Author Topic: Problem with Saitek X36 (Read 690 times)

Mathman · « **on:** November 12, 2001, 03:14:00 AM »

Just got the X36 a few weeks ago, and it worked perfectly until tonight. In the middle of a fight, it lost all calibration. No big deal I figured. I recalibrated and upped again. The problem is that now it occasionally loses calibration in game and spikes in mid-range in the pitch axis. Makes it real tough to line up shots and keep the nose steady for a guns-silution. Down pitch is even worse. Can't strafe acks at all now.

Has anyone else had this problem and what are my options? Do I need to have it refurbished already? I hope not, because if this is what I need to do, then Saitek has really crappy workmanship on their sticks. I loved it until this crap started happening. I could understand if I had spilled something on it, but that didn't happen.

-math
(who is very frustrated right now)

straffo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2001, 03:53:00 AM »

Did you loose the SGE mapping too ?

Because since I upgraded to DX8.1 myX36 loose config from time to time

But it's curred by a switch to desktop ...

sling322 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2001, 03:59:00 AM »

Maybe you should have got the refurbished one to begin with Math.

I bought mine a year ago refurbished and never had a problem with it. The only weird thing it does is every once in a while it gets a little slow. I fire up AH and when I hit a hat switch or whatever the movement is delayed like 2 seconds or something like that. I just unplug it from the USB port and plug it back in and everything is fine from there on.

Creamo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2001, 07:49:00 AM »

I loved the USB Saitek X36 until I kept wearing out hat switches.

I ordered a ANOTHER brand new one, which came from stock bad. Something was wrong digitally and it wouldn't center. That was a pisser, so I bought a X45 which finally had a spring to help what I concidered a sloppy feel. Unfortunatley, and that was bad as well.

So I just unplugged them all, returned the X45, and will get a hoopty stick to use until Thrustmaster releases the good stuff in January.

The X36 was a great solution for awhile, but not worth messing with how badly they are built.

Daff · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2001, 07:56:00 AM »

I've had that happen twice over the weekend in AH..never had it happen in WB or WW2OL.

Daff

Kieran · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2001, 07:58:00 AM »

There are adherents to the brand (as with any brand of joystick), but Saitek has definitely had more than its share of problems. I have seen every one of these problems and more, and wouldn't pay for another Saitek. In fact, if I won one in a contest I would ask if they had something more useful, like a pair of socks or something...

LePaul · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2001, 10:03:00 AM »

I'm glad I read threads like this, because from what I've read here, and heard the local PC Game Stores say, Saitek is problematic. Sorry Math, your situation seems to mirror others. The fellas at the local EB and BestBuy tell me that the Saiteks are good "for a while" and then a variety of things go wrong with them.

I'm still using the MS Sidewinder Pro until the Thrustmaster stuff comes out.

airspro · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2001, 03:51:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Creamo:
I loved the USB Saitek X36 until I kept wearing out hat switches.

I ordered a ANOTHER brand new one, which came from stock bad. Something was wrong digitally and it wouldn't center.

The X36 was a great solution for awhile, but not worth messing with how badly they are built.

Right u are on the hats wearing out too fast . BUT if you buy another stick to replace it you have to "clear calibrate" before plug in your new one .

The program is found on Ron Hunt's site , now found on http://saitekhelp.simhq.com/

This is the link , hope it works >
http://saitekhelp.simhq.com/download%20bin/clrcalib.zip

BTW have preordered a "couger" hott's system form Chips and Bits , I hate the hats wearing out also

[ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: airspro ]

Scot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2001, 06:12:00 AM »

Fanboy time...

I've been using my USB X36 / USB CH Pro Pedals combo for over 18 mos with WB, WWIIOL, IL2, MS flight sim, and AH and have not had any troubles. The system works as well as it did day one < knocks on wood >. And I will buy another if this one ever wears out. Just a great bang for the buck IMHO. I'm wonder if it could be a direct X 8.1x issue?

<S>
Scot
3./JG2

<S>

Kieran · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2001, 09:55:00 AM »

Scot-

No, not a directX issue at all. This has been a recurrent issue with Saitek since day one. Indeed, there are some people that have good experiences, but there are just as many that do not.

No denying that when it works, it works great. The workmanship of the product simply isn't as consistent as the competitors' products. Too many customers complaining about Saitek to suggest the problem lies outside of the product itself.

Scot · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2001, 11:47:00 AM »

Kieran,

I hear you. You do see a signifcant number of folks having troubles with Saitek products. It's funny because I switched to Saitek after having totally buggy analog CH setup

that just wouldn't run.

<S>
Scot
3./JG2