X-52 Joystick Questions

[SuperKungFu]

Hey, I’m really interested in getting the Saitek X-52 joystick but a few things is holding me back from my purchase and I was hoping you guys could clear it up for me.
1.) I know there was a deadzone issues in the early models but I have to look for the joysticks with serial number above S00245477 right? Well, how do I know if it’s the newer models by just looking at the outside box? I don’t think the store would let me open the box up and look inside.
2.) I saw the X-52 on display once and when I went to get a feel of it, the joystick seems kind of loose. Do some of you X-52 users feel the same way or maybe the X-52 on display was just jacked up? Anyway, if it is loose, is there a way to make it more resistant?
3.) I remember reading something about the X-52 not compatible with a nforce4 motherboard. Is that true because I’m about to get a new computer with a nForce™4 SLI™ Chipset Motherboard PCI Express and that will suck if it clashes with each other.
4.) There was something else about the X-52 mini-stick problems but I heard that was fixed in the newer models correct?
Sorry for all the questions but if anyone can answer anything at all that would clear some of these issues up for me I will really appreciate it.

[big_spender]

not sure about any problems with the nforce4 mobo's
I've got a nforce3 and it works :)

I bought one of these last week - and all i can say is that you wont be dissapointed.

The stick is light - but no more than any other joystick, but i wouldnt call it "loose". The one at the store was might have been over used.

EDIT : I've had no problems with it, plugged it in, loaded up the drivers. And away you go!

[SuperKungFu]

Hey thanks for responding. One thing still bothers me and that is the profiles. I read on several forums that you can’t program the keys in the Lock On option menu since only button 33 and 34 shows up. So it forces you to install the program, but I remember I installed the magic keyboard and mouse thing for my old joystick a while ago and it bugged the crap out of me. I think I clashed with my wireless keyboard and mouse. Is this still the case?

[ceechow]

I have lock-on too and get that error only on some of the buttons on the throttle. But other then a few controls I was able to map my stick without using the SST software.

[multipleman]

Hey guys: Just purchased the x52 and do enjoy it, but the problem is the mfd panel does not light up even though the profile for Falcon 4.0 shows it's been loaded, (on my task bar, not on the mfd panel) the dimmer cntrl panel for both led and mfd are inop. All the lights came on for the initial install of the SST software but after that only the led lights remain on. The stick itself works fine in the sim ,and my PC and Falcon 4.0 can "see" my x52.
I've changed to different USB ports, even connected a external USB hub to see if it was a power problem, no go. (Note:This is the second x52, the first one did the same thing so I thought it was the stick and exchanged it, this one does it to so it must be my system, HP Media Center PC/Pent4/630/1.0GB Ram/) Any suggestion....Thanx :confused:

[ukSleek]

Hey guys: Just purchased the x52 and do enjoy it, but the problem is the mfd panel does not light up even though the profile for Falcon 4.0 shows it's been loaded, (on my task bar, not on the mfd panel) the dimmer cntrl panel for both led and mfd are inop. All the lights came on for the initial install of the SST software but after that only the led lights remain on. The stick itself works fine in the sim ,and my PC and Falcon 4.0 can "see" my x52.
I've changed to different USB ports, even connected a external USB hub to see if it was a power problem, no go. (Note:This is the second x52, the first one did the same thing so I thought it was the stick and exchanged it, this one does it to so it must be my system, HP Media Center PC/Pent4/630/1.0GB Ram/) Any suggestion....Thanx :confused:
in ur icon at the bottom rhs of ur desktop,go into controllers and there in the tabs above u can adjust the LED's brightness..and even turn them off

[ceechow]

My X52 is a piece of junk after 2 months...It would appear that it has depeloped a short in the control stick. When I move the stick 45 degs,fwd,right.The lights,which I have turned off,come on and flash then go off when centered. Man! I was going to install my 5 year old MS PP FF 2 but thought I'd reformatt,install just the new drivers and software and give the X52 a chance. Chance Given! There are more negitive posts on this stick then positives and the thought that this stick could cause my Nforce motherboard to fry,is enough. Oh BTW was wondering....does anyone else get a small electric shock when touching the trigger or the pinky button?Maybe I can get enough money from selling this on e-bay to get a Logitech stick.Maybe it's time to recall this stick?

[UKSupport]

Of course you're going to see negative posts here on the forum - it's a tech support forum where generally the only people posting are those with problems! Check your PMs for returns details - you have got a warranty with us, you know!

[Ray Sheppard]

I had problems when I tried installing the new drivers back at the end of August (would not read my original profiles) but the X52 I bought a year ago has performed faultlessly using the original CD drivers.

I have no hesitation in advising anybody to buy the X52 - it's, without doubt, the best value-for-money stick on the market today.

Ray

PS: Seasonal greetings Richard and thanks for all your help this year. The restraint you show at times is commendable :)

[NightmareKato]

I recently bought a refurbished X52, due to finanical issues preventing me from buying a totally brand new one. According to the original poster's message, it seems that this one that I received was indeed one of the earlier models - it still has, despite being "refurbished", the deadzone problems.

I play Lock-On myself, and this joystick has been presenting a great deal of grief to me in regards to maintaining control of the throttle - the throttle travel and the actual digital input are offset by 5%, which is a significant amount that makes it so imprecise that I can't rely on it to NOT engage the afterburner by itself when I want to max-out my throttle.

I've sent several emails in a short amount of time thanks to my lousy information-gathering habits, but I really want to see if I can get this traded in for one that has a newer serial number according to the original poster's notes and information - mostly because I know that newer sticks WILL be more reliable than what I have right here (and quite frankly, it has a lousy rating from me because of the calibration problems, if it was perfectly calibrated it would have earned a perfect 10 from me.).

So, I await. And I really WANT this issue fixed. -.- Even if I have to return this joystick and pay an extra $50 for a brand new one...

Signed,
Kato

[Cpt Iron Jack Cash]

I got the x52 for christmas and love it already. I only really use it in Falcon 4.0 but it solved a couple of problems for me. the mouse button on the throttle stick greatly helps in locking on a target as I don't have to release anything to move the curser and have a button programed to lock on. Second I've programed another button on the flight stick to activate 'roger wilco' so I don't have to turn anything loose to talk to the flight. The only thing i miss is the rudder rocker on the throttle stick, don't knowwhy they removed it but the flight stick still has twist rudder, not as good but better than nothing

Iron Jack

[ceechow]

After Reformatting for the 2and time...Would you say...installing the new Microsoft update drivers and the new SST software from here,is the way to go..or just install from the disk?

[ceechow]

Capt Iron...you must have been raised on the X45...lol...Never did like that rudder paddle thing on it and neither did my buddies...In our book twist handle is better then the rudder paddle....Like my friend said about the X45 " It doesen't have a twist handle but the rudder thum control is better then nothing."...This is truly a case of "To each his own".LOL

[UKSupport]

Either just install from the disk or get both the drivers and software from the Announcements section of the forum.

[Dogsbody]

Gidday saw your post about installing the software from microsoft .....and cringed, I installed it and a reformat was in order after it, lost all my profiles and was jolly annoyed. and the stick was basically unusable after that not to mention the operating system :mad: . Had some drama's with the first one I purchased but it was only the LED's and the shop replaced it on the spot :o . Also had a problem with the mouse tracking up the screen in flight but have stopped using microsoft mouse software (plus format..12 months after first) and that disappearred too. Am very happy with this stick even got the flash keyboard to. :)PS logitech=Dodgitech, have one in my wardrobe with a knacked twist(3months of simming)..guess it just joins the legions of sidewinders