Need advise for Future Saitek Hotas purchase
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Hello, all Saitek users I am thinking of purchasing a Saitek Hotas system to use with BMS but have some questions which you all can help me with. As with a lot of others, Thustmaster is out the question.$$$
1. Which model do you suggest?
2. Do you use DX to set up your button profile or Saitek software?
3. Is the software difficult to use?
4. Do I need rudder pedals?
5. Are there any recommended profiles available?
Any other suggestions or feedback is greatly appreciated. -
1. I was happy with the X52 Pro, but opinions vary.
2. What is ‘DMX’? If it’s Saitek (or other) key press emulation middle-ware, I’d avoid using it to the greatest extent possible.
3. Regardless of difficulty, I advocate using ‘in game’ DX program assignments to the greatest extent possible.
4. Short answer, no. Some Saitek sticks have a twist rudder. For the F-16 your application of rudder (by pedal, twist grip or otherwise) in flight is of limited (near zero) utility.
5. There are profiles for most of the popular Saitek HOTAS’s on the forum.
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Question number 2 is DX not DMX sorry about that. Now my question is to your number one it states [ I was happy with the X52 Pro] What happen?
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If I may - I believe it is Agave_Blue’s intent to state that he had no issues or major complaints with the X-52 Pro. So, nothing happened. The statement that opinions vary is an acknowledgement that some other people might have complains or issues with the stick in question.
On the rest;
There isnt really a Saitek stick I would really recommend. The least bad one, IMO, is the X-65F, although Im not too sure if you can find them around anymore.
To the greatest extent possible, use DX assignments as a preference over any outside profiling software.
The Saitek software took me over a year to get a profile I considered usable out of it, and I still couldnt replicate that profile reliably after hours of input on a fresh computer. It is not difficult so much as buggy and unreliable, in my experience.
Rudder pedals are not essential but may prove beneficial. If you can afford rudder pedals and a stick, you can afford a better stick and no rudder pedals.
I would not recommend any specific profile but would suggest you set your stick up to match the real aircraft as much as feasible.
Best of luck!
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If I may - I believe it is Agave_Blue’s intent to state that he had no issues or major complaints with the X-52 Pro. So, nothing happened. The statement that opinions vary is an acknowledgement that some other people might have complains or issues with the stick in question. ….
Yes, very close. Nothing ‘happened’ except that I upgraded to a Warthog stick. I’m still using the X-52 Pro throttle. X-52 stick still works, it’s just stuck in a closet unless needed.
By ‘opinions vary’ I just meant that some will like this or that Saitek stick more (or less) than someone else. Some may prefer an X-55 or an X-56 and others may prefer an X-52 or X-52 Pro. They’re all ‘functional’, and they’re all “mid-level” gear.
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I have the X56 after modifying the throttle tension mechanism to my liking, see post elsewhere on forum, and almost completing my DX programming I was very happy except for Ghosting of buttons that is random buttons going off without ever pressing them. Solved the ghosting by buying a 7 port powered hub has not ghosted since!
Purchased it because it was half the price of a warthog and configuration more closely matches the F16 HOTAS
Answers to your questions
1. X56 or 55 or 52
2. Yes I use DX for two layers (Thats two seperate functions for buttons but not all buttons)
3. SST software is simple enough but I was having WIN 10 crash to desktop so I don’t use it and deleted all profiles that way it defaults to none
4. Short answer no as all sticks above have twist stick. Long answer yes for more precise control on ground and in the air (My preference anyway).
5. I tried a few old and new X55 profiles and then learnt how to DX program my own. Its much easier to learn something you create. I think because your switch assignment will follow your logic and not someone else. I only assigned things for hands on use in dogfights and ground attack rolls with secondary layers for refueling communications etc. Others may see my key bindings redundant but each to their own. I will be posting my profile on the forums once I have completed the supporting documents, key layout etc.Hope this helps, everyone has given you some great advice, it’s all up to you now.
