Comments on: Review: Saitek X52 Joystick

By: Yammo

Yammo — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:33:35 +0000

Having used the x52 for about a year, I am 99% pleased with it.
There are only 3 minor issues I have had with it.

1: No force feedback.(I would buy an x52 with ForceFeedback without a second thought.)
2: The “bumps” at 25% and 75% thrust (on the thrust-leaver) are too “big” and sometimes somewhat annoying. (although this can be circumvented by the programming-feature, I just haven’t gotten around to it.)
3: The MDF has sometimes “bugged out”. Although I have never used it for anything. (Other than to check time without having to tab out to windows)

When I bought it it was about 100euros, which was very price-worthy for a HOTAS setup. (The Cougar being the only real competitor will run at at least the double with all the addons needed to make it beat the x52)

By: Yammo

Yammo — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:13:48 +0000

While I agree that its strange and sad that left-handers aren’t addressed when creating these systems. Although I personally prefer a joystick designed for a specific handedness, mostly because they are almost exclusively more comfortable and aesthetic ,it shouldn’t be all too expensive to create a “mirrored” setup.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:58:16 +0000

I’ve been wanting one of these for a while. The problem is I’m left handed so it would take a while to get used to.

Some sort of feature should be added allowing adjustments to the device, that could switch it around.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:11:30 +0000

Point taken santashelper but on the odd times the weather is good enough to fly I usually get the club Katana. Am I downhearted? Heck no, your boss gave me an ambidextrous Logitech stick for Christmas.

By: santashelper

santashelper — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:48:21 +0000

Good sir Richard,
You are comparing the commercial flight control setup to a jet fighter setup, which is reversed. For commercial/personal flight simulation you would do well to use a yoke/throttle system, which has the throttle on the right side, as you comment is accurate to light craft. However for combat jet simulation, the throttle is on the left side as the right hand has a more detailed task. This stick like most joysticks is engineered to simulate fighters, not light engine planes.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:09:04 +0000

All the light aircraft I have encountered as a PPL holder have left handed flight contrls and right handed throttle, prop and mixture levers. Shame most mainstream simulator hardware makers get it wrong over and over.

By: Ryan McLaughlin

Ryan McLaughlin — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:48:59 +0000

I just went out to the Saitek website and they have Vista drivers for the X52, but that does not mean it works well. I have never had problems with Saitek’s other products so I can reasonably assume that the X52 will work just fine.

By: kseal

kseal — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:48:11 +0000

Has anyone heard if the X52 operates well with Vista yet???