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Saitek X52 Flight Control System | List Price: $109.99
Discount Price: $78.92
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Platform: Windows XP
Brand: Saitek
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 2 years warranty
Features: - Program your controller for each game using the powerful Smart Technology software. 3 mode settings and cool-touch metal pinkie switch provide enhanced programming options.
- Precision centering mechanism; no contact technology on X and Y axes and constant spring force improve control and increase durability.
- 5 position handle adjustment system to suit all hand sizes with soft-touch, contoured grip for maximum gaming comfort.
- Progressive throttle with resistance adjustment and detents for afterburner and idle.
- Illuminated buttons and enhanced gameplay through intuitive LCD Multi-Function Display.
Amazing product [Posted on 2008-05-25]
This flight setup is amazing, especially considering the price. It has an incredible amout of controls for customization for any flight sim or fighter game. X-Plane can jump on it quite well, I spent well over an hour just fine tuning which button I wanted for controls, and the final result was a much smoother more realistic sim. I highly recommend this for any flight enthusiast or avid fighter gamer.
A lot of bang for the buck [Posted on 2008-05-31]
I purchased the X52 stick and throttle for use with Falcon 4.0 Allied Force (F4AF), an F-16 simulator, and they're working out pretty well. I'm impressed with the sheer number of inputs, as well as their variety, including the three 8-way hats, the slider (which I've mapped to my airbrakes), the two rotary knobs (which I'll map to my sensor elevation and sensor strength once I get that far; I'm still learning to fly at the moment), and the tri-mode switch + shift (which lets you make any button/switch do six different things).
The X52 uses non-contact magnetic hall-effect sensors for the stick's axes, as opposed to rheostats or other contact-based technologies. This means that the stick should maintain its smoothness and precision over its lifetime, as there are no brushes to wear out.
A single spring is responsible for centering the stick in both dimensions. The design seems like it will more reliably return to center over time, as opposed to sticks with two pairs of opposing horizontally-oriented springs that center each axis.
The software included for programming the inputs is really intuitive, and I was able to get the behavior I wanted in a few minutes, without having to read a manual or a help page.
The bases of both the stick and throttle each have two holes going all the way through from top to bottom, which'll make bolting them down easy.
I only have two complaints: 1) the Cyborg styling looks stupid, and 2) the stick exhibits constant resistance throughout its range of motion (as opposed to increasing resistance the farther it is moved from center; "progressive" resistance). I could've spent another $100 and bought the X52 Pro to avoid these issues, but couldn't justify it. Besides, it doesn't cost Saitek $100 to change the styling and add an additional spring.
I'm using the X52 alongside CH Products' Pro Pedals USB, and they do not conflict with eachother, at least not when playing F4AF.
Very nearly perfect [Posted on 2008-06-03]
Saitek has always made good hardware, and the X52 was no exception. I briefly owned its predecessor, the X36, years ago, but returned it when I couldn't get the drivers to work (this was under Win98, mind you), but the feel of that hefty, chunky design stuck with me. When I found out about the X52 I just had to give it another go (having already bought and been quite satisfied with a Cyborg Evo), and I was not disappointed.
Since the grip on the main stick is adjustable, even my wimpy hand fits comfortably despite the sheer size of the design. Control is smooth, with perfectly tuned resistance that does not hang when centered. The throttle is adjustable; on the lowest setting it glides smoothly while on the highest it takes a fair bit of push to move. The primary and pinkie triggers are both solid metal and feel like they could take some serious abuse; the toggles on the base also feel solid. The flip cover over the primary fire button just feels awesome and is a huge improvement over the flip-down button of earlier models in this line.
The programming software included with the package is extremely useful; it allows you to create separate profiles for every game you play, changing button functions and even allowing you to switch which axis is which ( very handy, since not every game recognizes them the same way; just going with default settings I found that some games would actually recognize the slider and knob controls as the rudder or roll controls and not let me change them). Since I got the X52, I haven't had to mess around rebinding key commands to joystick buttons at all, which used to be a huge annoyance when reinstalling- now all I have to do is copy over my profiles and I'm set to go.
I only have a few complaints about this stick:
-The C button, located on the left side of the stick, is easy to press by accident due to its position and does not feel as durable as the rest of the controls.
-The drivers provided on the CD are THE ONLY ones that work for me; every time I've downloaded new drivers from the Saitek website they have screwed up everything and made necessary a complete wipe and reinstallation of the SST software.
-Some older games won't recognize the stick. To be honest, I've only had this problem with a handful of games, and they're all *really* old (Win95/98 old), but the problem does exist and the SST software can't compensate for it.
Nonetheless, the few issues I have had do not detract from the quality of the product or my satisfaction; this is the best of its breed and it will take something truly impressive to surpass it. Because the price is so much lower now than it was when I bought mine, I'd recommend this version of the X52 over the newer X52 Pro model- the improvements to the new design are marginal and not really worth the extra $40-$50 unless you absolutely have to be on the cutting edge.
software was buggy [Posted on 2008-06-29]
Had to remove software magic mouse installation recurring problem at
windows startup (found new hardware)every time. Repeated installations failed.
Oh Yea! [Posted on 2008-06-30]
I just got this for both FSX and Lock On. After creating a profile for Lock On, and then trying it out, all I can say is I waited way too long to get this stick. The Throttle along with all the programable buttons make this the best stick I have ever owned. The throttle makes it easy to land nice and smooth where your supposed to. The only thing I would like to see added to this stick, is force feedback to let you know when your approaching a stall in a dogfight. Other than that this stick is well worth the money.
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