HOTAS Warthog vs Saitek X-55
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My two cents :
I had the same dilemma when I decided to invest in a HOTAS. I decided to go for the Warthog, and so far I am completely satisfied.
-> Warthog overall quality is excellent.
From what I read about the x-55, it is really not as the same level. Plus, my experience with a previous stick from Saitek was not good (throttle was drifting …)-> The warthog stick is way better for BMS, you can map all the real F-16 switches and hat. The X-55 lacks the CMS.
-> the software and scripting capacities are really really awesome.
A lot of scripts are available on the warthog section for custom functions. If you know how to play with all this, you can do wonders. Check out Morphine profiles and my scripts in the Warthog section.-> you can have a real “idle cutoff” mechanism, check out Morphine’s profile to implement this.
-> similarly, you can have an Afterburner detent.
-> the base of the throttle is full of switches, it allows you to avoid looking down in the pit for quite a lot of things.Bad things :
-> stick doesnt turn in the yaw axis.
So either you need pedals, or you use a workaround with the scripts. I did the latter, it works like a charm. I even have differential braking with only my Hotas & the script functions…-> not as much throttle rotarys as a Cougar or X-55. But most rotary on the F-16 throttle can be emulated with 2 buttons each.
I’d say go Warhog, the reliability and overall quality are worth it, and if you like to play with the scripts functions, you will love it.
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I have seen the ghosting issue occur in the UI, it sometimes switches to button 160 when I have not hit anything on the stick.
This has never happened or affected me in combat.
What button is 160 on the X-55? Just so I can have an idea of what could go wrong. Also, were you running TeamSpeak when the issue occurred?
My two cents :
I had the same dilemma when I decided to invest in a HOTAS. I decided to go for the Warthog, and so far I am completely satisfied.
-> Warthog overall quality is excellent.
From what I read about the x-55, it is really not as the same level. Plus, my experience with a previous stick from Saitek was not good (throttle was drifting …)-> The warthog stick is way better for BMS, you can map all the real F-16 switches and hat. The X-55 lacks the CMS.
-> the software and scripting capacities are really really awesome.
A lot of scripts are available on the warthog section for custom functions. If you know how to play with all this, you can do wonders. Check out Morphine profiles and my scripts in the Warthog section.-> you can have a real “idle cutoff” mechanism, check out Morphine’s profile to implement this.
-> similarly, you can have an Afterburner detent.
-> the base of the throttle is full of switches, it allows you to avoid looking down in the pit for quite a lot of things.Bad things :
-> stick doesnt turn in the yaw axis.
So either you need pedals, or you use a workaround with the scripts. I did the latter, it works like a charm. I even have differential braking with only my Hotas & the script functions…-> not as much throttle rotarys as a Cougar or X-55. But most rotary on the F-16 throttle can be emulated with 2 buttons each.
I’d say go Warhog, the reliability and overall quality are worth it, and if you like to play with the scripts functions, you will love it.
I HATE to play with the script functions. I’m pretty good with hardware, but hopeless with software.
About the build quality, I obviously knew that the Warthog would be superior (it has to be since it costs much more).
The lack of CMS for me is more acceptable than the complete lack of rotaries. Personal preferences, I guess. I think it should be possible to map the CMS on the throttle.
The detents are “sexy”, I have to admit. Anyway, the throttle of the X-55 has even more switches (and a 3-way mode selector), so I think it wins in that aspect.
Thank you for your opinion, and obviously thanks to every one who posted in this thread trying to help me.
EDIT: I looked at Morphine’s and Mud’s profiles, and while they’re certainly well made, they just don’t click with me. Not their fault, it’s the different configuration of the throttle.
On the other hand, i found this profile for the X-55 that looks very good, and a pretty close match to the F-16’s controls (except for the obvious fact that CMS is on the throttle and not on the stick)
Curious what you’ve assigned where - here’s my latest layout, always tweaking it in my head, trying it, never happy
I’ve mostly done directx bindings where possible - that makes profiles like that almost impossible to share because joystick numbers change, right? Or is there a way?
Cheers
programming info:
- all buttons directx mapped with exception of following
- TGL 4 Up: JFS Start, Shift J J Shift (1 second hold)
- TGL 4 Dn: Idle Detent, Alt I I Alt (1 second hold)
- Mode button: SimDeselectOverride, C, SimSelectSRMOverride D, SimSelectMRMOverride M
- SBK: AFBrakesToggle, Shift B B Shift
linky: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fn5zegz7rxu3b0o/FalconBMS.pr0
Now I am probably going to enter “paranoid mode” and search the web for all the issues of the X-55, but I’m about 90% positive on the X-55.
