X52 Joystick finally died.,,, I think. recommendations

[gyrene81]

CH Stick= $80-$100 depending on the model
CH Pedals = $100 for the cheap ones (because the CH sticks aren't twisty)


Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas X = $40
separate throttle, twist or finger rudder control, sturdy enough for average geek use...and enough money left over for a lot of beer  

[zack1234]

CH fighterstick for me using X52 throttle very nice, Joystick looks unimpressive but it is in a class of it's own.
It's Yanky built and works a dream, no bounce or sillyness very precise.
If you want lots of LED's it has only three 

[SectorNine50]

CH fighterstick for me using X52 throttle very nice, Joystick looks unimpressive but it is in a class of it's own.
It's Yanky built and works a dream, no bounce or sillyness very precise.
If you want lots of LED's it has only three 

Oooh... Damned good idea...  The thing that always kept me from buying the CH stick was that I would also have to buy a throttle...  Problem solved!

[Wobbly]

CH fighterstick for me using X52 throttle very nice,

+1, I have got less worse since getting a CH Fighterstick and keeping X52 throttle (use Logitech wheel pedals for rudder, not sure about them, seem to work ok)

[zack1234]

When my saitek pedals are dead I will invest in some CH pedals.

[Masherbrum]

CH Fighterstick.

[guncrasher]

well i finally gave up my x52 joystick wont break down and trust me i tried short of using a hammer.  so I ordered the ch fighterstick.  gonna use my saitek pedals, saiteck throttle (from the x52) and ch fiterstick.  hope it works.  the x52 is a great stick, but i am just curious as to the ch sticks, and since i got a nice bonus coming up, i thought i would waste 120 and order one.

semp

[ink]

well i finally gave up my x52 joystick wont break down and trust me i tried short of using a hammer.  so I ordered the ch fighterstick.  gonna use my saitek pedals, saiteck throttle (from the x52) and ch fiterstick.  hope it works.  the x52 is a great stick, but i am just curious as to the ch sticks, and since i got a nice bonus coming up, i thought i would waste 120 and order one.

semp

sweet set-up exact same as mine

[zack1234]

 

[AAJagerX]

I have no clue why the X52 gets such a bad rep.  My dad (AAIByteU) and I got ours one year ago this month and they've been nothing but great.  There are definately better sticks out there, but for the money an X52 is a good one.  Most of the calibration and spiking issues are caused by that darn SST software.  Remove it, and it should be ok. 

I'd love to go all CH products, but I refuse to pay that much for a rig that won't make all that much of a difference.  Just my opinion.

[SKJohn]

I use the CH fighterstick with the throttle from my Saitek X45 and my Saitek rudder peddals.  Other than having to leave the X45 Joystick hooked up (throttle controls run thru it to the USB port), everything works fine.  I just leave the X45 joystick tucked away behind the monitor.  If you wanted to, you could use it for even MORE buttons, hat switches, etc., but I find I have enough between the Fighterstick and the throttle to satisfy me.

[Tigger29]

I'm having fun with this one.

http://reviews.cnet.com/game-accessories/thrustmaster-t-flight-hotas/4505-10110_7-33394435.html

The throttle can be separated from the stick. Lots of buttons.



I'm guessing GreenEagle didn't catch the "money is an issue, don't have $100 to spend" part.

Looks like its a few bucks cheaper here: http://www.meritline.com/thrustmaster-joystick-t-flight-hotas-x2960703---p-36844.aspx

[ink]

I have no clue why the X52 gets such a bad rep.  My dad (AAIByteU) and I got ours one year ago this month and they've been nothing but great.  There are definately better sticks out there, but for the money an X52 is a good one.  Most of the calibration and spiking issues are caused by that darn SST software.  Remove it, and it should be ok. 

I'd love to go all CH products, but I refuse to pay that much for a rig that won't make all that much of a difference.  Just my opinion.

because it's a piece of fancy looking junk, I owned three of them,all within the last 4 years, plus a couple other twisty saiteks,  they were all junk, ya they work, but there IS a huge difference, I almost tripled my hit % over night, going to CH, trust me it makes a difference, and the time that CH lasts far outweighs the price cost, which is not overwhelming I paid slightly under a $100 for the CH fighter stick. 

the only thing I will use from Saitek are the pro peddles oh and the X-52 throttle

[grizz441]

Money's an issue?  Go to Walmart and pick up a Saitek ST290.  Pretty nice twisty stick for $20 and will last at least a year or two if you take care of it.  /thread.

[Ghosth]

I have to agree with Grizz, buy a pair of ST-290's, figure you'll get 6 months to a year out of it. By the time they are dead you should have been able to save enough to buy a CH stick.

Whats more I would strongly encourage anyone to find a way to "mount" that stick, be it temporary or permanent.
Put it at a comfortable level to your arm when your sitting back.  Ideally so you can brace your elbow to give you finer control.

Mod your chair, your desk, build up the base from the floor, there are many ways of doing it.
All of them give you better control than just having it sit on the desk.