Idk why so many people hate the x52 pro. My buddy gave me his old one a while ago and it’s been doing just fine for DCS and FlightSim. I keep up with him and his new high end stick the entire time.
It's a matter of comparing it to it's peers. Nobody said it wasn't fine, but it uses very old tech, and has some really badly designed features. In terms of a stick alone the gladiator NXT absolutely stomps it in quality, design, utility, accuracy and sensitivity. Not to mention it doesn't look like a 1990s concept of a future joystick.
I can definitely agree on the x52 throttle and the gladiator nxt the x52 stick has an issue with tge spring if you tighten it or loosen it to your liking if you apply slight rudder twist with some pull back the stick just gets stuck or if you pull the stick to the corners it does that it may just be my stick but it happens
I had bought a Gladiator stick some while back and had just been looking for a reasonably priced throttle. Had been waiting for many months for either VKB to release a throttle or the TM TWCS throttle to be available in its stand alone version to no avail. Finally found the TM t16000m stick and throttle set for a decent price and just ordered that. Basically what I had been seeing price wise the entire setup was only about $40 more than the throttle would be alone alone. Will use the Gladiator stick and TM throttle and put the TM stick aside as a back up option. Now to decide if I want to get separate rudder pedals or not! Will probably try both the yaw feature on the stick and the front rocker on the throttle first before I make that decision. Great informative video.
You can actually get a left hand gladiator NXT EVO with Omni throttle grip, you can lock out the other axis and remove the z axis spring, it will operate as a traditional throttle
I had an X55 hotas that I was happy with until a couple of hat switches stopped working on the stick. I got a CH Fighterstick to replace it, and together with the X55 throttle, it's been a great hybrid combination over the past year. No twist on the Fighterstick, but I use rudder pedals anyway.
I fly with an X-52 Pro that I got right around the time it came out. That's OG Saitek, pre-Logitech AND pre-Madcatz. I think that makes it about 15 years old now. I haven't been flying on it that entire time, but I think 2,000hrs would be fair, including Lock-On, FS9, FSX, DCS and FS2020. I also abused the balls out of it with MX Simulator and Richard Burns Rally. A few things are less than perfect. One of the rotator axes wanders and the slider axis jitters, and the gimmicky little screen is no longer lit. The AB detent died a quick death once the throttle got used for motocross duty. that's understandable; each MX race is about a year's worth of throttle movement in aviation. There's also a weird bug it's had from day one where it creates a sort of anti-deadzone at idle, so idle will still give you some power. There's fix for that in Windows that I learned from Saitek's once-excellent support, but you have to do it often enough that I just put a counter-deadzone in the sim to even it out. My big issue with the X52 now is that I'm running out of functionality. I use it pretty successfully with the DCS Viper, but it required some pretty careful mapping and heavy usage of a shift-state on the pinky switch. Basically every button and hat on the thing has 2 jobs in most planes. Unfortunately no matter how I tried, I couldn't get a good mapping set up in the Hornet. That plane leans hard on hats with a push, really wants the pinky switch free for the "please turn" paddle, and has me trying to put more DDI buttons onto my HOTAS. All that has me wanting to upgrade. My buddy has an X56 and loves it, but I find it uncomfortable and it feels like an ergonomic step down from the 52, even if it does have beaucoup buttons. I really want a Virpil throttle and base with a Warthog grip, but that's big money. I'm also considering keeping the X52 (for the memes, you understand), and getting Thrustmaster's MFD button boxes, which would solve my MFD problems with the Hornet and to a lesser extent the Viper. Oh, also. The protected fire button on the X52 is my favorite thing on this Earth. The cover feels very satisfying. But the best part is, my buddy can hear it over Discord, and it has a deep Pavlovian impact on his psyche. It is the sound of imminent death. It's the Jaws theme in a switch cover. It's so good.
The x56 has some major quality and ergonomic issues. The throttle is better than the stick in ergo but the throttle is worse on quality control. If you are looking to spend less than a Warthog, buy a VKB Gladiator NXT and a thrustmaster TWCS. If you are looking warthog money but not the Warthog (because honestly the WH is not worth it's MSRP). Instead I'd recommend the winwing Orion at that price point. Above that price point it's Virpil VKB and winwing.