Having said that, if someone else who owns one of these two HOTAS systems wants to share their opinion, it would be very appreciated.
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The only initial problem I had with the X-55 was the ghosting issue. I since purchased an external USB hub and no longer have the ghosting issue. Keep in mind, not everybody had this problem. As far as TeamSpeak is concern, I never had a problem with X-55 and TeamSpeak. Overall, very satisfied.
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I have seen the issue running with and without Team speak on.
I have no idea which button is button 160 on the X55.
By default it is unbound in BMS, so I’ve never had an issue with it triggering anything inadvertantly in flight.
Overall, I’m very happy with my X-55. It’s a solid stick, and it works well. The interchangeable springs are what really sold me on it.
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Alright gentlemen, I think this is it. I’m sold.
Now it’s just a matter of finding a brick and mortar store to buy it, which is going to be very difficult in the stupid town I live in. Hopefully I’ll find a store where I can at least order it “out of grid” if they don’t have it in their normal stock. I prefer to buy from such a store if possible, so I can return it easily if things go horribly wrong.
I’ll see if I can find it.
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I make it simple for you guys:
I owned many different joysticks …latest the X-55. To be honest, i would NOT buy the X-55 again due to its low quality plastic gimbles (has play and thus produces off-centering results).
So the X-55 is good for the buck if you mod it - like here i.e: https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?18306-Project-X55-GERMANY-%28Mod%29&highlight=germany+mod
And the Warthog is smooosh if you do that:
Comparing the purchasing AND THE modding efforts (price) for both in total … the Warthog would be the smarter solution, which you can
get for 310 EUR meanwhile: http://www.redcoon.de/B243166-Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog_Joysticks-Flugsteuerungen?refId=pla&utm_source=base.de&utm_medium=SEA&utm_campaign=cpc&xtor=SEC-35&gclid=CjwKEAjw456hBRDQ4eqg8MzA2W0SJABI2gJ8sBX28_yqx-regYzOU0fxsh1L0xmdUxKiaW_EfTy-2xoCbpXw_wcB -
@A.S:
I make it simple for you guys:
I owned many different joysticks …latest the X-55. To be honest, i would NOT buy the X-55 again due to its low quality plastic gimbles (has play and thus produces off-centering results).That is exactly what I was afraid of. Thanks for comforting me in my choice
After some various trials I finally found a throttle layout close to the F-16 one on the Warthog ; so short of a Cougar, I think its definitely a good solution.
I’m afraid OP already made his choice though. You are a bit late, mate :mrgreen:
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@A.S:
**And the Warthog is smooosh if you do that:
Comparing the purchasing AND THE modding efforts (price) for both in total … the Warthog would be the smarter solution, which you can
get for 310 EURI totally love my WH for flying. Perhaps I got lucky but I haven’t had the sticking issue at all with mine. Mine has never caused me any problems to ever consider tearing into it. Matter of fact the only modification that I have considered was buying another WH and getting a FSSB R3 for me to have both standard joystick action as well as force sensing for the F-16.
My log book is just shy of 800 hours so add in Instant Action and TE flight times and I am well over 1000 flight hours with zero issues.**
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Love my warthog also, finally got rid of my CH and cougar for it.
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WH: In normal flight and combat you won´t realize problems, but maybe (or maybe not, who knows how it came out) if you make minute constant corrections in formation flying.
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@A.S:
WH: In normal flight and combat you won´t realize problems, but maybe (or maybe not, who knows how it came out) if you make minute constant corrections in formation flying.
Nope here for that as well. Have done plenty of flying as a wingman and AAR which also requires small adjustments. The only ding I can come up with is against the throttle for trying to make minute adjustments to throttle setting with the aircraft in a clean configuration. Loaded A-G or still having empty wing tanks it seems to be fine because of the extra drag to overcome. I can notice this either flying lead (trying to maintain a set speed of 350 knots) or as a wingman trying to fly in finger formation. But as I said though this is only with the aircraft in Cat 1 load out. Since I don’t fly that often in Cat 1 it hasn’t been enough of a problem to mess around with.
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got a lucky built then…… good on you.