Author Topic: Saitek X45 spring tension  (Read 3449 times)

Offline quig

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« on: January 13, 2004, 11:24:51 PM »
Anyone know if there is a way to adjust the spring tension on the joystick of the Saitek X45 HOTAS setup?

Throttle seems to be just about right. But the stick seems to take too much pressure to get it to move from center position (especially to the left and right...up/down isn't all that bad).

I've been fighting with this stick for months now thinking it would break in with use. But I don't think that is going to happen :D

If I can't adjust the tension, is there any type of grease or something I can use to smooth it out some?]

Thanks

Offline Creamo

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2004, 03:04:27 AM »
The X-45 Throttle itself has a friction setting, which I actually turned up. The stick does not, and Im guessing your a Ex-Ch Fighterstick type user? It is just not that sloppy, and for the better I always thought.

I bought a TM F22 last year, upgraded it to digital chips and all that, and actually sold it for a beating just because it was like arm wrestling every flight. The X-45 is just about perfect, I can only assume your used to CH stuff, which for me was so sloppy, it was hard to control.

Your fight with the X-45 isn't complete till the main Hat view wears out. It's its only flaw, otherwise it is the perfect $79 HOTAS. I'll never change, just replace them every year for cheap.

Edit- Oh, and buy the store warrantee, you get 2 for 1 that way.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2004, 03:13:23 AM by Creamo »

Offline Eagler

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2004, 05:44:36 AM »
powdered graphite under the cup at the bottom of the spring helps, also used to plave a 1" C-clamp up under the cup which tilted the stick forward, compressing the spring when I wasn't using it. both seemed to help. I tried the tie wrap method but found it didn't work well for me, made the stick too loose.

best bet, as i found out, is to test the stick in the store b4 u buy it. last stick I replaced with the 12 month warranty Creamo spoke of, I had 4 X45's opened on the floor as I sat there feeling the spring tension of each. There is a huge difference between some of them. I found a very nice one and grabbed it. As the buttons will wear out, I also grabbed another 12 month replacement policy for this stick (CompUSA) for another $10. This is the 3rd stick in as many years that I have picked up brand new for $10 :)
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Offline quig

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2004, 08:35:01 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Creamo
Your fight with the X-45 isn't complete till the main Hat view wears out.


Yeah, I've read about that problem on here. But the stick itself has 2 Hats and I figure if I get desperate enough I can figure out a way to swap them when the main one goes out.

This stick was a discount Ebay deal...my first experience with a HOTAS setup and I wanted to test the waters before I went swimming. So no warranty :)

Before this, I used the Sidewinder and the Cyborg 3D Gold. So far the Cyborg has been the best stick I've had (but like all Saitek sticks the hat failed).

But why they put an adjustment on the throttle and not the stick is beyond me. I guess just to keep 'em in the $80 range.

Quote
Originally posted by Eagler
powdered graphite under the cup at the bottom of the spring helps, also used to plave a 1" C-clamp up under the cup which tilted the stick forward, compressing the spring when I wasn't using it. both seemed to help. I tried the tie wrap method but found it didn't work well for me, made the stick too loose.


The graphite won't get down below the rubber boot and mess up whatever is under it? If not, that seems like a good idea.

I have it clamped down to a work bench with the handle tied over to the left side now. But doing that after every use is going to get old.

What's the "tie wrap" method? Maybe that is the way to go for me.

Sad thing is that no stores around here sells them (that I can find). I don't know of any CompUSA stores around here.

Thanks for the help Guys!

Offline wrag

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2004, 08:21:07 AM »
OK when i used the x45 i had the bases tied (using multiple plastic wire ties) down to boards and the boards c-clamped to the desk.

Worked great but the view hat thing is a must return to saitek for repair thing because of the way it's set up.  I looked inside and ain't any way (easy) that I can see to change them.  Kind of a hard wired thing.

Oh and the handle on the stick was starting to work lose.
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline quig

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2004, 04:31:48 PM »
That sounds like a pain to set up wrag :D

Think I'll just stick with my old MS Sidewinder and put up with the nose bounce.

Anyone want to buy that piece of cr*p?

Offline Ghosth

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2004, 08:56:21 AM »
Quiq, if you have nose bounce in a sidewinder email me.

Bet we can at least tame it down a bit.

billj@btinet.net

Offline wrag

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Saitek X45 spring tension
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2004, 10:44:13 AM »
It was lol

But i wanted to fly and it was all I had at the time :)

IMHO CH is soooo much better and more reponsive WOW!

Just expensive :(

And My setup is all analog stick, throt, peds :(

So XP is kinda a no go for me right now, and I hear XP improves fps by allot!

Goin all usb would require peds and stick.  Got a USB throt but it'is in for repairs to 8 way view hat. :(
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.