Help with X-45 / suggestion for upgrade

[Witchking]

Hi guys,

 

My first joystick was a logitech force feedback II or something that was pretty good while it lasted when I used to fly flanker 2.5 and the original LOMAC release. A little while when FC 1 was released, i got a X-45 for 99$ when it got reduced when the X-52 released. I never really liked the tension in the stick too much as it was a bit too tough for my taste.

 

Lately, I have gotten back the X-45, and tied the spring with three spring ties and its just about right in the tension department.

 

However, I checked out some simple cheap joysticks and man..the thrustmaster T16000M has an awsome stick. Love the hall effect system. Such a smooth stick. I can only imagine how awesome the warthog stick must be. The sensitivity is so much better than the X-45. But returned the stick as I miss the X-45's customizability and the unlabelled buttons on the thrustmaster drove me crazy...not to mention the WORST ever throttle control on the stick ever. I guess its true...once u go HOTAS, u can't go back. I love the seperate throttle.

 

Anyways... does anyone have the X-45 driver and profiler software in their backups? The software is not available on saitek website anymore. Trying to make a profile for DCS warthog and use the three different modes in the X-45.

 

Furthermore, is the X-52 pro a good improvement from the X-45? I would love to get a warthog stick, but that thing is too expensive. Same with the X-65. I am interested in the X-52 pro's metallic construction and the stick itself whose mechanism/sensitivity would be closer to the hall effect sensors on the new thrustmasters. It is still a bit expensive for me, but I am keeping a lookout on sites like ebay.

 

cheers,

 

AV

[PeterP]

The normal and pro version of the X-52 has also hall-sensors at the X/Y axis of the stick.

So - If you where satisfied with the X-45 (a stick I also used some many years ago) you should be very pleased with the X-52.

 

 

BTW: to get back full functionality of the different modes of the X-45: use modifiers inside DCS and Autohotkey to program macros for the stick.

Edited July 7, 2012 by PeterP

[BIGNEWY]

I used the x-45 for a while, it got me by :)

 

I am pretty sure if you download the same software for the x-52pro it will recognise your x45, I never used the SST software as it crashed my system . . .

 

some diagrams in my sig for the x-45 for BS2 and A-10 (left them there to assist x-45 users )

 

here is a link to some profiles, they are old and I haven't used them for ages so they may need tweaking, but should be based on the diagrams

 

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/72344460/x45.zip

Edited July 7, 2012 by BIGNEWY

[Witchking]

thanks guys. Yeah! I am waiting for a sale this coming boxing day or something before I can grab the X52 pro. If I can get it for under 100$, I can afford it.

 

Bignewy...awsome stuff mate. Thanks so much. I bought DCS warthog when it released on steam (big mistake), but was completely lost with the start up procedure and lost interest. Now got back into DCS with DCS world and enjoy the Su 25T and giving my favourite warthog another try. Just was doing the aircraft hotas controls tutorials and was trying to figure out mapping the different H,J,K,U .. SOI controls...the short and long presses to the X-45. Your diagrams are very helpful. thanks!

 

Peter...can the DCS in game modifiers allow us to assign short and long presses to the x-45 buttons?

[BIGNEWY]

thanks guys. Yeah! I am waiting for a sale this coming boxing day or something before I can grab the X52 pro. If I can get it for under 100$, I can afford it.

 

Bignewy...awsome stuff mate. Thanks so much. I bought DCS warthog when it released on steam (big mistake), but was completely lost with the start up procedure and lost interest. Now got back into DCS with DCS world and enjoy the Su 25T and giving my favourite warthog another try. Just was doing the aircraft hotas controls tutorials and was trying to figure out mapping the different H,J,K,U .. SOI controls...the short and long presses to the X-45. Your diagrams are very helpful. thanks!

 

Peter...can the DCS in game modifiers allow us to assign short and long presses to the x-45 buttons?

 

Just because you use steam does not mean you have to install via steam, you can use the key you are given and download as well all do :), if you have trouble with the start up right alt and home is auto start up :)

 

a long press is just that a " long press " so will work on any stick or throttle :)

Edited July 7, 2012 by BIGNEWY

[Witchking]

yeah! lol! realized that after DCS world came along. Kept missing out on the updates and stuff...now used my serial directly after installing DCS world and good to go.

