Saitek X52.. not loving it..

[Snubby]

First off, hello everyone..

I recently got into this game and figured it was a good enough reason (excuse) to buy some new hardware..

back in "the day" I had the good ole X36, and loved it, so naturally I picked up the X52..

got home hooked everthing up..

1: the button on the top most part of the throttle is flashing blue..  like a flourecent light thats going bad.. the rest just stay one.. minor proble,'

2:.. I HATE the feel of this thing is on the X/Y axis..  it just doesent FEEL right to me..  

for starters there is way too little resistance.. Im guessing I can make a shim for the spring and tighten in up a little bit..

second, Its just intuitive to me that the farther from center you get.. the more resistance you should get...  maybe thats not realistic.. but it just feels wierd.

im sure Ill get used to it.. eventually, but first impression is.. I regret the purchase

[OOZ662]

Originally posted by Snubby
1: the button on the top most part of the throttle is flashing blue..  like a flourecent light thats going bad.. the rest just stay one.. minor proble,'

They're supposed to stay on. That flashing is a sign that the stick isn't getting enough power from your computer which is very common these days. Leaving the stick this way will probably lead to the stick degrading in control until it's a brick.

Buy a simple powered USB hub. It's a USB connection that provides power from a wall outlet, thereby easily providing enough for the X52. This will take massive strain off your computer's power supply and the stick's sensitive equipment, and add precision to the movements.

[Denholm]

My first guess would've been that the "clutch" button was somehow stuck in the "depress" position.

[Bad31st]

Originally posted by Denholm
My first guess would've been that the "clutch" button was somehow stuck in the "depress" position.

Mine too.  

But it could be a bad stick/LED or power issues. I'd purchase a powered usb hub - there's a thread around here somewhere that Skuzzy suggests one or two. If the light doesn't stop flashing/flickering I'd make sure it isn't the clutch and exchange the stick...

[Krusty]

I'm curious.... Folks have mentioned powered USB hubs a lot (as a way of fixing a joystick problem), but I don't recall anybody saying how expensive they are.

Are we talking $5, or $50, here?

[OOZ662]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/9009/

And these guys are expensive due to being a novelty shop.

[Krusty]

Thanks, that's not too pricey, but is that the "good" brand that folks were suggesting for use with CH gear and whatnot?

[OOZ662]

I doubt it, but it will work. I don't know if I'd trust something as pricey as CH gear to it, but just about any run-of-the-mill USB2.0 Certified powered hub will cut it for anything else.

[Snubby]

Originally posted by OOZ662
They're supposed to stay on. That flashing is a sign that the stick isn't getting enough power from your computer which is very common these days. Leaving the stick this way will probably lead to the stick degrading in control until it's a brick.

Buy a simple powered USB hub. It's a USB connection that provides power from a wall outlet, thereby easily providing enough for the X52. This will take massive strain off your computer's power supply and the stick's sensitive equipment, and add precision to the movements.

You hit it on the head, I went to best buy and bought a powered hub and now not only do the lights stay on, but they are MUCH brigher than before.. so it definatly was not getting the needed power.

Im guessing it was good to get this anyway, considering im about to add Track IR.



also, I fashoned a shim to put between the spring and the bast of the stick, which stiffened the resistance up a bit and made things MUCH better.

[Snubby]

Originally posted by Krusty
I'm curious.... Folks have mentioned powered USB hubs a lot (as a way of fixing a joystick problem), but I don't recall anybody saying how expensive they are.

Are we talking $5, or $50, here?

I got a dynex one at best buy, it was ~$30 and has 4 ports.

im sure they can be had for less on newegg.

[Krusty]

Thanks

[Snubby]

well.. I was wrong.. its still flickering..  something is wrong with the LED..

now its turning fully off for a few seconds and coming back on.. flickering a little then going off etc etc..

the rest of the lights are on and steady and do not flicker..

great QC Saitek.

[OOZ662]

Sure it isn't the clutch button? It's the button where your thumb goes on the throttle. It can cause some real weirdness if it's depressed and yours might be stuck. Also make sure the wire connecting the two bases is snug.

[Bad31st]

Originally posted by Krusty
Thanks, that's not too pricey, but is that the "good" brand that folks were suggesting for use with CH gear and whatnot?

I belive one Skuzzy mentioned was a belkin - don't remember how much though...

[Snubby]

everything is snug,  the button is fine aswell, I unplugged the stick from the throttle and it still flickers exactly the same as with it connected.

I just turned the LEDs off, the flickering was becomign distracting:(