Customer Reviews

Saitek X45 Digital Throttle & Stick ( Windows PC )

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This product is quite fully featured for its intended use. The three major axes of motion (x,y and throttle) were rather stiff, but are adjustable to the users preference!

The unit is also programmable from a "button" point of view (i.e. keyboard macros) *and* from an axis point of view. This is important because it incorporates three additional axes that can be used (two thumbwheels and mini rudder "pedals" built-in to the forward side of the throttle handle). These other axes can be mapped to various features in your game software as well. In addition to that, there is a tiny "hat" switch that can be mapped to operate the mouse cursor in game... this truly means you never have to remove your hands from the controls...

Now, for the "not-so-good" stuff. IF you are running WinXP and IF you install the drivers right out of the box, you are in for some trouble and inconvience. At the end of the install from the CD, it mentions downloading a newer version of the drivers and to be sure to "un-install" the current ones before loading the new ones. Unfortunately, complying with these instructions also unloads your regular mouse driver as well. This is where you learn how to shut down your system using strictly the keyboard. Fortunately, once you reboot, XP re-installs your mouse driver and all is well.

One last thing: If you are using a USB hub that derives its power from the computer, your new Saitek joystick WILL NOT FUNCTION when plugged into that hub. I have a good Linksys USB hub that says it derives power from the computer, but also comes with an external supply. The Saitek would NOT work unless the external power was plugged in. Just a word to the wise.

Overall, I am quite pleased with my Saitek X45.

The type of person that looks for advanced gaming control systems that sell at and above this price range should be one intelligent enough to use it to it's full potential. It's not meant to be an "out of the box just plug it in and fly" one step controller for kids or casual simmers. It's a system for those who want to maximize control of the game! Well it takes a little time and effort to get there. For those who said you read the directions yet you couldn't even figure out how to hook up the the throttle, you just made a BIG lying fool out of yourself. The throttle doesn't use a serial port connector, it uses a gameport connector which plugs right into the joystick and the joystick plugs into the USB port. Setup is the easiest part and if you can't get that right just put it back in the box and take it back to the store right now! It's not recommended for WinNT(read the Box) and if you're using WinXP just go to the Saitek site and look in the right places and you'll find the proper driver that solves the problems provided you know how to download, install, and setup, a simple SGE program. I have four computer systems in my home (one is a laptop) all on a LAN. My Saitek X45s work on all of them just fine, even my laptop! MY systems are using three versions of windows...98SE, ME,and XP. I actually read the directions and downloaded all the driver updates before installing them so I had very few problems.
True, if you write Saitek an email asking for help they'll take a long time getting around to it. But Hey, they're in Europe what do you expect, everything is slower over there. They're laid back and Americans are always in a hurry. So despite a couple of minor nuisances I give it five stars for the way it feels in your hands, the ergonomic placement of buttons and controls. The throttle friction is easily adjustable from one screw on the bottom. (disassembly not required)It's programmability is the ultimate in flexibility. You can easily setup multiple or combination key presses too. To top it all off it's designed just like the control sticks on Europe's high tech EF2000 fighter jet. For the number of buttons and modes available it is second only to CH Products F16 Stick and Throttle combo. Yet it costs less than half the price of those. Thrustmaster is too stiff, not adjustable, and very expensive. The MS Sidewinder is for kids. The Logitech Wingman is a joke. They're durable, I have the old X36 Stick/Throttle combo and two of the newer X45 controller sets and they work as accurately as the day I bought them. Clean them and your USB/gameports once in a while and you'll see how sharp they can be! For Value, Features, and Design it scores an A+. Games I play with it? Starwars Starfighter, Battle for Naboo, Rogue Squadron, X-wing, Need for Speed, EF2000, F22ADF, Nascar2000, Janes Fighters Anthology, USAF, F-15, F/A-18, Mig-29, F-16, F22 Lightning 2 and 3,AH-64D Longbow, Comanche4, MechWarrior, Jedi-Knight, StarTrek Elite Force, Quake 3 Arena, and OF COURSE... Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, 2002, Combat FS, Combat FS 2 and 3. Get yourself a set of CH Products Pro Pedals USB to complete the package. You too will get closer to being "as real as it gets".

