Mad Catz Saitek Pro Flight X-55 Rhino H.O.T.A.S.

[Kenadian]

The time has come to pick up a new flight stick and given the amount of cumulative hours I have in flight it's time to move to the next level.

For years I've used the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro and it's been a very good joystick overall. It has decent control for such a budget joystick however I always felt that fine adjustments in pitch weren't possible without a "snapping" effect.

This means I need to get something with finer controls and since a Warthog is out of my price range it leaves my only viable option being Mad Catz Saitek either X52 Pro or X-55 Rhino.

I've read all kinds of reviews and many seem to favor the throttle of the X-55 but don't like the joystick fit when compared to the X52 Pro.

Having said that, these observations come from users who've owned the X52 Pro and upgraded, these comments are not relevant to first time buyers of either stick.

I've found just as many good reviews for the X52 Pro as I have for the X-55 Rhino and given the Rhino is actually $20 cheaper I'm inclined to move toward the Rhino.

Any thoughts on the matter?

 

[little P]

The Rhino is cheaper? When I bought the X52 Pro the Rhino was way more expensive... And as I'm typing out this post I've had a quick check and it still is.

I've had the X52 Pro for nearly a year now and it's a joy to use (see what I did there). Major step up from the Cyborg Evo I was using.

It has way more buttons and toggles than even Elite needs, I literally have everything mapped to the HOTAS, I never touch the keyboard (unless to type obviously).

One year on everything feels "as new", only had one problem with is a flickering MFD screen if you try and dim it in the control panel, but this is the same for everyone. I either have it on or off (backlight off most of the time).

Make sure you disable "clutch mode" in the control panel and you can then map all the various toggles, dials and buttons.

I know what you mean about the "snap" effect btw, I used to get that with the Cyborg Evo, you can make tiny adjustments with the X52 Pro, it's extremely precise and no drifting or anything like that as of yet. All deadzones set to 0.

It's a great peripheral that's for sure and comes with the "P seal of approval"TM

 

[little P]

Here is the official "P seal of approval"TM logo btw. Just so you know it's official.

 

[Kenadian]

Thanks little P.

Ya if you check my links, locally at least the X-55 Rhino is cheaper by $20 and I have no idea why?

The one review I saw about the X-52 Pro that I didn't like what the lack of stiffness in the joystick. Buddy was simply moving the base and the joystick would move around which I just don't like.

I know the X-55 comes with alternate springs which was another reason I was looking to go in that direction.

 

[little P]

Yeah that is true, but it kind of feels... natural to me. There's more resistance than any other stick I've had, and what's more important is that is the same through the whole travel, there's no "lumpiness" to the resistance. It's pretty easy to change springs around if required, but I've not felt the need to at all. No issues with stiffness here. (stop laughing at the back!).

If you can get the X-55 cheaper then I'd go for that 100%, you'd be mad not to really.

 

[Ninj]

I've had my X52 for less than 3 weeks. My last stick was a Cyborg X, which was a pretty stiff stick.

I've found myself adapting to the X52 really quickly and it's really nice. Gets my seal of approval.

I have nothing to add about the X-55, that's probably no help at all to you but hey xD

 

[Laursen]

I have been looking at the same 2 Sticks for an upgrade from my Hotas X. My issue is I would like the x55 for Throttle part but a lot of people seem to have all kinds of issues with it. I found one in a shop I could try (which is basically unheard of in my country these days) And I could almost not move the throttle on it. But then again people seem to say it gets better with use.

Little P. You really have enough buttons for everything? or is there funktions you dont use? (flight ass off and such maybe) ?

How many buttons do the pro have?

 

[Skid_Marc_]

... And I could almost not move the throttle on it. But then again people seem to say it gets better with use...

It has a knob on the side that tightens and loosens the resistance. Maybe it's still on the stiff side, but for me, I love it! It feels very smooth and solid.


As far as the joystick, meh. It hurts my hand after extended use if I'm bare handed, but I just use the golf gloves I use for racing. Basically, the grip is too low and you have to stretch for the top buttons. Eventually I'm gonna add about 1"-1.5" of padding to the palm rest and that should make it about perfect.

 

[Kenadian]

It has a knob on the side that tightens and loosens the resistance.

I've read a lot of comments on this issue and most seem to think it's the grease used in the mechanisms themselves. Many take it apart, clean out the grease as much as possible and re-grease it with something lighter.

There are also numerous comments about the throttles starting off tight and loosening after a bit of play which again points to this grease.

Of all the comments I've read though most say the throttle is worth the price alone with the joystick getting many mixed reviews such as fit, comfort and potential issues stemming from the plastic o-ring over the spring.

For me I really want it for the throttle alone because I can always replace the joystick with something else down the road if I don't like it. For that matter I could probably continue to use my 3D Pro as the throttle is on it's own USB connector.

Ultimately I want a force feedback stick but God only knows if I'll ever find one?

