Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Laurie on May 26, 2007, 10:24:44 AM
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Hello all, just a quickie
Looking to buy a saitek X 52 but £100 out of my range currently,
anyone know anywhere with a good deal on price in the UK?
yes i know i should be browsing through the web but i dont just have the time currently.
cheers,
hul367th
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Here you go Laurie, do the Buy It Now for like 77....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SAITEK-X52-Throttle-Joystick_W0QQitemZ300108014441QQcmdZViewItem
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You can also check Ebay for Dano's online. He is Dano from AH. He has good prices. If you are gonna get the 52 you should spend the extra money and get the pro. The pro fixed alot of the problems they've had with the 52. Same problems that have me on my 3rd in 2 years.
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Originally posted by Gary26
You can also check Ebay for Dano's online. He is Dano from AH. He has good prices. If you are gonna get the 52 you should spend the extra money and get the pro. The pro fixed alot of the problems they've had with the 52. Same problems that have me on my 3rd in 2 years.
Just curious Gary, what problems was the X52 having so I can keep an eye for them? I have had mine going on 2 years and nothing so far. Next one will be the Pro though as I like the Saitek and would be sleeping on the couch for the next 40 years if my wife caught me buying CH stuff... :noid
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Originally posted by Gary26
You can also check Ebay for Dano's online. He is Dano from AH. He has good prices. If you are gonna get the 52 you should spend the extra money and get the pro. The pro fixed alot of the problems they've had with the 52. Same problems that have me on my 3rd in 2 years.
You are correct. I use the X52 pro. Much better stick. Worth the extra money.
-Sp0t
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Ive had the X-52 for some time now.Never had a problem.
Pipz
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X52 - great design, truely crappy manufacturing. I'm on my 7th stick in two years, which means I love the layout and the stick, when it's working.
First stick lasted 10 months, two subsequent sticks were porked right out of the box and returned. The remaining four have lasted between 2-4 months before becoming unplayable.
Right now waiting for a replacement stick from Saitek (I have three sticks usually in one in each stage of rotation: in use, sent to Saitek, or being replaced and returned by Saitek). Current stick is two months old and won't hold calibration anymore. Have to re-calibrate every two minutes or so while flying.
Maybe, I'll have to buy the X52 Pro and put that into rotation.
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hoping to get the pro if i can get something around £50-£75 mark
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CH sticks rule the roost!!!! :)
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Originally posted by BBBB
You are correct. I use the X52 pro. Much better stick. Worth the extra money.
-Sp0t
Was looking at the Pro whats so much better about it then the X52?
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I ended up ditching the X52 and going back to the X45 series. Much beefier actioin and doesn't feel so fragile.
Haven't tried the Pro yet; that may be my next option. My first Saitek system (X36?) lasted me 6 years; this one's going strong after 2 years! Just put a touch of lithium grease from time to time on the rubber at the bottom of the stick to keep it loose.
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Originally posted by Husky01
Was looking at the Pro whats so much better about it then the X52?
It uses hall sensors in the X and Y instead of potentiometers. been looking at those myself.
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The X52 has problems with spiking over time. The Slider and X/Y/Z axis all have that issue on my stick, but it's still livable. The twist is the worst, then the slider. The roll/pitch just have bumpy spikes throughout a certain range and I don't use that area of deflection that often.
Most the guys that are complaining about them being fragile are those who are used to the Microsoft Sidewinder and such other old tanks. You could beat those to hell with no trouble, but you have to treat the X52 as an electronic, not a toy.
For those of you that have small spiking problems, go into the Game Controllers node in Control Panel. You can adjust deadbands for each axis there.
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I think kazaa has an x52 that he doesnt use because he prefers his track n ball mouse.....
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had an X52 since they came out. It went back to have the X/Y range adjusted since then it has run without problem. I have the twisty locked.
Any feedback from X52pro users re any discernable difference?
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I'll be coming back to AH soon and the X52 Pro looks like being the stick I'll buy. I had the original X36 and it was great, although the twist stick rudder on the X52 put me off. So I bought some Chinese rudder pedals off ebay and they are great. ;)
Has anyone programmed the X52 Pro MFD to AHII? Looks like a useful feature, but I think you need some programming knowledge.
