Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Vector on November 24, 2001, 02:59:00 PM
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Hi
My old CH gear is almost dead now after years of waving. Is X45 ok or should I go to X36? I have win2k pro. Is my CH pro rudders (non usb) compatible with saitek X's ?
Thx!
-vector
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Hi Vector
The X45 is a direct replacement for the X36 so I'd go for the X45. BTW I use a X36 at the moment and it's a good stick but it won't be supported in the future.
Regards
Nexx
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"Won't be supported"... well, the product is being retired, I guess, but I trust Saitek's future software will be compatible with the X36.
As far as I could gather, the differences between the X45 and the X36 are:
- one less button (the "mouse" button of the X36 throttle)
- a differently shaped stick
- lighted buttons (big deal :) )
I also gathered that the software was changed with the X45. The new software isn't integrated with Internet Explorer, I heard (the previous software has sometimes been problematic because of that, according to some user groups). That software hasn't made available to X36 users yet.
Saitek may also have improved on the X36 design.
Note, however, that Saitek hasn't released any Win2k/XP compatible software. Neither the X36 software nor the X45 software will work with Windows 2000 or XP. Saitek has released drivers, but that means you can only program the joystick from the game, and some functions are not available.
For example, the X36 and X45 have rotary dials; they can be used as the axes they are (controlling rpm for example, or throttles) or can be used in "banded mode", in which you configure them to send a key when they're moved on way or the other. The banded mode is only available through the software. The same applies for the rudder rocker. That rocker can also be used in banded mode, if you already have rudder pedals, for example to control flaps.
You can't really use the mode and auxiliary switches without the Saitek software either.
But you can use the rest, yet without the software, only the main hat swith will act 8-way. The other hats will act like 4-way hats. (The 8-way capability for the other 3 hats is by software, not hardware).
Saitek Support told me by email that they should have Windows 2000/XP compatible software by the beginning of 2002. But rumors put the release in mid 2002.
And Saitek's track record isn't good. We've been promised Windows 2000 compatible software for Fall 2000, then January 2001, but we're still waiting for it a year later!
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Saitek reliability sucks Yak balls, at the same level as Hblair does.
Countless X-36’s pollute my storage room waiting to send them back to them with a hate note and a enough Pabst empties to consider lifting war rations on aluminum.
However, after vowing not to fly until the TM Cougar came out, I broke down and bought the X-45 . (logged 4 hours total this month, how I held off, not sure)
Anyway, its just like the X36. Great, programmable, cheap, but adds a spring for better feel, and it is just great!
Bug RangerBob for a setup and then tweak it to your needs.
It will be a heap of toejam in 5 months. Overall, pretty much fantastic for $75 bucks.
Of course it will go tit’s up soon, but boy does it do it all for little investment.
Buy it. Hate yourself later, then get another and have supreme control, and be happy with that.
It won’t give you a edge on Festardbria, but he sucks at Monopoly so it’s all how you address the games. You’ll be happy with the X45.
Carry On.
[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: Creamo ]
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I had a go with the Couger yesterday, nice metal stick, rather stiff but will get some getting used to it. Not sure when it's going to be available though?
As for the X36, well yeah, it's reliability does suck - I'm on my third but I keep sending them back whilst under warranty. The main POV switch always wears out for me.
Regards
Nexx
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Nexx : reaper has learned "how to" fix that , seems it isn't really wore out just needs a tape "shim" put inside the hat . His telling me went over my head :(
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I have the X36 and my HAT 1 is starting to wear out, I'm very interested to hear Reaper's suggestion on solving this prob.
I'm currently thinking of exchanging HAT 1 interior with HAT 2 interior (requires some soldering on printed circuit).
Another problem I had with the stick is that it didn't respond to HAT-1 'Up' and at the same time also no response from fire-button 3. This error only occured once in a while and because it was a combined error of several functions of the main stick, I suspected a faulted wire in the stick.
I took the stick apart but couldn't find a wire breach or faulted connection to the circuit boards. However when I fidled around with the wire bundle that runs from the top of the stick through the tube connection into the base of the stick the error went away. After some hours flying the error came back. After 2 weeks of flying with regular function errors i got so sick of it that I took the whole stick apart and rewired the cable bundle that connects the top of the stick to the main board in the base of the stick. It worked and the sticks performs fine now. It shows that the design of this stick is not that great because even internal wire's wear out by usage of the stick. (I have this stick since just over a year)
But I still like the combo stick because of it's feel, direct response and all the programmable functions.
Reaper could you post your solution for the HAT-wearing-out problem?
Thx and <S>
[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Apar ]
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I think I'm gonna save some money for the TM Cougar, it looks promising, :)
On solving the wear-out of the HAT. The 'tape shim' idea sounds like a good one, i'll try that. Question I have for Reaper is wheter he put the tape on the head contact puttons (4) self or around the plactic interior extention of the HAT knob?