 

huh! i thought I had to assign short and long presses seperately. Good to know. thanks! will give it a shot.

[PeterP]

 

Peter...can the DCS in game modifiers allow us to assign short and long presses to the x-45 buttons?

 

No- only what's defined in-game as short/long press.

But you can add these functions via autohotkey to the non-standard buttons. That's why I mentioned autohotkey.

 

Here is a example for a long/short key command scripted in autohotkey:

 

4Joy3::

 

 

KeyWait, 4Joy3

If (A_TimeSinceThisHotkey < 500)

 

sendevent A

 

KeyWait, 4Joy3

If (A_TimeSinceThisHotkey > 500)

 

sendevent B

 

return

Explanation:

Joystick-button #3 of Joystick #4

will send "A" if released within 0.5 sec

But will send "B" if released after 0.5sec

 

 

OK- Autohotkey has no fancy GUI for the programming - but once you got the basics , its lot easier to program your different controllers as with target/or SST. - and its free!!

 

I have 7diffrent controllers attached and manage them all via Autohotkey by programming the Keyboard-commands to my controllers. - so I don't have any problems when reinstalling or upgrading to a need DCS version. I only have to check the Keyboard list for changes.

 

 

Look into the Autohotkey documentation - IMHO - it is quiet simple and much more powerful as any other scripting software on this planet.

And the best : You can controll with only one profile all controllers that are attached.

No need to use different profilers that only work for a specific brand. - as you send the commands direct to the DirectX level if you want by using "RAW" input.

You even can specify the commands first to look if a certain window like "DCS.exe" is active.

-If not - the command will not be executed.... and so on.

Edited July 7, 2012 by PeterP

[Witchking]

Thanks Peter. Will check it out. In the meanwhile, I am looking around to see if I can find a good deal on the X-52 pro. It looks way more nicer than the toy-like X45 and X52.

[Witchking]

Quick question for you guys with HOTAS systems....especially the X45 or 52.....How the heck can you guys keep the pipper on target during cannon fire. My nose goes all over the place. I can't keep it dead on like many of you guys do.

 

Btw...also...can u guys please suggest what kind of settings I should shoot for in the "axis trim" section? I am assuming...decreasing sensitivity a bit should help keeping the stick from reacting to minute inputs and keeping it stable.

[PeterP]

The X-52 has a two-stage trigger.

Means two button functions on the same trigger

Further: 0% to 50% movement-range = Stage1

50% to 100% movement-range = Stage1+Stage2

 

So you will map the first stage to "PAC-1"(<read more about it in the manual) and the second stage to "Fire-Gun".

 

Simple, isn't it? :)

Edited July 7, 2012 by PeterP

[Witchking]

damn! yeah...the X45 doesn't have that dual stage trigger. Perhaps I can use the pinkie switch as PAC-1.

 

Still looking for a decent price on the X-52 pro. I found it on US newegg for a decent price...but they don't ship to canada. Well...I guess its good to learn for now with the 45.

[PeterP]

A workaround is:

 

A: program your trigger to fire PAC-1 + Fire Gun at the same time instantly.

 

B: program your trigger to fire PAC-1 instantly and after holding it down for - lets say - 0.3 seconds longer also Gun Fire. - so you are able to abort a false alignment without shooting.

 

(0.3 sec should be within your attention span - so you should be aware if you aligned properly to the target and if this should be a hit.)

Edited July 7, 2012 by PeterP

[Witchking]

Ah....good point. Thanks!

[Witchking]

Hi guys,

 

I have been recently looking at the CH fighterstick and it looks as a fantastic and reliable replacement for the X45 stick. I also see that we can use the fighterstick and X45 throttle combo which is awesome as I like the X45 throttle.

 

Does anyone know where to get deals for CH fighterstick? I am from canada. The cheapest I can find is a 120$.....but at that price I can probably even get a whole new X52.

 

thanks,

 

V

[cichlidfan]

$94 USD at Amazon right now and I would say that is about the cheapest I've ever seen a new one. It's usually right at or over $100. Of course, it's a US only item.

[Witchking]

yeah! thats the unfortunate part...all those places below 100$ do not ship to canada. :(