Description
The updated X56 HOTAS features a new stealthy black and gray finish. The changes go beyond cosmetic, with engineering updates to address the feedback from the community delivering a more amazing experience for all flight enthusiasts; from fun, plug-and-play gaming all the way to professional fine-tuned simulation. The X56 has a multitude of customizable options, including mini analog sticks to enable true 6 degrees of freedom control of your spacecraft. Featuring 16-bit non-contact sensors, the stick offers the most accurate level of control on the market today; control that you can enhance even further via adjustment of the response curves and deadzones. RGB lighting allows you to customize the appearance of the stick so that it becomes a fully integrated part of your simulation setup.
From the manufacturer
Logitech G X56 HOTAS Controller
Enhance the experience of VR gaming and the re-emerging space simulation genre with the advanced X56 HOTAS. It provides complete control featuring analog thumb sticks, RGB lighting, 16-bit aileron and elevator axis, 189 programmable controls, and an updated stealthy black and gray finish.
HOTAS Configuration Software Included
189+ Programmable Controls
Customize all 13 axes, 5 HATS and 31 programmable buttons over three modes. Adjust deadbands and response curves to fine-tune axes. Assign any button to any number of in-sim commands—even assign mouse and keyboard commands to X56, from single-key inputs to timed and macro commands.
D. Grundmann –
Great flight HOTAS for multi-purpose involved simsSummary: The controls and capability of this unit is unbelievable for the price. It’s a great alternative to the higher tier ones out there at a cost of plastic (this unit) vs metal.History: Coming from X52 (which I ordered in 2013 or something long time ago), X45 (even older) and much older Saitek models (mostly as gaming ports changed along with new features, none have died on me which speaks to some level of historical quality).Usage: DCS, Elite Dangerous, FSX and similar*First impression*: Extremely scared that I would have had to return item after 10 minutes. The throttle was not calibrated where mid-throttle was registering as 0% and there was no way to calibrate within windows. Turned out that there is internal calibrations. See bottom of review for the BKM on fixing this which can also be found on forums for the older version of the x56 (x55)Other than the calibrations, the unit feels solid and controls are plentiful. This is the Logitech version of the failed Saitek model which is plagued with problems according to most reviews. All buttons/actions responded as expected and fit is good. The right hand position is a bit lower than desired and not terribly adjustable like the X52. Small hands be warned!VR (since it’s a market target and selling point): Using this in VR works well *once* you can get trained where switches are. There’s so many options/spots that sometimes you can get lost on the platform switches on the throttle. Hunting around to orient was common early on but eventually figured out a pattern to find the switches quicker. I still get the knobs mixed up every now and then since they are close together. The buttons/etc on the throttle/stick are easy enough to find in VR since they are always in hand. The VR selling point likely is that there are so many options that you don’t need the keyboard for many common things anymore. A debatable selling point depending on the simulation being used.*Ergonomics*: some of the buttons are not placed well for long term usage. It’s ok if you just need to hit every minute or so, but not as a 2 minute+ toggling spree. The hat controls on both controls are placed slightly out of alignment with my hands so that constant usage starts to hurt the thumb for both hands. The throttle is a bit better placed but sometimes difficult to move the 2 smaller hats due to tight spaces. The X52 feels much more “natural”. This is my -1 reason for not being 5-starsThrottle/tension: From my non-scientific observation this uses some type of goo to dampen the slide action. This goo loosens up rapidly when warmed so that the throttle starts to slide quite easily. There is a tension knob but it’s difficult to tune correctly due to this dynamics. It does *not* have any detentes/positions to lock into so I commonly find that resting my hand slowly decreases the throttle. There are 3d-print options to fix this, but without the modification you can’t leave hand resting on throttle. In DCS I commonly found I was pulling back and loosing speed so I started to need to do hands-off throttle which contradicts the HOTAS benefit.Stick tension: The multiple springs should work with many people. There is a little play in the center but nothing that concerned me. The pivot