Saitek X56

[thebs]

If it fails, I am getting the x52 Pro. No sense buying another x52, since they're old. I'd still prefer another HOTAS in the x52/x52 Pro line.

Yeah, they are close enough. I would go the X52 Pro as well. In my case, I got the X55 for just a little less than the X52 Pro, and am very happy. To each his own.

Not everyone is into that warthog look. I like how the 52's are semi-futuristic looking.

Functionality is what matters to me most to me, hence why I prefer the X55 and, now, X56, functionality-wise.

Probably the only thing I'd like about the X52 [Pro] over the X5[56] is the stick. The stick of the latter is fine, until I have to reach up to the upper hat. It's almost too big for my short, fat fingers, and a common complaint. I heard it's modeled so close, including some real-life pilots complaining about the size because they are usually under 6 feet (1.83m) themselves. It's really built for those with longer, thinner fingers wearing gloves, so for probably half of the men out there, without gloves, it probably is fine.

But the throttle is definitely what I love most about the X55. It fits like a (pun)glove(pun), perfect for my hands and fingers, everything within reach of virtually every finger, even thumb. Kinda an odd-ball compared to the stick being almost oversized in my opinion, and I'm not alone on that.

Using my old PS3 USB Hub as it is, to avoid that crazy mouse/freezing issue with Saitek and Windows. My PSEye works fine with my standard 3.0 ports though.

Yes, I've used the PS3 Eye with USB 3.0 as well. But after buying a powered, 6-port USB 2.0 hub, I decided to put keyboard, mouse, X55 (x2 inputs) and DelanClip inot the powered hub (1 port still free on hub), which consumes one (1) EHCI (2.0) port, I have another, dedicated EHCI (2.0) port for the PS3 Eye. The aformentioned five (5) components are all low-throughput character devices (byte-by-byte), while the PS3 Eye is a 480@30Hz block (memory mapped) and should probably be dedicated.

Everything else is XHCI (3.0), for USB 3.0 devices.

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Just years of driver development, including being involved with some of the first block drivers for USB (which were never supposed to exist, FireWire was supposed to be use for block, long story), has taught me how finicky and poor USB is as a controller since the original OHCI (1.x). So I don't chance it.

I.e., I learned really quick how "hands off" the controller, even with things like voltage regulation, as it can completely bring down an entire PC system with something as simple as a poorly grounded or otherwise defective device. Things that were purposely designed to never happen with other busses (e.g., the IEEE 1394 standardization of FireWire, which supported up to 45W with a variable voltage up to 30V).

We're still even seeing with the new (and still POS) USB-C blowing some systems just because of a poorly designed cable. But that's how Intel operates, cheap'n dirty with USB, including USB-C, unlike Apple who ensured Thunderbolt to avoid such.

Idea for when the super-heavy ships come out. dual throttle HOTAS controllers could do thrust turns using one or the other thrust axis. The Imperial Cutter is already large enough that when hauling, you need to be able to turn and control speed smartly. Would be nice to see that expanded for the Panther and such.

Agreed. Asymmetric thrust can be quite the advantage, and has been used to great effect in real life.

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E.g., in Aerospace applications ...

The Lockheed Martin X-33/VentureStar used two (2) aerospike engines, where the two (2) outputs (top and bottom) of each engine could vary thrust. This not only provided lateral differences, but could be used for roll too, avoiding the need to gimbal the engines (like the SRBs and SSMEs do).

And in automotive applications ...

Check out the DeltaWing, a 4-cylinder car that does 200mph+ and turns corners on a dime, right there with the Audi R18 prototypes, by using asymmetric power and a more efficient torque-vectoring than traditional (let alone a legacy differential), all at the rear wheels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dma_WRVP7s

[KLED]

We just had a long weekend and I couldn't get these things off my mind the whole bloody time, I'll probably get a X55 on the way home from work unless anyone gives me a very strong reason not do in the next 4 hours (besides a new model coming soon and my savings account not being happy about it). It's only a half day today so I'll have plenty of time to play around.

[DruiD]

KLED - more than happy to share my X55 layout \ bindings file (I also use Voice attack, Astra2.x)


I am definitely happy with the 55 and whilst the 56 is good in some aspects, it will be awhile b4 it hits our shores in reasonable quantities.

[KLED]

Cool, thanks. I was going to ask for some control setups to look at but I didn't want anyone to have to write out dozens of controls. I'm heading off from work in half an hour so I'll be able to mess around with it soon.

[KLED]

I've always been good at flying in games (I credit that to the countless hours spent perfecting Spyro 2's speedways as a 10-year old), but this is something else.

I loaded up the game, stored my Clipper and bought a Cobra to try out the HOTAS, loaded it up with hull reinforcements and shields, then headed out and dropped from supercruise in empty space. I flew around for a bit to get a feel for the controls then headed to the nearest nav beacon to try a bit of fighting. I managed to take down a Viper in a wing of 2, but his teammate got away before I could take him down too. I disabled the docking computer on the way back to the station and wiggled my way in more slowly than I've ever moved before without any problems.

It's pretty cool, but I think I'll need to stick an overview of my controls on my second monitor for a while. If anyone (looking at you, CMDR JohnLuke) wants to babysit me in a RES sometime in the next couple of days that'd be great.

[DruiD]

Feel free to PM me for any specific queries (or just post here if you think would benefit all), I'm also already on your in-game friends list I believe so hopefully can catch you in the big black as well...

[Cmdr Chemtrail]

Ive been looking at a new joystick myself. My problem is i'm left handed and far too old to swap and use the joystick in my right hand.
It looks like all throttle controllers are designed to be used in the left hand grrr.
So it looks like I'm going to have to go for a Thrustmaster 16000M Flightstick instead untill i find something else

[DruiD]

Feel for you KLED. Brand new HOTAS to play with and the servers go down .. ouch...

[KLED]

It was awful watching that countdown from the 50 minute warning while I was tinkering with the controls. When it got down to 10 minutes I had to quickly go and do a trade run so that I could see how the Clipper felt (much better than the Cobra, turns out).

[Darr Valen]

Said news everybody. I was packing up my gaming room, since it's "time to buy a new house" time..

My x52.. well.. the long and the short of it is, cats are f***ing stupid animals that love to trip innocent gamers when walking, causing innocent gamers to fall ONTO a box, and painfully crush their x52..

F*** Cats. Well, except mine, he's cool, since he was raised by dogs.

So, I've been looking at the x56, and it's grown on me over the past few days, especially not that I'm going to buy a new HOTAS.

Does anyone know if the switches are pressure state, or toggle dependent? That is, on the x52/x52 Pro, you have 3 flappers, that can be pressure switched one way or the other, but go back to a neutral position. I like that. DO the x56 equivalent ones on the throttle chamber toggle on/off and lock, or just press on/off?