Saitek X56

[TorTorden]

This game needs dedicated controllers using robust high end parts, and no major manufacturer is gonna do that for the limited market that ED is......

CH Products Pro Throttle and Fighterstick replaced my Hotas X - there's no twist on the stick but they do make compatible pedals. CH Products make hand controls for industrial applications.

Most people rate the kit they have because it's what they're used to; I rate this very highly and bought it after reading all the reviews making special reference to the build quality. No issues with USB3 and you only need to use the controller software if you really want to - it's just plug and play and all configurable from within ED.

I was debating going with the CH kit, since the X56 is delayed and the intial reviews are of buggy build quality. I alreayd have pedals, so that's a non issue. My one real qualm with the CH throttle is the apparent lack of a center area, which makes FAO flight a bit harder since you don't have a visible center. That may be a non-issue though.

I looked at both the warthog and the x56, and I dunno, just not impressed enough to buy either. QC issues on the x56, and price stupidity on the warthog.

I gave serious consideration to just buying an x52 pro and being done with it all.

I set my CH throttle to forward only.
And use the index finger button to switch it to reverse function.
Means I can get full reverse really quick without having to even adjust my throttle position.
All the way back is of course no thrust. The overall travel really isn't that big so I feel I can't get fine enough control when +/- method.

I use the other two top buttons as shift buttons for the hat switches (I have a finger free for all three), giving me three functions for each hat (that works more like four buttons) with six 4-way hat switches (not counting two 8 way pov's) so 72 directly mapable buttons.

I only use voice attack when I'm lazy..

[Loriath]

I only use voice attack when I'm lazy..

Call me lazy then (and as you know) Voice attack is my copilot and allows me to do a lot more, a lot faster than if I did it with just buttons. Besides, I enjoy Verity's voice. Except when the reacts when I take a breath or any kind of pause before a command in a regular sentence.

Just had to train my wife not to repeat my commands when I am playing. When I first got it, she heard me talking to the game, and jokingly repeated my command. Voice Attack dutifully did what she said, and I was boosted into the side of the station causing a loss of credits and a long conversation about my commands.

[diss3cted]

Quite off-topic:

► Show Spoiler

Just had to train my wife not to repeat my commands when I am playing. When I first got it, she heard me talking to the game, and jokingly repeated my command. Voice Attack dutifully did what she said, and I was boosted into the side of the station causing a loss of credits and a long conversation about my commands.

Isn't partner-trolling the most honest form of showing affection?

Here is another example from my significant other (while not as spectacular as boosting into a station)

SO: "Why does the game always charge you for a car ride with friends?"
me: "Uh... what?"
SO: "Friendship-Drive-Charging" (trollface)

...

I love her, what can I say

Back on topic:
I have been playing with gamepad only and I seriously consider a HOTAS, I am just not sure how dedicated I am to the game to warrant a purchase of anything higher than a T.Flight X - then again if I want to fly with HOTAS I might as well go for something with better quality. I mean, I could always sell a high quality HOTAS when I see no need for it anymore, right? Hm... tricky decisions.

[Darr Valen]

Quite off-topic:

► Show Spoiler

Just had to train my wife not to repeat my commands when I am playing. When I first got it, she heard me talking to the game, and jokingly repeated my command. Voice Attack dutifully did what she said, and I was boosted into the side of the station causing a loss of credits and a long conversation about my commands.

Isn't partner-trolling the most honest form of showing affection?

Here is another example from my significant other (while not as spectacular as boosting into a station)

SO: "Why does the game always charge you for a car ride with friends?"
me: "Uh... what?"
SO: "Friendship-Drive-Charging" (trollface)

...

I love her, what can I say

Back on topic:
I have been playing with gamepad only and I seriously consider a HOTAS, I am just not sure how dedicated I am to the game to warrant a purchase of anything higher than a T.Flight X - then again if I want to fly with HOTAS I might as well go for something with better quality. I mean, I could always sell a high quality HOTAS when I see no need for it anymore, right? Hm... tricky decisions.

I played with my old X52 for over 1,000 hours, and still would be if not for frakkin' cats breaking my stuff.

You can get an x52 for $100ish to $129ish and $149 for the x52 Pro. Those are about the all around best price-to-performance HOTAS out there. Not cheap, but not overly expensive. If you want a step up from the T-Flight, I'd recommend the x52 series.

[Walter]

I set my CH throttle to forward only.
And use the index finger button to switch it to reverse function.
Means I can get full reverse really quick without having to even adjust my throttle position.
All the way back is of course no thrust. The overall travel really isn't that big so I feel I can't get fine enough control when +/- method.

I use the other two top buttons as shift buttons for the hat switches (I have a finger free for all three), giving me three functions for each hat (that works more like four buttons) with six 4-way hat switches (not counting two 8 way pov's) so 72 directly mapable buttons.

I only use voice attack when I'm lazy..

I do pretty much the same. After the Hotas X I did miss the half-way detent, but on the Pro Throttle I have the castle switch set as Up: 25%, Right: 50% and Down: 75% - the shift reverses these.

Stopped using VA some time ago - there are more than enough switches on the throttle and stick. It's just remembering what they all do . . .

[thebs]

Sounds like it depends on which samples you get.

However, it sounds like reaction times are better. It's still designed for EHCI (USB 2.0), so I'm curious how it will do on XHCI (USB 3.0) ports? That was always an issue with the X55, so much so I purposely use only EHCI ports for mine. But they are very limited in most PCs nowdays, especially notebooks.

Couple of Amazon reviews, both issues with precision issues, as well as someone complaining about the placement of the enlarged analog thumbstick on the throttle.
- https://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Flight-Co ... tBy=recent

[thebs]

I like my X-55, but the quality is awful. It's acquired an annoying random drift to the left on the yaw and I've had to have the stick apart a couple of time to stop it graunching, looking at the videos the quality doesn't seem improved, so I'll be sticking with the X-55 until it dies and then probably go with a Warthog and learn to use pedals.

While I don't think you should have to do this, adding a "Dead Zone" in E:D helps a lot. Calibrating in Windows is also helpful, although if you move USB ports, you'll need to recalibrate.

In any case, I do not load the software. I only load the drivers, plus the registry hacks (part of a 3rd party mapping -- just the .reg file, nothing else) to enable additional axes.

[thebs]

Just broke off my X55 Throttle's Thumb Stick.
IMG_20160724_194345 by Bryan Smith, on Flickr

Opened a ticket with Saitek as the unit is only 10 months old.
Popped for a X56 with my AmEx points and will get Tuesday.

[Schmobius]

At least you broke the most useless control on it.

[thebs]

At least you broke the most useless control on it.

The exact opposite, the one I use the most.

At least Mad Catz support has a quick turnaround, and already contacted me. Just had to send them my Amazon invoice. We'll see what they decide. If there is some way to replace just the ball-stick, I will. Otherwise I'll just ship it back to them.

Also used my AmEx Platinum to purchase, both the old (charge) and new (points), so will get an extra year warranty if Mad Catz plays games. Glad I used my points to purchase the new X-56, in case it comes to that, and they can issue a partial credit.