@@FalconsLedge Thank you for the suggestions. I wasn't familiar with the Gladiator, but after doing some research, it seems compelling. I'm considering now getting a Gladiator stick with a more premium throttle like the Virpil, to get around the Warthog price point. I'm not a big fan of Hornet replica sticks like the Orion, because I fly side-stick and I've heard that design with the lack of hand rest really wants to be centered.
@@JETZcorp the only exception being that the Orion has swappable handles and they are introducing an f16 throttle, and already have a helo collective for it
@@FalconsLedge at the moment the Orion set is around that price. The libre is big boy price. I am waiting for my gladiator to arrive next few days How is your 2nd stick set up. Mine is just strafe. I have two tm16k at the moment But thinking of waiting for the vkb hotas
@@boris-kraken8185 my left stick is strafe forward/back and strafe left/right, then up/down on the analog stick. My throttle is now absolute speed limiter. I set my ship to cruise control, then the throttle operates like a throttle, but otherwise I use the dual stick. The orion is still not a mid range stick. It MSRPs at over $500, which is solidly in the high range. Mid range is 100-400 Maybe this year I'll try some new rankings
@@FalconsLedge thanks mate similar to how I have mine set up. Yes at the moment winwing have had discounted prices but no stock. Thanks for the content and see you in the verse
Good details on the sensors and finer points of operating the controls for various flight operations. I've got a TM 16000M HOTAS and may incrementally upgrade the stick to the VKB as you suggest. Hope you can get your hands on more hardware to review! (Side note: Surprised you haven't talked much about Elite Dangerous since the flight physics is superb.) Best of luck in 2021. Looking forward to more. (Will also see if you've got anything on dual stick operation.)
My latest review on the GNX features both dual sticks and elite dangerous. I may do some elite, but in space sims I prefer Star Citizen. I have all the ships in elite but I find the game to be extremely short on content, and very obviously procedural. The trick to using procedural generation to make all your content is to do it cleverly enough that it's not blatantly obvious to your players that everything is procedural.
logitech xtreme pro, $20 more or less, reasonably ok for a low end stick. King of mid range is TM T-16k + FWCS, or Dual T-16ks, regardless of plastic gimbals. The throttle is surprisngly good for the price range, but both require nyogel 767a in order to shine. Also, T-16k is a reversible stick, meaning it can be left or right hand. I have a virpil set up, with a T-16k left hand stick for SC. Not worth spending Virpil money for a left hand stick when the T-16k is reasonably good. Also, the TECS throttle from VKB has been a ghost in the machine for years now. Since that picture came out, Virpil has released 3 throttles..... I wouldn't get my hopes up.
I would take the GNX over the T16000m any day. Its not that the T16000m isn't a good stick, its just that the GNX is better in every conceivable way. and the Gladiator NXT is not virpil money, its $125-150, very reasonable, and IMO the best bang for the buck in sticks today.
My goal is to get people the best bang for their buck. I don't use, or review ultra cheap sticks. If there is a lot of demand to test budget sticks maybe I'll do something about that, but until then my reviews focus on sticks above $100
Me who saved for 12 months to get an X56: "Finally I actually have a high quality peripheral, and what better peripheral to go all out on then the hotas!" This dude: "B U D G E T S E T U P"
@@mainstream2226 sorry man, and what's worse is Logitech doesn't give a flying crap about flight hardware. They have nothing new on the horizon, have no innovation for flight hardware, massive QA problems and more. That is one of the reasons I made this channel it to help people avoid pitfalls. If you like it, more power to ya, but there is a world of better sticks out there.
