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Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System

*Est. $150

Reviewed June 2009
Saitek X52 Flight Control System

Best flight stick

pros
  • Programmability
  • Included throttle
  • Multi-function display
  • Durable metal parts
  • Precision
  • Comfort
cons
  • Poor documentation
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

Average Customer Review

(45 customer reviews)

for $124.50

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Saitek x52 pro works well, November 18, 2009

I have read the past reviews and in the face of alot of negative ones I decided to buy the Saitek X52 Pro. I recieved this controller and set it up exactly as specified in the instructions and I learned it was not plug and play. I thought it was because the instructions said it was. After much fiddling around I realized I had a defective model and had to send it back. Amazon was exceptional about helping me to obtain a new one for replacment and I plugged the replacement in and VOILA!!! It works and works like a charm and you can set it up to just play but this is a complex piece of electronics and programming, you can go into control panel and the profile editor and completely custom tailor this fine piece of work. I have noticed that my landings are so much softer, I was getting an avg of -200fpm in the big jets and now in the 744 and 777 I get about -50fpm to -100 fpm. Now there is alot more to a landing than the controller but all things being equal this controller was the answer for me. Not all electronics will work the first time you plug them in, it's just the nature of the beast. You will be pleased with this product if you allow your patience and understanding to be ruler. I got mine replaced and I am a very happy customer and will look forward to buying Saiteks rudder pedals soon.

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Lousy, November 15, 2009
I would never buy another product from this person. He lied on the description of this product andd sold it for more than what it's worth. He never returned any emails and so I am stuck with the loss. I am considering not using Amazon anymore.
here's why I'd NOT recommend this product!, November 15, 2009
I've owned this cool..flashy looking thing for a year, until now more than 3 buttons, the rudder, and the mouse stick aren't working! 2 buttons were dead-on-arrival and the rest are broken down within time, just look for somthing better than this!
Excellent Joystick, November 1, 2009

Very impressed with this joystick. Takes a little while to get comfortable with but once you get used to it you'll love it. Only major complaint is there are no detailed instructions on how to use ALL of the joysticks features, nor a tutorial. I have not found anything like this as of yet. Also the buttons are arranged in such a manner that it can be difficult while in a dogfight to hit the button you want. It's easy to hit every other button but the one you actually want to press. The rudder twist feature was something I had not experienced before and found it difficult to work with at first. Now that I have mastered it I would say your better off having it than not. Overall very happy with this joystick. Lack of force feedback is probably a good thing. Force feedback makes you feel more like your in the game with the exception that you have a more difficult time aiming at your target. (I have had a Logitech Wingman Force for nearly a decade)

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The Best Looking Thing I ever hated, October 3, 2009

I have a love/hate relationship with Saitek - their products, when they work, are good, but when they don't expect lousy support. Actually, I take that back - we've moved into a hate/hate more relationship. This expensive piece of garbage doesn't work. The software provided installs the driver, and the programming software provided allows you to program your control. Except, it doesn't - the programming software opens .dat files, which are the files that define the functions of your joysticks functions. Or do they? The new PRO version uses a file called .pr0. Apparently, the significantly cheaper NON-PRO version uses .dat files. Oh goody, punish me for spending more. The disk that came it the package, clearly labeled Saitek x52 PRO, doesn't let me edit .pr0 files, only .dat files. And the Saitek website offers nothing in the way of pre-configured drivers - no premade profiles, so you're gonna have to program it yourself. So today, I spent the day reading manuals, cursing, searching the web for answers, cursing some more, attempting to get support from Saitek, cursing. I'm not a programmer, and they haven't provided me the tools to program even if I was so inclined. I just want to fly a (even more cursing) flight sim. Like I have been doing for the past several years, you horrible cursewords, you. But I should have known better - when I bought an X36 from them years ago (the box clearly said "for PC & MAC) and I couldn't get it to work with a Mac, the helpful support guy at Saitek snidely told me to buy a PC (I told him where to go and what to do when he got there). In the 10 years after that incident, I'm afraid support hasn't gotten any better - this thing doesn't work right out of the box. What really stings me is that I've had bad experiences with Saitek before and I bought this thing anyway. Never again - I'm returning this, thought resisting the urge to run it over with my car is very difficult. Other companies make joysticks - I would strongly (ENTHUSIASTICALLY) recommend you see what other companies are offering.

