[Flaser]

http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x65f2.htm

Recently I came across Saitek's newest stick, the X-65.

What I immediately noticed was how "conservative" the joystick seemed compared to the usual Saitek designs. This could be a good thing, as this is an expensive periphery.

The next was that it's tensiometer based stick - no moving parts. At least Saitek always used good electronic parts (I'm looking at you Logitech, and Thrustmaster too - using potmeters in the 21th century is beyond cheap) however their mechanical design was usually only "adequate". (This is why Thrustmaster's Cougar is still bought and heavily MODed, also why CH flourishes).

So did anyone actually *try* this stick? If yes, please share your impressions.

[Thaeris]

I really like the design of that stick - it's much more akin to that of something you'd actually find in a fighter aircraft that the regular Saitek goofiness.

...I'm stuck with and fortunately thoroughly enjoying my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. 

[Hero_Swe]

Still using my two trusty Logitech Wingman Force



Yup. I still kick plenty of ass with this

[Klaustrophobia]

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

[Flaser]

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

Ever tried it? No?
Then maybe let guys who did tell us what they're like ... and guess what? Such sticks are commonplace in modern fighter jets. (From Su-35 to F-16). Another thing to consider could be that the most expensive Thrustmaster Cougar MODs are such tensiomenter conversions.

[General Battuta]

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

Sticks like that are used on a lot of fighters, I believe.

[IceFire]

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

What do you mean it's non moving?  The stick still moves about unless I'm not reading something correctly. It's just a different type of sensor involved.  The fewer moving parts the better.

[Dilmah G]

Ah, I came across this a few months ago, I believe.

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

Uh.

A pressure-sensing stick is much, much, better. How many hours do you have to your name? As an on-and-off pilot on 150s and 152s, and playing flight sims since age 4, I can tell you a pressure-sensing stick would allow for much more precise movement, and in dogfighting video games, would allow a pilot with a steady hand to get the pipper over the target much easier.

The issue with sticks at the moment is the spring, in my opinion. If the spring is too stiff (like mine), precise movement becomes much harder than it should be. With a non-moving stick, the stick is always centred. Little force is good force, when it comes to joysticks. When I fly an aircraft, I have enough gauges to keep track of, without having to manhandle my stick, or try and fight with a stiff spring.

Especially when dogfighting, sharp maneuvers should not require huge movements of stick. It takes time, and your inputs become less precise.

[Saturn]

Definately agree this is the way to go, more precise, up to date.... but:

Saitek PRO Flight X-65F Combat Control System for PC
SKU: SCB440420002/02/1
  Price $399.99 

[Nuke]

my ch stick had really stiff springs when it was new, after a couple weeks of breaking it in the spring tension was perfect. i never liked the x52 spring, while it was very light you couldn't get a very good feel of where the stick was, especially with regards to a particular axis. with 2 springs you can feel the tension in both x and y and kinda get the feel of where you are.

i kinda like some of the design qualities that the cougar, namely the all metal construction. it kinda has a reputation for being extremely stiff, but you can mod it with lighter springs and/or remove the boot to fix that.

now this new saitek, id have to use it to really form an opinion. but id have to say that without some kind of spring feedback it would be kinda difficult to fly with. since the stick doesnt gimbal, perhaps the force alone would give the user the right kind of feedback, of course differentiating between x and y would be kinda difficult.

the real thing that saitek has lacked was really intuitive configuration software. the software which came with the x52 was kinda lame, really all it let you do is assign keystrokes to buttons, and it didnt let you remap axes and buttons, which is essential for older games and games with crappy input code. i know ch has its own scripting language which is extremely versatile. the cougar also has pretty good software and i believe a scripting environment as well. saitek would really need to improve its software. but that said this stick looks pretty awesome. also the 2 axis throttle is a nice touch.

[Thaeris]

One of the things I really like about my Logitech is the mapping software - I can make the controls do just about anything.

[Solatar]

$400? No thank you.

[Thaeris]

Is there a video of this thing in action somewhere? I'd like to see its operation - just reading about it doesn't satisfy my curiosity... 

[Davros]

it looks nice, but a non-moving stick is utterly retarded.  i don't care if it makes it more durable, it's not a ****ing joystick anymore.

Sticks like that are used on a lot of fighters, I believe.

No pilots hated it so they put a small amount of movement into the stick

[Dilmah G]

I thought they always had a *tiny* bit of movement? Bout a 1/4 of an inch or something?

[Commander Zane]

There's a video of it being used on YouTube, yes it doesn't move, at all.

[Gortef]

Oh hey I have x52 and like it. This one looks pretty nice, pro and awesome I think I'll...

Price $399.99 

HOLY SH....!!!!

[Shade]

This looks very interesting. The fact that it does not move should actually solve a whole lot of common issues that tend to develop after using a joystick for some time, such as springs loosening up and the center drifting off from where it's supposed to be. Would take some getting used to, for sure, but might be worth it in the long run.

[Nuke]

Oh hey I have x52 and like it. This one looks pretty nice, pro and awesome I think I'll...

Price $399.99  

HOLY SH....!!!!

well my pro throttle and fighterstick cost about $150 each and my rudder pedals were about $120, and with the shipping (and a screw up with the people i ordered it from) my ch setup probibly came out to $500. now if this stick had come with rudder pedals id say $400 was worth it, but it didnt, so its not. a modern joystick is mechanics, some sensors, and a microcontroller, so the prices of joysticks today are quite ridiculously bogus. the expense merely comes from the fact that they arent very popular anymore, mainly only within the rather small flightsim niche, and a tiny few games.