 

[little P]

The X52 Pro has 282 programmable commands Laursen, more than enough

I use all 24 programmable buttons (there's a 3 way position dial that you can programme to different functions too ie. different layouts for combat, docking etc.) there's 3x 8-way hat switches, 7 axes. Loads of different possibilities.

As for the throttle it was very stiff on the Pro until I loosened it up via the dial on the side.

Do they even make FFB sticks anymore? I used to have a Microsoft FFB stick way back in the 1942 days... That actually exploded and set on fire, I had to unplug it, throw it in the bath and put the shower on to it to put the fire out :icon_eek:

 

[Kenadian]

No I don't think they make any ffb sticks anymore to my knowledge. I'd have to look on E-Bay.

 

[Kenadian]

I found the X-55 for a little cheaper at TigerDirect.ca so I ordered it today, should arrive in a week or so.

 

[Kenadian]

Upon Peeble's advice, I cancelled my order with TigerDirect.ca and ordered this from Amazon.ca.

To this day I have no idea what the status is at TigerDirect.ca, whether or not they've cancelled the order or what's going on.

...however, I just received e-mail confirmation that my Amazon.ca Hotas has just shipped. Free shipping too, nice!

Sorry TigerDirect.ca but I'll never order from you again.

I don't know what's happened to them over the past few years but now they are utter shit! You have no idea what's going on with your order anymore due to their validation process and never receive updates on what's actually going on?

They don't even bother to indicate you've ordered anything in your account which is ridiculous.

I actually had to get on the phone just to find out what was going on and even then got nothing except that it was on back order with no inventory update in sight. 25 minutes for that ridiculous response which could have been sent in an e-mail, automatically, like everyone else does.

 

[Laursen]

So how do you actually like your x55?

I want another one soon but still cant figure out which one to get :S

 

[Kenadian]

So how do you actually like your x55?

I want another one soon but still cant figure out which one to get :S

I read a lot of reviews prior to purchasing the X55 so my purchase was made for the throttle only. I liked everything about it immediately and can say that after a few months usage it still continues to amaze me.

The button, sliders, toggles and all are pretty well laid out. I don't think they're perfect but for the most part very functional all be it a little difficult to get used to in the short term.

I'm sure this would be the case with anything though so I can't fault Mad Catz for it as it's just something I need to acclimate to.

Personally, I recommend this unit because of the throttle alone!

The joystick however is another story.

Unlike many others I actually like the fit of the X55 joystick. It feels comfortable to me even after long play sessions so from a comfort standpoint I'd rank it near perfect.

From a button layout standpoint I think it leaves a bit to be desired especially near the top which has hat switches you can't reach without altering your hold on the joystick. A little bit more thought could have been put into the layout but it's not a deal breaker and you do get used to it although I personally don't use them much anyway just because of the reach required to do so.

The feel of the joystick movement itself is where things completely fall apart. I have no idea how Mad Catz could have thought it felt good at all and smooth finite adjustments are all but impossible.

It actually reminds me of the feel you get when you move a boxspring mattress because it feels like a stiff spring movement. You get to a certain point and the joystick literally snaps to a much more exaggerated position probably because of the poorly designed spring base.

This is with the default spring though, I've yet to try the others but intend to shortly.

I think it would be a great joystick with a bit more thought put into how the spring mechanism and clamping system are designed. If that could be smoothed out then it would be a terrific joystick.

I do like the overall stiffness feel to the joystick though and it's another reason I passed on the X52 PRO because from what I could see it looked like a really loose joystick to me. I like the feel of resistance in controls so it was the main reason for going with the X55.

I think if you want an amazing throttle unit and a so so joystick then this is the way to go. I've intended to replace the joystick sooner or later anyway so it's no issue for me.

Also, I LOVE the fact the throttle and joystick are USB powered separately. It's the only complaint I have with my G27 Wheel because tying units together means limited placement options when you're not using them.

As it is I have my throttle unit plugged into my Max Mechanical Keyboard and off to the left of my computer desk when not in use. My joystick plugs into the top front of my tower and sits off to the right when not in use.

 

[Laursen]

Thank you so much for the review

I would be very interested I hearing about the other springs too.

my choice is between x52pro or x55

would love the warthog except there is no twitch (? Is that the word) which is a must for me.

annoying that there is so few options for a good hotas

 

[Kenadian]

OK I tried a less stiffer spring last night and can say that it has helped (a bit) with the finite control movement.

It's still nowhere near perfect and can still jump drastically past a certain point but it's more manageable that the stiffer spring the unit ships assembled with.

I do miss the feel of the stiffer spring though but control is more important so it's something I'll likely have to get used to.

I've read a number of posts that have added all kinds of lubricants from WD-40 to greases to a Teflon product used for Bike Chains and derailers. I happen to have this very stuff in my car (for my mountain bike) so I'll give it a try and report back on how it works if at all.

 

[Laursen]

[FONT=Helvetica Neue, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif]Thank you sir much appreciated [/FONT]