is made of plastic which is concerning over the x52 which is part metal. Concerns about this breaking is high.Stick future: It was very curious to see the grip disconnects much like the higher cost options. May suggest that new grips can either be made or will be made for different plane likeness.Desk requirement: The bases are much larger than prior generations, likely to just provide stability/support but is hollow for the most part. People complain a lot about this online about “wasted space” but in reality it’s providing torque resistance when on a desk from the push/pull. When on a mount, yes it likely is problematic and overkill.Mounting: There are holes in the corners of each unit which can be used for mounting screws. It’s not an under-base connectivity but it’s something that I’ll be using in the near future. It’s also seemingly non-standard measurementsDCS: Perfect! assignments,likeness, and HOTAS usage works great with this sim. Overkill for buttons for P51 but excellent for A10. This mimics the warthog from thrustmaster in capability and general layout but the warthog is very specifically tuned to the A10. The two extra adjustment knobs on the throttle is very nice for P51 for trimming which does not exist for the x52. DCS was the primary reason for purchase so very happy with decision as it meet my expectations. Combine with foot rudders, I don’t really use the twist anymore but it does feel solid and did work well before foot rudders.Elite Dangerous: Works well with one exception — controlling the system bars gets very difficult due to ergo problems. The hats on the stick are placed just wrong enough that you can’t adjust quickly unlike the X52. Throttle mini hats are not much better as some directions are difficult to use to or collide with other buttons. The 2 mini analog sticks are great though for thrust control! I use the one on throttle, tried the stick but kept hitting that as it’s placement isn’t the best for where the thumb naturally rests. There’s enough button/switch control left-overs to make advanced rapid adjustments to “pre-programmed” models of sys/eng/wep balances.FSX or other sims: Likely to be overkill for most people.Recommended? Yes if budget is tight. Are there better things out there? Yes, but at min 2x price. That price bump gets mechanics that will survive the thrash of a little child, x56 will likely break under same conditions.Calibration:Clear axis calibration process for Throttle:1.Meanwhile make TGL3 down,TGL2 up(show buttons 14,17) before device power on.2.Meanwhile make TGL4 down,TGL3 up(show buttons 16,19).3.Clear calibration is completed when all lights go out.Axis calibration process for Throttle:1.Move all axes to max and min twice.2.Meanwhile make TGL4 down,TGL3 down,TGL2 up(show buttons 14,17,19).3.Calibration is completed when all lights go out
Joe Todaro –
I absolutely LOVE my new Logitech G X56 HOTAS Throttle and Joystick! Great quality! Fast shipping!In fact, I’ve been using my new “Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick Flight Simulator Game Controller (with 4 Spring Options, +189 Programmable Controls, RGB Lighting, 2x USB, PC – Black)” now for more than a month without any issues; it’s an awesome product! ..Furthermore, it fit PERFECTLY onto my new “MEZA-Set of 2 Desk Mounts Joystick Mount Compatible with Logitech G X56” mount, which I’ve also been using for about a month! Another fantastic product!Anyway, I would most definitely recommend the “Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick” for flight sim’ing. I think you’ll LOVE it! .. THANK YOU, Logitech G
AB –
Good, but at MSRP it should be betterBig step up from my Wingman Extreme 3D, but if I hasn’t bought “used” version (it looked brand new), I’d be upset at the quality if I paid full price. I feel like for $250, the buttons, especially on the throttle, should be firmer and more defined. Especially the 4 way ones. The switches are nice and firm. None of them are actually toggles, despite the label. A 2 stage trigger is really the only thing missing.The throttle halves should also lock together better for the price. At least for me, it also has a tendency to move when resting my hand on it, unless I make the tension so high, I can’t move it. Tension also isn’t consistent.All and all, it’s actually pretty nice and has lots of buttons for make it a true HOTAS for DCS. Especially once you realize you can add the pinky paddle as a modifier, for even more potential controls. Also, all the hats on the stick are actually 8 way, not just the POV. Don’t really care about the thumb stick on the stick. I use the 1 one the throttle for sensor slew, with its click not set to do anything. For me, I just need a View Center button on the stick.Just fyi, it’s huge. So plan for that when buying it.
