Saitek X-45

[Denzil 0]

Hey all,

 

Well, I've been thinking of getting a HOTAS for a while now, and I think the time is right

 

I was just wandering if the Saitek X-45 is the one to get? I know the Cougar is best but i can't afford the $600AUS that it would cost! :shock:

 

At only $160AUS the X-45 seems my best choice, is there anything I should know about this joystick? Is it 3.75 times worse than the Cougar?

 

I guess all I want to know is would I be getting good value for my money?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Denzil

 

[Edit - derrr i put X-36 instead of -45 :D ]

[MadJeff 3]

I've heard good things about the X-45. It's a good HOTAS for the price, plus it's USB.

 

I have a CH Products setup here, a ForceFX stick and Pro Throttle and Pro Pedals. It was an absolute perfect setup, until I went to XP. Now I have a stck and throttle I can't program because of the gameport issue, and the force feedback driver is not supported in XP. But I'm not willing to go back to Win98. $300+ worth of controllers acting like a $30 setup :x

 

Sorry, rambling here. Get to the point! :D I've been looking for a cheaper HOTAS setup until I can swing a Cougar the first of the year, and I've been looking at the X45 myself. I don't think you can go wrong with that choice.

[Denzil 0]

Cool,

 

Thanks for the reply...I've pretty much decided I'm going for it...i saw it for 30% off so I guess I can't go too wrong with that :D

 

I'm running '98 so I doubt I'll have too many problems...

 

...I can only dream about a Cougar at the moment but maybe when I make my 3rd million I might be able to move up in the world 8)

 

Again, thanks for the response,

 

Denzil

[MadJeff 3]

Thanks for the reply...I've pretty much decided I'm going for it...i saw it for 30% off so I guess I can't go too wrong with that  :D  

Where did you see it for 30% off? I may have to snag one myself. After all, I gotta get one for my 6-year old son soon. Got to get him started on the ol' sim habit early! He's already been playing Starcraft and Homeworld pretty proficiently now for almost a year.

[Denzil 0]

hehe, you should get him into medieval: total war...brilliant!

 

anyway, i saw it at www.estore.com.au , the thing is you'll probably loose any savings from the S&H costs :? as it is in australia

 

And the exchange rate is going up i believe :shock:

 

Denzil

[BirdDogg 0]

Denzil,

I don't know if you got the X45 or not yet, But I have it and use it on a Window 98SE system SGE drivers for about a year now and I must say I'm in Love with this setup.

 

No my rotaries are not programmed but I can live with that one day Saitek may publish a fix.

 

I have mapped buttons in Faclcon 4, FA-18, IL2 and Mech Warrior 3/4. I don't do many FPS. I had A SideWinder Pro, and a Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D prior to my Saitek and I woud not go back!

 

Good Luck with your choice man

BirdDogg. 8)

[SDirickson 0]

I've had some problems with my X-45 in XP. The drivers aren't fully supported by Saitek, but there are some 3rd part drivers available.

 

Maybe its just me, cuz for a while I did have my X-45 working, and programmed, but then it went kaput. The stick worked, but I couldn't program it anymore.

 

So.... in my opinion, the X-45 is pretty nice, especially for those sims that allow in program controller asignments, like Il-2. But, if you run XP, you may have trouble programming it. TOo bad they had to retro out the 45, though. I liked the military look of the 36.

[Guest Ranger332]

bout a week ago i got an X45 by Saitek took about 2 days to get it running.

and i still get new hardwear found when i restart , but i must say sofar its worth it. Its sturdyer then the x35/36(they replaced the rubber bands with a spring). Its a pain to setup custem settings but once you get they posted works fine,and smooth.they posted an XP update for it but its not working for me

[*Fast Eagle* 0]

I have an x45 and it took me forever to configure and I still dont like the way that it finds the new device every time I restart. I also have to reconfigure it everytime!!!

The functions and usability are way beond that of my MS precision 2 that I have reverted back to, but the p2 works

[vercingetorix 0]

I use the X45 and as for the drivers ...soon soon ( test a few things for SAITEK) I enjoy my stick and thanks to Lord Oliver I have a great Profile for the game , if any one else needs it drop me a line!

 

 

 

 

-Vercingetorix

[*Fast Eagle* 0]

I need to get a copy of that profile if possible.

I reinstalled XP and now everything seems to be behaving well now

[Guest PhantomWarrior]

My 45 works well I lov it but I still keep getting new hardwear on my startups but just click no and go