Anyone have any experience with the saitek x-55 rhino hotas. I am thinking about upgrading from my Logitech xd pro joystick and this is something I can afford. might add pedals later. Thanks for any info

Not me Toro, but heres some info for starters

http://www.simhq.com/hardware/saitek-x-55-rhino-hotas-review.html

but my advice is - bottom line - if your going to be doing a lot of "Simming" that means a lot of use, then you should consider holding off and save up for the substantial Warthog, or whatever can supersede that. My ultimate for the helo's would be the Komodo gear : https://www.facebook.com/KomodoSimulations?fref=nf their website here http://www.komodosimulations.co.uk/

Of course there is a mile of info out their on how to build your own.

But in this business cost is always prohibitive. It all boils down to what you want to pay. The Rhino probably will do the job, but ! there is always a But !

Hi, Toro. I know this guy likes to use profanities too much, but he has some good points on some of the bad ergonomics of the X-55:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0mTd0SOLg

I have only heard good things about the Thrustmaster Warthog and I hear it is great for helio simming. A lot of DCS Huey pilots use it.

However, if you are after a cheaper option, I can personally recommend the X-52 (or if you have the doe, X52 Pro) which is what I use. The X52's ergonomics are ok, its sensitivity is good for helios and its throttle makes a great collective.

Still, seeing as this a something an investment, I would recommend looking up several reviews of these HOTASs before you make a decision.

(C/229) Strut wrote:
but my advice is - bottom line - if your going to be doing a lot of "Simming" that means a lot of use, then you should consider holding off and save up for the substantial Warthog, or whatever can supersede that.

+1

Hi Toro,

I used the X-55 for a while; actually I had X-52, then X-55 and now TM Warthog.
If I had to do it again, I would go straight from X-52 to Warthog.
Not that X-55 is a bad HOTAS, but I experienced some issues with 1 slider (on the throttle) and the stick.

As Strut and Andrei mentionned, it all  goes down to cost/investment.
You might also want to weight your options depending on what DCS modules you fly, or other flight sims you are addicted to...

Obviously you fly the Huey ; for helos and WW2 birds pedals are a must.

So my advice would be to have a look on ebay/amazon/local shop/etc... for  second-hand rudder and HOTAS (X-52 is the cheaper option). You can probably have a HOTAS + rudder for the price of a brand-new X-55

I you need any extra info about X-55, let me know

If I may say a word, as a saitek detractor, I'll say you will save money buying 1 warthog that rocks instead of having to by a new saitek in 2 years because the sensors will be screwed up. Plus, m8, you cannot beat the feeling of putting your hands on cold metal, instead of plastic. If I bought one thing that I do not regret it's the warthog. If I felt ripped off for one thing it would be the X-52 when the axis and sliders started to shake like mad after a couple years of (intensive) use.
Cheers.

(B/229) NeF wrote:If I may say a word, as a saitek detractor, I'll say you will save money buying 1 warthog that rocks instead of having to by a new saitek in 2 years because the sensors will be screwed up. Plus, m8, you cannot beat the feeling of putting your hands on cold metal, instead of plastic. If I bought one thing that I do not regret it's the warthog. If I felt ripped off for one thing it would be the X-52 when the axis and sliders started to shake like mad after a couple years of (intensive) use.
Cheers.

I entirely agree !! I just didnt want to sound like a Warthog snob, but truthfully a Warhog HOTAS will see you through nearly all the sims with no problems at all and the throttle is very flyable as a collective, i did it for ages.

Thanks for the input...really appreciate it...definitely good food for thought

I used to have a logitech 3d extreme. If you are also thinking about pedals you might want to get the pedals first. At least from my experience.
I used the 3d and the combat pedals for almost a year before getting a warthog. Still dont regret it.