Need a new HOTAS looking at Saitek

[kmaultsby]

I getting back into Falcon after years being away and I am looking at the Saitek system or other recommendations. Which setup would work the best for Falcon bms the x56 or the X52 Pro or 52? How easy is it to program for bms? Or should I look at other HOTAS. Thrustmaster is out of the budget.

[leblonk]

If you’re looking at Saitek you should wait for E3 since it was taken over by Logitech to see what’s next because the only really good HOTAS on the shelves right now is ThrustMaster but that price is to high for most people.

[TxMtb]

Honestly I don’t know if it’s true or not, but there’s a post on Reddit in LogitechG that claims at this point neither Logitech nor Saitek are honoring warranties. Seen a similar one in the Elite Dangerous sub also.
Just realize that Saitek has been bought and is in the process of being assimilated. (And hopefully will get better as a result)

If your looking at Thrustmaster, the T.16000M FCS Hotas with stick and throttle is around $120+, and the full setup with TF Rudder pedals included is around $200 IIRC.

[Planehazza]

I’d honestly see if you can pick up a used cougar or warthog. Having a true mapping is really good

[Icarus]

From what I have seen, the Saitek sticks that are left over on Amazon and eBay are nearly as expensive as a Warthog now. Maybe you can get an old X-52 cheap, but I had three brand new ones and they were all faulty. I think I’d rather have a used Warthog than a used Saitek product. Just my 2 cents.

[hoover]

I’d also recommend a used Cougar or Warthog because you’ll be able to get a 1:1 mapping of the controls on the stick and throttle (within limits).

If you think it’s too expensive just calculate the “daily usage costs” over the product’s lifetime of hopefully many years….

cheers, Uwe

[hollywoodvillain]

@TxMtb:

If your looking at Thrustmaster, the T.16000M FCS Hotas with stick and throttle is around $120+, and the full setup with TF Rudder pedals included is around $200 IIRC.

+1. T.16000 is hands down the best you can get for the $. Whatever you do, don’t get x52 or cougar. Having more buttons and switches is nice, but not if its at the cost of having a brutal time doing aar or formations because of a sloppy sick

[drtbkj]

My personal experience is I had a Cougar that died. I’ve thought about another, but the cost PLUS the cost of force sensing it(which I would want to do) is just more then I want to pay.
After that, I have been quite happy for years with my X-65. It is good, has more switches then Cougar,twin throttles(fly Hornet!), and is force sensing. There are currently 2 on Ebay, though admittedly pricey.
Speaking of Ebay, there are quite a few x-52’s at cheap prices. A lot of people here have spoken well of them. That may be your best bargain.
I also had a x-55 for awhile. It’s ok but the -65 is better.

[8.JG26_Cougar]

X-65! Best Hotas out there. No Troubles on WIN10!

[hollywoodvillain]

Def +10 on the x65! Only thing I use but not sold anymore

[Snelle]

@kmaultsby:

Which setup would work the best for Falcon bms the x56 or the X52 Pro or 52? How easy is it to program for bms? Or should I look at other HOTAS. Thrustmaster is out of the budget.

To answer your Q…… : I would prefer X-56 or perhaps X-55 if still available.
For programming BMS use DirectX…(link)

Saitek will do just fine, I do not regret, and also has twist rudder for taxiing
Sure Cougar’s and Whartog’s are better in many ways, but are more expensive to buy, also more expensive to repair (yes…), have less options, often need some modding.

Cheers.

[Planehazza]

@Snelle:

To answer your Q…… : I would prefer X-56 or perhaps X-55 if still available.
For programming BMS use DirectX…(link)

Saitek will do just fine, I do not regret, and also has twist rudder for taxiing
Sure Cougar’s and Whartog’s are better in many ways, but are more expensive to buy, also more expensive to repair (yes…), have less options, often need some modding.

Cheers.

I almost wouldn’t recommend a stock Cougar. The Cougar to me is the ONLY option as I really love having a like real stick, but the stock gimbals are aweful. I’ve currently got an Uber2NXT but really want FCC3 also. Maybe over Summer…

[leblonk]

If Logitech wants a day one winner they should do two versions of the X-65 one that moves and one that has the pressure sensors revamp the software and give it some quality switches and also make a left handed version for the space sim community.
With all the extras that they already have to attach to the system and the lower price point they force every one else to up their game.

[Mohawkology]

I picked up a used X55 for cheap on eBay and it serves me excellently for BMS and DCS. The switches being momentary toggles mean that each is two distinct toggles not just and on/off (single toggle) so that gives you a lot of options for custom bindings as well.

The stick looks the part as well, feels and flies great - m only gripe is the twist axis (z stick) which is rather poor in terms of its sampling rate but I get by with it and it’s not all that often you even need rudder input in a fast jet anyway. I recommend a secondhand one.

[leblonk]

If it’s cheap enough and it works well enough and you’re happy with it then its the right one for you.

[praxxius]

i run the x52 pro. good budget stick. might not have all the bells and whistles of the other sticks but i play this and DCs and it works well for me.

[Scotters]

I have used an x52 for the past year using keymonkey’s profile, and its been great. I have used the x52 for games like X3 and elite dangerous, and it was great for those games too. So if you are looking for a good entry level hotas that is not too expensive, this is perfect. Later then you may want to upgrade to the cougar or warthog.