Well, I have a X52 now, very happy with it. Just took the jump and ordered the X56. Hope I will be happy with it, but from what I see, if I was happy with the X52 I shall be happy with the X56. A little hard this replacement, since the X52 has been there for almost 8 years now :O Will keep the X52 tho, Im sure I will find use for it still :D
First and foremost: if you are happy good for you. People like bad products all the time, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you are satisfied. I don't recommend buying Logitech products at all. Why? I'll tell you: I support companies who support my hobby. I like combat flight Sims and space combat games. If a company hasn't bothered to update their products or innovate to compete with competitors in a decade, that tells me that they don't care about my hobby. This personifies Logitech (and thrustmaster for that matter). These ecosystems are effectively Dead. I would love to see both of those companies innovate and come out with new products that compete in the modern combat sim hardware industry, but as of right now there is zero evidence of this happening. If I were you buying today in that price range, I'd keep the x52 throttle for a short bit and buy a Gladiator NXT EVO as a stick and throw the x52 stick in the garage. The stick is the most important part about your hotas and the gladiator is many times better than the x56, it's astronomically better. Better in every respect. Take my advice, don't take it, its up to you. I've used all of these devices. I would never buy an x56.
Hey there. Did I understand that right, that I can flexibly mix and match sticks and throttle units from different vendors? I have an option to get a X56 relatively cheap. If I don’t like the stick, I could add the VKB stick and fly by best of both (mid range) worlds… what are your thoughts? Thanks very much
Yes absolutely. There are limitations, like you can't use the x52 stick with other throttles because it plugs into the throttle, but most are not that way. This is a very old way of doing things
@@markussell9431 yeah if they both have dedicated connections they can most definitely be used separately. In am using my x52 Throttle temporarily without the stick.
I bought the Logitech x56 and I hate it so much. I am trying it in star wars squadrons and I can't even aim right. Don't even feel bad if you don't have those analog mini sticks, pushing in a direction does not always register using that direction.
Yeah this is something I've heard with the x56 also. It's a much older analog stick design more akin to that found in Nintendo 64s rather than those found in Xboxes and things. Not sure why they choose to use that.
Why didn't you add the VKB Gladiator Standard/Pro? It's $120-$150, VKB hasn't inflated the prices for it and it's in some instances better than the sticks you showed here. I've seen some people say it's better than the Warthog.
I'm pondering an upgrade from my X52 pro, but I do want one with a twist stick... any suggestions? I kinda want to avoid split throttles too, as I don't like the idea of risking skin pinching between the halves. My old Saitek made X52 lasted me using it in space sims and mech games for over a decade. The Logitech built Pro is already less than perfect. Logi may have fixed some of the execessive cost cuts Madkatz made, but they're still pot luck.
Depends on how much you want to spend, pretty much all the options except warthog have twist. Here are my recommendations for stick only: Below 350: Gladiator NXT Above 350: ANY of the above you'd be happy about: VKB Gunfighter mk.III Virpil WarBRD Virpil T50 Winwing libra I am going VKB next Is stay away from the Warthog if you are spending over 300, there are just better sticks for the money IMO
I responded before reading the whole thing, silly me. Don't worry about split throttles, they all lock together, and can be used as a single unit. The VKB TECS throttle is coming out this year and I plan to buy one and review it. Right now that leaves the warthog, Virpil and winwing. Winwing had the best throws, Virpil has the best ergonomics. The Warthog throttle is a seriously tough unit, but technologically it's missing some of the features like analog sticks.
@@FalconsLedge Yeah, I got put off the X56 for example by reports of people getting their palms stuck between the halves of the throttle, even when locked. I don't need more than one throttle anyway. Maybe I'll just look at a VKB stick as they're in my budget. The Warthog looks great, but I'm not sure on the locations of things. Having been a user of an X52& pro for well over a decade, I am kinda used to more buttons and less axis on my throttle especially.
@@truckerallikatuk I can't think of another single axis throttle out there, maybe a Thrustmaster Cougar? Those are no longer built, but they are single axis as they are an F-16 replica stick. The Gladiator NXT is a great stick for the money, and the base model throttle is rumored to be $200 from VKB. If you are looking higher end, the Winwing Orion is being released soon and they plan to offer an F-16 grip which is a single axis as well. The Orion will still have two axis, but that will depend on what stick you are using, for example, when you use the F-16 throttle on it, the two axis would be tied together and would not be able to be separated since the viper is a single engine plane, so that is an option going forward.