I have had good luck with this throttle/stick combo. I am using it with Windows XP without any problems. Using the basic driver software provided by Saitek for XP, all buttons and axes are recognized and work properly. I can't get the advanced programing software from Saitek to load properly (allowing more specific button programing for use with older games and sims) but this may be due to a conflict with my sound card (SB Audigy), and it isn't necessary with newer sims, which allow you to fully configure the controller through the game program, anyway. I haven't had a problem with buttons sticking. I agree that the "Safe" cover over the "launch" button is a bit hokey, but it looks like it would be fairly easy to cut off if it really offended one. The throttle action is very smooth and both the throttle and the stick fit my hands comfortably. The stick has a rocker lever that substitutes for rudder pedals. This isn't quite as nice as a good set of rudder pedals, but I find it is good enough that I usually don't bother to hook up my CH pro pedals anymore. The spring at the base of the stick that centers it and provides resistance to its movement off- center makes the stick movement just a little "jerky" and provides a little bit too much self centering force for my taste, and this is not adjustable. That and the lack of Force-Feedback capability I would say are the only real drawbacks to this controller, but I would certainly buy this again and would recomend this device to anyone looking for a good (and economical) alternative to a non-Force-Feedback throttle, pedal and fighter-stick Hotas combo. By the way, I was amazed what a difference having a good throttle makes, especially in combat flight sims, compared to using the little throttle axis lever provided on most all-in-one sticks (such as the Microsoft Force Feedback controller).

This HOTAS has more promise than any other joystick or gaming peripheral I've used so far. The programmibility of the stick is awesome by itself. I love the look, the price point, and the button placement design of the hardware. It doesn't work for everyone, so test drive it first before you buy. I've been using this setup for about 5 months now...

When I took this thing out of the box, installed the software (use the saitek site, not the CD!!!) and loaded Mechwarrior 4, I was somewhat dissappointed. The weight of the joystick and throttle cause them to slip and silde with stronger game movements. The rubber pads on the bottom don't really work all that well. With this setup out of the box, in spite of everything I love about it, I give it an unremarkable 1.5 stars.

However, EVERYTHING changed when I decided to mount the two pieces to brackets I fashioned for desk or chair use. By using the mounting holes below the stick and throttle, the x45 became a serious gaming peripheral and buttons that were hard to use before (rudder rocker switch) became easy and almost effortless! The biggest shortcoming of the x45 for me is stability. The mounting bracket solved this.

This is not a joystick for everyone. My hands are a bit smaller, so I had a reach a little more but not uncomfortably for certain buttons. Out of the box, this piece is something of a letddown because of its instability for practical, more aggressive gaming. Slap the HOTAS on a wood and steel bracket, you're ready to rock.

Just don't forget to make a hole for the tension screw on the throttle! I had to take my bracket apart last week to make this change and it's a pain.

Saitek x45 out of box == 1.5 stars
Saitek x45 mounted on bracket == 4.75 stars

This is the best fighter throttle and joystick combo out there. The product is easy to install (follow the directions, the throttle plugs into the joystick and the joystick plugs in to the computer.) and the configurability is excellent.

I am a GA pilot and use this for both combat sims (IL2, LOMAC, Aces High), X-Plane and FS2004. The construction is rock solid (it is not made of cheap plastic like most joysticks on the market) and the ability to change the tension on the joystick and throttle are an added bonus.

Bottom Line: If you're an avid flight sim fan looking for a joystick, skip the rest, buy the best.

