Conclusion
So have Saitek come up trumps with the X52? In short, yes. They’ve done what every manufacturer who is serious about their products should do and that is to listen to feedback on previous versions and improve things for the next version as well as adding features to make life easier for the user.
The futuristic looks and the bloo LED lighting, (the brightness of which is fully adjustable), might put a few hardcore sim fans off as being a bit over the top for a flightstick. The software is a piece of the proverbial to use and could only be improved by having a converter built in so you don’t have to re-programme the stick all over again of you’re upgrading from the X45.
First time users might feel a touch daunted by the sheer number of options available when programming the stick… as you can divide the rotary knobs into 10 bands, that 60 different keypresses there alone… bewildering is the word that springs to mind. That said, you can download ready made profiles for the most popular games from the Saitek website, but to be honest, you’re better off doing it yourself… programme in stuff as and when you find you need it. Otherwise, just think about which functions you need and group them into the modes. In IL2 I use all three modes… one for normal flight and fighting, one for flying multi-engined aircraft and one for advanced, rarely used flight functions such as bombsight aiming. In LOMAC I use the different modes for basic flight, ground attack and air-to-air and even then I have to use the shift function to enable ‘hands off’ flying, but the X52 gives without doubt the most complete control without having to hunt out the requisite keys on the keyboard.
In summing up, it has to be said that Saitek are going to have to do something amazing to be able to top the X52, it really is that good. Users of the X45 will at first find it feels too light as we’re used to heaving our sticks about like Geoff Capes tossing a caber, but get up in the air and needing a lighter touch on the stick will soon show in how much easier flying accurately becomes. The two-stage trigger is great, as are the toggle buttons, and though the majority of the lighting is just for show, the MFD is a truly useful addition for serious simmers.
With a price point at the time of writing of £99, the X52 might seem outrageously expensive, but you get a hell of a lot for your money. The next closest dedicated throttle and stick system is the Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS system… but that has only 28 buttons and will put a £230 hole in your wallet… So unless you really want to have an authentically modelled F-16 stick in your hands, the X52 is the way to go.
Pros
Improves on the X45 in every way
Programming a doddle and totally customisable
MFD display
Bloo LEDs for those night flights
Re-designed for greater comfort and ease of use
Top quality stick for less than a ton, even less if you hunt around
Cons
Old X45 profiles not usable!
Perhaps too futuristic in looks for some
Takes up an acre of desk space (still!)