Glenn Eastberg –
Not impressedA number of issues so far:First off, as has been typical with every Saitek/Logitech X series HOTAS I have owned, there is the usual slop in the stick’s yaw axis.Ergononmically, many of the controls are poorly placed. It feels like the stick and throttle are designed for someone with an extremely wide hand with really thin fingers. The throttle especially requires constant changing of hand placement to reach vairous controls. The thumbstick and lower hat switch on the throttle are placed so low that your thumb hits the rotary dials and toggle switches when using them. The upper hat switch on the throttle is too close to the lower roatary dial so my thumb runs into it trying to operate the hat. Then having to reach my thumb around all of the hat switches to push then button on the lower rotary dial puts my hand in a really uncofortable position. On the stick, the pair of hat switches are placed too close together and the conical shape of the top one makes it had to operate reaching my thumb across then nicely shaped lower one. Trying to grip the stick solidly to use the yaw twist without deflecting the thumbstick again just doesn’t feel right. One feature the X-52 stick has the the X-56 lacks is an adjustable palm rest. I had to add !/4″ of foam padding to bring my hand up to where my thumb rests on the pov hat and reaches the button at the top of the stick, but the button at the bottom of the stick is then hard to press. The pinky switch is placed too far out and hard to reach.Power requirements are rather high for devices that are solely USB powered. A high-output USB hub is required to prevent glitches. After a bit of troubleshooting, what I eventually found watching in the joystick control panel is the controllers reset after a low power state and send a set of test button push signals to the software, which it ignores as normal operation. However, in-game these manifest as sporadic inputs that caused problems. In X-plane just minor things like landing gear raising and lowering on it’s own, but in Elite Dangerous the manifestations made the game unplayable.In-game configuration is problematic as well other than X-plane. There is no consistancy between games as to which button is assigned a label. Some recognize the controllers as a set and therefore sequentially number the buttons as a pair, while some assign numbers individually. Very problematic when they just tell you to hit Joy3 as it has nothing to do with how the stick or throttle are labeled or even which of the two it is referring to. The only exception was X-plane which graphically shows which button in the setup screen, but still doesn’t always use the manufactuters label. MSFS does have a graphic representation that can be brought up in flight, but that doesn’t help when looking at the configuration screen.The instructions for changing the tension springs on the stick are a joke. the box for the springs shows to unplug the stick, place a spring, and plug in the stick. No instruction on how to remove the collar holding the spring. Actual retention methond for the spring is rather suspect in terms of durablity as the is a collar that snaps over a 2 piece collar that retains the spring. Probably best not to change the spring out to many times to avoid breaking the snap tabs on the one piece collar.Price wise, it is the only HOTAS with this many controls that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, but it also will never be the most comfortable to use, and after only 2 days I don’t know if it will hold up better than the previous HOTAS’s I have gotten from this manufacturer.
Seth –
Shaft for joystick needs a synthetic lubricantThis is a review for the upgraded and most recent X56 (grey and black). No ghosting issues (plugged into a 3.0 USB/ same hub as the joystick. No issues. Only gripe I have is that they could have greased the joystick shaft more or at all. Easy fix. Just buy a $3 dollar tube of synthetic lubricant and put a little bit on the shaft. It’s an awesome joystick for the throttle alone. Joystick has a wiggly dead center so make sure your fine with that. Plenty of work arounds. All in all I’m very pleased with what I got for $200.
Alex Bathurst –
So close to greatnessI could easily look past the cheaper materials if it just worked better. I get phantom button presses while flying all the time. Nothing worse than touching down, lowering the landing gear, and then learning that it decided to go up on its own and then crashing after a 4 hour flight. And I get them all over the controller with all the switches. Very disappointed on what could’ve been a great product . When it works it’s amazing, but the bugs ruin the experience………………….Edited to add after using Logitechs registry editor it works exceedingly better than before but still has sensitive phantom control presses. I brought it up to 4, a perfect 5 stars would have no phantom presses
Amazon Customer –
Almost perfectBought this to play some DCS with friends, and the only complaint is that one of the LED’s on the mode switch on the throttle did not work out of the box.
Jacob Litman –
Stiff yaw and a tall gripI returned mine within 24 hours. The yaw was stiff, and to my knowledge, adjusting that axis requires partial disassembly and probably a third-party spring. The grip was also 1-2 inches too tall for my hands; I couldn’t comfortably rest my hand on the base and still reach the uppermost buttons.For those with larger hands, it’s possible the yaw axis will loosen up with use, but for me, the too-tall grip was a deal breaker. The throttle was also somewhat large for my hands, though admittedly I gave up on the throttle very quickly, mostly because I couldn’t comfortably reach keyboard, mouse, throttle and joystick on my desk. That bit is probably why some players use joystick/throttle mounting systems rather than just laying them on a desk.The good aspects: it looks good, its sheer weight ensures stability (both joystick and throttle), and there are plenty of buttons and switches for control-heavy games like Elite: Dangerous. I was able to bind everything I needed. While some controls had to go to the throttle switches which aren’t on “prime” real estate (i.e. having to take your hand off the throttle), those were controls one doesn’t need while actively maneuvering. It also comes with three added springs to adjust pitch/roll stiffness.A few of the controls are admittedly awkwardly placed. The joystick has a mini-joystick exactly where the thumb would otherwise rest. While a mini-joystick is very useful for a 6-DOF game like E:D, the chance of fat-fingering that while trying to rest your thumb renders that one useless; I’d rather have a button there. Fortunately, the throttle has a more sensibly placed mini-joystick. There’s also a stiff switch near where the pinky rests on the throttle, and a weirdly place button on the far side of the joystick.The joystick base itself could also stand to have some buttons; with how large and heavy it is, it certainly has the real estate. While base-mounted buttons are no substitute for easily reached buttons on the grip itself, less crucial functions can be bound there without further cluttering the grip or throttle… assuming the X56 had any buttons there.
