Saitek X-55 RHINO H.O.T.A.S. System Interview with Tim Di Iullo from Mad Catz

http://www.simhq.com/hardware/saitek-x-5...o-mad-catz.html

Thanks Ken! Informative article. I'm looking for a not-too-expensive HOTAS and this may be one of the candidates (if I can find it in China).

You're quite welcome. There's more to follow. As for getting them in China, well, they're made in China

Thank you indeed, good read. Curious what the early adopters will tell us about ergonomics and build quality.

Ohhh boy this MAY have gotten a lot better...

A good read. Thanks Ken!

And would it have killed them to have a 4-way switch on the thumb control (stick) where they placed a single button?
Don't understand that.

I don't think I've been excited about a review in years, its like the stars have aligned for me a little because I'm starting to slowly get back into flight simming and I'm just starting to re-learn a10. I'm looking to replace my CH throttle (which is on its last legs) at the very least and I need to buy some pedals too (eventually). Good times.....

Well after a minor issue and observation I had there MAY be more to come in the H.U.D.. I should know more today. If you've ever calibrated a multi axis throttle in the Windows Calibration "Wizard" you'll like what MAY be coming!

Yes, on left side are a press button (instead a HAT a la F-16) - like in G-940, CH Combatstick - that is perfect for WW II "jockeys".



Sokol1

I'm starting to tire of my G940's problems. I would like this to be good enough (even though it's not FFB and I wish it was), but I'm wary.

An FFB version of this X-55 would be good. It's one thing about my 940 that still works great, and I hate to give it up.



The Jedi Master

According to the store the prices are all over the place.

199 USD
169 GBP = 283 USD
199.99 = 273 USD

Glad to see European customers being stuffed on prices.

This is also my opinion - there currently is no FFB stick on the market, as G-940 was discontinued. I am also G940 owner and I would get rhino immediately if it had a solid FFB. I just cannot fly helicopters without FFB and FFB is also very important and beneficial in other sims simulating stick forces and trims. I am quite surprised that none of the big manufacturers produced FFB HOTAS filling the gap on the market that was open by logitech going out. G940 must have been successful as I could not purchase it in any shop in nearby countries and every salesman told me they are completely sold out.

Palm rest still looks like it's not slanted downward on the pinkie end like a real stick. Besides some of the other minor issues on the X65, that's the biggest annoyance. Considering it doesn't change that and I really like pressure sticks now, I don't see any need to switch over. I have also warmed-up to the arrangement of the gray inverted cone hat, which works great for trim purposes, especially with pitch loading turned on in X-Plane. Very natural. It's good to see they flipped the placement of the main TMS/POV hat and the pickle button. I would probably still flip the TMS/POV and the upper right hat with a little hex tool, though.

lol...they haven't even mentioned Australian prices yet...it'll be double the US price. Why? Because they friggin can (I love geolocking, don't you?). Why is why I'll be buying mine from a mate in the US.

I`ll probably do the same myself.

Hope I'm not out of bounds here but I have a question about whether or not IL2 will handle both stick and throttle plus rudder pedals? Thanks TC

il-2 - 1946 handle four USB controllers (joy, throttle, pedal, trim device, gamepad... include TrackIR).

The "others" il-2 handle more... Windows support is for 16.

Sokol1

Does anyone know of you can lock out "twist"

I heard you can't, but I think Ghost said the force required to twist it is enough to where you won't accidentally do it.

Why Saitek doesn't seem to be interested i that s beyond me..

Cost per unit would probably be too high, and I'm guessing Madcatz would be worried about it cutting too deep into profit margins, especially since the X-65 really wasn't all that much of a smashing success.

IF Saitek were smart... How hard would it be to make a smart base that supported different sticks - now that you can remove the stick to change the tension spring. One base (throttle & stick) that supported all the controls, then you could buy a WWII (min functionality) stick that Sokol1 would buy, or a stick that had a 4-way button on thumb control to please me (and others) that play both modern day and WWII sims.

Think bigger Saitek.

Wish they would sell separates. I'd like just the throttle now, and then add the stick maybe later.

As far as separate throttles, its go CH or go home... no one else does it...

It seems I'm a bit late?

I still would like to ask "531 Ghost" a question.
I do have a X-65F.
Is it possible to use the throttle of the X-65F and the stick of the rhino?
Which implies as well, is it possible to just buy the stick?

Best regards
Morco

As the throttle for the X-65F has the USB connector for the X-65F and the X-55 have seperate USB connectors, the answer to that would be/is yes.

That said, you'd have to use the drivers/SST for the X-65F and the drivers/H.U.D. for the X-55 Stick.

As for buying the stick and or throttle seperate (X-55), time will tell I suppose.

WOW!

Thank you very much for the very quick answer, 531 Ghost!
I'll wait a bit!

Best regards and thank you again!
Morco

How about a 14yr old X36F-X36T. Bought mine back in 2000 (found the invoice the other day) had a LOT of use and still going strong. Now there's some free advertising for durability .