweak it a bit for you're needs, not to forget to get a bit used to the new feeling) it's amazing and i would not give it away anymore.. (confessing of an addicted) :pilotfly:

 

only drawback (well it isn't too bad) split-throttle does not work in FC2 - but i honestly don't think that this is a stick problem; it was working before for me with LockOn 1.xx

 

The stiffness of the throttle is not so worse, i have anyway a bit large hands and am not really the weak kind of guy - you know - so i think that in reality the throttle is also something that does not move too easy (you're controlling over 60'000 Horsepower with it - so it may feel for me a bit strong... you know :music_whistling:) Nevertheless i did adjust the screw to less resistance and moved the throttle 20-30 times a bit fast from up to down to the get grease sharing a bit in the joints.. now its fully ok (i do push it down a bit when moving the throttle - so it does never lift anymore while moving)

 

i do not miss a minute the movable stick like G940 or such stuff - that one looks like a toy beside :joystick: (i had both at my desk)

 

i can say - go for it.. but at the end you will probably love it or hate it, nothing in between.. perhapps you get the occasion to try one out

 

EDIT: The ultimate solution for getting the Throttle smooth like butter -> Use WD40 and spray with the red little tube short bursts at the point where the Throttle-Joints disappear in the scale.. move fast forward and backward a dozend times - and you have a Throttle that moves very light! (i did this for a friend of mine, i advised him to buy it - but he was not pleased about the throttle resistance.. now he is very happy with it) :smartass:

 

-> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 (does not harm electric devices - in contrary)

Edited August 27, 2010 by tronicson

[Flim]

I just received the x65 today and it seems pretty dang good for a force sensing stick. It compares equally with the cougar fssb, but I say the x65 is probably better due to the force selections (which I really like), and you can screw the stick down. The cougar does not have screw holes and has to be zip-tied down. The quality seems good, but not as heavy as the cougar(could be a good thing). The only thing that is lacking in quality are the buttons, really easy to push and move. It is something I can get use to and is not a deal breaker. I have used basically every Joystick ranging from the cougar, TM Warthog BETA,Cougar FSSB, FCC etc..

 

The warthog is a quality stick for sure, but in arena of force sensing , the X65 is a good stick.