Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller
by Saitek
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SaitekAudio: German (Subtitled); German (Manual)
Format: CD-ROM
Platform: Windows
Model: PS34
Color: Black
Product features:
- Advanced Multi-Function Display (MFD) for real flying interaction
- 2 dedicated MFD buttons and 2 rotary dials with in-built buttons to control additional game functionality
- Joystick with precision centering mechanism, non-contact technology on X and Y axes and constant spring force
- Progressive throttle with tension adjustment, detents for afterburner and idle; 2 fire buttons
- Works with: Windows XP, XP64 and Vista (all versions) and Windows 7
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller
Customer Review: Quite an improvement over the standard X52, but some things still not up to the level of the X45
Summary: 4 Stars
Please note, I'm writing this from the perspective of someone who used the Saitek X45 for 4 years, so most notes are comparing it, the X52 Pro, and the X52 standard. I get rather nitpicky about individual features, so for those interested in the bottom line, you can skip most of this, and just read the last paragraph. :)
Compared with the standard X52, the X52 Pro is indeed a significant improvement. All extra functionality of the multi-function display aside, the quality is simply higher. However, I'm still very surprised that so many steps back were taken from the old X45.
Compared with the original X52, the spring tension in the stick of the X52 Pro is a great improvement. I remember being very disappointed in the X52 when I picked up a display model, and the weak spring allowed the stick to fall over under it's own weight. The X52 Pro added a second centering spring to help, and it is much better, but still rather weak compared with the X45, which had a massive spring.
Also, as with the standard X52, the X45's rudder rocker switch is gone, replaced by the twisty stick. Now, I do understand this, since it is a common practice in joystick design now.. however, I have never seen an aircraft with this feature, and if realism is the goal, you'll need rudder pedals. The rocker always has felt more intuitive to me.
I think my largest disappointment in this stick, and the standard X52, is the new style for the dials on the throttle. In order to install the buttons in the centers of the dials, they had to sacrifice the quality of the dials themselves. The X45 had wonderful dials, with a smooth rotation range of about 300 degrees around the circle, and a great feel. The new style on the X52s is terrible by comparison. The new dials are difficult to rotate due to their design (instead of actual knobs, they are now flattened cone shapes with very little grip of any kind), they are cut down to a range of motion of less than 180 degrees, and feel as if the mechanism is made entirely of plastic (which it actually appears to be, since the dials fall off easily, revealing a plastic construction). A far cry from the well-oiled feel of the X45's dials. While I do appreciate the extra buttons, they could have been placed elsewhere to save the quality of the dials.
Ok, that's enough ranting now. I tend to be very picky, and these are things that stuck in my mind. However, there are also several new features which I do appreciate greatly.
First, the extra buttons. All told, there are at least 9 more buttons on this stick than the X45, including the toggle switches (which I very much appreciate- no more clogging the hat switches with flaps, landing gear, speedbrakes, etc.). The new style hat and castle switches are a welcome change of design, as is the spring loaded "fire" button cover. The new slider axis is very useful (although the feel of it leads me to believe it may become sloppy in the future), as is the mouse scroll wheel, and included button.
Changing the mouse controller to a full two axis mini-stick is a mixed bag... it gives much more range of control of the mouse, but it also complicates things if you like to use it as a regular hat switch (just a matter of reprogramming). Also, this mini-stick can get stuck, forcing your mouse cursor to keep moving after you let go. This is particularly annoying since it can keep your screensaver from starting. Also note that the mouse cursor is ALWAYS on, even with no profile applied. With the default settings, you can simply use it as a two button mouse full time. A setting to disable this, and turn it into a four or eight button hat would be nice.
The multi-function display (MFD) is a nice feature, but I have yet to really use it to any extent. The radio stack capability in Flight Simulator X is nice. It also has the ability to interact with Windows Media Player, displaying the current music track, and using the right wheel to control volume (note, it's backwards, and badly scaled- scroll up for volume down, and expect to scroll a long time before you notice a change). Don't expect any more than that though, the other buttons don't do anything useful (like change tracks, pause, etc). It may be possible to program these functions yourself, but using a multimedia keyboard is musch easier.
Overall, I'm not entirely happy that my X45 quit working finally, but I'm plenty happy with the X52 Pro. It does everything I need it to do, and has been very accurate so far. While there are a few things that could still use work in my opinion, they don't stop me from enjoying it. I've used it in multiple games, and it has performed well in each of them. At this point in time, the X52 series (I'd recommend the Pro version over the standard one, but the standard version is quite a bit cheaper) is probably the best bargain on the market, since you can easily pay over $300 for the combination of a stick and throttle.
Description of Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller
All the features of the X52 combined with premium engineering and advanced Multi-Function Display (MFD) for real flying interaction. 2 dedicated MFD buttons and 2 rotary dials with in-built buttons to control additional game functionality; MFD displays data directly from games, including Radio Stack info from Microsoft Flight Simulator 9 and 10; Software Development Kit included for creating game-specific programs to interact with the MFD; Choice of red, amber or green button illumination; Illuminated buttons and MFD - ideal for low light environments; Throttle unit illumination varies depending on throttle position; Enhanced MFD backlighting; Improved cable management system. Joystick: Precision centering mechanism, non-contact technology on X and Y axes and constant spring force reduce free play, improve control and increase durability; 2-stage metal trigger; 2 primary buttons in 1 convenient position; 4 fire buttons including missile launcher with spring-loaded safety cover for instant access; Conveniently positioned metal pinkie switch provides shift functionality to double up on programmable commands; 2 X 8-way Hat Switches; 3D rudder twist; 3-position rotary mode selector switch with LED indicators; 3 spring-loaded, base-mounted toggle switches for up to 6 programmable flight commands; 5-position handle adjustment system to suit all hand sizes. Throttle: Progressive throttle with tension adjustment, detents for afterburner and idle; 2 fire buttons; Scroll wheel with built-in button; Mouse controller / hat switch with left mouse button; 8-way hat switch; 2 x rotary controls; Smooth-action slider control; Clutch button initiates ?safe mode? to allow on-the-fly profile selection, or to display button functionality without activating. Compatibility: Windows 7, XP/XP64, and VistaDigital Cameras & Photo Categories
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