Hmm so hotas prices went up too, similarly to pc parts? Strange, I don't see much reason for it (apart from the new Microsoft flight sim and Squadrons). (also it's a comment for the giveaway, not necessarily expecting an answer:D)
You get a lot more customization stuff with the premium, like springs, hand rests, and all the parts to make it a standard if you so choose, the premium has an analog stick instead of one of the hats, it has a hat instead of a button in the thumb rest, and it has a secondary bi directional trigger
@@FalconsLedge Thanks for the great review and the response. Just placed my order for the premium. This video really helped my decision. For now, I will pair it with the X52 throttle. I will look into the Thrustmaster throttle maybe once the prices come down some more. Thanks again!
The CH is rugged, but it's severely outdated, even more so than the x52. It uses potentiometers, and has horrible resolution. It hasn't been produced for two decades. It is on this list as an honorable mention. You may also want to check out this year's version of this video. The CH sticks still don't place though, sorry.
@@FalconsLedge It seems like you've never used one. It is a better stick than both the X52 and X56, they are high quality pots and the cam design is almost like the NXT. Ask any seasoned sim enthusiast and they will agree the CH Fighterstick beats the X52 and X56 bar none.
@@WurminatorZA I owned one in the 90s and used it for 5 or 6 years, so you'd be very wrong about that. The gimbal design is similar to the NXT, but Pots (even good ones) are so far off from the accuracy of good hall sensors, and while I might use the CH sticks before the X52, the X56, even with all its downsides has volumes more functionality than the CH counterparts. I am a sim enthusiast. And I know many other sim enthusiasts, and I have only heard that opinion once or twice. Regardless, I am not comparing sticks from history, I am comparing sticks that are still in production, which the CH Products sticks are not.
i own one and i absolutely hate it😂 my dad bought it to me 2012 and it was good before i started playing dcs. now i can do all the things, air to air refuel etc but more buttons would be so helpful and the deadzone in the middle makes it really hard to air to air refuel inverted
Idk why so many people hate the x52 pro. My buddy gave me his old one a while ago and it’s been doing just fine for DCS and FlightSim. I keep up with him and his new high end stick the entire time.
It's a matter of comparing it to it's peers. Nobody said it wasn't fine, but it uses very old tech, and has some really badly designed features. In terms of a stick alone the gladiator NXT absolutely stomps it in quality, design, utility, accuracy and sensitivity. Not to mention it doesn't look like a 1990s concept of a future joystick.
Excellent review. Thank you very much for doing such an in-depth and thorough coverage of this topic!
The goal of my channel is to help others decide on what to get. And I am absolutely thrilled to see people getting use out of it, thank you so much.
I can definitely agree on the x52 throttle and the gladiator nxt the x52 stick has an issue with tge spring if you tighten it or loosen it to your liking if you apply slight rudder twist with some pull back the stick just gets stuck or if you pull the stick to the corners it does that it may just be my stick but it happens
I had bought a Gladiator stick some while back and had just been looking for a reasonably priced throttle. Had been waiting for many months for either VKB to release a throttle or the TM TWCS throttle to be available in its stand alone version to no avail.
Finally found the TM t16000m stick and throttle set for a decent price and just ordered that. Basically what I had been seeing price wise the entire setup was only about $40 more than the throttle would be alone alone.
Will use the Gladiator stick and TM throttle and put the TM stick aside as a back up option.
Now to decide if I want to get separate rudder pedals or not! Will probably try both the yaw feature on the stick and the front rocker on the throttle first before I make that decision.
Great informative video.
I like having pedals for flight sims but not space
i want to do the same... do you recomend
You can actually get a left hand gladiator NXT EVO with Omni throttle grip, you can lock out the other axis and remove the z axis spring, it will operate as a traditional throttle
@@FalconsLedge wait for real ????
@@FalconsLedge well thank you i wanted to do that but i didnt know if it was possible
I WILL DO IT LIKE THAT THAN
thank you!!!
