Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: chrishy on March 14, 2010, 11:29:39 AM

Title: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: chrishy on March 14, 2010, 11:29:39 AM
Question, I've been out of AH for a few years, just bought a new system and will be returning.  I'm and old CH die hard, and am wondering if I'll be disappointed with the X52, or should just suck it up and spend the xtra $ for the CH stick, throt & pedals?  Also is the X52 compatible with rudder pedals?  Any known isues with windows 7?  Thanks in advance for your help!

chrishy
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: minke on March 14, 2010, 12:50:32 PM
I have the x52pro and I am perfectly happy with it for 3 years or so now. Never used ch stuff before but will give em a go If this one ever dies on me. I am using win7 64 bit, which found the drivers straight away. Never needed to install saiteks software, (which i had to do with xp) and yes, you can use any pedals you like. I also have saiteks throttle quadrant, Logitech G15 keyboard and G13 game board. All work together beautifully. The one weak spot with my stick so far is that I have pulled out the cable a couple of times whilst playing, and is now a tad loose.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: chrishy on March 14, 2010, 01:04:17 PM
Thanks Minke............
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: The Fugitive on March 14, 2010, 01:19:58 PM
I never had the X52, but I did use the Aviator when I was on the road. I have all CH at home. I much prefer my CH stuff.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: L0nGb0w on March 15, 2010, 02:37:17 AM
I use the X52 and CH pedals on vista 64 bit, no problems  :aok
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Wobbly on March 15, 2010, 03:46:27 AM
I have an X52, then a CH fighterstick came up on ebay so I tried it, and for me its far better than the x52 stick in terms of accuracy - e.g. minute movements of the turret when GVing, smoother flying etc. I now use the CH with the X52 throttle.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Bruv119 on March 15, 2010, 03:47:13 AM
CH  >  X52.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: chrishy on March 15, 2010, 07:30:18 AM
Thanks to all who've replied, I'm definitely leaning towards the CH stuff

chrishy
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Masherbrum on March 15, 2010, 10:58:29 AM
I have a CH Fighterstick and CH Pedals.   My (non-Pro, as that is $100 more than the regular X52) regular X52 had two hats, and most of the buttons and throttle go out within 6 months (on a powered USB hub).   The Saitek needed calibration at least once a week.   

CH.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: caldera on March 15, 2010, 01:46:42 PM
Had one X-52 that was nothing but trouble.  This one I've had 7 months and never calibrated.  Works perfectly.
Bought a CH Fighterstick and didn't like it.  It had a tighter on-center feel, but not nearly as comfortable as X-52.
CH is also somewhat awkward unless your hands are big enough to palm a basketball.  It's a long reach from the bottom to the hat.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: ink on March 15, 2010, 02:14:36 PM
well for years I have used Saitek, had the x-52 for two years the moment I used it it was very loose and just kept getting worse so about a month ago I had to go get a new one, I got the cyborg-x, two days and buttons started breaking, 4 days and the twisty broke, that did not really matter because I got the Saitek pro peddles(which indecently work great :rolleyes:) I was still using the throttle from the X-52, so I ordered the CH Fighter stick, $104 online, have had it about 5 days now and the thing is awesome very accurate, smooth, takes no pressure to move the stick, although the stick top area is large and its a reach to get to the Hat switch, it is well worth it!!!

so now I use the x-52 throttle, the CH fighter stick and saitek pro-peddles, the throttle on the fighter stick I use for RPM, seems to be the best setup I have had yet!!
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Fianna40 on March 15, 2010, 09:20:00 PM
Could I ask a slightly related stick question? I'm new, and I purchased a Saitek Cyborg X. I've been learning how to get an airplane moved about, and learned various ways to crash or 'ditch' while attempting to land. When I tried mapping the controller, I noticed that AH assigned tasks one off of the actual button number (ex: it thinks that button#3 is the look up function, while it's #4). Is this normal, or did I map it wrong? And are there any recommend mapping lists for fighters, bombers or vehicles that people have found useful with a Cyborg stick?

Any help would be appreciated. :joystick:
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: 68Wooley on March 16, 2010, 12:34:41 PM
...so now I use the x-52 throttle, the CH fighter stick and saitek pro-peddles, the throttle on the fighter stick I use for RPM, seems to be the best setup I have had yet!!

Same here. The CH fighter stick is superior to the X-52 stick in most ways - smoother and seemingly better built. However as Caldera mentioned, if you have smaller hands, you might find it a bit uncomfortable at first. I've kept the X-52 throttle and use the Saitek pedals. I use the slider on the throttle for RPM though.

The X-52 is still a relatively cost effective way to get a good set-up if you're starting from scratch.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: ink on March 16, 2010, 02:01:12 PM
Could I ask a slightly related stick question? I'm new, and I purchased a Saitek Cyborg X. I've been learning how to get an airplane moved about, and learned various ways to crash or 'ditch' while attempting to land. When I tried mapping the controller, I noticed that AH assigned tasks one off of the actual button number (ex: it thinks that button#3 is the look up function, while it's #4). Is this normal, or did I map it wrong? And are there any recommend mapping lists for fighters, bombers or vehicles that people have found useful with a Cyborg stick?

