My aging HOTAS might be dying :(

[smartroad]

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I have a Saitek X45 HOTAS (brought before HOTAS was a thing ). I don't think it has been used as much as it has for ED but it is over 10 years old and now the throttle isn't always going down to zero (and sometimes won't reach full thrust so boost runs off v.quickly). There is also a little drift issue with some of the axis meaning I have to have a large deadzone sometimes to.

Looking at the options there seem to be few of them I have found the Saitek X52, X52 Pro and X55 Rhino, along with the Thrustmaster 'Stupid Expensive' one.

The Thrustmaster is just too much, so that leaves the Saitek's. I have no idea what the difference between the X52 and Pro variant are, aside from the latter being £50 more expensive. I like the look of the X55 as all the switches etc are on the throttle so you never need remove hand from the joystick. My only question with the X55 is are the toggle switches latching or momentary? Latching, for ED, is pointless and momentary would be better as they could run two systems (down for landing gear, up for cargo scoop etc).

Are there any other options out there that I have missed?

[Cmdr Space Madness]

My only question with the X55 is are the toggle switches latching or momentary?

They aren't really toggles. The up and down switch presses behave like key presses (so two key bindings per switch).

[smartroad]

They aren't really toggles. The up and down switch presses behave like key presses (so two key bindings per switch).

Awesome that is what I needed to know! There is a 3 position switch on my X45 which I never use as it just doesn't work with games that rely on keyboard presses.

[Cmdr Space Madness]

My housemate has an X-55, and it's a very nice piece of kit. I have an X-52, and the difference between the two isn't small.

[smartroad]

My housemate has an X-55, and it's a very nice piece of kit. I have an X-52, and the difference between the two isn't small.

Which would you suggest?

[HAMM3R]

I'd say go for X-55. Mainly because I have one and I'm loving it

When I got Elite a colleague of mine borrowed his X-52 for me. Can't really say anything bad about it but I like having all the buttons and switches that comes with the X-55. Feels good to flick a switch and cargo scoop comes down or ship lights go on etc.

[Jeffers2112]

I got an X-52 after my old joystick died.
After a bit of tweaking of configs it pretty much does all that I need.

[Cmdr Space Madness]

My housemate has an X-55, and it's a very nice piece of kit. I have an X-52, and the difference between the two isn't small.

Which would you suggest?

Having used both, I'd definitely recommend the x-55 if you're willing to spend the extra cash. The build quality is much better, and the number of buttons and hats mean it's easy to map everything to the stick. There's nothing wrong with the x-52, but it does feel cheap and plasticy in comparison.

[Phreedom]

If you want to stay with what you are accustomed to, I have a x45 that has been barely used I would sell for cheap. It's been sitting in the closet for years but I did take it out when I first got Elite and it worked flawlessly.

[CMDR Abil Midena]

I use the CH Pro Throttle and CH Fighterstick for ED and DCS. Good stuff, so at least take a look.