Modded my X52 pro - it's another stick!!

[Bearcat]

I am in the process of modding my X-52 like I modded my X-45.. almost done... I started this about 4 months ago and then got sidetracked.. Finally got back to it this weekend. Her's a pic of my old X-45 mod..


Modded X-45 (R.I.P.)

I'll post pics when I am done...

Sokol you were the inspiration for that X-45 a few years back..

[albx]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I am in the process of modding my X-52 like I modded my X-45.. almost done... I started this almost a year ago and then got sidetracked.. Finally got back to it this weekend. Her's a pic of my old X-45 mod..



I'll post pics when I am done...

Sokol you were the inspiration for that X-45 a few years back..

very nice, and the stick? what you did for the stick?

[recoilfx]

Why do people dislike sloppy center? I find it necessary for accuracy flying. In fact, I have my spring clipped by zip ties to relief the centering tension so there is less detent when reversing the stick from one direction to another. This + shaft extension makes formation flying so much easier.

[jimbop]

Originally Posted by recoilfx

Why do people dislike sloppy center? I find it necessary for accuracy flying. In fact, I have my spring clipped by zip ties to relief the centering tension so there is less detent when reversing the stick from one direction to another. This + shaft extension makes formation flying so much easier.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have a go at that. The other X52 mod to increase spring tension is just terrible.

[klem]

Originally Posted by recoilfx

Why do people dislike sloppy center? I find it necessary for accuracy flying. In fact, I have my spring clipped by zip ties to relief the centering tension so there is less detent when reversing the stick from one direction to another. This + shaft extension makes formation flying so much easier.

My spring is pretty relaxed after the three years I've had the X52 Pro. I do prefer the lighter feel, it was very heavy to start with.

However I have completed stage 1 and done the video'd magnets mod and I realise now that the standard setup has a mechanical deadzone because the Hall sensor doesn't react to the first millimetre or two of stick movement at the centre. If you couldn't see on the video (it was a bit dark in the stick base), the sensor sits between two opposite polarity magnets which swing towards/away from it depending on which way you move the stick' It changes its output as one of the magnets moves closer to it. The initial travel had no effect on the sensor until one of the magnets got a little closer.

I really like the immediate (modded) response to movement at the centre which I hadn't noticed I didn't get before. Makes for more precise flying (as opposed to dead-zone flying) although it needs close attention when you're aiming etc..

I doubt if I'll do the spring tensioning mod though.

Now to order some magnets and sensors for the Throttle pots mods. I think there'll be enough room on top of the rotary spindles for some bluetack and magnets plus the sensor. I think I'll need diametric magnets as they will revolve under the sensor instead of moving across it. Hmmm.... or I could make a little arm for them to swing on if there's room.

Has anyone tried that yet?

[klem]

Well I stripped the Throttle and there is simply not enough room to get magnets and sensor in to replace the Rotary pots. One pot was a faint possibility but the myriad of wires running over the existing pots makes it a very risky business so I will leave it.

[Bearcat]

Almost done... everything works.. I just have to come up with some kind of cover and some kind of knob for the two Z & Y sliders in the middle. The red switc is the shift button and the two black buttons are triggers 1 & 2. Knob is Z pot. The st6ick is hed to the throttle with velcro so I can take it apart if I have to ever fix anything... I had to expand the base of the stick beyond what I had initially cut.. All the boards are on the top part and all I have to do is disconnect the sliders from the board underneath.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by albx

very nice, and the stick? what you did for the stick?

Don't forget.. IL2 will see up to 4 controllers.. I use my X-52 stick as a button bay ... With the X-45 it was a little easier because t was all switches and pots.. The HE sensors on the X-52 and the different makeup of the stick make a more challenging task in some respects but in may ways it is a lot easier because the X-52 circuitry is more modular.. With the X-45 had to make my own connectors.. When I originally got the X-45 I really only wanted the throttle. I had this big old stick sitting on my desk and I figured what the heck.. I might as well use the buttons. One day I was looking at some posts by Sokol @ UBI and I decided to give it a shot.. That stick lasted me until the board went and I couldn't get another one without buying one.. so I figured if was going to buy another stick I might as well buy an X-52.. Then I got tired of the whole big stick on my desk thing again.. so here I am..I'll post pics when I am done..

4.10 makes it even better because more things are now on an axis so I can actually find a use for the three extra axii.. (The X,Y & Z). As it is right now I have rudder trim on the slider throttle slider for my MSFFB2. Aileron & elevator trim are on the wheels on my throttle.. and I always did have zoom on a slider/switch even before the 6DoF mod.. but now I don't have to use a macro so it is on the thumb slider of my throttle.. I think I will assign my rudder trim to the Z pot on the X-52 once I get it done and make the throttle on my MSFFB2 my radiator control and figure out what to do with the two X & Y axii of the X-52 once I figure out how I want to set them up.. Even now I use all the switches and have it set up for 3 modes.. with mode 1 being T/O & Landing, Mode 2 is Combat and Mode 3 is Emergency or lesser used stuff like Bail and drop tanks etc.. It is shaping up pretty well so far... the time between the first two and the third pic is







update

[klem]

And now the big question for the X52. Where can I get replacement buttons (those little diaphragm ones) and pots for the Throttle?

Saitek have pushed their support out to another outfit and they won't supply parts like Saitek UK used to do.

I have got close on the diaphragm switches, slightly oversize but a possible fit, but those flat profile pots elude me.

Does anyone have an answer to these?

[Bearcat]

Hmmm the throttle doesn't use HE sensors like the stick? I never took it apart.. If my Throttle ever started to go south I am not sure what I would do..