I had an X55 hotas that I was happy with until a couple of hat switches stopped working on the stick. I got a CH Fighterstick to replace it, and together with the X55 throttle, it's been a great hybrid combination over the past year. No twist on the Fighterstick, but I use rudder pedals anyway.
The other down side to the ch is the use of potentiometers that just can't compete with any high quality contactless sensor.
I fly with an X-52 Pro that I got right around the time it came out. That's OG Saitek, pre-Logitech AND pre-Madcatz. I think that makes it about 15 years old now. I haven't been flying on it that entire time, but I think 2,000hrs would be fair, including Lock-On, FS9, FSX, DCS and FS2020. I also abused the balls out of it with MX Simulator and Richard Burns Rally.
A few things are less than perfect. One of the rotator axes wanders and the slider axis jitters, and the gimmicky little screen is no longer lit. The AB detent died a quick death once the throttle got used for motocross duty. that's understandable; each MX race is about a year's worth of throttle movement in aviation. There's also a weird bug it's had from day one where it creates a sort of anti-deadzone at idle, so idle will still give you some power. There's fix for that in Windows that I learned from Saitek's once-excellent support, but you have to do it often enough that I just put a counter-deadzone in the sim to even it out.
My big issue with the X52 now is that I'm running out of functionality. I use it pretty successfully with the DCS Viper, but it required some pretty careful mapping and heavy usage of a shift-state on the pinky switch. Basically every button and hat on the thing has 2 jobs in most planes. Unfortunately no matter how I tried, I couldn't get a good mapping set up in the Hornet. That plane leans hard on hats with a push, really wants the pinky switch free for the "please turn" paddle, and has me trying to put more DDI buttons onto my HOTAS.
All that has me wanting to upgrade. My buddy has an X56 and loves it, but I find it uncomfortable and it feels like an ergonomic step down from the 52, even if it does have beaucoup buttons. I really want a Virpil throttle and base with a Warthog grip, but that's big money. I'm also considering keeping the X52 (for the memes, you understand), and getting Thrustmaster's MFD button boxes, which would solve my MFD problems with the Hornet and to a lesser extent the Viper.
Oh, also. The protected fire button on the X52 is my favorite thing on this Earth. The cover feels very satisfying. But the best part is, my buddy can hear it over Discord, and it has a deep Pavlovian impact on his psyche. It is the sound of imminent death. It's the Jaws theme in a switch cover. It's so good.
The x56 has some major quality and ergonomic issues. The throttle is better than the stick in ergo but the throttle is worse on quality control. If you are looking to spend less than a Warthog, buy a VKB Gladiator NXT and a thrustmaster TWCS.
If you are looking warthog money but not the Warthog (because honestly the WH is not worth it's MSRP). Instead I'd recommend the winwing Orion at that price point. Above that price point it's Virpil VKB and winwing.
@@FalconsLedge Thank you for the suggestions. I wasn't familiar with the Gladiator, but after doing some research, it seems compelling. I'm considering now getting a Gladiator stick with a more premium throttle like the Virpil, to get around the Warthog price point. I'm not a big fan of Hornet replica sticks like the Orion, because I fly side-stick and I've heard that design with the lack of hand rest really wants to be centered.
@@JETZcorp the Orion Throttle is pretty good, imo Virpil is better still
@@JETZcorp the only exception being that the Orion has swappable handles and they are introducing an f16 throttle, and already have a helo collective for it
get a vkg bro its great
I'm definitely interested in the market for mid range, good info 👍
Winwing is another company making sticks and hotas at a similar range to vkb.
The reason you don't see winwing on this list is because this is mid range priced HOTAS :)
@@FalconsLedge at the moment the Orion set is around that price. The libre is big boy price. I am waiting for my gladiator to arrive next few days
How is your 2nd stick set up. Mine is just strafe. I have two tm16k at the moment
But thinking of waiting for the vkb hotas
@@boris-kraken8185 my left stick is strafe forward/back and strafe left/right, then up/down on the analog stick. My throttle is now absolute speed limiter. I set my ship to cruise control, then the throttle operates like a throttle, but otherwise I use the dual stick.
