Saitek x52 Pro: yay or nay?

[Matrixmage]

So I'm looking into buying a joystick for KSP (obviously), star citizen (when it comes out), and maybe some X3. I haven't really had a joystick before, and I really wanted to get starting strong, so I've been looking into the x52 Pro. I've done some research and read lots of reviews, and most of them seem to be quite positive, but I want to get some feedback from some actual users before committing. Any info about it would be good, also, if anyone has a profile for KSP that would be great (profiles from the original x52 aren't compatible, but would still be good as I can reverse-engineer them).

Thanks,

Matrixmage

[IvanTehFennec]

I don't have the X-52 Pro, but I do have standard, and it hasn't let me down in the 5-6 years I've owned it. It's quite a joystick, with powerful programming software. It's well worth the investment, imho.

[Nuke]

in retrospect never liked my original x-52 or the x36 i had before it. when i owned them i thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. then i bought ch gear and realized how much saitek sucks.

[Ortikon]

I have had my x52 pro for several years. Its awesome for most things, even mechwarrior online I used it while I played.

For X3, i found the d-pad hat control perfect for translation controls used in conjunction with the joystick (great for orbiting while facing inwards etc)

Having troubles getting that same function to work in KSP though, I am going to give it another shot tonight now that I understand KSP better.

[quadro7f]

Can't say about X52Pro, but i have the original X52 for pretty long time (7 years or so). And i must say - its pretty awesome joystick, in general. It fits for all types of games from MS Flight Simulator to some arcade ones. It very easy to handle, easly to push buttons and triggers and it's light weight, which is good for long games.

But there is 3 problems exist with it:

1) Hall sensors non-linear by default (on the Joystick itself, the X and Y axises); - easy to fix (see below)

2) Throttle sensor gonna glitching with time (Z axis) after 1-2 years of use; - easy to fix (see below)

3) After long time there will be backlash, or free move (or Luft - in german, sorry i dont know how to say that) on the main handle. Especially around "twist" axis, which will make almost impossible to use it anymore. So you'll have to switch to actual pedals (if you have them).

The first two problems are not so critical, since you can easy fix it by yourself. I don't know is this problem still with X 52 Pro serie persist, but for X52 - you just need to make this:

- Disassemble the base platform of joystick and then just turn around the magnets and then assemble everything back. Thats it! It takes only 1 hour of work and you will get fully linear joystick behaviour, which is awesome =)

- To fix Z-axis glitching, just disassemble Throttle base, and then use some WD-40 on it's resistor. This will do the trick =P

But the last, third problem you can't fix it so easily, because of the Joystick's constuction itself - its plastic body attached to metal shaft, so that plastic stuff just slowly breaking and loosing its connection by time. But its ok, since everything is aging, and everything is dying.

I also have Thrustmaster's Hotas Warthog, but this one is real hardcore - full metal jacket for serious simulators only. You can't use it on every game as X52, because of it's weight and total brutality. So for KSP and 90% of other games - X52Pro is just perfect, but of course it's up to you, what to choose/use =P

Edited May 24, 2013 by quadro7f
fixed some errors

[chobit-389]

I love mine, but it might have an issue with the triggers zappign your fingers, just cover them with electrical tube