Other controllers vs. Saitek X52

[1Wolf]

I've been doing alot of reading here on the forums and it seems that 98% of the experienced cartoon pilots in AH prefer the CH Fighterstick to the Saitek X52 hands-down.  I'm currently using a Saitek X52 (Just the standard, not the Pro model) and it seems to have this spot where it 'sticks' when the stick is moved from center.  It think its the plastic disk at the bottom wearing where it meets the base and, over time, causing little hops and jumps in the stick where it sticks.

My question is...which of the following control setups would you recommend a person with small hands try?  To give you an idea, or a frame of reference if you've ever used any of the following controllers...

-The Saitek X52 is my most recent stick and fit my hand perfectly and I really liked the throttle.
-Years ago I had a Thrustmaster Mark I (I believe they called it the FLS/WCS combination) back in around '94 or '96.  That one fit great.
-A few years later I had the Thrustmaster FLCS/TQS (I believe at a later date, TM altered this and made it more beefy to call it the "Cougar").  The FLCS fit me, but it was pretty big for my hand.  I always had a hell of a time reaching the main view hat.  That was a real handicap because the main view hat was 8-way and the one below it that I COULD reach easily was only a 4-way.  So remapping my views to the 4-way always cost me alot of flexibility.  Try to reach the 8-way hat and pull it 'back' often caused me to lift my entire hand off the stick to reach it.

Options...

I'd guess the number one option people would recommend would be the CH Fighterstick.  However I've also heard that if you have smaller hands you'll have issues reaching the main 8-way view hat and that the one beneath it that you could reach is only a 4-way castle.  I really hate the CH Pro Throttle but I've read here on the forums several times that the Saitek X52 throttle with the CH Fighterstick is a great combo and works just fine.

If I can hold out a few months, I think that the new Thrustmaster Warthog will be released soon.  I've read alot of good things about this stick.  Its expensive but it looks like it might be very cool.  Some seem to think it'll be great, some don't care for it.  I've never had a split-throttle before so that might be very cool.

Some tell me the Saitek X52 "Pro" is much better than the X52.  I'm pretty much ruling this out though because it doesn't look so much better that its worth shelling out the bucks for.  If my current X52 completely broke and was useless, then if I were going to replace it then I might go for the X52 Pro instead.

Saitek has this new X65 "Force Sensing" thing.  It sounds neat...but I don't think I want to try this.  I'm pretty sure that this technology just isn't for me.

Logitech has that G940...but I've read alot of mixed reviews for it so I think, unless someone tells me that its the best thing since sliced bread, that I'll stay away from it.

Thanks!

[Ghastly]

Wolf, whatever you decide to do, in the meantime you can use just a tiny bit of Vaseline to ease the problems with that sliding disk catching, although a Lithium based lubricant would be better, and a teflon based lubricant like Tri-Flow better still. Just don't use WD-40.   This doesn't fully solve the issues with the stick, but it will be much better overall.   If you are in an overly dusty environment, I've heard of people using a bit of talcum powder instead, as this will not hold dust but will lubricate the parts that must slide on each other - but I haven't tried that and so can't vouch for it first hand.

And the small hand issue with the CH stick is a no-big-deal - it's ridiculously easy to add a bit of foam padding to the top of the handrest molded onto the stick, and adjust the "actual height" of the hand rest to whatever is comfortable for you.

<S>

[humble]

The G940 is bigger then the X52 and if you have small hands it will be less comfortable. This is separate from all the current issues which may or may not work out over time. Until such time as logicrap shows any inclination to actually support the G940 properly I'd stay far far away....

[Tigger29]

Wolf, whatever you decide to do, in the meantime you can use just a tiny bit of Vaseline to ease the problems with that sliding disk catching, although a Lithium based lubricant would be better, and a teflon based lubricant like Tri-Flow better still. Just don't use WD-40.   This doesn't fully solve the issues with the stick, but it will be much better overall.   If you are in an overly dusty environment, I've heard of people using a bit of talcum powder instead, as this will not hold dust but will lubricate the parts that must slide on each other - but I haven't tried that and so can't vouch for it first hand.

What he said, except DO NOT USE AN OIL BASED LUBRICANT... make sure it is a silicone based lube.  Vaseline and lithium lubricants will soften the plastic and eventually cause damage to it.  I would highly recommend dielectric grease... or a silicone based Automotive Brake caliper grease that specifically states that it is compatible with rubber.

Trust me, I have an old X-45 joystick with its base all destroyed because of this.

[Tigger29]

The G940 is bigger then the X52 and if you have small hands it will be less comfortable. This is separate from all the current issues which may or may not work out over time. Until such time as logicrap shows any inclination to actually support the G940 properly I'd stay far far away....

And here comes the debate again LOL.  It's not that Logitech won't support the G940, it's that they are too busy developing the new software for it to further address the issues in the old.  If anything, their biggest issues is how LONG it takes to get a new software release out.  I wouldn't expect it any sooner than six months.

Yes my G940 has some quirks, but even so I feel it's a great improvement over my X52.  I do have pretty small hands for a guy, and it is a bit of a pain, but I plan on gluing some foam or the like to the bottom of the hand rest to bring my hand up about 1/2 inch or so.

