Combine the Saitek X52 game controller with your favorite flight simulator, and you'll have the next best thing to sitting in the cockpit of an airplane. On the downside, the joystick and throttle are so comfortable to use that you may find it harder than ever to tear yourself away from a game and get back to work.

Installation is simple. The package includes drivers for many of the most popular flight simulator games, although the X52 may not work with some older games, which is not uncommon with newer hardware. A Test control panel lets you explore the control buttons and get familiar with the various features and options, as well as make sure the drivers are working correctly on your system.

The included Saitek Smart Technology programming software lets you configure the controller for your favorite games. If you will be sharing the X52 with other family members, you can use the software to configure custom set-up options for each individual. In addition to included profiles for many popular games, additional profiles are available for downloading from the Saitek website. You can also create your own game profiles.

The joystick and throttle have rubber grips for extra comfort. The joystick includes an adjustable hand rest, two 8-way hat switches, three programmable toggle switches, a metal pinkie switch, a 3-D rudder twist, and four firing buttons. The throttle has two fire buttons, a scroll wheel with a built-in button, a mouse controller/hat switch with left mouse button, an eight-way hat switch, and a clutch button that lets you change profiles at will. The control buttons are backlit, so you can turn off any ambient lighting and immerse yourself in the experience of flying a night mission.

The backlit multifunction display (MFD), which is also handy for low-light situations, displays the date and time, the current mode, and the current game profile. The MFD also includes a stopwatch feature. All controls are easy to access and easy to customize for specific games or your personal preferences.

Pro: Offers almost every feature that gamers could possibly want. Comfortable design, precision controls. Highly customizable.
Con: Somewhat pricey. The large number of buttons, switches, and possible configurations may be confusing for casual gamers to keep straight.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Saitek Industries
2295 Jefferson Street
Torrance CA 90501
310-212 5412
http://www.saitekusa.com

Warranty
2 years, limited