[GrimGriz]

Well, I guess I'll get straight to the point. I've been flying with the X52 for 3 or 4 weeks now, and even though my MS Precision 2 is sitting on the floor next to the desk, I'll not be switching back any time soon. That's not just because I shelled out 100 bucks either.

First Impressions
It took me a solid 2 hours to get my X52 set up for Jumpgate, though to be fair the majority of the time was spent deciding where I wanted to put stuff. This badboy comes with 2 triggers, 3 hatswitches, 4 thumb buttons, 2 rotator dials, a slider, a gosh-dang laptop-style mouse nub, a mouse scrool wheel, and 3 switches.

My first real disappointment was that the "i" button, which apparently allows you to switch profiles on the fly, could be reprogrammed (at least I couldn't figure out how to do it). That was a real bummer because it'd be a great Flashfire button.

The throttle was as tight as the stick is loose. I was concerned that the throttle might be too tight for JGs rapid throttle adjustments. You know when you watch airplane movies and they slide that throttle up real slowly. It moves like that out of the box, even if you loosen the adjustable knob. It loosens further with use luckily. The stick on the other hand, is terribly loose. That's a disappointment to me, because my favorite thing about the MS FF2 was setting the tension through the roof. It's something you can apparently adjust to however, and it seems more accurate than the precision 2. I wasn't initially more accurate with it, but I think my current accuracy is now better than it was with the precision 2, thanks to the stick itself being more accurate.

My Jumgate Setup
Throttle:
Scroll-wheel click = Insert (jgrotpro)
Index hatswitch:

• Left: Jump
• Up/back: Brakes
• Down/forward: Picture
• Right: Scan

Thumb rotator wheel: Set to bands, and triggers 'Z' for camera zoom
E-button: Flashfire
Thumb slider: Set to bands, triggers 'tab' for switch-on Afterburner
D-button: Afterburner
Laptop mouse nipple: Set to bands set to arrow keys to navigate JGRotPro
Mouse clicker: Set to enter for JGRotPro purposes.
Other rotator wheel: Currently not used.

Stick:
Pinky Trigger: Push to talk for teamspeak.
Index Trigger: Shoot badguys.
Fire button: Shoots missles
Top hatswitch:

• Left: Previous target
• Right: Next target
• Down: Nearest Target
• Up: Cycle radar mode forward

Bottom hatswitch: *set to function like a hatswitch, except up = cycle radar range foward.
Button A: Cycle missles
Button B: Last aggressor
Button C: Target under reticule
Tswitch 1/2: Cycle guns
Tswitch 3/4: Cycle firing mode.
Tswitch 5/6: Activate ECM.

Problems and Concerns
Setting the throttle to work in Jumpgate still required jumping through some hoops. By default jumpgate recognizes the thumb slider on the throttle as your throttle. I got the throttle to work as a throttle by setting the up arrow to throttle in Jumpgate, saving it, flying a bit, then opening back up and setting the throttle as the throttle in Jumpgate.

A couple of weeks into use, I noticed a drift when taking my hand off the stick. I played with the deadzones a bit to no avail. However, unplugging and replugging the USB cable fixed it right up.

My biggest concern is that the stick has already developed a squeak. Everything is still functioning appropriately, but squeaks are concerning.

Final Verdict
I rate the stick as a 8/10, contingent on it's longevity. If it doesn't last me at least until September, that rating will go down, but so far, so good. It's definitely better than the MS Precision 2, but I think my PvP would have improved more if I had put some faith in E-bay and tried bidding on a FF2.

[Bingofuel]

The squeek is the plastic rim rubbing on the plastic centering plate.Rub lightweight machine oil (sewing machine oil) on the rim and plastic plate useing a paper towel. Do not use sprays as this will attract dust and grime to the thin metal plate below very quickly and they tend to evaporate real quick too. Make sure the mechanical portions of the stick are free of goop at all times.

[KEA]

I had no problems with setting up my X52 throttle in Jumpgate. It did default as the slider, so I clicked on the selection, moved my throttle, viola it was working perfectly. No hoops here. I have been using my X52 for almost a year, I really like it.

[Bingofuel]

At the time the post was originaly made the x52 throttle would not work in jumgate without takeing extaordinary measures. A recent Jumpgate patch fixed the throttle problem. Now it works normaly.

[Tim]

As much as it pains me to post to an ancient thread, how is that longevity going, Grim?

What games are you using it with?

[GrimGriz]

None, the pinky trigger broke. The only game I was playing with it was Jumpgate. Even with the broken pinky trigger though, I'd still use it over going back to my precision2, but I wouldn't buy another one.

[Bingofuel]

How in the world did you break the pinky triger? Its metal and can't go past the grip.

[SpiritOne]

2 more months grim, how is holding up. I need a new stick, I LOVE my saitek Cyborg and I have reservations of retiring it (500+ kills on it after all). The x52 is on my list, but I am also looking at the Trustmaster Hotas. Which looks equally as cool, but costs a bit more.

Let us know...

----------------
Now playing: Nonpoint - In the Air Tonight
via FoxyTunes

[KEA]

I have both a Saitek X52 and a Thrustmaster HOTAS. For Jumpgate, I prefer the Saitek. The springs on the Thrustmaster wear out my arms pretty quick. For games like Falcon 4.0 and MS Flight simulator, I prefer the HOTAS because you typically do not move the stick around as much as you do in Jumpgate.

[SpiritOne]

well, i gave in and bought the X52 Pro from amazon. It got here on Monday and I played a little MS Flight Sim X. Other than being made fun of by the wife, I like it!

[GrimGriz]

Just don't use the pinky trigger for PTT, or don't talk as much as me

[Hornet]

Nice review Grim, I've been drooling over that JS for quite sometime now

[project3wc]

just got mine, ill be sure to get the insurance with Circuit City for the JS for a couple of years so in case anything's wrong with it ill be exchanging it in a heartbeat.