The orion is still not a mid range stick. It MSRPs at over $500, which is solidly in the high range. Mid range is 100-400
Maybe this year I'll try some new rankings
@@FalconsLedge thanks mate similar to how I have mine set up.
Yes at the moment winwing have had discounted prices but no stock.
Thanks for the content and see you in the verse
Great summarization!
Only way this could have been better is if you linked places to purchase these options.
👍
a good medium price setup is a vkb gladiator nxt with a twcs throttle
would throttle from X56 be a better choice? I'm looking into them atm.
Good details on the sensors and finer points of operating the controls for various flight operations. I've got a TM 16000M HOTAS and may incrementally upgrade the stick to the VKB as you suggest. Hope you can get your hands on more hardware to review! (Side note: Surprised you haven't talked much about Elite Dangerous since the flight physics is superb.) Best of luck in 2021. Looking forward to more. (Will also see if you've got anything on dual stick operation.)
My latest review on the GNX features both dual sticks and elite dangerous. I may do some elite, but in space sims I prefer Star Citizen.
I have all the ships in elite but I find the game to be extremely short on content, and very obviously procedural. The trick to using procedural generation to make all your content is to do it cleverly enough that it's not blatantly obvious to your players that everything is procedural.
logitech xtreme pro, $20 more or less, reasonably ok for a low end stick.
King of mid range is TM T-16k + FWCS, or Dual T-16ks, regardless of plastic gimbals. The throttle is surprisngly good for the price range, but both require nyogel 767a in order to shine.
Also, T-16k is a reversible stick, meaning it can be left or right hand. I have a virpil set up, with a T-16k left hand stick for SC. Not worth spending Virpil money for a left hand stick when the T-16k is reasonably good.
Also, the TECS throttle from VKB has been a ghost in the machine for years now. Since that picture came out, Virpil has released 3 throttles..... I wouldn't get my hopes up.
I would take the GNX over the T16000m any day. Its not that the T16000m isn't a good stick, its just that the GNX is better in every conceivable way. and the Gladiator NXT is not virpil money, its $125-150, very reasonable, and IMO the best bang for the buck in sticks today.
I used to do docking in Kerbal space program with an extreme 3d pro, it was an damn nice upgrade from keyboard.
My goal is to get people the best bang for their buck. I don't use, or review ultra cheap sticks. If there is a lot of demand to test budget sticks maybe I'll do something about that, but until then my reviews focus on sticks above $100
Please can you include link in the description on where to buy also how have you not got more subs?
Thank you for the suggestion and I think it's a great idea
IT would be great if you can do tear down vids of these.
They will get an interior view on their full hardware review for sure.
Great vid helped my decide witch Hotas to get
an x56 throttle and a vkg stick is a perfect budged setup
Yeah it's a good one, but with the new gladiator NXT EVO being able to become a throttle, there is a new budget king in town
Me who saved for 12 months to get an X56: "Finally I actually have a high quality peripheral, and what better peripheral to go all out on then the hotas!"
This dude: "B U D G E T S E T U P"
@@mainstream2226 sorry man, and what's worse is Logitech doesn't give a flying crap about flight hardware. They have nothing new on the horizon, have no innovation for flight hardware, massive QA problems and more. That is one of the reasons I made this channel it to help people avoid pitfalls. If you like it, more power to ya, but there is a world of better sticks out there.
Well, I have a X52 now, very happy with it. Just took the jump and ordered the X56. Hope I will be happy with it, but from what I see, if I was happy with the X52 I shall be happy with the X56. A little hard this replacement, since the X52 has been there for almost 8 years now :O Will keep the X52 tho, Im sure I will find use for it still :D
First and foremost: if you are happy good for you. People like bad products all the time, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you are satisfied.
