Saitek X45 HOTAS

[Jackal1]

I have an X45 and love it.
  When I was first trying to set it up with old CH analog pedals it took me a while, (while prying the far reachs of Skuzzy`s mind), to get it dialed in, but bought a cheap USB adapter and prob was solved.
  Since I`ve been running the X45 I have had one prob with one button. I assigned it to another, got on the horn to Saitek, explained the prob and also told them I didn`t want to be without a stick while I sent mine in. They sent me a new one by UPS and allowed me to send mine back after it was recieived. Don`t know how you could ask for better cooperation from a company than that.

[Xjazz]

Get X36usb if you can find one. Its better.

[Dowding]

Bought the X-36 USB in April 2001 and it's still going.

[Apar]

HAT-1 on my X45 is completely worn out after 1 year of use.

Opened it and try to unsolder the HAT-1 dipswitches and exchange em with HAT-2 (hardly use that one), but was undoable because all the cables that are glued on back of circuit board.

Guess I have to buy me a new one.

Greetz

[mora]

Apar, try to apply silicone to the worn microswitches, it worked for me.

[TracerX]

X45 is the best bang for the buck.  I got the floor model at my local computer store, and paid $45 for it.  It has been working great, but like most pieces of equipment, it will eventually fail in some way.  I expect HAT 1 to fail first, but that is more because of how much it is used instead of the quality of the product.  The CompUSA thing Eagler mentions is probably the best way to combat durability issues, especially for those heavy handed users.  Just for curiosity sake, if you want the CH product equivalent, I think it is $250 or more for the throttle joystick combo.  This means that the CH product would have to last 3.3 times longer than the Saitek X45 to be equal.  How long will those CH products last?  They better be in the neighborhood of 3 years or more for me to look at them.

[Eagler]

did the math in another thread a while ago...

X45 = $80 <- if you don't get the 1st on sale
replacement plan = $10
total               =$90 for original stick & warranty

in 10 months trade it it for new one and purchase additional warranty for another $10 = total = $100 for two X45's

in 10 months - rinse / repeat

I see another 14 brand new X45's (one every ten months for the next 11 years) before I reach the cost of ONE Cougar

You think ur cougar will be as good as a 10 month old X45 in 15 years?

[DrDea]

Ive got the CH Pro pedals and CH Fighterstick.Both USB.Took Hajos advice and a few others from the FLying Circus and Im glad I did.Spent around 200 215 $ but Ive had em for over a year now and no probs whatso ever.Well worth the cash.I had a Twisty Microcrap sidewinder before that that lasted 4 years and change.Good stick for the money but pedals are the way to go.

[Apar]

Mora,

Do you spray the silicon greece on the microswitches?
Can you describe how you do this?

V/R

Apar

[maddog]

had x36 for years.... view hat went bad....
bought x45.... 6 months had servre sticking on axis...damn spring
bought ch trottle and stick..... fingers too small to reach view hat
bought wireless logi fighterstick....use with ch trottle and pedals  so far so good...seems to be ideal ......will see how long this lasts... may be worth it to send x36 back for repair

FYI... tryed to take x45 back to compusa and they said their new policy is to send it back to texas to see if its broke before giving you a new one.......

[NJMAW]

Not everyone gonna be happy with an X45....but I am with mine with my CH pedals.

I got dual function buttons set up.  Thanks to MadSoF.  All my butttons work on my profile, most have two functions using the pinkie trigger to toggle.  I dont have to touch the keyboard except to type.

  This is my second X45.  I broke my first one by accident so I got an Extra Throttle that works.  At this price if I break the stick I can go and buy another with no problem.  I am not buying a cougar.  I can get a kickass vidcard instead.  Cause my vidcard is about as impressive as toothpaste on my shirt during an interview.