I currently have a MSFF2 but I find that I do not have enough controls and I'm always going to the keyboard and I really do not like that. I'm looking at buying a Saitek X-45.What I want to know is where or can I get JUST the HOTAS?Also is the flight stick any good? I don't use the FF on my stick anyway so the fact that it is not FF is ok by me, I just want to know the quality compared to the MSFF2.Thanks for any and all input. See you in the fence...CYYZ

Well, the X45 isn't perfect, but it is definitely an improvement, IMHO, over any Microsoft stick. I had a FFB2, gave it away after I bought my X45. There is of course far better hardware out there, but at far higher prices. If I'd have tried the X45 BEFORE I bought my FFB2, I'd have never owned the FFB2 in the first place.Just my opinion.

the ff2 in my opinion has the best feel (using tension only no forces). keep it and get a throttle. i use the ch throttle pro.Andre

Don't know anything aboyt MSFF2, but I'm a rather unhappy Saitek X-45 owner. I had read nothing but raving reviews about this system and nobody could beat their price (I bought it 2 years ago for $99 but then I heard they went down to someting like $72), so I went for it. And regretted it ever since.Starting with mechanics, the spring on the joystick is a total joke. Forget smooth movement, I get weird resistance in a number of positions. Forget precision flying. The throttle may have been decent at the beginning but now after 2 years of use (I'm not a diehard simmer though, there were long periods of not using it) it's pretty loose and there are some power settings where it will simply not stay on its own. On the whole the system feels and looks very cheap (why didn't I see it in the first place?). Always had problems with the mapping software, and after multiple tries, profiles downloaded, and forums searched, I could never get the trimming wheels to work in any sim. I don't know, maybe I'm too dumb to make it work...HOTAS to me is a great idea but if I could choose now I would go with CH products or Thrustmaster Cougar. I know, they're pretty expensive, particularly Cougar, but I would hope you get some quality product. I will definitely not go cheap on my next controls purchase (when I can afford it) and sure as hell will never buy another Saitek product. Now, if I only could afford a nice console by Precision Flight Controls...I'm sure there are X-45 users out there who have been luckier and/or smarter than me, but since you asked for opinions...Michal

Have you ever cleaned the spring plate ?Ever try tightening the resistance screw on the throttle (underneath)?I'm also curious to know, since you're not a die-hard simmer.....what are you comparing the X45 to ? Really, I don't want to argue or anything, but I've had mine just as long as you, have used it nearly every day since I bought it, and have had no problems with it. As far as the SST software goes...well, there is a bit of a learning curve, but once you understand it it works great. There isn't anything you can't program this stick to do.As I said in my first post, there is better hardware available, as you also have mentioned; and as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. FOR THE PRICE, I believe the X45 is a bargain, and a much better stick than the more expensive FFB2, and I really don't think it's fair to compare it to a Thrustmaster...Again, I'm not trying to rile you or anything, I just don't understand what you think $80-$100 buys when it comes to flight sim hardware. I mean, I'm not like Saitek Man or something, but for the $79 + tax I paid, I can't complain at all.

Am also a happy X45 owner, stick and throttle. I dont use all the mappings, I jujst did manual ones in FS, get too confused with the shift buttons etc.. :)But for most flying it has everything I need for a flight including autopilot settings.I love the feel of it, rock solid and the best part is that I got it as a refurb from Saitek for $39.95 :) Only thing wrong with it was a scratch on the throttle. Its very comfortable to use though and has a nice feel. Only change I will make though is to get a yoke sometime soon, its too unusual to fly the sim with this and the real thing with a yoke LOLJonathan O'Connor

I'm also a very happy X-45 owner. I have been using this stick for over two years now and never had any problems with it. In the beginning there was a lot of struggle to get the software working with win2000/XP but these problems have all sorted out. The new programmingsoftware works great and will let you program every funtion you want.Of course, a Cougar HOTAS 'might' be better but will cost you way, way much more! A tip for all X-45 owners: if you feel the stick gets sticky, put some candlewax on the joysticks base where the spring covers it. I bought those small birthdaycake-candles and it works like a dream.Lennart

It's good to know the software is now working. I run Win98 and the "old" SGE software worked fine for me, but I know the WinXP users were pulling their hair out. Also if you are handy with a soldering iron, there are illustrated instructions on how to wire in rudder pedals, if that's a concern. scott s..

I have had the Saitek series of stick and throttle combo's since they came out and have had the odd issue here and there, but a couple of phone calls to the tech dept made sure they were sorted out.I had the X36, and now the X45, I got the X45 as soon as it came out,I gave my X36 to my brother which he is still using to this day with no problems,I can't get him to back to a yoke now if I offered him one for nothing,(a point of interest here,a poster complained about his X45 not being used for a year or two and that it is now more or less useless,well the X45 hasen't been out very long so whats he been using. you canot compare the X45 to the 36's as they are now far superior,and with the latest drivers available it just gets better)I only use the SST software to program the 'Fire C' as the F9 key to start FS Nav, and I use the 'Pinkie Shift' for the Transmit key for R/W, the rest is assigned from within FS9,just as a foot note, the X45 will come into its own soon when the PSS A330/340 is released as they use the stick and not the yoke for control as it's all fly-by-wire,(sounds like FS9 Airbusses to me)Steve,

My opinion _ I would never buy a stick that only works with right hand - being right handed and having no use for military (fighters) sims I like sticks that are fully usable in my left hand.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

I had an X36 for many years (the immediate previous generation of that product) and liked it a lot. Saitek service was good - they replaced a bad pot quickly and without a lot of fuss. The only reason I replaced it was because I got a Cougar for Christmas last year.

I'm quite happy with my X45, have been using it for over a year now. There are some problems: the throttle is not very precise, it either moves to easy or is sticky. And the potentiometers of the two rotary switches are crap. I use them for prop and mixture control, that's okay. I used them for looking in the VC before, but view was always jumping, really irritating. Nontheless I find the X45 superior to every other affordable joystick that I have ever tried. I actually liked it better than the CH yoke that I had the chance to try a few weeks ago. I wasn't happy with the Cougar either, tried it in a local store and could not stand most of the buttons. I REALLY wish there were some good alternatives ... but for now I'll keep my X45, it's better than anything else that I tried.I might add some of the things that I like: solid feel of the stick, many buttons, control software, rotary controls, rudder control.Just my 2c (EUR),VOlker :]

I have an old Sidewinder Precision Pro which has started to act-up lately. (Precision means that I never have to calibrate it, but I am having to do that more often these days - or restart the computer to get it working properly).So I am in the market for a new stick..... I have been looking at the FF2 as well, but after reading here about the X45 I may just get one. PCGamer scored it in the 90s...but those guys dont know much about FS and FS related accessories. (...no offense PCGamer). Right now, its $79 at the usual outlets which makes it the cheapest alternative.Thanks to all for the information and the reviews.

Well I picked up an X45 and let me say the throttle quadrant is well worth the price alone so far. I'm still using my MSFF2 as my stick as I like it better (I find the X45 stick a tad too tall and hard to reach the top buttons with my thumb). The X45 stick is really nice to but not the presicion of the MSFF2 but maybe I'm just not used to it.I say go for the X45 for the throttle quadrant alone....See you in the fence...CYYZ