New X65F user setup Win 10 1909
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After having my X52 for over a decade now and it with some modifiaction served my very well, I always had an eye on getting into a force sensing HOTAS.
Solutions like FSSB, VFS in combination with the need of having to have a Warthog or Cougar as well were way above the budget I wanted to spend.
Another possibility would have been to do a DIY project. Even so I might have the skills to do so the effort that would have to go into it stopped me from doing so.While surfing around the net I was able to make a bargain on a Saitek X65F for 100€ incl. shipping :D. So I made my homework researching a bit to ensure I could setup everything for a discontinued product.
So far driver setup under Windows 10 1909 work flawless.
I used the latest driver Saitek_X65F_Flight_Controller_7_0_53_6_x64_Driver from ftp://ftp.saitek.com/pub/software/full/X65/Even so some discussions recommend to have the driver set do Generic USB Driver in Device Manager while the Saitek driver setup tool is running I hadn’t to do so.
The X65F showed up as game controller device and calibration and force setting could be done through the windows device settings.Next step was launching up BMS setting the controller and assigning the axis, loading the standard X65F DX key file.
Changing the DeviceSorting.txt replacing the X52 with the X65F and reloading BMS.So far so good HOTAS is recogized and working in game.
Next step was to rearrange the axes in registry in order to remove the twist rudder axis and assign Cursor X and Cursor Y to the Ministick http://blu3wolf.com/falconbms/jstickaxesmod2.regEven so with the provided key file out of the docs folder not all assignable DX buttons shifted and unshifted are used, there are still another 4 way switch, 2 way switch, scroll wheel, 4 position mode switch, and 5 buttons on the extionsion panel free to assign.
The SST Profile editor 7_0_53_6 didn’t install properly neither did the 7_0_45_0 from the ftp above. I was one step ahead of trying to go the gremlin vjoy way in order to make those free resources available.
Thankfully I found this thread here on the forum https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?29790-x65-profile&highlight=x65f and tried the Smart Technology 7_0_27 provide by user Fluke in the thread which installed on Windows 10 and is working for profile editing.
So know I’m able to use any available input on the HOTAS with a mixed DX and SST profile setup.Last thing to remain after having found the proper force settings are
a) to design construct a removable but fixed attachment for both stick and throttle to my chair. Kind of Monstertech like but DIY for 1/10 of the price. As any X65F owner I asked recommended to have it fixed, bolted or clamped down. And after my first 5 min in game I knew why
b) open and regrease the throttle as even with the tighten screw in loose setting if feels way to stiff -
So after a week of use with the X65F I couldn’t be any happier. There might be more realistic solutions like Cougar and VFS or WH and FSSB but for the price-performance ratio it really great.
The Standard key file that comes with BMs for the X65F fits 95% to how I would have set it up if started from scratch.
For the DX setup I just reversed the Speed brake open and close switches as I use those mainly for speed control while AAR and that improved my AAR 200%. In Addidion to the key file I still use a pr0 Profile to get the addiional buttons and switches set up.
On the Throttle one 4 Way switch for the ICD DCS and the 2 Way Switch for the ICP Rocker Switch.The 5 switches on the add on panel ar bound to various Buttons depending on Mode 1-4 such as and is still subject to change
Mode 1 Landing:
Parking Brake, Taxi Light, Landing Gear, Alt Landing Gear,
Mode 2 Nav
AP Left and Right, Master ARM, Laser ARM, CAT switch
Mode 3 Combat
Master Arm, Laser Arm, Emerg JettAppart from the HOTAS Settings one new BMS Feature improved the overall perfomance drastically. Which is the use of exponetial curve for the Cursor X/Y. Before with TGP in NARO it was really hard to make very fine small movements with the ministick cursor slew by adding
et g_nAxisExp_AXIS_CURSOR_Y 60 // Axis exponential curve. Should be in 0 - 100 range. 0 is disabled (default)
set g_nAxisSat_AXIS_CURSOR_Y 0 // Axis saturation. Should be in 0 - 99 range. 0 is disabled (default)
set g_nAxisExp_AXIS_CURSOR_X 60 // Axis exponential curve. Should be in 0 - 100 range. 0 is disabled (default)
set g_nAxisSat_AXIS_CURSOR_X 0 // Axis saturation. Should be in 0 - 99 range. 0 is disabled (default) -
I think you’ll like it, Oak. I had a lot of good years with the x-65.Have you tried the BMS Alternate Launcher? That gave my Shifted function capability.
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I think you’ll like it, Oak. I had a lot of good years with the x-65.Have you tried the BMS Alternate Launcher? That gave my Shifted function capability.
No I don’t use AL cause I don’t see any need to use it.
All DX including shift functionality I edit directly in the key file. I’m a Software engineer IRL so I use Visualstudio Code for config file editing and git for keeping track of my changes. Stuff like launching my 3rd Party Tools around BMS, such as- Yame
- MFDServer for Android
- Helios
- VoiceAttack
- Opentrack
- WDP
- MC
- registry changes that go with those Tools
- FalconSharedMemViewer
I start with Windows PowerShell scripting