Saitek controllers

[Stealhead]

Just wondering how many of you have a Saitek controller and how long have you had it?

Myself I have a Saitek X52 I have used it so much I don't even recall when i purchased the thing.I know it was some time ago around 2005~2006 and it is still going strong never had any real issues with it.

The only pesky thing about it is that the spring on the yoke is a bit soft so it makes a funny rubbing sound when you pull all the way forwards or back on the yoke.Also it seems to take it a minute or two to fully turn on after the USB plugs in.The throttle HOTAS takes time to warm up.Neither are real deal breakers though.I bet this thing will easily last 10 years.

I was just curious what you guys think of Saiteks is my case the norm or a fluke?Best $120.00 I have ever spent on a control device.

[TinCanWolf]

Don't have any of those problems with mine, kind of strange.

[Lionclaw]

I bought my X52 in 2005. Only problem is the big rotary on the throttle which is spiking all over the place when going between 50 - 100%.

Then there's a small but annoying issue with the rudder twist pot. You just need to touch the stick to the left and it registers a tiny left rudder. :/\\!!
Very annoying in space games.

Other than that it works great. :)

Otherwise I use the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals for flight simulators, which I've had for some years now without issues. :up:
If you do a lot of sim flying, be kind to your wrist and get some rudder pedals. :)

[HunterICX]

I think the Saitek Cyborg Evo I have is now going for it's 5-6th year and still going strong :yep:

Never had any issue with it.

HunterICX

[Arclight]

X-52 pro for... 3-4 years or something. No complaints.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Like anything manufactured the X52 can occasionally have a fault and on the Web you'll find a few - but nobody often writes a post saying how good something works. My X52 experience was limited but it worked well, if you can live with these slight issues then do so. If not, I'd still buy another.

[Radioshow]

X-45, bought about 6 or more yrs ago for 100$ new at RadioShack(now The Source in Can.)

Was stiff at first but used a few plastic ties to compress a couple rings in the spring.
Used mostly for Falcon 4 but i play a plethora of flight/space sims.

Best stick I ever had, love the separate throttle, hate the twist ones, and was easy to program.

Still works great with a little maintenance here or there.

[Stealhead]

Don't have any of those problems with mine, kind of strange.

Why is it kind of strange? To me an electronic only having a minor little bug or two in pretty impressive when you consider that most electronic devices barely last 3 years.

I think that the "warm up" time is because it uses old style metal plugs to connect the yoke with the throttle/HOTAS the plugs get a slight bit loose over time at any rate it only lasts for maybe 30 seconds at most not really a big deal
I just grab a snack or something in the mean time.

Also how old is yours you never said.

@Radioshow My X52 felt stiff for a month or so as well I just attributed it to not being used to the feel of the yoke.

I sometimes have the issue where the yoke twist is slightly off I either ignore it or adjust the in game dead zone(could be the game itself as well with the error).I just keep it with IL-2 i figure most WWII aircraft where not that perfectly tuned anyway and some aircraft like the B-24 always pulled left there where even jokes about this because Liberator pilots had strong left arms.

Honestly I am surprised that the yoke twist is still good on my X52 I use it all the time for rudder (I do not want to buy pedals) with all the rudder I use in games the fact that it still works is pretty impressive.

[Krauter]

Funny that you posted this, just today I was trying to get my x52 setup with War Thunder. So far my stick has handled wonderfully. I think I've had it for the last 5 years. No problems save for the rudder problems (spasms all over the place with no input). But that can be easily solved by cleaning it.

Love the functionality of the different modes and such. Have my eye on the x65 but I'm not sure if I like how the stick works. Seems to me like I might break it..

[seaniam81]

X52 Pro for around 5 years. No complaints except the Rotary on the top of the throttle isn't as sensitive as it used to be. It wont register below 2% or above 98%. I'm sure my X52 has another 5 years in it.

[Gargamel]

I have a folding portable stick of theirs. Not sure of the model. Simple controls, 4 button, 5 position throttle (0%-100% by 25's). Still works when I use it. But I usually use my Logitech.

Oh wait, my throttle setup is saitek I believe. 3 throttles and 6 buttons.

[Schroeder]

I think the Saitek Cyborg Evo I have is now going for it's 5-6th year and still going strong :yep:

Never had any issue with it.

HunterICX
Same here.:rock:

[Egan]

I used an X52 - original, not the Pro version that came out a couple of years back - for years. It was alright, and pretty good for the money. I'd say I used it for about six or seven years. Unfortunately the stick, which was fairly slack to begin with, got looser over time to the point it was getting difficult to do any little adjustments in any of the flight sims I was playing. Not bad for Falcon but a major pain in something like Rise Of Flight.

Also, the throttle developed quite a bit of play after a couple of years and got to the point I couldn't ever get it to go from 0% -100% and I had to add-in increasingly large dead zones to use it without problems. Eventually I was getting only getting two thirds to a half of it's full range.

As I said, it's a good set up for the money, and I would still be using it if not for those issues. I now use Saitek pedals and a HOTAS Warthog, which I love. Now, that's a stiff stick. First couple of times I used it in ROF, my arm hurt like hell for a day or two afterwards.....Also seems to fit my hand better.

Wouldn't say any of them are the best controllers I've ever spent money on - that honour goes to my TrackIR 4. I wouldn't ever play a flight sim without it now. I honestly don't think I could.