I don't recommend buying Logitech products at all. Why? I'll tell you: I support companies who support my hobby. I like combat flight Sims and space combat games. If a company hasn't bothered to update their products or innovate to compete with competitors in a decade, that tells me that they don't care about my hobby. This personifies Logitech (and thrustmaster for that matter). These ecosystems are effectively Dead. I would love to see both of those companies innovate and come out with new products that compete in the modern combat sim hardware industry, but as of right now there is zero evidence of this happening.
If I were you buying today in that price range, I'd keep the x52 throttle for a short bit and buy a Gladiator NXT EVO as a stick and throw the x52 stick in the garage.
The stick is the most important part about your hotas and the gladiator is many times better than the x56, it's astronomically better. Better in every respect.
Take my advice, don't take it, its up to you. I've used all of these devices. I would never buy an x56.
Would a gladiator nxt work with a winwing f22 throttle? I have a little bit of wiggle room for the throttle that I can spend
Virtually any stick will work with any throttle. The only sticks that have to have a specific throttle is the x52, and mostly because they are junk
Hey there.
Did I understand that right, that I can flexibly mix and match sticks and throttle units from different vendors? I have an option to get a X56 relatively cheap. If I don’t like the stick, I could add the VKB stick and fly by best of both (mid range) worlds… what are your thoughts? Thanks very much
Yes absolutely. There are limitations, like you can't use the x52 stick with other throttles because it plugs into the throttle, but most are not that way. This is a very old way of doing things
@@FalconsLedge so if both, stick and throttle, using dedicated USB connections, I am good to go?
@@markussell9431 yeah if they both have dedicated connections they can most definitely be used separately. In am using my x52 Throttle temporarily without the stick.
@@FalconsLedge thanks. Appreciate your help
I bought the Logitech x56 and I hate it so much. I am trying it in star wars squadrons and I can't even aim right. Don't even feel bad if you don't have those analog mini sticks, pushing in a direction does not always register using that direction.
Yeah this is something I've heard with the x56 also. It's a much older analog stick design more akin to that found in Nintendo 64s rather than those found in Xboxes and things. Not sure why they choose to use that.
you should download a calibration software and calibrate it
@@varzat6416 though that can help, the analog sticks are notorious for failures
Best video! 👍👍👍🤘🤝
Why didn't you add the VKB Gladiator Standard/Pro? It's $120-$150, VKB hasn't inflated the prices for it and it's in some instances better than the sticks you showed here. I've seen some people say it's better than the Warthog.
Because it's not a HOTAS.
@@FalconsLedge Oh yeah you're right , Once vkb releases their throttle would you consider adding it?
@@w0monty494 absolutely, I truly hope they do
I'm pondering an upgrade from my X52 pro, but I do want one with a twist stick... any suggestions? I kinda want to avoid split throttles too, as I don't like the idea of risking skin pinching between the halves. My old Saitek made X52 lasted me using it in space sims and mech games for over a decade. The Logitech built Pro is already less than perfect. Logi may have fixed some of the execessive cost cuts Madkatz made, but they're still pot luck.
Depends on how much you want to spend, pretty much all the options except warthog have twist. Here are my recommendations for stick only:
Below 350:
Gladiator NXT
Above 350:
ANY of the above you'd be happy about:
VKB Gunfighter mk.III
Virpil WarBRD
Virpil T50
Winwing libra
I am going VKB next
Is stay away from the Warthog if you are spending over 300, there are just better sticks for the money IMO
I responded before reading the whole thing, silly me. Don't worry about split throttles, they all lock together, and can be used as a single unit. The VKB TECS throttle is coming out this year and I plan to buy one and review it.
Right now that leaves the warthog, Virpil and winwing. Winwing had the best throws, Virpil has the best ergonomics. The Warthog throttle is a seriously tough unit, but technologically it's missing some of the features like analog sticks.
@@FalconsLedge Yeah, I got put off the X56 for example by reports of people getting their palms stuck between the halves of the throttle, even when locked. I don't need more than one throttle anyway. Maybe I'll just look at a VKB stick as they're in my budget. The Warthog looks great, but I'm not sure on the locations of things. Having been a user of an X52& pro for well over a decade, I am kinda used to more buttons and less axis on my throttle especially.
