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Update on my Saitek X-55 (QC)

StormILM

StormILM

Charter Member
Well, I have had my X-55 for over 2 years now with zero issues other than my recent minor issue with intermittently losing control of the POV Hat switch on the stick portion of my unit. I first thought I had cured that issue by tightening a protruding screw within the electrical contactor pin plug/mating area between the stick and stick base/shaft but apparently the issue is a short in the stick's rotating Z Axis switch wiring or the switch itself. Apparently twisting the stick for Yaw/Rudder Control aggravates to problem when twisting right but is cured by counter-twisting to the left. I temporarily alleviated the issue by deleting the stick's Z axis in both FSX and DCS and re-assigning the rudder control to one of my throttle quadrant's Z axis rotating switches. As things stand, my use of the X-55 is unimpeded for my normal usage but I decided to begin looking for other stick options as well as contacting Mad Catz customer service about getting my stick repaired. I heard back from them pretty quickly and much to my surprise, they are going to replace my entire X-55 with a new one as a one time only good will gesture. While I wait for that to be processed, I am looking at other stick options. I am fairly well spoiled to the convenience of a HOTAS controller but I still feel the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog is overpriced but I also believe it is in general a much better piece of hardware than the X-55. I am leaving that option open but I am also looking at the new VKB Gladiator Pro Stick as an alternate option. Granted, the latter is not a HOTAS system but I hear it is an exceptionally good and robust design I can integrate it with any good throttle quadrant at some point. Whatever I end up going with, I am going ahead and planning on setting aside the money needed for buying up to a Warthog and I may go ahead and buy the VKB Gladiator Pro just to keep on hand and use along side a new Warthog. I figure the replacement X-55 will tie me over until I'm ready to fund/buy whatever replacement I decide on.


As far as the X-55, I still like the feel and functionality of it but I do agree with hardware experts that Mad Catz's handling and quality control of the Saitek brand is disappointing to say the least. My old X-45 and X-52 units were well made and long lasting but the X-55's wiring and parts are cheap and prone to high wear rates and thus various function failures. Some folks might get long trouble free use out of their X-55 and some may not but the risk with the quality control with the X-55 is still the same. BTW, the new X-56 HOTAS supposedly has higher quality parts and refinement but one reviewer I saw on video stated that internally, little has changed, especially with the wiring harnesses. The recommendation I got was to not buy the X-56. At some point down the road when I have a new controller, I may gut my X-55 and rewire & custom rebuild it using high end parts which are available. I have seen some good examples but I will explore that in due time.
 
Glad to hear they are replacing them, and I hope it solves some issues. I started with the X36, and used it for Flight sim a little, and a TON of BF42 and Desert Combat time. Wore out a hat switch or two actually. I do understand that I was using them in a manner not expected though, so, I think my hat switch burnout was pretty good.

My X52 was working fine, and I actually sold it to a friend that is a part owner with me in a Cherokee. No problems thus far.

My X55 is going strong, and I hope I don't have any issues. My issues are my own fault because I will activate an FSX profile and then fly Xplane (new to X plane) and I will freak out when I try to drop flaps and the mixture pulls to stop the engine lol. I'll pause and fix it, but, it freaks me out either way.

Really though, if you decide to go for another HOTAS, maybe you should consider turning your Saitek into a dedicated Helicopter stick. Extend the joystick/cyclic and wiring and even the throttle/collective, and use it just for helo's. I saw a lot of people doing that when I swapped from the X36 to the X45. I should have done it, but, I didn't know enough at the time to do the work.

It is sad to hear about MadCatz issues since they took over though.
 
Actually, sounds like Mad Catz support is great here -- awesome they're replacing your stick. When my X-52 Pro stick stopped responding out of warranty, I contacted Saitek about getting it repaired (and I was willing to pay for it) and they had no out-of-warranty repair option. So the only option was to buy a new stick.

Which I did. A Logitech.

So sounds like they went above and beyond for you!
 
X65F .... no 'moving' parts. Stick responds to pressure, not movement.