[guncrasher]

Look at this picture with the ch fighter stick I bought.  Noticed i can only use two fingers to hold the stick while trying to reach the upper 8 way switch or the red button (my weapons selector). this causes me to lose control sometimes while in the middle of combat.  I have trakir so reaching the upper switch is not critical sometimes, but there's times when I need  to use it.  I have tiny hands, 8 inches from end of pinky to thumb.

other disadvantage I see is the ch is not made to be secured to the desk, like I did with my x52 (it had 2 screw holes), so sometimes, my stick ends up sideways, when I am trying to reach all the buttons in the middle of combat. (remember I can really only use two fingers two hold on to it).

I am getting better at it but there's times, when I want to throw it against the wall and buy the x52 pro.

semp

[Dichotomy]

gun I solved the problem of my stick and throttle moving around by going to the auto parts store, buying a roll of 3" velcro, and securing them to the desk.  When I'm not playing I just pull them up and set them aside.  Might not be a solution for you if you don't want to mar your desk just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Tigger29]

Look at this picture with the ch fighter stick I bought.  Noticed i can only use two fingers to hold the stick while trying to reach the upper 8 way switch or the red button (my weapons selector). this causes me to lose control sometimes while in the middle of combat.  I have trakir so reaching the upper switch is not critical sometimes, but there's times when I need  to use it.  I have tiny hands, 8 inches from end of pinky to thumb.

other disadvantage I see is the ch is not made to be secured to the desk, like I did with my x52 (it had 2 screw holes), so sometimes, my stick ends up sideways, when I am trying to reach all the buttons in the middle of combat. (remember I can really only use two fingers two hold on to it).

I am getting better at it but there's times, when I want to throw it against the wall and buy the x52 pro.

semp

(Image removed from quote.)

That is almost exactly how my hand sits on my G940.  It's annoying to have to lift my hand up to reach the top controls.  I'm planning on gluing a strip of rubber of some sorts to the bottom, so my hand can rest on that.. I figure that should raise my hand about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.  I do miss the comfort of my X52...

[Blagard]

Looking at the new thrustmaster warthog stick and then my CH fighterstick it looks extremely similar.
Size wise , my guess is that the CH is also modelled on a real stick so if you can't get to grips with it (pun intended), then you would struggle with the real thing.

A long time ago I used cheaper sticks that seem to have heavy springs and/or poor centering. Additionally because of the effort used to move these sticks the whole stick would end up being wrenched over in a moment of reflex response.

Initially the same happened with my first CH stick, the Combat stick. But very soon the problem went away as I became accustomed to the lighter spings. I only replaced my Combat stick because it was a gameport device and I went over to USB.

Quite frankly the CH gear has turned out to be the cheapest I ever bought because I have never had to replace it. Over the years before, I used to constantly replace sticks that just started to pack up in one way or another.

[Masherbrum]

Look at this picture with the ch fighter stick I bought.  Noticed i can only use two fingers to hold the stick while trying to reach the upper 8 way switch or the red button (my weapons selector). this causes me to lose control sometimes while in the middle of combat.  I have trakir so reaching the upper switch is not critical sometimes, but there's times when I need  to use it.  I have tiny hands, 8 inches from end of pinky to thumb.

other disadvantage I see is the ch is not made to be secured to the desk, like I did with my x52 (it had 2 screw holes), so sometimes, my stick ends up sideways, when I am trying to reach all the buttons in the middle of combat. (remember I can really only use two fingers two hold on to it).

I am getting better at it but there's times, when I want to throw it against the wall and buy the x52 pro.

semp

(Image removed from quote.)

I have a "desk pad" and the rubber feet stick to the pad.   I've never encountered a situation where ANY stick has ended up "sideways". 

[guncrasher]

I have a "desk pad" and the rubber feet stick to the pad.   I've never encountered a situation where ANY stick has ended up "sideways". 

Well since under some situations I can only use two fingers to hold the stick and cannot apply as much downward pressure to hold stick in place, it will move.  My desk is a cheaply made corner desk with a smooth surface.  trying to create a strap so i can screw stick to desk for a more stable platform.  Just putting this info out there, because it is little things like this that also matter.  I knew that the stick was bigger than my x52 when I bought it, but i thought it really wouldnt make a difference, well it does, it annoys the heck out of me right there with the damn wheels on the base need to be taped down so they dont move, so stick dont get out of calibration.

semp

[Masherbrum]

Well since under some situations I can only use two fingers to hold the stick and cannot apply as much downward pressure to hold stick in place, it will move.  My desk is a cheaply made corner desk with a smooth surface.  trying to create a strap so i can screw stick to desk for a more stable platform.  Just putting this info out there, because it is little things like this that also matter.  I knew that the stick was bigger than my x52 when I bought it, but i thought it really wouldnt make a difference, well it does, it annoys the heck out of me right there with the damn wheels on the base need to be taped down so they dont move, so stick dont get out of calibration.

semp

Semp, try some strips of Velcro.

[maddafinga]

I posted a link recently that has a step by step walkthrough to make the bottom castle 4 way hat into an 8 way hat.  That way you don't have to reach as far.  Also, you could cut foam and tape it to the base of the stick so that your hand is higher up on the stick. 

[Wobbly]

I upgraded from X52 to CH Fighterstick, keeping the X52 throttle, and the CH is miles better IMHO.

The CH stick is big - I have sellotaped an adsl filter to the bottom of the grip to raise my hand up the stick so I can get the buttons easier. I use logitech wheel pedals for rudder, all a bit Heath Robinson but works for me.

[whiteman]

If CH had a twist stick i'd give them a try but since they don't I'll stick with the X52. Plus my X52 hasn't had a problem going on 2 years, but if it does I'll try the X65F.