"Richard Whitcombe" wrote in message
:
: "Dave Schwartz" wrote in message
:
: Hi. Does anyone have the Saitek X45 Joystick and Throttle combination.
:
: Yes
:
: it at Best Buy recently. Are you happy with it. Can you suggest
: assignments for it's numerous buttons and controls? Should I keep it or
: return it?
:
:
: Why would you want to return a perfectly good working joystick ? Why buy
it
: if you didnt want it ?
:
: For what its worth im very happy with mine althoug hi preferred the X36
: (nicely colour, less annoying LEDs). I dont use many of the button
: combinations, the only really useful ones i set are the thumbwheel rotary
: for elevator trim and the forefinger 4 way had on the throttle for rudder
: trim.
:
: On that subject a rant, WHEN will MS enable me to set the rudder trim to a
: rotary wheel ! The elevator is great, surely they should give us rudder
: too.
:

I'm with Richard on this one, Dave. I can see no reason to return an X45
system if you've already got a fully functioning one. I used to own the
first series Microsoft Force Feedback joystick - which was fine - but this
Christmas I went for the Saitek X45 because of the separate throttle. I did
have some concerns about the lack FF but when you get playing, you never
notice the absence of FF (or the presence of it either - it's 'just there',
in the background).

The configuration isn't quite as straight forward as it should be (drag and
drop is needed) and it isn't a flexible as it should be either (as Richard
notes). But these 'limitations' affect all controllers, not just the X45.

All in all, I'm very happy with mine. (The lack of FF also means there's not
another, annoying, power supply to plug in.) Full marks for Saitek!

Cheers,

Chris