Is the Saitek X45 popular with AH'ers?

[Nilsen]

Im thinking about getting one, but i would like to know what you folks think about it for AH before i buy.

Can any of the buttons on the throttle thingie be set for looking around?

I currently use one of these on the left side of my keyb and my stick on the right and i use the 8 way thumb thingie to look around.

[moto61]

I use the X-45 and I love it. I have nearly everything I ever used mapped to it, so I very seldom have to use the keyboard.

It is kind of like being dependent on a phones speed dialer because I have to go look up some of the key strokes now  : )

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by moto61
I use the X-45 and I love it. I have nearly everything I ever used mapped to it, so I very seldom have to use the keyboard.

It is kind of like being dependent on a phones speed dialer because I have to go look up some of the key strokes now  : )

thx.. sounds great!

how about view-switches?

[moto61]

I have the 360 degree look on the Joystick Hat #1

Then On the throttle the one labled mouse fire button will look straight up use it in conjunction with hatswitch and get a 360 view with head looking up.

I can describe my set up if you like e-mail me  curtischapman@yahoo.com and I will send a longer description.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by moto61
I have the 360 degree look on the Joystick Hat #1

Then On the throttle the one labled mouse fire button will look straight up use it in conjunction with hatswitch and get a 360 view with head looking up.

I can describe my set up if you like e-mail me  curtischapman@yahoo.com and I will send a longer description.

Sounds like what I get with my speedpad. the 8 way thumbswitch thingi lets me look around 360 and when i have mapped 2 of the other buttons on it to enable me to look up and down while using the 8 way.

Looks like the X45 is the way to go..thx

[OOZ662]

When you buy it and the throttle's stiff, don't return it, loosen the screw on the bottom. You have no idea how many people return em saying the throttle is too hard to move.

[Easyscor]

Originally posted by Nilsen
Im thinking about getting one, but i would like to know what you folks think about it for AH before i buy.

Can any of the buttons on the throttle thingie be set for looking around?

I currently use one of these on the left side of my keyb and my stick on the right and i use the 8 way thumb thingie to look around.

Good news and bad news.

First I like the X45 very much.  In my experience, it's very stable and unlike some sticks I've had, I don't have to recalibrate it every time I want to fly.

I do not like the rudder toggle on the throttle but I've gotten used to it.  It took about a year and is still awkward.

Very important - Test the stick before you leave the store.  Try to find one with a good feel.  Many have too much resistance for my liking and feel like it would take two hands to move.  Even then, the light weight base sometimes lifts off the desk.

It sounds like you will appreciate the 4 eight way hat switches and 7 buttons plus the trigger.

Even with all that, you may find you like the 8 way thumb pad on your Nostromo better then the hats on the X45 because it's smoother.

Try to find a store that gives an extended warranty as the hats can go bad after about a year with heavy use.  I doubt you have a CompUSA but they offer a two year warranty for about $30.00 US.  It takes about 3 days for them to process and give you another one.

[OOZ662]

Dunno about other ones, but our Best Buy will give you a lifetime warranty for ANY problems, all you have to do is pay $10 with the FIRST X45 you buy. They take yours and give you another one on the spot.

[Easyscor]

Nice, don't you just love competition.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Easyscor
Good news and bad news.

First I like the X45 very much.  In my experience, it's very stable and unlike some sticks I've had, I don't have to recalibrate it every time I want to fly.

I do not like the rudder toggle on the throttle but I've gotten used to it.  It took about a year and is still awkward.

Very important - Test the stick before you leave the store.  Try to find one with a good feel.  Many have too much resistance for my liking and feel like it would take two hands to move.  Even then, the light weight base sometimes lifts off the desk.

It sounds like you will appreciate the 4 eight way hat switches and 7 buttons plus the trigger.

Even with all that, you may find you like the 8 way thumb pad on your Nostromo better then the hats on the X45 because it's smoother.

Try to find a store that gives an extended warranty as the hats can go bad after about a year with heavy use.  I doubt you have a CompUSA but they offer a two year warranty for about $30.00 US.  It takes about 3 days for them to process and give you another one.

Thx for you input. There are no CompUSA stores here so ill buy it from one of my regular webshops. The thing that really has put me off buying a new setup is that the old sidewinder joystick and that speedpad has really worked well for me but after some beer decided pay my speedpad a visit only half of the buttons work. I need to either replace my speedpad n50 with the newer n52 or get a new setup entierly.

It sounds like you have tried the speedpad... am i right?

[Easyscor]

Originally posted by Nilsen
It sounds like you have tried the speedpad... am i right?

I used it with Windows98 for a while but I was having problems, probably unrelated to the speedpad, but I unplugged it and never bothered with it after I installed XP.  I should probably try it again some time.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Easyscor
I used it with Windows98 for a while but I was having problems, probably unrelated to the speedpad, but I unplugged it and never bothered with it after I installed XP.  I should probably try it again some time.

Has worked great for me, but i guess it also has a lot to do with what you have gotten used to. For Ah I would really like the throttle function that the x45 gives you but that view system I have gotten used to with the n50 is just awsome. Still gonna be a little while before i can sign up again so i dont have to make up my mind in a hurry. I apreciate the input you have given me... thx