Flight simulation hardware has expanded and changed a lot the last 10 years. Since Microsoft Fligth Simulator 98 and until today, the world of flight simulation industry has almost been turned upside down. Today you have more choices than ever.
Saitek and their legendary X52 (follow up from the X50) flight controls has long been a favorite among helicopter "simmers". They have even made it a dedicated "sport" to modify these to fit better for controlling flying the helicopter. Making the saitek x52 throttle to a proper helicopter collective lever.
Today Saitek has a whole line of hardware for us! The Saitek Pro Flight System! Adding radio-, switch-, instrument-, multi-panels to their Pro Flight line. Flight headsets, yokes, throttles and rudder pedals. All at a price that 10 years ago would have been unheard off.
One of Saiteks newest addition is the X65F Pro Flight Systems.
By the X65 they are bringing forward a new type of simulation hardware. Force sensing technology! Instead of moving the stick itself it reacts to pressure. Resulting in realistick, fast and accurate response. According to the manufacture that is! The new control has a metal casing and construction. Force sensing twist rudder control. Dual throttle controls. Stcik and throttle way hats, switches, triggers, buttons, scroll selector, mode switch... It has a potentional of 608 commands without taking away your hands from the controls. If it will work for those of us who will use it controlling helicopters - that remains to see.
Update 13.01.2010
After some info around diverse helicopter and other simulator flight forums, it seems like the Saitek's X65 would be an ideal flight stick for helicopter flying. If am gonna be flying my heli-sim - I want to see and feel movement! Until this X65 system will be the standard in real helicopters I stick the moveable cyclic! Here is a Saitek X65 review from the latest CES2010 - link! I still will try it out when I can get my hands on one, just for the scientific helicopter simulator curiosity, or something like that...:)
I look forward to see what Saitek will ad in the future, some more stuff for us helicopter simulator fanatics would be great!
Update 13.01.2010
After some info around diverse helicopter and other simulator flight forums, it seems like the Saitek's X65 would be an ideal flight stick for helicopter flying. If am gonna be flying my heli-sim - I want to see and feel movement! Until this X65 system will be the standard in real helicopters I stick the moveable cyclic! Here is a Saitek X65 review from the latest CES2010 - link! I still will try it out when I can get my hands on one, just for the scientific helicopter simulator curiosity, or something like that...:)
I look forward to see what Saitek will ad in the future, some more stuff for us helicopter simulator fanatics would be great!
Stay tuned for another update on Helicopter Simulator Hardware and Controls!
I have the Saitek X52. It is a great joystick. Probably one of the best for flying helicopters in FSX. Don't know about the X65, I guess time will tell..
ReplyDeleteI'm not too optomistic on the X65. It's not made by Saitek. It's made by a company named Mad Catz, and it's being released/sold by Saitek.
ReplyDeleteI've been into the race sims for several years. When it came to the decision of a race wheel, Logitech was the leader with their MoMo Red. As the race sims evolved, Mad Catz stepped up to the plate. My friend wanting a MoMo Red, was hard pressed to find a good one. Evven on fleabay. My friend resorted in buying the Mad Catz model. And, after my experience with it, there was no comparison to the MoMo Red.
The way I see it, Saitek thinks it will be a hit with us simmers. For jets and dual engine aircraft, I guess the testers who get t demo them will let us know. That is, IF they give a legit review and not something that's all hype so they get a deal on the X65.
Who knows, it very well could be. But I don't see the X65 hitting any home runs with us helicopter simmers unless Mad Catz put a lot of research into their prototypes, with real helicopter pilots as their testers.