@@truckerallikatuk I can't think of another single axis throttle out there, maybe a Thrustmaster Cougar? Those are no longer built, but they are single axis as they are an F-16 replica stick. The Gladiator NXT is a great stick for the money, and the base model throttle is rumored to be $200 from VKB.
If you are looking higher end, the Winwing Orion is being released soon and they plan to offer an F-16 grip which is a single axis as well. The Orion will still have two axis, but that will depend on what stick you are using, for example, when you use the F-16 throttle on it, the two axis would be tied together and would not be able to be separated since the viper is a single engine plane, so that is an option going forward.
Good vid well done
X56 does NOT have a dual stage trigger
Thanks
Interesting that they didn't do a dual stage. The x52 has a dual stage trigger
@@FalconsLedge that is interesting. Never owned the X52
@@DLevasseur it was a reliable stick. I only really discovered it's inaccuracy in the last few years
I should clarify that the inaccuracy was always there, I just started doing a lot of things like mid-air refueling
Hmm so hotas prices went up too, similarly to pc parts? Strange, I don't see much reason for it (apart from the new Microsoft flight sim and Squadrons). (also it's a comment for the giveaway, not necessarily expecting an answer:D)
I try to answer any comment that could use one :)
Can you tell me what the differences are between the standard and premium?
You get a lot more customization stuff with the premium, like springs, hand rests, and all the parts to make it a standard if you so choose, the premium has an analog stick instead of one of the hats, it has a hat instead of a button in the thumb rest, and it has a secondary bi directional trigger
@@FalconsLedge Thanks for the great review and the response. Just placed my order for the premium. This video really helped my decision. For now, I will pair it with the X52 throttle. I will look into the Thrustmaster throttle maybe once the prices come down some more. Thanks again!
Did I mishear you, did you say that VKB was coming out with a throttle later this year?
@@bw33511 yep it is currently in production, not sure on the exact release date, I have a video about the details, I highly recommend watching it.
@@FalconsLedge going to look at it now.
x56 does not have a dual stage trigger
Yup thank you
just got my x52 still pretty bad as far as price and availability sweet set up though just right in my range
Best of luck, x52 at today's pricing would not have been even my 3rd choice
@@FalconsLedge Actually, there is a shop that's selling them at MSRP + delivery. Plus $270 X56, but sadly not T16kM.
@@vinnithep00h41 don't buy any logitech stick. Not while the VKB Gladiator NXT exists.
Im surprised CH is not in this list, its better than the X52 and X56 stick, the throttle is not though.
The CH is rugged, but it's severely outdated, even more so than the x52. It uses potentiometers, and has horrible resolution. It hasn't been produced for two decades. It is on this list as an honorable mention. You may also want to check out this year's version of this video. The CH sticks still don't place though, sorry.
@@FalconsLedge It seems like you've never used one. It is a better stick than both the X52 and X56, they are high quality pots and the cam design is almost like the NXT. Ask any seasoned sim enthusiast and they will agree the CH Fighterstick beats the X52 and X56 bar none.
@@WurminatorZA I owned one in the 90s and used it for 5 or 6 years, so you'd be very wrong about that. The gimbal design is similar to the NXT, but Pots (even good ones) are so far off from the accuracy of good hall sensors, and while I might use the CH sticks before the X52, the X56, even with all its downsides has volumes more functionality than the CH counterparts. I am a sim enthusiast. And I know many other sim enthusiasts, and I have only heard that opinion once or twice. Regardless, I am not comparing sticks from history, I am comparing sticks that are still in production, which the CH Products sticks are not.
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low range sticks are shit. do not buy them
I may get some for review sometime, but right now my recommendation is to buy at least mid range
@@FalconsLedge thats true. low range sticks lacks in every category. Presicion, buttons and quality
i own one and i absolutely hate it😂 my dad bought it to me 2012 and it was good before i started playing dcs. now i can do all the things, air to air refuel etc but more buttons would be so helpful and the deadzone in the middle makes it really hard to air to air refuel inverted