First off, the look and feel of the X45 is awesome. The separate control bases for stick and throttle quadrants are well thought out, and full size hands should have little problems reaching and working all the button combinations. From all appearances if you're a flight sim or Mechwarrior type, you'd be hard pressed to find a better dual combo for the money...or would you?
Initially I had problems with the rudder control switch being sticky, causing uncommanded torso twisting in MW4 about a month or two after it went into service. Applying a lubricant to the switch corrected the problem, but only for short while. I finally had to disassemble the throttle and loosen the potentiometer retaining screws 1/4 turn. There is no dead-band adjustment for any axis on the X45. Two months later the rudder return switch spring failed. Ok, figured this stick was one of those that was built either on a Monday or a Friday and chalked it up to bad luck.
I then went out and bought ANOTHER X45, and within a month the trigger failed (bad solder joint), the stick centering mechanism (spring and retainer) developed a crack in the base ring and began to come apart. The final straw for me was the rudder centering spring failed in this unit too. I could forgive the odd failure, however two such failures in two sticks becomes a pattern and in my opinion a serious design flaw.
Lastly, you can forget about Saitek customer support ...I'm not convinced they actually man this section. Their responses to emails and phone messages have been less than what I expect with regards to product support.

My recommendation would be that if you are a heavy gamer and desire dual controls, avoid the X45 and save your money for the high-end dual units like the Thrustmaster Cougar. For myself, I completely avoid Saitek products now.

The most extensive set of controls you can get. I was particularly impressed by the throttle unit, with its triple set of thumbable controls: programmable rotaries (e.g. instrument select, weapons select) and ministick, plus rudder rocker control under my middle fingertips.
Good visual feedback.
Industry-leader software allows you to drag-n-drop commands (even command strings and - get this - programmable intervals between the individual keystrokes in the string) on to the buttons, rotaries, shifts (pinkie) etc.
That's neat: with a complex state-of-the-art flight sim, it takes some tweaking to get them just right. With this drag-n-drop system, it's a breeze.
BTW - I fly real planes too.

I am a licensed pilot and a hardcore user of FS2004. I bought this for the idea of a seperate throttle and all the programability promised by Saitek.

The joystick itself is good, good feel, movement,etc. Some of the cheesy plastic pieces could disappear and no one would miss them though, like the plastic "shield" over the fire button.

The throttle was nice too, but stiff. I guess if you kept using it, it would work itself in.

But I have always used a Microsoft Sidewinder joystick. I program the extra buttons on the base for functions like flaps, spoilers,landing gear,etc. There are no buttons like that on this stick. Maybe I am being nit-picky, but I just couldn't tailor this stick to be normal and not like a combat sim.

If you love combat sims, this is your stick/throttle setup. You can buy two at this price in case you are concerned with durability and still not approach the MSRP of the vaunted Thrustmaster Cougar.

But if you just like flight sims and point to point flying, acrobatics or whatever, this is not your stick. I think I am going to purchase the old Logitech Force joystick. I have the CH Pro Rudder Pedals (great, a must have!). I don't like the unreal thumb throttle on the Logitech, I will probably purchase the CH Throttle Quadrant when it comes out.

Day 3 since I received this Joystick throttle pair and I already am a much better pilot. First impressions :

1. The joystick and throttle feel a little stiff, but this may solely be because they are new. I saw one unit on Display at BestBuy and it was much easier because of all the use/abuse.

2. The friction on the throttle seems adequate, it however creaks a bit when you try to use it.

3. I love the number of buttons on this joystick, there about 8 buttons , plus 4 POV buttons .

4. The base isn't as heavy as it looks. When you try to push on the throttle, because of the stiffness, the whole unit just moves. There are rubber stoppers on the bottom, but they arent very good at gripping the surface. I like to see tiny suction feet on the bottom for a better grip. For now I push down on the throttle and push forward at the sametime.

5. The overall feel is good and I am pretty happy with the purchase and for its price its truly a good buy.

I would have loved to see force feedback on the stick, for the same price of-course :P .

I bought this product to play Mechwarrior 4. I highly recommend it for those looking for an alternate control platform.