Logitech GX56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick Flight Simulator Game Controller, 4 Spring Options, +189 Programmable Controls, RGB Lighting, 2x USB, PC - Black

I was a little hesitant after the documented issues with X52 and reviews of the X56, but decided to go for it instead of spending the multiple hundreds into thousands that is the next step up from here. Wow! I have used it for Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen, and MSFS, and am impressed! Have also used it to replace dual joysticks for logging in farm Sim, but it really shines in the games with lots of controls to bind.Despite being primarily plastic, the controls feel premium and construction feels solid. The movement of the main joystick is fluid and smooth, and there are more buttons and hat switches than I could possibly need! The single complaint is with the split throttle needing to be very stiff in order to maintain position, or it will lower itself and easily moves if even bumped - and that part never got better over time. Warning #1, check the dimensions, these things are huge compared to some other HOTAS options! Warning #2, despite that size, they are not too heavy, so some kind of mounting is necessary if you "play with passion." lolHave easily a couple hundred hours use and no problems or major complaints except the throttle stickiness. Easily recommend unless a person can make the jump to more than twice the cost of the X56 to go to the next step up joytsick and throttles.

While this HOTAS has a troubled past I can attest to what I received as being awesome. While I have used a x52 pro in the past and its issues are well documented, I was nicely surprised by its updated system. I was a bit scared when reading some of the other reviews of this HOTAS here. But the X56 has more than enough buttons on the stick and throttle and two very needed joystick type sticks that really set this thing apart. Yes it is of plastic construction, and I could see someone with small hands having issues with accessing all the hat switches, dials and buttons. I have large hands so that doesnt apply to me. Its a Logitech product now and it seems all the issues from its predecessor Saitek are gone. While first plugging it in I did have an issue with one of the C sticks (joystick type, mouse emulation) drifting just like the X52 pro I have. I was like oh no, its happening again. However i took the grip off the base and reapplied it and screwed it very carefully. Thankfully that fixed the issue.On the positive side this thing has a ton of button and switches. I can see if you are looking for replicas of a certain aircraft (like the a10) then this is not in that vein of aesthetics. I played around for almost and hour within the software (which you will have to download) and found it complex, but anyone with experience with the programming software of the x52 pretty easy to get the hang of. Also on a positive note the stick itself comes with 3 other springs for those like me that like some resistance and it does not flop around like my x52 does. So precise moment is easy to obtain.The RGB lighting can be bright or subtle thanks to the software, so you can do really bright or turn it off completely. The stick itself is very subdued and I like the back lighting on the buttons.I been eyeing other higher price joystick as an upgrade to my 5 year old x52 and I must say, I like this X56 system. I dare say that for the price this thing compete with higher end HOTAS systems. I have had it for a day now and have put in nearly 12 hours in DCS. Also I suspect that the stick needs a good amount of power so I would highly recommend pluging the system directly into the back of your computer and not a hub.Things I do not like:1. no 2 stage trigger. I was used to using the first stage for comms, but I was able to adjust to the side button for teamspeak and SRS.2. the mode switch is really stiff, I dont know if its because it is new but it takes some effort.3. The pinky two way switch on the throttle is uncomfortable. The button has a sharp ridge to the plastic and makes it a bit uncomfortable. If it had been rotated 90 degrees your pinky would fit nicely in the groove.Things I love:the inclusion of 2 joystick type switches. This makes slewing target sensors a snap and it has a push down button adding even more true hands on. They where a bit scary when i first plugged it in do the noticeable drift. This was fixed though by unplugging the stick, unscrewing the stick handle, carefully screwing it back into the base.MORE than enough hats, buttons and switched for advanced sims like the A10c and Hornet.

Overall, its good for the price when comparing to the more real like setups out there. The throttle will need to be plugged into a very powerful hub or on a hub by its self. I have a 10 port HUB that I had the throttle, stick, mouse and keyboard plugged into and the throttle would get horrible ghost inputs. Plugged into the computer directly solved those problems.Stick is nice and moved smoothly. Over all 4 stars. I am using the spring that came on it for now but I like it. There are complaints about trying to use the stick to make small inputs but I really don't see an issue. All the buttons work great. The entire thing does feel cheap but some how hasn't broken yet. Only downside of the stick is that its huge. I have pretty large hands and still have to move my hand around the stick to be able to hit all the buttons. I worked fighter aircraft in the military and those sticks you could hit every button or switch without moving your hand or reaching for the button. The X56, if I want to use the pinky switch, I have to slide my hand down the stick, once done I have to slide back up to use those switches on top.The throttle is over all 3 stars. Its nice to have the dual throttle and all the buttons. My concerns are that the friction on the throttle is janky. Out of the box, the right throttle could click as you moved it forward and back. I had to loosen the friction all the way to make the clicking go away. With the friction knob all the way loose, the left throttle is still hard to move and the right throttle will move on its own. The slide switch is sticky. When I had the X45, I would use that switch for speed brakes but with how sticky this one is, I had to use another one. I did have the slide as ejection but with ghost inputs, I would randomly eject and that was not going to work. Now the switch doesn't do anything.I got this stick because I needed one with Yaw axis since I don't use rudder pedals right now due to room restrictions. One thing I wish this did have was a pressure sensitive button for brakes. Right now when I apply brakes using pinky switch, its just full brakes being applied and not gradual braking.Again, its good for the price if wanting something cheap to fool around with. If you're serious about flight sims, this might not be the one for you.