Product Comparison: Saitek X52 Pro vs Saitek X56

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Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller

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Saitek X56 Pro Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Video Game Flight Controller

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General Specifications

Brand

Saitek

Model

X52 Pro

X-56 Pro

Origin

China

About the Product

Saitek's X52 Pro Flight H.O.T.A.S. System is a fully integrated hands on stick and throttle flight controller that meets or exceeds the demands of the best flight simulator pilots. Featuring an upgraded multifunction LCD which shows in-game data in real time, a progressive throttle with tension adjustment, plus an adjustable joystick with a self-centering mechanism. The X52 Pro takes all the standout features from the original X52 and elevates them to a higher altitude.

Saitek introduces the new X-56 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. System. Built to the same exacting standards of Saitek's award-winning Pro Flight range, the X-56 Rhino delivers a multitude of customization options.

Key Specs

Number of Buttons

Axes

Weighted Base

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller

Smooth, and precise control, feels like you got your money's worth. Lots, and lots of customization with the software. Lots of buttons and hats to keep me keyboard-free in Elite.
This feels like a real piece of equipment and not a toy. I am very impressed with the design and quality of the materials used.
The throttle is very precise, the rotary axes are very precise. The rudder axis is also very precise, and the x-y axes are just insane. While the stick does not advertise it, I do believe this stick uses HEART technology even though it is not advertised (as it should be).
There is a catch at minimum and maximum thrust axis. Likely for locking the thrust and preventing further movement of the thrust axis when on ground, or locking into afterburner or maximum thrust while in flight. But over all, it might be more annoying to some, such as when flying a helicopter.
The buttons / clock on the throttle don't really seem to work. I don't have much of a use for them though.

Saitek X56 Pro Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Video Game Flight Controller

All the switches and dials turn and work as expected. The analog sticks are really cool. I assigned them to my all of my translation thrusters that I had previously assigned to the two throttle hat switches on my x55.
Soooo many buttons, each switch on the base of the throttle is a toggle; essentially doubling the amount of switches that you have -adjustable tension on both the throttle and stick
The switches, knobs and buttons feel solid - time will tell how they hold up, but they feel good so far.
For starters the throttle is so lubricated on the inside that if it sits for a while, it becomes so gummed up that it becomes difficult to move it at all, regardless of the resistance setting on the side.
I was in the middle of playing Elite Dangerous when all the buttons on the flight stick stopped working.. The Grips X,Y still worked... The Analog thumbstick X,Y still worked... But the thumbstick button press and all the other buttons on the flight stick stopped working.
The buttons and toggles felt cheap to me and the flight stick itself kept clicking whenever it came across a certain axis.

Size & Weight

Height

14.5 in.

9.06 in.

Width

10.1 in.

12.2 in.

Depth

9.1 in.

11.5 in.

Weight

4.85 lbs.

6.39 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller

Joystick and throttle size are quite large which is a pro for me because I have larger than average hands - this may be a con for some users.
If you are willing to take the time, it is very customizable and gives you lots of options. Despite what I had read, it had a decent weight and I find it actually works better without the suction cups attached to the bottom.
At first I could not easily press all the buttons on the Flight Stick, a quick twist of the screw adjuster and I was able to adjust the base to fit my hand size. I can now easily reach all the buttons without having to remove my hands.
Good build quality, neat size, buttons feel firm, overall in looks great and feels like a good quality joy
The weight of both the throttle and joystick is extremely low. Be prepared to affix both of them to your desk/chair/cockpit with velcro, screws, glue, etc. if you want them not to move around.

Saitek X56 Pro Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Video Game Flight Controller

Sturdy professional grade external construction
The X56 has some definite design improvements on the X55. A riser unit makes it more usable for people who don't have big hands, and there have been some improvements to the hat switches that had failure problems on the X55.
The stick has enough weight that I don't need to secure it, though I am using the second lightest spring. All the buttons and switches function perfectly.
A bit large for small hands
All plastic, very light-weight, feels flimsy in my hands and the tiny rubber feet make it easy to push around the desk. The "distressed" paint job makes it look even more cheap, as if quality control in the paint shop simply sucked.

Features

Control

Stick and Throttle

Handedness

Dual Hands

Programmable Buttons

Ergonomic Design

Yes

Connectivity

1 x USB 2.0

2 х USB 2.0

Compatibility

Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Extras

Dual-Spring Centering Mechanism, Advanced Grip Adjustment System, 3D Twist with Rudder Lock, Progressive Throttle with Resistance Adjustment, Multifunction LCD Display

Military-grade Space Sim Precision, 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF), RGB Backlighting, VR Controller, Contact-free Hall Effect sensors, Adjustable Stick Spring Force, H.O.T.A.S. Configuration Software Enables Programmable Controls

What customers say about "Features"

Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller

Main triggers have hardware mechanical switching, while other buttons have similar quality switching mechanisms. All of which, seem to be superior to previous models of this joystick!
Well built, solid feel. Responsive controls for serious gaming, tight and accurate, very little to no "slop". Almost enough buttons for a TRUE HOTAS experience in Elite:Dangerous, no doubt plenty for most games. Software is robust and stable.
Stupid safety cover for the fire button. On my X45, I simply taped the thing in the open position. (Who cares if I accidentally use it? It's just a game. ;-) On this X52, the cover does halfway stick open and has a neat effect of turning the LED green when closed.
The LCD screen on the throttle is cool, but not very usable. At least I have not found much of a use for it other than to display the time.
The Saitek software is honestly pretty confusing and needs some real work.

Saitek X56 Pro Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Video Game Flight Controller

The unit looks impressive, one of their nicer-appearing units - however the "custom lighting" is one color for everything and if it's out of a palette of 16 million colors then I'm an alien. For the price, it should have had independent lighting on every switch, button and knob.
There is no need to set up a dead zone on my twist yaw. It centers and actually allows for some damn fine subtle control. I'm sure those experiencing the problem are legit, but its definitely not a design flaw in every unit.
Basically, all of the wires connecting the throttle buttons are loose inside there. Keep moving it for a while and eventually one of them will become brittle and short.
The "manual" is literally non-existent - even the manual button in the software goes nowhere. There's a quick-start manual, however that is pretty useless.
I only got this 2 weeks ago and since then I have had to reinstalled the software 2 times to get the programming to work.
Whoever wrote the quick guide or put in charge of writing it just assumed any user would know how to use and program the X56. Very annoying.... loses another star for that... I'm tempted to pull another star for the lack of instruction on programming it and lacking a manual.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

2 year(s)

Certifications