Getting an X-52

[Yossarian]

Hi, I'm getting an X-52 next week, and I'd like to hear any tips anyone has about it/joysticks in general, including (but of course not limited to) how to take care of a joystick, how to programme the keys on it, and so on.  I've never had one of these before (my current and second joystick is a Cyborg Evo, but it's getting a bit of button stick and nose bounce after about 3 years or so), so I really have no idea how to programme them, or what good button set-ups are.  I am going to read the manual when I get it, but from what I've heard it's fairly complex and the software isn't too easy to use, and I'll probably set it up and start using it on Wednesday next week.

Thanks in advance for any help,

<S>

Yossarian

[68Wooley]

Hi Yossarian,

Good move - you'll find it a big improvement on your Cyborg.

One of the first thing's you'll notice is how little effort it takes to move the stick - there's relatively little resistance to movement compared with some sticks. Some people dislike that. I just found it was something to get used to - after a while you don't think about it.

Regarding set-up of the buttons, there's almost an infinite number of ways you can do it and different people have different ideas. Find what's comfortable for you.

Programming is easy - the vast majority of things can be programmed directly through the AH2 interface. For the odd remaining functions you can use the Saitek software. This has gotten a bad reputation, somewhat unfairly in my book. The problem is its not immediately obvious how to use it and people are impatient. Play with it for 10 minutes and you'll figure it out. After that, its simple.

If you're interested, on my set up I had:

Secondary weapon select, secondary weapon fire, channel and range transmits mapped to the buttons on the top of the stick

Views mapped to the hats on the top of the stick

I had the two-stage trigger mapped to fire primary guns only on stage one and primary and secondary guns on stage two

WEP on the throttle thumb switch

Combat trim on the  button set within the large rotary on the throttle

Elevator and aileron trim on the throttle rotaries

Flaps and gear on the wheel on the front of the throttle.

Auto-pilot on the four way finger-hat on the front side of the throttle.

[Yossarian]

Cool, thanks!  I'm really really looking forward to getting this thing now 

And does anyone have any advice on how to take care of a joystick, for example how to help it last a long time?

<S>

Yossarian

[Bruv119]

CH stuff is the most durable and wont break.

My advice is dont get angry, dont slam it against anything, keep any liquids away from your desk whilst flying.

Watch the trigger sometimes in the heat of battle that snapshot gets pressed a little too hard,

I only ever managed to get a year out of an evo, the next best was my msffb2 that lasted 3 years.

[Yossarian]

Ok, I'll keep that in mind - I think I've violated every one of those rules with my current joystick, but I'll take care of this one.

[redman555]

its a great joystick, have had mine for bout a year now, only thing i dont like about it, its really lose, like u barely hit it and the stick goes all the way 2 the side, took me some time 2 get used 2


-BigBOBCH

[Hungry]

its a great joystick, have had mine for bout a year now, only thing i dont like about it, its really lose, like u barely hit it and the stick goes all the way 2 the side, took me some time 2 get used 2


-BigBOBCH

Ive had my X52 ( Saitek Throttle and Rudder pedals ) coming up on two years now its been flawless, the only thing that I did was something that I saw on these boards and it was a great idea.  I took the poly foam washer from a new case of CD's sliced it and slid it between the spring and the upper portion of the handle.  It puts just enough tension on the spring to get the movement tension where I like it.

PS all stick mapping done through AH.

[angelsandair]

No offense to you X52 players but IMO, it's a piece of crud. I tried to transition from an Av8r to an X52, and I couldn't do it. I returned it after about 2 weeks. It is just way too dang sensative. my only problem with it.

[68Wooley]

No offense to you X52 players but IMO, it's a piece of crud. I tried to transition from an Av8r to an X52, and I couldn't do it. I returned it after about 2 weeks. It is just way too dang sensative. my only problem with it.

Funny you think that - I borrowed an Av8r for a couple of days (from, err, Bestbuy) when away from home and thought it absolutely sucked compared with the X52. Sure the X52 is light, but you get used to it quickly. Its no lighter than the CH fighterstick by the way.