Hotas - Between X52pro and Warthog - Suggestions?

[fiveohmike]

Hey Guys,

 

Anyways I upgraded my motherboard recently, and I am experience the soft button stuck issue now (along with having to uninstall anything USB3.0 related). Safe to say Saitek is crap, and my current X52 Pro can no longer use the SST, so I have to manually program in game for it to work.

 

Not a great solution so I want something that just plain works.

 

Is there anything viable inbetween the X52pro and the Warthog? Anything from CH products?

 

This is for DCS A10c and BS2.

[CrackerJack]

My Warthog arrived last week. Bought it without having ever had one in my hand. I had watched and read several reviews. I decided to go for quality and I haven't been disappointed. I've used other sticks and they are no match for the Warthog. I think if you plan to do combat flight sims seriously its worth the extra dollars. Especially if you consider that you might spend less initially and then have to pay again to replace a stick that died. My 2 cents.

[Seil]

Fiveoh,

 

I wish I could say yes.....

 

A few of us in our squadron bought G940 rigs when they came out awhile back... they all have been retired for TM Warthogs.

 

I personally and a few others I know will NOT buy any saitek products. :(

 

There is a real issue here, there are not many options in the "affordable" price range for simulation controls that also carry any real weight in the quality side of things too.

 

That being said, IF you get the chance to get yourself a TM Warthogs setup, you'll love it to death and wish you did it sooner.

 

Good luck bro!

[Rikus]

X55

[dburne]

I have had my Warthog for about a year and a half - personally would take nothing for it, I love it.

 

You might be interested in Saitek's newest offering they are about to come out with, looks like it will be between the X52 and the Warthog:

http://www.saitek.com/x55/

[Rhinox]

X55

 

I do not know any "X55", but there is Saitek X65F Pro. Looks quite good with its metal base, sure more solid than all-plastic X52. But it has non-moving stick (some pressure sensors I think) and I personally could hardly get used to it.

 

And then, THW costs just a few bucks more, so no need to make compromises.

[txmtb]

I do not know any "X55", but there is Saitek X65F Pro. Looks quite good with its metal base, sure more solid than all-plastic X52. But it has non-moving stick (some pressure sensors I think) and I personally could hardly get used to it.

 

And then, THW costs just a few bucks more, so no need to make compromises.

 

The X-55 is their new model, not available yet:

http://www.saitek.com/x55/

[blackbelter]

IMO, Saitek X52 Pro is great for its price.

 

Since OP just want to avoid manually assigning keys in-game, what you need is simply a X52 Pro profile in .lua format. It's a popular hotas. I am sure such a profile can be downloaded somewhere.

[Tone71]

Anyways I upgraded my motherboard recently, and I am experience the soft button stuck issue now (along with having to uninstall anything USB3.0 related). Safe to say Saitek is crap, and my current X52 Pro can no longer use the SST, so I have to manually program in game for it to work.

 

What is this "soft button stuck" issue, and how come you can't use SST any more?

[fiveohmike]

Actually after many moons of searching I somehow came up with a fix. It works now, just having conflicts with LOTS of USB items. Might still just get a Warthog.

[whartsell]

out of curiousity which mainboard did you get?

[JHzlwd]

My experience may be the exception. I have had TM Warthog for about a week and cannot get it to work under Win 8 OR Win XP. There are persistent problems with the drivers that keep the joystick unit from being recognized at all and the throttle only partially. Same thing happens on 4 different PCs. TM tech support has been very prompt and they keep suggesting things - none of which works. I have wasted a lot of hours on this.

 

The result is I am back to Saitek X52 Pro (the metal version). This is my second purchase of the product. I fly a lot and after 2 years the original started getting a bit sticky. The latest one cost only $160 and is also a pleasure to use. I use the DCS World profilers and there are no installation issues on any system. You plug it in and are good to go. It doesn't have the weight of the Warthog but the suction cups keep it absolutely solid. Axis controls are excellent - precise, predictable. Best of all, it works.

 

I may yet get Warthog working as TM is still reviewing my documentation. To their credit they are extremely responsive and concerned. It's also possible both throttle and stick units are defective.

[dburne]

My experience may be the exception. I have had TM Warthog for about a week and cannot get it to work under Win 8 OR Win XP. There are persistent problems with the drivers that keep the joystick unit from being recognized at all and the throttle only partially.

 

I may yet get Warthog working as TM is still reviewing my documentation. To their credit they are extremely responsive and concerned. It's also possible both throttle and stick units are defective.

 

Based on the info I saw you post in another thread, I would say TM owes you a new replacement.

[dok_rp]

I'm selling my Warthog after 2 months of use. I simply abhorred the TARGET software you need to use if you want anything other super simplistic in-game key assignments.

 

If you want to shell out 400 dollars on a joystick and have the knowledge and/or time to learn how to script program with TARGET, then the Warthog is your clear choice.

 

I only have about 6 hours per week to fly and certainly not have the time nor the patience to learn scripting in order to achieve the same level of macro complexity I used to be able to achieve with the Saitek software.

 

I had an X52 PRO for 3 years and sold it in impeccable condition.

 

I'll wait for the X55 and will most certainly buy one.

 

For what you pay, you can't go wrong with the X52. However, if you want very good build quality (at a price) and is ready to delve into TARGET, then the Warthog is your girl.

 

That's my 2 cents. :)

[JHzlwd]

I have both the most recent Saitek X52 "Pro" and the much acclaimed "Warthog".

