New Saitek X-55

[recoilfx]

http://www.saitek.com/x55/

 

Site is live. Looks like the only interesting thing about the gimbal is the inter-changeble spring...

 

No mention of metal construction so I think this is going to be a plastic build. Price is also missing currently.

[DD_Crash]

No FFB, yet another lost opportunity.

[Frazer]

Disappointed.....but the split throttle is nice.

[VTJS17_Fire]

The throttle looks like the throttle of the X-65f, so I hope it's a metal construction.

 

Looking forward to the price and more information.

[Hobo]

I like all the extra toggles vs the X65 box. The rotaries may be a pretty exciting feature for most looking for the Saitek crap spring system.

 

Wish the x65 throttle looked like that.

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

Big disappointment for the lack of Force Feedback. It looks like FF is a challenge that no PC joystick manufacturing company can take on. Sad ...

[nap0leonic]

why do everyone wants FF? as I asked before, does the real modern fly by ware planes have FF? and also for a massive FF peripheral, I think USB won't provide enough electricity and you will need external adapter for that, maybe that's why manufacturers avoid it. CMIIW.

[cichlidfan]

Yes, you will need AC power for FFB but nothing else can provide the feedback desired by many for helos and prop aircraft.

[danilop]

Well, it is really sad that there is no FFB on the new Saitek stick.

 

I don't see the reason for X-55's existence now - X52 pro and X-65f cover all grounds, if we talk about universal HOTAS.

 

I think USB won't provide enough electricity and you will need external adapter for that, maybe that's why manufacturers avoid it.

 

There are huge amount of FFB steering wheels on the market (I've got Logitech's G25 which is awesome) so that is not the primary reason.

 

Primary reason is small ROI from niche market like hardcore sims one. So they (manufacturers) stick with common denominator - it would be too expensive to design proper FFB stick to please (very demanding) hardcore flight simulator crowd. Logitech tried, but sort of failed and was forced to discontinue their FFB HOTAS early.

Edited December 18, 2013 by danilop

[Korn]

Yes X-55 will very likely be in limbo pricewise, cheaper then the Warthog but not enough so, more expensive than X-52 Pro but not with enough extra-features.

 

I might even get over it not being FF which frankly i feel most people were waiting for if they at least would have gone for a full digital sensor solution, but no, Hall effect sensors on stick x/y and... that's it. Pots everywhere else. I'm really really tired of pots since like 5 years ago, about time they would gimme a break with the goddamned pots. Thrustmaster did with the Warthog HOTAS, i'm not hearing anyone bitching and moaning asking for their pots back :).

[cichlidfan]

Unless Saitek has a much better source for potentiometers, this is not going to be anything to shout about.

 

Their trim wheel is the only thing I have seen from them without jitter.

[Suchacz]

X and Y axis will have a Hall sensors

[HiJack]

X and Y axis will have a Hall sensors

 

Yes I saw that, what is the HALL sensor actually?

[Suchacz]

Yes I saw that, what is the HALL sensor actually?

Lets say...hmmm... something like a contact free potentiometer, more precise, more reliable, but more expensive :smilewink:

[danilop]

Contact free - no usual spikes like your ordinary potentiometer

[HiJack]

OK that's interesting!

[klem]

Yes X-55 will very likely be in limbo pricewise, cheaper then the Warthog but not enough so, more expensive than X-52 Pro but not with enough extra-features.

 

I might even get over it not being FF which frankly i feel most people were waiting for if they at least would have gone for a full digital sensor solution, but no, Hall effect sensors on stick x/y and... that's it. Pots everywhere else. I'm really really tired of pots since like 5 years ago, about time they would gimme a break with the goddamned pots. Thrustmaster did with the Warthog HOTAS, i'm not hearing anyone bitching and moaning asking for their pots back :).

 

Absolutely. What a missed opportunity. All axes should be Hall sensors these days, its not as of they are expensive any more but the HOTAS will be as they try to recoup the major cost - development. Alongside that the cost of Hall sensors is petty.

 

And no FFB? This product is supposed to be aimed at the keen simmer! You can argue about whether FFB is what the market is looking for but potentiometers? I am deeply disappointed. Their design team is ten years out of date.

[MegOhm_SD]

Actually there are a lot of "keen" simmers that do not use Force Feedback.

Never liked it in racing and don't like it in flight simming... but to each his own.

[slowhand]

You can get the run down on it here http://www.saitek.com/x55/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Mad+Catz%2c+Inc&utm_campaign=3451587_X-55+Engagement+Campaign&utm_content=Moreinfo&dm_i=1CO6,21Z9F,8EMVDD,7EO4D,1

[streakeagle]

I am going to guess that the X-65 didn't do as well as they had hoped/expected and realized it was because of the force sensing stick... so take the best aspects of the X-52 Pro, X-65, and maybe a touch of Warthog... and you get this stick. Hardware wise, for me it is mainly an X-52 Pro with a dual throttle. If I were to buy a new stick right now, the X-55 would be in the running if it were priced similar to the X-52 Pro, otherwise, I would just get an X-52 Pro. Unless I specifically needed the dual-throttle or separate USB plugs.

[algerad3]

Well that sucks , I already have the x52 and x65.... Too bad they made this with separate usb. I could really get into the throttle and I like the x65 stick Maybe they could have sold the throttle and stick separately.

Actually would be cool if the x52 stick could interchange with the x65 system.

 

Oh, well I guess i will Stick with what I have.

[Sokol1_br]

Lets say...hmmm... something like a contact free potentiometer, more precise, more reliable, but more expensive

 

More expensive that cheap potentiometers, YES, but not than quallity potentiometers like ones used in CH (a old design, not like these actual ceramic pot's).

 

3D HALL sensor used in Warthog and TM16000M cost ~3$ in batchs.

 

Case is that pot's used, i.e. like in Saitek Quadrant cost only cents...

 

Sokol1

[klem]

More expensive that cheap potentiometers, YES, but not than quallity potentiometers like ones used in CH (a old design, not like these actual ceramic pot's).

 

3D HALL sensor used in Warthog and TM16000M cost ~3$ in batchs.

 

Case is that pot's used, i.e. like in Saitek Quadrant cost only cents...

 

Sokol1

 

And if you are going to pay $350/£300 (which is how X65 is priced) for a potentiometer HOTAS why not go the whole hog pay $380/£330 for one with Hall Sensors?

 

Even the X52Pro is £250 here in the UK. I'd pay £280 for a new X52 with all Hall sensors.

[rrosinha]

Even the X52Pro is £250 here in the UK. I'd pay £280 for a new X52 with all Hall sensors.

 

X52Pro £250 ? Really, i can see it for £125.

[Polar-eX]

I really looked forward to this stick. But Saitek screws up big time not giving all axis hall sensors. So...what now?