Good luck with your choice
Cheers
Nudge -
1. Which model do you suggest? I use standard X52, it’s worked well for over 5 years - my friends who have X52 Pro say it’s sturdier plastics/metals. Non-pro does not feel chintzy though.
2. Do you use DX to set up your button profile or Saitek software? I use a combination of both. I use my own custom DX setup for the majority, and to handle the shift state (I use only 1) – I use STT programming software to get mouse mini-stick to behave as cursor because the default delay in that “axis” polling is too short and causes the cursor to slew continuously.
3. Is the software difficult to use? No, it’s easy and intuitive, and there is much documentation and tips ready to be googled.
4. Do I need rudder pedals? The X52 stick will twist which you can assign as your rudder, that is what most people do I assume. If you want to use Rudder Pedals, you can lock the twist of the stick so it doesn’t.
5. Are there any recommended profiles available? You’ll benefit from setting up your own profile rather than learning another IMO, but my friends use Gunslinger’s X52 profile (except with the STT mini-stick fix to use as cursor). I should really publish my own setup, the DX and STT combo - it’s a 1:1 setup for X52 with working mini-stick cursor and Twist Rudder, and 2 Thrustmaster USB MFD’s, and a Razer Tartarus as the ICP…
(here’s my setup for example, includes the X52 STT profile and BMS key file https://www.dropbox.com/s/pejfqjo9j2sz42y/SemlerPDX%20DX%20and%20STT%20Combo.zip?dl=0 ) **added simple picture guide to hotas setup - forgot a few controls I rarely use, needs work but is good example of DX/STT mix
Best of luck to you!
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The X52 Pro throttle is great for BMS, aside from having kinda junky pots. Ergonomics and functionality (two thumb wheels) are 2nd best to the Cougar throttle, and it and the warthog throttle are the only ones I’ve found so far with afterburner and idle detents, which come in handy in BMS.
I don’t have the X52 Pro joystick, but I researched it a lot before deciding against it. From what I can tell, it usually has a sensor dead zone at the center that needs to be fixed by adding a couple magnets in the base. Not major surgery, just easy DIY stuff. But a full X52 Pro setup would give you some serious control configuration options with the Mode selector switch.
I probably would have picked one up by now if the VKB MCG hadn’t come out. But you can’t compare the MCG and the X52 Pro; they’re completely different classes of controls.
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1. I’ve been using X52 Pro for approx 4 years now. It took me a while to get a fully working one (one had problems with registering button presses, other one was just plainly dead on arrival) and it was a bit of a hassle with all that RMA, but then I finally I got the one I have to this day and it works really quite nice - even the jitter on the rotaries isn’t that bad, and one of the hats started having problems but after heavy usage for years. I guess that’s the infamous Saitek “hit and miss QA”. I dont know how, or if, the state of QA changes after Logitech took over.
2. I’ve recently changed my BMS profile from heavily profiled to almost exclusive DX assignments. It’s a blast, no more sticking radar cursor or inadvertent keypresses. It features two “layers” directly in the BMS. I think I lefty only bare minimum in the profile, like speedbrakes on the slider (acts like buttons) etc. On the other had, for all these years I used profiler extensively for all other sims I play or played in the past (IL-2 series, DCS, Arma 3 helicopters, FSX, Edlite Dangerous etc), and it didn’t cause me any problems. Maybe because in BMS there are many command which are by default combinations with Ctrl, Shift etc, either pressed shortly or kept pressed, when you emulate it through software and simultaneously issue multiple commands, it apparently can get stuck.
3. It’s quite straightforward, and pretty much only using “advanced commands”, with precise button press and release times or intervals, need some more tinkering than simple “assign keyboard button X to joystick button Y”.
4. In BMS? Twist rudder should suffice. It’s used almost only on the ground, though some may use it while dogfighting or strafing runs. On the other hand, having your hands free while taxiing may be convenient, when you can freely use the ICP. With twist stick, if you want to taxi and do something in the cockpit, you either release the control off the stick and rudder, or off the throttle. If you play other flight sims - especially with combat prop planes or helicopters - having physical rudder may be even more beneficial. Still, I’ve enjoyed simming for all those years without them.
