I am sick--I just ordered two joysticks

[coyo]

Well I ordered a Saitek X52 from Amazon. Then after I ordered it, I was looking at joysticks in BestBuy and was examining the X45 on display. I liked very much the "rudder" rocker on the front of the throttle handle, which made my excitement over my previously ordered X52 begin to diminish. In fact, I remembered a post by an angry X52 user lamenting the fact that this feature was deleted in the X52 in favor of joystick "twist". Now I have never been a fan doing "the twist" to get rudder input and, after feeling the X45 rudder control first hand, I understood exactly how my fellow sim flyer felt.  I also heard, never having the opportunity of examining  a X52 in person, that the X52 had very very weak springs, and I liked the feel of the X45 springs very much.
    Well, I went home and after some agonizing, I finally went back to Amazon and ordered a X45 as well.
    Now I have 2 sticks coming in the mail to me! If I was smart, I would just return the X52, but that means not opening it. The problem is I want to compare them both side to side before I make my final decision. I want to see which one spikes; which one is more accurate; which one feels better and which one has the spring tension I prefer.
    I guess what I am saying is, look for either a X45 or X52 on eBay in two weeks or so!
  PS. My new PC was shipped yesterday; but, that is another thread...

Happy flying

[SarinGas]

Congrats on the new system Coyo. Are you also getting the HSI X800 video card to go in it? Just curious as I had seen the post where you were wondering if it would fit.

[Widewing]

Coyo, after you decide which joystick you prefer, return the other and use the credit to purchase a set of USB CH Pro Pedals from Amazon, about $99, much less than the X52 and well worth having. Simply plug 'em in, calibrate and go flying. Once you get used to pedals, rockers and twisty sticks will not be missed.

I currently use the X45 with CH pedals and it's a good, reliable setup.

My regards,

Widewing

[coyo]

How is it holding up?
How is its accuracy and spiking?

[coyo]

Originally posted by SarinGas
Congrats on the new system Coyo. Are you also getting the HSI X800 video card to go in it? Just curious as I had seen the post where you were wondering if it would fit.

I plan on getting the X800XL, hopefully the HIS card, but I have to see it if will fit in my system first.

Also, apparently, you need a 435 watt power supply to power the thing. Ithink my pc only has a 325 watt supply...

[Widewing]

Originally posted by coyo
How is it holding up?
How is its accuracy and spiking?

Accuracy is superb, no spiking whatsoever. The only weakness that I discovered is the hat switches, which wears over time (in about 6 months) and eventually gets flaky. This is why I buy mine from Best Buy and purchase the two-year exchange warranty. When a hat switch starts to go bad, I just exchange the stick and throttle for a new one. This means two or three exchanges during the two years. Worth the extra $9 ten times over.

My regards,

Widewing

[AWRaid]

definately return one and get pedals...


http://www.provantage.com/buy-7CHPP002-pro-pedals-usb-ch-300-111-shopping.htm


$88.06 USD and always fast shipping.


I used pedals for years then switched to a twisty joystick when they came out to test them... at first it was pretty neat then it became frustrating so I switched back to pedals.

As someone said above... pedals take getting used to but once you get used to them they're great.

[coyo]

I used to have a full Thrustmaster HOTAS setup w/tm AND CH pedals back in the days of Janes F-15. My TM pedals broke after 2 or 3 years and mhy CH Pedals spiked alot with really @#%#@$ me off.
Right now, for my purposes, I think the rudder control on the x45 throttle will be adequate once i get used to it--definately better than 'twist'

At any rate, I don't think i will be able to "hide" a set of rudder pedals from the wife..

[g00b]

Except for the noted rudder on throttle, the x-52 blows the x-45 out of the water. Everything is simply better. The x-52 supposedly features "contactless sensors" so hopefully it will last a long time. My x-45 made it about two years which is as good as any of the other TM or CH sticks I have owned. We'll see how long the x-52 lasts.

g00b

[TheThang]

seem to have alot of money to blow =D wanna buy me a new computer =D poweeze!!!! (mines 7 years old)

[jetb123]

heh ya dont need one of those sticks can send one to me

[Wind]

Originally posted by AWRaid

...pedals take getting used to but once you get used to them they're great.

Right up until you break a leg sliding into third base..  

W~

[FiLtH]

What would be nice is the x45 stick and the x52 throttle...and pedals.  The X52 stick sux. Too bad you can get a big spring for it.

[BTW]

I don't use the x45 stick anymore (the hat went out) but had been using the x45 throttle. I notice now it is spiking. I've only used the throttle for about 6 months total, as a took a few months off from from AH.  

I did buy the extended warranty. The way that works is Best Buy sends me a special label to ship the stick back to them. After they examine it, they may or may not issue me store credit. Just want to point out that you cant just walk into Best Buy and exchange a stick if you buy the warranty.

I'm thinking about getting the ch pro throttle, and Ill have full Ch pro hotas. I'll probably take a month or so off first, as I've becoming increasingly agravated in the game. Time for a break.

[Widewing]

Originally posted by BTW

Just want to point out that you cant just walk into Best Buy and exchange a stick if you buy the warranty.

Yes you can, I've done it twice; no questions asked. Show them the warranty folder with receipt, they update the paperwork and off you go with a new stick. No limit on returns for the two years, and I asked that specifically. They simply do not have the time or skilled manpower to verify failures of this type. They may balk at a $3,000 plasma TV, but a $70 joystick is going on the pile of returns.

If you purchased yours via the web, then they may have different rules. However, I simply return mine to the store where I bought it.

My regards,

Widewing