So, my CH Products gear is getting a little long in the tooth. When does the massdrop thing reach some sort of conclusion....I'm not sure I understand the mechanics.

Looks like someone got a unit on accident?

https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.co...no-early#latest

Looks like those dummy vent holes disappeared from the production model.. thank god. As if fake vents on cars wasn't bad enough already.

As with all Saitek stuff, it LOOKS nice but will be plagued with problems like all their sticks and HOTAS'. If it doesn't spike I'll eat my hat...

Hmmmm I reckon this might be a turkey after all now after reading how cheap it all feels, mind you mace is right Saitek stuff always did have it more than fare share of issues.

Guys as a warthog owner i would like to get your suggestion. Since we all know that warthog throttle suffer of axis lacks, i was thinking about whether buying this joystick and use only the throttle or mod my throttle and add my axis by myself (a rotatory switch just like the F15 throttle).
What do you think guys?

If all you want is an F-15-style antenna elevation rotary on the left throttle, then that's doable at the cost of the "friction" axis lever on the base, provided that you're willing to do the required physical modification.

If you want even more axes than that, though, the Warthog throttle controller board won't do it because you'll run out of axes. At that point, if you still want a twin-engine throttle, there isn't much recourse other than to buy an X-55, X-65F, or build your own throttle, perhaps using the old Suncom SFS Throttle as a base to work with.

What would you use extra axis on the throttle for?

Since they made the coils replacable by unscrewing the handle, why not include a stick extension for helicopters/WW2-planes?

Well, that would include extra expense that they may not have wanted to deal with. It could be a nice add-on, if the gimbal will handle the increased forces being exerted upon it.

I don't know how readily people are going to be able to obtain a suitable set of connectors (for fabricating their own extensions). I imagine somebody will be looking into it soon, now that Saitek is shipping the X-55 out.

531_Ghost's interview with Saitek is here: http://www.simhq.com/hardware/saitek-x-5...o-mad-catz.html

"Guys as a warthog owner i would like to get your suggestion. Since we all know that warthog throttle suffer of axis lacks, i was thinking about whether buying this joystick and use only the throttle or mod my throttle and add my axis by myself (a rotatory switch just like the F15 throttle).
What do you think guys? "


Why no buy a used Cougar Throttle? That way you will have full TARGET functionality.

I will really hope TM does a new F16 Throttle for the warthog, they already have a very good start.

That would require two conditions to be met:

-He'd have to find a standalone Cougar throttle on sale for cheap, or buy the whole kit at today's prices.
-Since the Cougar throttle is slaved to the stick, it's useless on its own...unless you want to order a RealSimulator TUSBA.

Had a chance to interview with the Saitek Chanel Sales Manager on this product, read more (and more to come ) HERE

Ah, Ken... you're such a tease!

Nice job on the interview. Knowing of your vast experiences with CH gear, I had to wonder what was going through your mind during some of those answers that Tim gave.

It would be nice for the rotor-heads if they offered some helicopter stick grips and came out with a collective controller.

Working up a FULL review to be published soon.

can't wait for the review!

Good review, I wonder how this thing works also. At $200 that's not a bad price...the wife wouldn't even know I spent it. I'm glad they moved the hat and fire button switch back to where it should be. I had a X45 many years ago and loved it. The only bad thing was that it lasted about 6 months before it started to develop center play and it only got worse. I've been looking into getting a new HOTAS set up...unitl I got my modded Cougar to work. I was thinking of the Warthof or X65, but I'll see how the Cougar holds up and how the X55 is.

That's more of a question/answer, interview. The review is soon to come.

Im wondering if they've stopped making the x65f because you cant find them hardly anywhere now.

Looking forward to the review.....starting to get itchy fingers on the Black Mamba - any idea if this stick is likely to get the SimHQ treatment?