5. I think I based my own profile on the Flounder’s one. First step is to try to mimic the real side-stick, and if you have any free buttons left after that, use them at will.
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Hello, all Saitek users I am thinking of purchasing a Saitek Hotas system to use with BMS but have some questions which you all can help me with. As with a lot of others, Thustmaster is out the question.$$$
1. Which model do you suggest?
2. Do you use DX to set up your button profile or Saitek software?
3. Is the software difficult to use?
4. Do I need rudder pedals?
5. Are there any recommended profiles available?
Any other suggestions or feedback is greatly appreciated.1. I’m using the Saitek X-65F (the force-sensing HOTAS) to which I have been very satisfied for the last 4 years. Initially, it felt very weird to use it, as I had used the “conventional” Saitek X-45 before. However, once I got used to it, it became a very precise controller. Try to get it fixed to your table if possible, because that way you can apply a more “hard” force profile into the stick, which in turn makes it easier to make just slight control inputs.
2. I have a combination of both: mainly DX with some hats applied through the Saitek software, as BMS doesn’t recognize them. I don’t use the different HOTAS modes nor the shifted states at all, as the real F-16 doesn’t have those either.
3. Not in my opinion.
4. If you get the X-65F, I would recommend getting some kind of pedals, as the rudder is easier to use with them. The X-65F stick senses the stick twist too for the rudders, but as it is a force-sensing stick for all axes (roll, pitch, and yaw), it is very easy to make unintentional rudder inputs with the twist axis. Hence the recommendation to get separate pedals.
5. I made my own profile. First, I binded the available HOTAS DX buttons through the BMS UI setup. Then, I made a profile in the Saitek Profiler program for the remaining unbinded buttons that I considered necessary. Consequently, since I didn’t use the HOTAS modes nor the shifted states, the Saitek Profiler profile became very simple and light.
The X-65F stick has a tendency to wander off the center position during a flight. To overcome this, I have binded the BMS “stick re-center” button to the HOTAS. I press this button when I see the aircraft getting slight constant input although I’m not applying any force to the stick.
The knobs of the X-65F throttle feel a little imprecise to me, but I have got used to fly with them, and I would consider them a cosmetic issue. Overall, I feel great with the X-65F.
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Hello, all Saitek users I am thinking of purchasing a Saitek Hotas system to use with BMS but have some questions which you all can help me with. As with a lot of others, Thustmaster is out the question.$$$
1. Which model do you suggest?
2. Do you use DX to set up your button profile or Saitek software?
3. Is the software difficult to use?
4. Do I need rudder pedals?
5. Are there any recommended profiles available?
Any other suggestions or feedback is greatly appreciated.K, It just so happens I can give you current input, as my recent hard drive crash led to me rebuilding everything. So,
- I have had very good luck with the X-65. As for features, it’s force sensing, and sturdy, but the button set up(hats instead of buttons )is the main advantage
2)I suggest the DX method, with the SST as back up. I was able to set up the main functions (TMS, etc) up via DX, some others “wouldn’t take” and SST came to the rescue.
3)No. - I would recommend pedals,if only more for NWS then actual rudder function. I know the -65 has rudder on the stick, if memory serves the -55 does , as well.
- I’m with Blu on profiles-set it up as real as possible. I use the POV for TMS, the lower right (hat 2?) for DMS,hat 3 for CMDS, hat 6 for comms, etc.But, that’s pure personal preference.
Otherwise, I do like the switches on the -55/56 throttle base. I lot of people here swear by the -52.
You can still find the -65’s on EBay, and the drivers and software are still available at Logitech.
- I have had very good luck with the X-65. As for features, it’s force sensing, and sturdy, but the button set up(hats instead of buttons )is the main advantage