Weird to begin with....eventually natural...;)
 
I've had problems with my X-55 that I bought last October. Initially I thought the stick was great but recently I've been getting what can only be described as strange behaviour. I've now brought my Thrustmaster Warthog out of retirement and realise what a great piece of kit the Warthog is. The X-55 is now laying in a corner while I decide what to do with it, I'm tempted to send it back to Amazon and ask for my money back.


Ian
 
IanHenry said:
I've had problems with my X-55 that I bought last October. Initially I thought the stick was great but recently I've been getting what can only be described as strange behaviour. I've now brought my Thrustmaster Warthog out of retirement and realise what a great piece of kit the Warthog is. The X-55 is now laying in a corner while I decide what to do with it, I'm tempted to send it back to Amazon and ask for my money back.


Ian
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That reflects my experience with the G940 by Logitech. Bit of a concern now though as my X-52 has perished and I was considering the X-55 to replace it even though it has been discontinued in favour of the spacey j/s the x-56. The Warthog is o/s of my budget sadly.
 
Naismith said:
That reflects my experience with the G940 by Logitech. Bit of a concern now though as my X-52 has perished and I was considering the X-55 to replace it even though it has been discontinued in favour of the spacey j/s the x-56. The Warthog is o/s of my budget sadly.
Click to expand...

That brings up another issue for me on the RMA with Mad Catz (regarding the X-55 being discontinued). I have requested clarification on the replacement if they will be sending me an unused/boxed X-55 or a brand new X-56 Pro in it's place. While I wait for that answer, I am checking on alternate backup sticks to tie me over. I used to use CH sticks a long time ago and their reputation still stands as being good today. The other alternate which I mentioned before was the new VKB Gladiator & Gladiator Pro. These sticks are apparently made in Russia and imported by a startup US company named Stratojet. From what I've read, they have very sturdy components as good or better than the Warthog (stick only) but at a lower cost. Both the Gladiator & Gladiator Pro feature a replica WW2 German KG12 Grip, all metal base and numerous other features. The only major difference between the the two is that the pro model as a Aluminum Gimbal with Ball Bearings with Changeable Springs and Cams. The Gladiator costs $99.99 and the Gladiator Pro is $249.99. I have read that the basic Gladiator has a very good feel to it which some noted was a good or even superior in some ways to the Warthog. Other reports say that the Pro model feels about the same. As far as VKB quality is concerned, I know they have made other sticks in the past and and supplied them under different names but from what I have read, complaints were few. I have also read that their T-Rudder Mk.IV pedals are rated very highly by customers and testers.
Here is a photo of the Gladiator Stick:
attachment.php
 
Quick update, I just ordered the basic VKB Gladiator from Amazon. The list was $99.99 but with my cash-back bonus, the total was $67 and some change. At current, the shipping estimate runs from 1 to 4 weeks. I am looking forward to testing this new stick and hopefully it will be a good one for the price. BTW, the stick has 17 programmable buttons with 29 total programmable functions. I may be giving up a few extra functions from having a HOTAS but I can make due since the new stick will be my backup/alternate. You never know, the Gladiator may end up being totally superior to my X-55 stick.

Also, if anyone wants to check out the VKB line, here's the link: http://www.gostratojet.com/Gladiator/index.html
 
Well I for one will be looking forward to your review of this stick which I hope you update us with here or YT even. It is a new one on me but looks promising. I applaud your willingness to be the guinea-pig on this one. :biggrin-new:
 
Naismith said:
Well I for one will be looking forward to your review of this stick which I hope you update us with here or YT even. It is a new one on me but looks promising. I applaud your willingness to be the guinea-pig on this one. :biggrin-new:
Click to expand...

You beat me to it! LOL! Yes, I will do a proper "guinea-pig review" once I receive mine and have a chance to get it running, programmed and tested. For the price, hopefully it will be a winner and an indication of what's in store for the Pro model of the Gladiator. Amazon initially advised me that my wait for the new stick would be up to 4 weeks but they emailed me earlier and said I will have it by the 14th (hopefully!).

As a side note, I was also just advised by Mad Catz that they are indeed fully replacing my entire X-55 with a brand new X-56. That will give me another piece of hardware to review as well. I've already heard a few negative reviews on the X-56 but until I test it and can give an impartial verdict, I won't assume nor condemn the new version based on the opinions of others. Maybe it will turn out better than expected.
 
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