[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Apar ]
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No mouse button on the X45 throttle??? That's my WEP button, damn it! :D See if I upgrade to X45 when my X36 goes!
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X45 does have a mouse button :) Even if it didn't you could still use the X36 throttle :) The X45 throttle is the same as the X36,X45 has lighted buttons :)
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There is a mouse button? I couldn't see it on the (too small) picture. :)
I used to have WEP on that button too, but the button doesn't work any more. :(
[ 11-28-2001: Message edited by: DrSoya ]
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I prefer the feel of the X36 to my new X45 on the joystick. THat single spring thingy gives a strange resistance when making light inputs, it almost feels like it's sticking. Other than looking cool with the lights, I think it has nothing over the X36.
[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: Eagler ]
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Originally posted by Apar:
I think I'm gonna save some money for the TM Cougar, it looks promising, :)
On solving the wear-out of the HAT. The 'tape shim' idea sounds like a good one, i'll try that. Question I have for Reaper is wheter he put the tape on the head contact puttons (4) self or around the plactic interior extention of the HAT knob?
[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Apar ]
I put it around the interior extention on the hat. Works better then it ever did before.
2 1/2 yrs on my first x36 and better then new. A little maintenance and it will never die.
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Thanks Reaper, I will try that too, :D
Have taken the stick apart so many times I could design my own stick by now, :)
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Nice trick with the ducttape Reaper, it works great, thx :)
[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: Apar ]
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I was down an Saitek last week picking up an X45 as warranty replacement for my 7 month old X36 which developed 15-20mm slack in the pitch axis. I have to say these are generally good value for the money giving about the same functionality as CH/TM Cougar for less than half the price so ref the reliability, maybe you just get what you pay for.
I agree the slightly sticky feel and its a bit 'heavier' than the X36. Makes it feel like you have the weight of the plane under your hand.
HOWEVER, I have a problem with my USB X45/Analogue pedals which ran fine before with X36. Here's my post from another thread. Can anyone help me?
I can't seem to get the rudder rocker to work in banded mode with my analogue rudder pedals interfaced through Ron Hunt's X36 pedals utility.
I set up the rocker bands ok in SGE. Then I go through the Unplug X45/NukeUSB/Clickit and install the analogue rudders as stick #2 having amended the .inf file to use Rons little utility (not as complex as it sounds to those who wonder what the hell I am talking about), all the usual stuff without problem and the rudder works ok in the Windows Game Controllers applet, feeding into the X45 setup. This should leave the rocker just operating the banded commands.
BUT in SGE instead of the rocker continuing to operate the banded key commands, which it did with the X36, the Rudder now operates the commands ! Very confusing and I've had to scrub the band commands for now.
So, does anyone know how I keep the X45 rocker operating the band commands with the rudder installed?
Would appreciate any help - e-mail if preferred is klem@ntlworld.com
Apologies for the long post.
klem
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http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bbs/Forum79/HTML/000005.html (http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bbs/Forum79/HTML/000005.html)
Don't know if this will help, but you could post your question on this board and Ron could supply the answer.
Good luck
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ty 1776 I have signed up to the web page.
I couldn't find Ron after he closed his old saitekhelp page
klem
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Originally posted by Apar:
I have the X36 and my HAT 1 is starting to wear out, I'm very interested to hear Reaper's suggestion on solving this prob.
I'm currently thinking of exchanging HAT 1 interior with HAT 2 interior (requires some soldering on printed circuit).
Hiyas!
I know what you mean about the HAT1, (also the throttle to js cable). However, I think I've got a better way to repair the HAT1.
The way I did mine still requires soldering, But only half as much, and you get to keep the #2POV intact.
It sounds like you're a "Bastard-Master" like I am, So you'll start by gathering 'materiel' using standard digital salvage techniques. (ie: Look thru the pile of VCR's, CD Players, ROM's etc. in that 'Special Corner' of the garage).
You'll be retrieving four [4], Mark 1A, Rubberized detent, Micro switches. (Since you've had your stick open, You'll know that they are the most common type, and size, button used in the past 20 years). They are a 4 point switch, (All are N.O.), And in the x36 two points are cut off, two go to the board. It doesn't matter which two.
Be sure and clean the contact pins, and the holes on the x36 PCB, of excess solder so you can get it all the way seated into the board before soldering it. And don't forget to hold the replacement up to your ear, press the button a few times, while listening for a healthy 'click'. (The weaker it sounds, The sooner it fails!).
Good luck Jim!
(And remember, Should your missus spot you creating a "..Bigger pile than you already started", We don't know you! Never heard of you! And you can't prove we said anything!!)
[LOL! Good luck!]
S!