Any users of the Saitek X52 Pro and rudder pedals?

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by Fincuan

I'm using both, and made my own profiles for them. That way you'll get the actions you want where you want. For Falcon4 I use the whole package. That's one sim where you don't run out of actions to program

Fincuan, Can I ask roughly how long did it take you to set up your profile for Falcon 4? An hour, a few hours or more?

[XLjedi]

Couple things you said there that struck me...

Base Weight...

The bases on the throttle and stick (at least on mine) have screw holes so you can bolt the things down. If base-weight is an issue for you, maybe think about getting yourself a nice piece of wood to attach em too. I was actually very impressed that Saitek designed them to be mounted.

Not knowing which button is assigned...

On your throttle, there's an "i" thumb button that if you press it down you'll notice the light strobes. The "i" is for info, and when it's strobing, you can press other buttons and the name of the button assignment will appear on your LCD as you press/activate them. In fact, I think even without that button depressed, the LCD will display the name of the button as you press it. I think the i strobe feature just captures it so it's not sent to the game or something if you just want to test. I'd have to go re-read my manual to give a better description.

[Loud_Silence]

I have the old X-52 (not the pro).
My advise for Lock On is to make a profile for each plane, maybe at least one shared for the Su-27/MiG-29 family. If you make them carefully, you can really fly without having to get your hands off the stick and throttle.

For IL-2, i haven't made a profile yet, but one of the most important things (at least for me) is being able to change between wide and normal FOV quickly and toggle the gunsight view. A button to toggle the combat flaps is also a good idea.

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

The bases on the throttle and stick (at least on mine) have screw holes so you can bolt the things down. If base-weight is an issue for you, maybe think about getting yourself a nice piece of wood to attach em too. I was actually very impressed that Saitek designed them to be mounted.

Yep, mine does have the screw holes but I know for a fact that my wife won't approve of me screwing my HOTAS setup onto the desk.

Originally Posted by aaronblood

On your throttle, there's an "i" thumb button that if you press it down you'll notice the light strobes. The "i" is for info, and when it's strobing, you can press other buttons and the name of the button assignment will appear on your LCD as you press/activate them. In fact, I think even without that button depressed, the LCD will display the name of the button as you press it. I think the i strobe feature just captures it so it's not sent to the game or something if you just want to test.

Fantastic info. Had no idea of that. I will give it a go.

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Konovalov

Yep, mine does have the screw holes but I know for a fact that my wife won't approve of me screwing my HOTAS setup onto the desk.

Obviously...

However, she probably wouldn't care if you went over to Home Depot and bought a $5 unfinished 16x36 plank of shelving wood.

Put the plank under your keyboard and screw down your throttle and stick on each side of it. Or use bolts and wingnuts if you want em to be detachable by hand.

[Loud_Silence]

The "i" button is for information, and you can also change the profile in-game without minimizin by using the first POV while pressing the button. It can be configured so it flashes when you're holding it pressed or to stay flashing until you press it again.
If you have a profile with lots and lots of commands for the three modes + pinky, its useful if you forget something

[FIREWALL]

Have had X52 since it came out and no problems.

Same with rudder pedals.

Wouldn't fly without them.

[Fincuan]

Originally Posted by Konovalov

Fincuan, Can I ask roughly how long did it take you to set up your profile for Falcon 4? An hour, a few hours or more?

It took a while

When I got the HOTAS I already had a few hundred hours in the sim, so I had a fairly good idea on what I wanted. Then I printed the F4AF keychart, fired up Saitek Profiler and tried to decide where I wanted everything. After I was done I fired up the sim and gave it a try, fixed some things, tried again... An hour of two maybe. I didn't even use any of the modes(makes it too complex and hard to remember at combat), only mode1 and mode1+pinkie. That's sufficient enough to complete 95% of a mission without taking hands off the controls, and most importantly one NEVER has to take hands off the controls in combat.

Oh, and I definitely recommend getting the beta versions of Saitek Profiler and the drivers(http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=16643). They return the good old 3d-view from the old profiler. It allows you to click a button on the 3d-model and select that button for profiling. Much easier than scrolling up and down the list

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by Fincuan

When I got the HOTAS I already had a few hundred hours in the sim, so I had a fairly good idea on what I wanted. Then I printed the F4AF keychart, fired up Saitek Profiler and tried to decide where I wanted everything. After I was done I fired up the sim and gave it a try, fixed some things, tried again... An hour of two maybe. I didn't even use any of the modes(makes it too complex and hard to remember at combat), only mode1 and mode1+pinkie. That's sufficient enough to complete 95% of a mission without taking hands off the controls, and most importantly one NEVER has to take hands off the controls in combat.

I'm not in the same situation as I only have only had an hour or so in Lockon Flamming Cliffs. However I don't see that as too much of a problem as I come up to speed slowly.

Originally Posted by Fincuan

Oh, and I definitely recommend getting the beta versions of Saitek Profiler and the drivers(http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=16643). They return the good old 3d-view from the old profiler. It allows you to click a button on the 3d-model and select that button for profiling. Much easier than scrolling up and down the list

That is fantastic advice. I have been thinking about the new beta SST programming software this week. I couldn't work out for the life of me why on earth there was no graphic 3d display in the most up to date software. For a noob like me that makes the whole programming process all the more daunting. I'm definately going to take your advise and use the beta software.

Thanks again guys for all your help.