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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Saitek X-55 Rhino
- Thread starter Landman
- Start date
Hi - I've had mine for about 3 weeks, it replaced my 10 year old X-52. Seems pretty solid, the joystick spring system is similar to the X-52 but seems to have a plastic centre shaft rather than the X-52's metal one.
Don't expect to have any problems for a while though.
I feel that some of the switches on the throttle base (the ones forward on the right side) could have been placed on the joystick base which has no switches at all. The X-52 does have switches there so I still instinctively reach for them. In FS9/X I use them for less common functions like tailhook etc.
The joystick itself has more buttons available and three hat switches but the upper one is harder to reach over the top of the lower one (the grey one)
There are plenty of switches though - I'm not even using some for FS9 / FSX.
I noticed that the rotating wheel on the left of the throttle handles is not a rotary switch but acts much like a toggle switch - push it forward it switches and backwards it switches the other way - I use it for prop pitch - not sure what to do with the 4 rotary switches yet.
Also, I use the softest spring (personal preferrence) as the others seemed too stiff. Both units seem to slide around my desk more than the X-52 but that's easily fixable.
OK, these were just a few quick observations - there is a lot of personal preferrence with joysticks - if I had had a chance to actually try the X-55 before buying I would still have bought it.
Alan
Don't expect to have any problems for a while though.
I feel that some of the switches on the throttle base (the ones forward on the right side) could have been placed on the joystick base which has no switches at all. The X-52 does have switches there so I still instinctively reach for them. In FS9/X I use them for less common functions like tailhook etc.
The joystick itself has more buttons available and three hat switches but the upper one is harder to reach over the top of the lower one (the grey one)
There are plenty of switches though - I'm not even using some for FS9 / FSX.
I noticed that the rotating wheel on the left of the throttle handles is not a rotary switch but acts much like a toggle switch - push it forward it switches and backwards it switches the other way - I use it for prop pitch - not sure what to do with the 4 rotary switches yet.
Also, I use the softest spring (personal preferrence) as the others seemed too stiff. Both units seem to slide around my desk more than the X-52 but that's easily fixable.
OK, these were just a few quick observations - there is a lot of personal preferrence with joysticks - if I had had a chance to actually try the X-55 before buying I would still have bought it.
Alan
StormILM
Charter Member
Having owned an aging and now worn down X52 for 8 years, I have enjoyed it's excellent serviceability and reliability(and it is still holding up). I pre-ordered an X-55 but apparently got bumped down the list on my order fill which is fine as some per-order customers were accidentally sent prototype like display units which were not intended for sale and I generally like to skip initial production batches for new products. But I have gotten a couple of hours behind a loaned X-55 and know I am going to enjoy using it. I was also loaned an HOTAS Warthog to test for comparison and to be honest, I like both units and each seems to have tradeoffs over the other but I'm not about to claim one to be out and out superior to the other. Each unit may suit different user tastes. As far as my wait, I understand that there will be batches of new X-55's shipping between now and the end of May. Hopefully I will see mine by then.
I am anxiously awaiting its release in the U. S. I like the additional buttons and rotary controls on the throttle. It is so much easier than having to hit ctrl+alt+shift+{key} on the keyboard. I use all of controls on my X-52 and I have a Razer Nostromo gaming keypad next to the throttle with every key programmed.