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Originally posted by OOZ662
The X52 has problems with spiking over time. The Slider and X/Y/Z axis all have that issue on my stick, but it's still livable. The twist is the worst, then the slider. The roll/pitch just have bumpy spikes throughout a certain range and I don't use that area of deflection that often.
Most the guys that are complaining about them being fragile are those who are used to the Microsoft Sidewinder and such other old tanks. You could beat those to hell with no trouble, but you have to treat the X52 as an electronic, not a toy.
For those of you that have small spiking problems, go into the Game Controllers node in Control Panel. You can adjust deadbands for each axis there.
or buy a powered belkin USB hub
my saitek gear dosnt spike anymore since i bought the powered hub even though I bought it for my CH gear.
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btw I have an unused x52 sitting on the shelf. its a good stick with good button layouts but I found the CH stick to have greater travel range and more precision even though the x52 has a more comfortable grip with more user friendly button placement. I wish the fighterstick had a few more trigger buttons.
I like using my old x45 throttle better with my ch fighterstick and ch pro pedals.
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Cit....next time when looking at CH look at the 586 Combatstick USB.
I've used them for a long long time......they just feel right. The fighter stick has one more 8way then the combatstick which has one 8 way and a 4. But since I have the Pro Throttle adding 4 more hats it is not an issue. Combat stick just more comfortable.
And by the way Saitek users. Do what I do I put my change in a can. It mounts up over time and I always have money for HOTAS if I need one. And when I buy one it won't be Saitek or thrustmaster. Only CH. I've used CH products for almost 20 years and never....repeat never had an issue with one controller. As a matter of fact several AH players are using my used equipment.....some are over 10 years old and still going strong.
So save your change for the CH stuff. In the long run you'll be more satisfied and save money.
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^ what he said
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CH is the way to go it's far less expensive in the long run. they are quality products that simply don't wear out.
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Originally posted by storch
CH is the way to go it's far less expensive in the long run. they are quality products that simply don't wear out.
CH is simply the top shelf controller for this genre. My first set of CH gear (Fighterstick/Throttle/Pedals) lasted 12 years without the slightest hint of a problem. When I ungraded to XP I purchased the USB version of the same gear and bought a good independant internal PCI USB hub for them. Those have worked beautifully for 5 years+...
While more expensive initially, those inclined toward mathematics, prorate that cost out over the projected lifespan of the gear. Then compare that to something that costs 1/2 as much and lasts 1/25th as long...Numbers don't lie. CH gear ends up being both better and cheaper in the end...
Zazen
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I noticed there are many different points of view on the same equipment.It always seems to be like this.I had CH stuff for years and would swear by it.After a few years I did have to replace a hat swich in the stick and a potentiometer in the pedals.Other than that it all worked great for a good 6 or 7 years.The reason I got rid of it was that it was analog.I bought an X-52 like I said no problems so far although it is not realy old yet.I bought a set of CH Pro Pedals around the same time I bought the X-52.The Pro Pedals spike.I wonder if part of the differance in performance is the varying equipment we hook the gear up too.Or is it in the manufacturing like Sloehand mentioned.It just seems like whenever anyone asks about sticks ya get answeres pointing you in every direction.
Pipz
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pipz you using a powered usb hub with everything?
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Hello Fester
No I do not have a powered USB Hub.I did see your post and problem on this issue.I may have to go out and get one.I do have a internal PCI ,USB HUB.I think your cure may be the best answere.
Pipz
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try it my ch stuff spiked like mad, my x45 did and my x52 spiked on every axis but x and y. my 2.5 yr old ch pedals did too.
now with the powered hub regulating enough power to the potentometers which rely on steady and ample current for stability everything is like glass.
so I can't say it enough times if you have spikes try this 30 dollar belkin powered USB hub and it could be the best 30 bucks you ever spent on AH :)
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Thanks for the input Fester.Ill give it a go and let ya know how it worked out.
Pipz
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http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=159070
heres a link to what I am now using.
i had no idea that all this stuff would encounter problems with many PC's because the pc has plenty usb ports but the pc manufacturers dont supply a seperate power supply source for the usb ports and a lot of times only the tiny usb bus has to supply all of it and with HOTAS setups or about any setup with potentometers its pretty clear to me now in hindsight that it is essential to get enough power to these controls for them to function as intended.
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Originally posted by Citabria
my saitek gear dosnt spike anymore since i bought the powered hub even though I bought it for my CH gear.