Any help would be appreciated. :joystick:

well I would say go in and remap every thing that you need in a fight to the stick, map your up view to the #6 button, so you can hit it with your thumb when you have your left hand on throttle, the most important buttons map to the stick, the functions you need while fighting, IE; Flaps, look up,WEP, secondary weapon,(in other words dont have your primary and secondary on trigger)
I would suggest going offline and setting it up a few different ways until you are happy with it, (where you don't have to remove your hand from the stick while fighting)

good luck :aok
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Fianna40 on March 16, 2010, 07:19:37 PM
well I would say go in and remap every thing that you need in a fight to the stick, map your up view to the #6 button, so you can hit it with your thumb when you have your left hand on throttle, the most important buttons map to the stick, the functions you need while fighting, IE; Flaps, look up,WEP, secondary weapon,(in other words dont have your primary and secondary on trigger)
I would suggest going offline and setting it up a few different ways until you are happy with it, (where you don't have to remove your hand from the stick while fighting)

good luck :aok

Thanks for this. I'll try it out. I suspect that the different control modes will be best used for bomber versus fighter missions?
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Ghosth on March 17, 2010, 06:46:47 AM
Fianna if your doing that don't forget to set one for WWI planes while your at it. :)
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Eagler on March 18, 2010, 06:49:16 AM
X36 game port - X36 usb, X45, X52

for the money it is the best bet imo.
 tried a ch fighterstick once, found it too easy almost floppy compared to the X52 stiffness

I do have ch pro peds and they are great
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: SKJohn on March 18, 2010, 10:04:08 AM
I use the CH Fighterstick with the Saitek X45 Throttle and rudder pedals.  The only problem is that I have to keep the old X45 stick on my desk because the USB cord for the throttle goes thru it to the computer.  I never had a problem with the X45, but after seeing pople rave about the CH sticks for years, wanted to try one and see if it was really better than the Saitek versions.  Found a good deal for one on Ebay, and liked it.  I have fairly large hands, so the CH stick actually fits my hand a little better than the Saitek.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: ink on March 18, 2010, 02:40:42 PM
I dont have large hands so the Fighter stick was a PITA to reach the hat, but I found a site that converts the 4 way Hat to 8, and now that it is set up like that it is awesome, way better the the X-52.

so any of you guys that have the fighter stick check this out, the only difference that I did was use a knife to trim out the hole, dremmel tool I think would be to easy to make the hole to big.  took me about 45 minutes to do, including the programming.
http://snomhf.exofire.net/8-WayHat.html
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: lyric1 on March 18, 2010, 05:44:35 PM
Had the old X52 stick throttle & pedals. Decided to go CH to see what was better got the fighter stick & throttle & kept the X52 pedals. CH Is a better product IMHO. :aok
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Fianna40 on March 18, 2010, 06:35:26 PM
Fianna if your doing that don't forget to set one for WWI planes while your at it. :)


AN excellent idea. I've been learning to auger in Camels recently too :x

Any suggested setups?
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: froger on March 20, 2010, 01:55:38 AM
INK, i saw the tutorial you posted and i am considering doing this as i have had my ch pro stik, throttle and pedals for about 6 months now and have finally committed to going through the painful proses of flying like a two weaker for the next month or so till i get my brain wrapped around the hand, eye and foot coordination and all the buttons.
   just a question though, is it not possible to just swap the switches from top to bottom? i haven't had the stick apart yet, today was the first day i have had it set up and yes, the reach is a bit awkward. i got creamed in the 3 hours i spent in the ma today.
i have used a 3d xtream pro for around 5 years now and i just burned the hat out on my last 1. I wanna make the ch gear work for me but at the moment it's a real stretch.

thanks for the tips sir


froger   


Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: Buzzard7 on March 20, 2010, 02:17:09 AM
15 years and counting with my CH setup. Combatstick,throttle and pedals all analog gameport.
I replaced the pots in the stick once so far and will do it again shortly. The X axis is developing a deadspot in it.
I would go USB but I want to build a faster machine first.
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: ink on March 20, 2010, 03:06:32 PM
INK, i saw the tutorial you posted and i am considering doing this as i have had my ch pro stik, throttle and pedals for about 6 months now and have finally committed to going through the painful proses of flying like a two weaker for the next month or so till i get my brain wrapped around the hand, eye and foot coordination and all the buttons.
   just a question though, is it not possible to just swap the switches from top to bottom? i haven't had the stick apart yet, today was the first day i have had it set up and yes, the reach is a bit awkward. i got creamed in the 3 hours i spent in the ma today.
i have used a 3d xtream pro for around 5 years now and i just burned the hat out on my last 1. I wanna make the ch gear work for me but at the moment it's a real stretch.

thanks for the tips sir


froger   




it is possible im sure just much more work, if your good at soldering and such, go for it. you will still have to ream out the bottom hole.

after flying with it like this it is not as smooth as the normal hat, but it is way more comfortable on the hand. :aok
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: 68Hawk on April 13, 2010, 09:05:27 AM
I've had my x52 for probably 4 years now and I love it.  The profiling software is easy to use once you get the hang of it.  I like the button setup and the three hat switches.  The MFD functions are nice.  My only complaints are that the stick doesn't have as much tension as I'd like, and that the rotary axes don't work very well for trim controls.

There are a couple things I like ergonomically about saitek that CH doesn't have going for it.  On the throttle, I like the roll action instead of the straight slide.  I like the stick layout better on saitek too.  The rudder pedals from saitek work great (as long as you don't set them next to a surge protector) and they're spaced more comfortably apart than the CH pedals.  The brakes work well, and it makes ground ops a lot more fun. 

If I really wanted to upgrade from what I've got now I'd probably go to thrustmaster.  I'm a little curious about that new logitec, though I'm skeptical about the company.  Anyone heard any good things?
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: uptown on April 13, 2010, 09:12:50 AM
The X52 looks flashy and all but the quality just isn't there. Spend the extra money, you'll be glad you did.  :salute
Title: Re: Stick Issues - CH vs. Saitek X52
Post by: ink on April 13, 2010, 02:17:50 PM
well I have been flying on my CH fighter stick, for awhile now,(about a month now) finally not hitting the wrong buttons, I will NEVER buy any thing but CH now.

saitek is junk compared.