Setting Up Saitek X52

[Plugpennyshadow]

Anybody figured out the programming for the Saitek X52 system?

Im trying to do some things with it and they just aint working.

1:  Trying to set Precision Slide to do flaps.  The slide in the upper position needs to be zero flaps and the lower position needs to be flaps at full.  I cant seem to get the hang of programing the different bands to do an increment of flaps at a time.

2:  Wish to set up rotary 2 as Trim Wheel.  Again, cant seem to get the bands to operate properly.  Want the neutral detent to be zero trim.  Move rotary forward moves trim down, back moves trim up.  Just like a real tim wheel.

Any help?

Thankie...

[HarvesteR]

I got my X52 working for FSX just as I wanted it... but sadly, I formatted my HD last week, and even though I backed up my profiles, I must have screwed up somewhere because now they are lost...

[Plugpennyshadow]

Thankie there Harvester.  Its easy once you get the hang of it, true.

But I have discovered a weakness in the FSX assignment thingie.  You cant save profiles once you have your controls set up for a particular aircraft.  You have to go thru and set up everything for every different aircraft you fly.  I like to fly the Cub, the Cessna 172 and Caravan most often.  And setting up for a jet?  WOOF!

But thanks for the heads up.  Ive got a mix of controls on my Nostromo (pulling up views and panels), on a Fangpad (radio stack and gps manipulation) and the Saitek for flight controls / ac controls.  Cant keep track of all the assignments, but there ya go.

[Plugpennyshadow]

Ok...Ive figured out a protocol to work for me.  Since one cant save control configurations in FSX, I can do most of the aircraft specific assignments in the Nostromo, Fangpad and Saitek profile editors.  A profile for each aircraft in each device.

I can then program the usual suspects in FSX's control tab.  Some things are static from one ac to another.  Stick, rudders, throttle, trim tabs, brakes, landing gear, lights and other things are mostly constant.  If an aircraft doesn't have retractable landing gear that control simply won't work.

Saitek x52 also has the different modes.  I can set up a different control config for the three different modes and shift from one aicraft control config on the fly without having to change in profile editor.

Harvestr my dude!  Thank you!

[HarvesteR]

Always glad to help

[Plugpennyshadow]

I want to use the hat switch 2 on the X52 for buttons.  Up as a disrete button, down and so on.  How do you do that?  The new software dosen't work like the old for the X45.

Thankie...

[HarvesteR]

If you're using the cd version of the SST that came with the X52, you gotta set the Hat switch to 'Buttons' mode... By default, it's set to POV2, which is pretty useless since most games don't read that many buttons off DirectInput, so you have to map them for keystrokes

You get a choice of 4 way, or 8 way... each giving you that many button mappings... Only mind that it's hard to nail a diagonal click without first setting off a horizontal or vertical... so 8-way mode is only really useful for scrolling stuff around (like a radar cursor)

Also, the new version (SD6) changed things a bit more... now, to have a Hat Switch work as buttons, you have to select 'Bands' on it's context menu

I guess they tried to simplify things by having less options, but ended up confusing things further...

[Plugpennyshadow]

I set the hat for bands as you said, made the assignments and saved the profile.  Activated the profile in the little toolbar thingie.  Found that you have to re-activate a particular profile after doing any modding to it.  That was a bugger.

Result?  No joy!?  Newly assigned commands dont work...

Any suggestions?

[HarvesteR]

You have to reactivate in order to send the new profile information to the joystick... but there's a 'Profile' button on the SST toolbar to do that (it looks like a target) ...Just save and hit that button right afterwards

Most times I had a profile not work after assigning some new function was due to forgetting to press that little button...

But the problem could be caused by some other reason... I gotta think for a while, and I'll get back to you with some suggestion  ;)

Cheers

[Plugpennyshadow]

NVM about the hat switch thingie not working for me still.  Guess I did something right cause it works like a charm.

I plan to use the Hat 2 for control of the autopilot.  Changing the set alititude, speed and heading.

Another question?  If I may?

Making the pinkie switch work?  Please?

Would like to be able to switch certain controls to double up the available assignments.  For instance, when using the autopilot on the Lear or 737.

And bless you Harvestr.  I was pulling me hair out with this Saitek thingie...

[Plugpennyshadow]

And how the heck ya get the Saitek Pro Pedals toe brakes to work right?

I assign them in the FSX assignments window, but in the game the brakes are ALWAYS on!  I adjusted the deadzones to about 15% of the slider and still always on.  And when they aren't on at flight start up and I try to use them?  All I get is differential braking and that sticks on!

Bigger hammer?  Or should I just shoot the things?  I like the gunpowder and lead option, but guess I should try to fix the problem, shouldnt I?  Less jail time, for sure!

Thankie

[HarvesteR]

You want to use the pinkie as a shift key right? or as a button?

If it's supposed to shift states, all you need do is put your shifted assignment in the appropriate column on the command mapping table (SD6)

for RTM version, you have to select 'Mode 1 + Pinkie' from the droplist at the top, and map the assignment under your button of choice

Notice also the backward folding arrow icon (like a desktop shortcut) on modes 2 and 3... they mean that while that command isn't mapped to anything specific, it will fall back to the Mode 1 unshifted assignment

Now, if what you wanted was to use the pinkie switch as a regular button, all you have to do is delete the shift states (SD6) or set is as 'Button' instead of Shift (RTM)

Any doubts just ask  ;)

Cheers

[HarvesteR]

[quote]And how the heck ya get the Saitek Pro Pedals toe brakes to work right?

I assign them in the FSX assignments window, but in the game the brakes are ALWAYS on!