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Where To Buy
 
 

Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller

 (45 customer reviews)
Buy new: $169.95 $139.99   35 Used & new from $97.96

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. OverclockersClub.com

In this seven-part tour de force, the OverClockersClub.com addresses every conceivable angle you could possibly consider for a game controller review, including packaging, specifications, features, set-up and configuration, comparisons to other products and hands-on testing. Almost every section also has photos or charts to illustrate the reviewer's points, which ultimately lead to an Editors' Choice award for the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System.

Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, "ajmatson", Aug. 9, 2007

2. IGN.com

Reviewer Bennett Ring provides a thorough review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, comparing it favorably to the already well-reviewed Saitek X52 Flight Control System. He describes its myriad features in detail and ultimately gives it a 9.3 out of 10, one of the highest ratings IGN has ever given to a game controller.

Review: Saitek X52 Pro Review, Bennett Ring, Feb. 1, 2007

3. FlightSim.com

FlightSim.com is dedicated to flight simulation aficionados, and its reviewers are clearly hard-core fans first and writers second. Like most of the other products reviewed here, the Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System gets a positive review, covering everything from packaging to testing.

Review: Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System and Pro Flight Pedals, Nigel Martin, Dec. 19, 2006

4. SimHQ.com

In this opinionated discussion of his favorite flight simulation controllers, reviewer Frank Giger heaps praise upon the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System in probably the best direct comparison available between it and its predecessor, the Saitek X52 Flight Control System.

Review: The X52 PRO HOTAS, Frank Giger, Jan. 31, 2007

5. OzHardware.com

In its only review of a game controller, OzHardware.com gives the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System a stellar 10 out of 10 rating. The three-page review has some of the best close-up photographs of the device we could find, and concludes that it the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System is a worthy purchase over the original Saitek X52.

Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System Review, Editors of OzHardware.com, May 22, 2007

6. Techgage.com

Reviewer Pat Poole runs through the features of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, discussing the flight stick and throttle separately, but describing them as "perfect" together. This review is not as in-depth as others, but Poole has clearly tested the device. He gives it a nine out of 10.

Review: Saitek X-52 Pro Flight Control System, Pat Poole, April 5, 2007

7. I4U.com

I4U.com provides relatively succinct reviews backed by hands-on testing. In this review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control, reviewer Shane McGlaun highlights the device's features, covering the flight stick, throttle and optional rudder pedals. He also briefly discusses his experience using the three peripherals on a few games.

Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control & Pro Flight Rudder Pedals Review, Shane McGlaun, May 21, 2007

8. Amazon.com

While reviews on Amazon.com are not necessarily as thorough or comparative as those done by professional reviewers, they are a good source for uncovering user concerns that come up after extended use. Although the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System gets an admirable four out of five stars overall, reviewers do concur that the documentation and driver support is weak.

Review: Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller, Contributors to Amazon.com

9. HubPages.com

This overview of controllers for flight simulation puts the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System at the top of its loose ranking. While this article is not the place to go for extremely in-depth analysis of any one product, it is a decent introduction to all the top controllers you might want to consider in setting up your flight simulation system.

Review: Flight Simulator Controls, "ojkershaw"

10. FlightSimulationGuru.com

This flight simulation blog provides a detailed video review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System. Reviewer "Nick" likes the sturdy plastic construction, and says the Saitek offers precise controls. He says the Velcro strips designed to anchor the Saitek don't work well, however.

Review: Topic: Product Review, "Nick", Jan. 2008

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