Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Rutilant on September 26, 2003, 11:45:54 AM

Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Rutilant on September 26, 2003, 11:45:54 AM
78$ on Newegg.com for the set.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=26-102-501&depa=1
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Eagler on September 26, 2003, 12:05:29 PM
$79 at CompUSA regular - seen as low as $59.95 on sale there

need to get a replacement plan as it'll wear out within a year - mine do.

$10 - 12 month walk in and swap out for new plan at CompUSA

then drop another $10 for another replacement plan - have done this 4 times at my local CompUSA in 3 years
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: rabbidrabbit on September 26, 2003, 01:15:47 PM
It's 40 bucks at Saitek.   they are selling refurbs but have no  defects and come with the same warranty as new ones.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Hwkeye on September 26, 2003, 02:44:06 PM
You got that right Eagler!  I have had Pots problems with my throttle from the beginning.  I bet I have another few months before the throttle Pot dies.  That will make the second throttle shot in less than a years time!

Very discouraging.

Hwkeye
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Eagler on September 26, 2003, 02:50:22 PM
their QC seems less than strict

some hold together 10 months or more but other have had buttons go out in less than 6 months

the stiffness/stickiness of the stick should be tested in the store as some are way smoother than others

but for the money - best stick around with basically unlimited programming options
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Hwkeye on September 26, 2003, 03:10:05 PM
Agreed!  It's either the X45 or the Cougar and the Cougar, although certainly the creame de la creame of HOTAS, comes at a cost that is hard to justify.  I have read in other posts that folks are having problems with their Pots in Cougars too.

It's really too bad that Microsoft is getting out of the JS business because I had hoped that at some point they would have developed a high-quality HOTAS that utilized their optical system.  Their 'twisty' sticks are very durable and there are no Pots to where out.  (Saitek, CH and Thrustmaster are you listening!!!??? Kill the Pots and go optical!)

Hwkeye
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: moot on September 26, 2003, 03:31:26 PM
don't even look at the X45.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: grnhornt on September 26, 2003, 09:24:39 PM
$50 at Circut City.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: mora on September 27, 2003, 02:24:46 AM
Mine has worked pretty well. The only problem has been the microswitches on the hats that needed to be lubricated after 6 months of use. No wear either, I have regularly applied silicone grease to all moving parts.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: AHGOD on September 27, 2003, 03:07:28 AM
Quote
Originally posted by moot
don't even look at the X45.


Couldn't agree with you more.  

Got Duck?
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Eagler on September 27, 2003, 10:02:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by moot
don't even look at the X45.


what would you suggest for under $80?
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Eagler on September 27, 2003, 10:03:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by grnhornt
$50 at Circut City.


is this a sale? they r $80 online
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: moot on September 27, 2003, 04:58:34 PM
I wouldn't suggest looking at it if he's going to expect a seemless interface with his future virtual plane.

I don't know much about joysticks, but my oddball X45-evo setup is already better than the X45 stick with commonly disfunc drivers, too much initial friction, dilated deadband, usual saitek flaky buttons after a bit of use.  Can't be hard to find something better if he scratches his head a bit.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: moot on September 27, 2003, 05:09:03 PM
except the RPM won't map on that setup.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: moot on September 27, 2003, 05:11:14 PM
if all he needed was 50$ more, I'd probably send it to him to avoid him the experience of that thing.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Jackal1 on September 29, 2003, 05:17:54 AM
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.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Xjazz on September 29, 2003, 06:44:59 AM
Get X36usb if you can find one. Its better.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Dowding on September 29, 2003, 07:15:45 AM
Bought the X-36 USB in April 2001 and it's still going.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Apar on September 29, 2003, 07:34:56 AM
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
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: mora on September 29, 2003, 10:06:39 AM
Apar, try to apply silicone to the worn microswitches, it worked for me.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: TracerX on September 29, 2003, 02:57:20 PM
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.
Title: X45 - best bang for the buck
Post by: Eagler on September 29, 2003, 06:47:09 PM
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?
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: DrDea on September 29, 2003, 09:14:05 PM
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.
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: Apar on September 30, 2003, 03:00:59 AM
Mora,

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

V/R

Apar
Title: Saitek X45 HOTAS
Post by: maddog on September 30, 2003, 03:12:00 PM
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.......
Title: x45 boils down to the profile
Post by: NJMAW on October 03, 2003, 12:17:42 PM
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.:lol