Amazon Customer –
X-56 has all the switches and buttons you will need but may not fit comfortably in everyone’s handThe X-56 delivers on what it promises. It has lots of switches and buttons create a profile for a game like DCS. Controls were a bit stiff at first but loosened up with use. The rudder control is still a bit wonky because of the diameter of the stick and nothing to assist in z-axis motions. Although I am an adult man and have normally sized hands, I find that the hats and buttons are about 1/2 inch too high on the stick forcing me to lift my hand up off the palm rest in order to manipulate them. Logitech should consider providing/selling additional different sized hand grips since they screw on the top of the base (easy to switch out). The sticks are sufficiently heavy but will come up off the desk if you make fast/radical maneuvers. You may want to consider the aftermarket Hotas clamp devices for more stability particularly with the throttle. The bottom line is that it is a good setup for the money.
Shane R –
You MUST use with an powered USB hub!TL;DR – Decent value for all the features (read the rest of the review for the details!)I’ve used mine for about 150 hours in Elite Dangerous now, and overall it’s a pretty good value for the price when compared to other HOTAS sticks such as the old Thrustmaster Cougar and T-Flight HOTAS X One (which I have owned both) . Both the stick and throttle feel as if they have an rubberized surface (although it’s not really rubber) that to me feels comfortable with just enough texture to get a decent grip without being either not smooth enough to slide your hands around the controls or too smooth that you’re always having to readjust your hands. Some of the controls are in awkward positions, but overall most of the switches are easy to use without having to look at the HOTAS or stick with a little practice. Another great feature is that on both the stick and throttle bases there are 4 holes in the corners that go all the way through, and you can use some 10/24″ countersunk screws( or 10/32, M5 x 0.8, etc) to bolt it to an surface so it doesn’t slide all around.There are a couple of issues you need to be aware of, although they are not necessarily device breaking issues (although the mini stick one can be close). First issue being that you MUST use this with an powered USB hub to avoid the majority of the ‘random switch activation’ issues. I purchased one of the USB power meters (that allowed data through to let the device work) and measured the power consumption for this and my Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X. The complete T-flight HOTAS just barely draws 100mA current , while just the Saitek X-56 stick alone draws 500mA, while the throttle draws another 400mA. (If I can find where I put the Thrustmaster Cougar i’ll measure it too and edit this later) If you look at the USB power specs this is right at the upper limit for high power devices which is why you must use the powered USB hub. It may work without the powered hub but without sufficient current to drive it any device will act weird until it gets sufficient power.The second cause for the ‘random’ switch activation (for me at least) was that I found my wrist occasionally activating the switches at the base of the throttle, it turns out that the protective ‘guards’ between the switches are just short enough that the tops of the switches protrude above them, which means if you’re not careful your wrist can trigger them. Once I realized this and was more careful about them the ‘random’ activation stopped. (To Logitech, make those guards just a touch higher….)Final issue that I have, and appears to be fairly common, is that on my throttle the little thumb joystick ‘drifts’ with no way to adjust or calibrate it out. On my stick the same thumb stick seems to work perfectly, for others the issue is either reversed from mine or both drift. Not sure what causes it but definitely there on mine. Not so bad that it’s completely unusable, but in Elite Dangerous I have to put a fairly good sized ‘deadzone’ on both of its’ axis. The position of it, and the ‘button’ function are perfect, the issue is the drift with it.As I noted at the beginning, overall I’d say it’s a great value for a HOTAS stick with all sorts of features. It does have it’s issues, but for it’s price and compared to others with similar features and capabilities I’d say this is one you ought to consider.