 

This is my second Saitek, having worn out the original after 3 years very hard use. I love the light feel and almost total absence of "sticktion". It is perfect for "Black Shark". I am not so sure about the Warthog although efforts continue. It arrived with faulty assembly (corrected after remote assistance from TM which was very good). The heavy, "manly" feel of the stick might please some but I don't care for it. There is also "sticktion" - that stick-slide effect I dislike. There is no twist-stick axis available for rudder. I have a couple of high-end pedals systems but find the hand much more sensitive than the foot when it comes to controlling a precision maneuver. Saitek gives me this choice, TM does not.

 

After many experiments I keep going back to Saitek X52 Pro. I much prefer it even before considering the fact it costs much less than one half the "hog".

 

Warthog seems to me a good choice for the fixed-wing crowd (drop 2 bombs and run) where rudder/rotation effects are generally unimportant. Helicopter pilots require access to a lot of fine control or our machines will kill us for sure ;-) Saitek is better in that environment. FWIW.

[Ramstein]

well, after 14 years with Saitek I am ready to go elsewhere

 

MY latest Saitek is an X52 Pro, and when new great! but after a few years, the rudder pedals plastic breaks apart. The buttons start sticking... and am looking at the Warthog... or CH... Simped pedals also interest me. in IL-2 it seems ok,, and even CLOD,.. but nothing but grief and problems with bogus inputs in DCS for a while now. I am afraid of another major investment only lasting a short while once again. I am not a strong person, not do I abuse the equipment. The plastic just sucks. IMHO :joystick:

[JHzlwd]

With some rather good detective work by TM got my Warthog working. The problem was an improperly mounted DIN socket. I did the repair myself, following their instructions, with a good deal of dis-assembly.

 

After many hours of practice I have gone back to Saitek X53-Pro. Here are the reasons (near in mind I fly Ka50).

 

1 - The Warthog joystick is way too stiff for delicate maneuvering more typical in a helicopter. I actually get a sore arm after awhile. The stick is, however, very smooth in operation.

 

2- The stick handle is solid metal and sucks heat out of your hand. I have osteo-arthritis and it becomes painful so need to wear a thin glove.

 

3 - There is no twist axis so you have to use pedals. I have two different sets of pedals and hate them both. The foot is simply no way as precise as the hand for fine rudder adjustments. When I fly A10 the pedals are fine but in a helicopter I find many missions impossible owing to the lack of precision in pedals (and I do know how to customize the profiles).

 

From experience I know an X53 Pro will last a good 3 years with frequent use and longer if you replace the lubricant once in awhile. For the cost of one Warthog you can buy three X52 Pro's.

 

A good combo is to use the TM left side (throttle unit) together with the Saitek Joystick. That way you get the precise X/Y/RZ action of the Saitek (along with a comfortable grip) and all those programmable switches on the TM. Either of the big axis controls on the TM makes an excellent collective - as good as the Saitek.

 

In Ka50 with the Saitek I fly like a dragonfly. Using the TM units and pedals I am the blundering bumble-bee good in a straight line or a wide turn but severely compromised otherwise.

 

FWIW.

[cichlidfan]

MY latest Saitek is an X52 Pro, and when new great! but after a few years, the rudder pedals plastic breaks apart. The buttons start sticking...

 

The X-52Pro does not have rudder pedals. ;)

[hansangb]

With some rather good detective work by TM got my Warthog working. The problem was an improperly mounted DIN socket. I did the repair myself, following their instructions, with a good deal of dis-assembly.

 

After many hours of practice I have gone back to Saitek X53-Pro. Here are the reasons (near in mind I fly Ka50).

 

1 - The Warthog joystick is way too stiff for delicate maneuvering more typical in a helicopter. I actually get a sore arm after awhile. The stick is, however, very smooth in operation.

 

2- The stick handle is solid metal and sucks heat out of your hand. I have osteo-arthritis and it becomes painful so need to wear a thin glove.

 

3 - There is no twist axis so you have to use pedals. I have two different sets of pedals and hate them both. The foot is simply no way as precise as the hand for fine rudder adjustments. When I fly A10 the pedals are fine but in a helicopter I find many missions impossible owing to the lack of precision in pedals (and I do know how to customize the profiles).

 

From experience I know an X53 Pro will last a good 3 years with frequent use and longer if you replace the lubricant once in awhile. For the cost of one Warthog you can buy three X52 Pro's.

 

A good combo is to use the TM left side (throttle unit) together with the Saitek Joystick. That way you get the precise X/Y/RZ action of the Saitek (along with a comfortable grip) and all those programmable switches on the TM. Either of the big axis controls on the TM makes an excellent collective - as good as the Saitek.

 

In Ka50 with the Saitek I fly like a dragonfly. Using the TM units and pedals I am the blundering bumble-bee good in a straight line or a wide turn but severely compromised otherwise.

 

FWIW.

 

Can't help you with the rudder issue (since you hate it), but there is a mod available for the stiffness part. A simple removal of the main spring makes it *very* easy to fly choppers. Just google for "warthog spring mod"

[OverDhill]

I had the X52 Pro for 3 weeks.... in that time it had a terrible dead zone issue (widely known problem with the HAL effects and magnet distance). There is a fix for it but it voids the warranty and I am glad I didn't do it as the stick died altogether. I bought the Warthog and has to say the quality is 100% better. Yes it would be nice it you could adjust the stick tension but it has no dead zone issues at all. When I was flying with the X52 Pro I was like a drunk behind the wheel. Even my Evo was way better than the X52 Pro for precision maneuvers.