The issues with spiking didn't occur for a couple months, then got slowly worse. They're still getting worse, just even slower. I doubt my powered hub would help much.
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Originally posted by OOZ662
The issues with spiking didn't occur for a couple months, then got slowly worse. They're still getting worse, just even slower. I doubt my powered hub would help much.
I was told from Saitek that the X52 needs more power than what the on-board USB can deliever consistantly.... Mine has not spiked for two years and that is how long i have had it... just a note is all. Wouldn't hurt to try it...
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Well, I did it. The spiking is lessened by a tiny it on all except the rudder. Still spiking all-around though.
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Recalibrate it.... or just do like me and not run any Saitek software. Just plug and play. :D
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I don't run Saitek software and I don't have a calibration option in Windows.
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Originally posted by OOZ662
I don't run Saitek software and I don't have a calibration option in Windows.
Thats weird. I dont run Saitek SW, and have the option to calibrate in windows. Start> Controll panel > Game controllers> Saitek X45 > Properties >Settings > Calibrate .
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I have the X52 stick and pro pedals. I dont remember what has happened to my previous X52's. I know one just quit working all together. I think the others just refuse to stay calibrated. I still have to re-calibrate the one i use alot. The other night I had to calibrate 3 times in 30 mins. It is very sensitive pulling back put not half as sensitive pushing forward. My squaddie went from the X45 to the X52 pro and loves it.
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Originally posted by blkmgc
Thats weird. I dont run Saitek SW, and have the option to calibrate in windows. Start> Controll panel > Game controllers> Saitek X45 > Properties >Settings > Calibrate .
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I have never had any trouble with my x52, im gonna get that usb pwr port tho(good tip), i do need a set of rudder pedels, whats best with x52?
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too bad oz it might be the stick then.
as for rudder pedals when my beloved sidewinder ForceFeedback 2 got a drink spilled on it and stopped working completely I bought a saitek x45 and hated everything but the throttle.
the x45 rudder rocker switch was intollerabel for accurate rudder control so I bought CH pro pedals which being underpowered by my pc usb bus were pretty spikey for the 2.5 yrs i have had them. but i suffered through with the ch pedals because they were still way better than the x45 rocker rudder though i missed my ms sidewinder twisty bad. unawares that all the ch pro pedals needed was a powered usb hub which i now have and they now provide very very smooth rudder response.
its taken me at least 2 yrs to get proficient enough with rudder pedals to the point where i have the reflexes to take adjusted deflection shots while moving the rudder to line up the shot. but having already gone through that I and probably anyone you ask who has made the transition would not want to go back to twisty sticks and definitely not rudder rocker switches.
and honestly experiencing this ch gear at its full potential it is superior to even my favorite microsoft sidewinders in terms of accuracy and range of motion, reliability and response.
though the old ff2 still has the realism of resistance vote for me because its mechanical motors set to centering only felt just about like what the cables and pullies and wind did on the real airplanes i flew. so in that regard ms ff2 still takes it but for sheer killing power and smooth accurate response (when fully powered with a belkin usb hub :) ) CH stuff just blows saitek microsoft and everything else outa the water.
really enjoyable using CH gear and this is from someone who will not be happy with anything less than perfection :D
id recomend the ch pro pedals its what I been using for past few years
and now I have my ch fighterstick which rocks
and I still love my old saitek x45 throttle which I still use even though I have an x52 (the trim wheels and evrything else suck on x52 even though the stick on x52 is way better than x45 it dosnt matter cuz i use the ch fighterstick haha)
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Originally posted by Laurie
hoping to get the pro if i can get something around £50-£75 mark
With the sterling to $ (no pound key grrr) exchange rate right now you could get a CHFighter stick from the US for that kind of dosh.....though !
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yeah thanks to the current US administration bankrupting the country by never vetoing any pork laiden bills and footing the entire bill for a costly war with their VISA cards US money is worth nothing so I would definitely take advantage of the exchange rates and buy some CH stuff :)
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Glad you got that usb thing sorted fester.
The CH stick and pedals that i've been using since xmas are better than everything i've had so far. Msffb2, saitek all good sticks but none as close to the accuracy and control I can get with CH.
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i'd be surprised if the exchange rate benefit covers the shipping from the US. Would like to be proved wrong though!