Saitek x45

[mike_aronis]

Hello, I just started using DCS World Steam Edition. I am having an issue with the throttle on my OLD Saitek X45 controller. I have flown both the Mustang and the SU25. I was able to get the controller menu to recognize the throttle on the Mustang (as slider) and configure it to work. But on the SU25 I could not. The Mustang worked only after I tried assigning the throttle to something else (RPM) and low and behold it saw the slider. I could not do the same on the SU25. I am resistant to buy a new controller (since my Saitek is otherwise in perfect condition) nor buy any more planes in the Sim unless I can get this figured out. I am running Windows 11. Any thoughts?

By the way for config questions...ASUS Crosshair Viii, Ryzen 5, 128 Gig RAM, 2 x 2 TB M.2, Asus Gefore 4070 Ti, Asus XG32UQ, etc.

[Troll Norris]

https://youtu.be/nIXdazooP30

[mike_aronis]

Very nice video, but that did not help me with my issue. the game does not appear to recognize the Saitek X45 (old unit I know) well. I'll work on drivers.......next...

[sergio.e.samayoa]

I googled and seems that is really old :p

IMHO you should get a HOTAS according to your RIG's specs!!!

[Troll Norris]

Saitek X-45 is quite old. I think you will not be able to find drivers for Windows 10. But you can try to use drivers for older OS. They might work. X-45 is over 15 years old.

[mike_aronis]

The build quality of the "Older" products his much better than the newer ones. I found the drivers without an issue.

I'll try to explain this again.

For the Mustang, the program DCS sees and allows use of the throttle as a throttle as an "axis." On the SU25 it does not. The rudder axis works. the hats all work. I can tune the axis for each. It appears not to be a driver issue, or a hardware issue, but rather a programming issue. Why would the program see and use the Saitek Throttle fine for the Mustang and not for the Jet? There is something else missing. I have read others with the same issue on other sites. One guy stumbled on getting it to work by trying to assign the throttle access to something else, that allowed some how for DCS to see and use the throttle axis properly. I did the same thing. I assigned that axis (throttle) to the Prop Speed and that made it appear on the list as "slider..." then when I went back to the Throttle Up/Down program slot, the 'slider' now appeared and it worked. I was hoping for the same dumb luck with the jet.

My issue is I would like to buy more aircraft on DCS, but not if I cannot get the Saitek X45 to work for me.

Yes I can buy the new one, I can afford to buy ten, but that is not the point. I could buy two more XG32's and do three screens, but I am not....LOL

I am old and set in my ways and it just steams me that companies drop good products from their support. Usually others pick it up and carry the torch, for example the program Gran Prix Legends....there is a tread on Falcon BMS that is doing just that, developing profiles for the older great Saitek for use on newer games.

Happy New Year.

Mike

(the new X56 does look quite nice, so maybe I'll splurge, I just hate to throw out perfectly functional devices.)

[Insônia]

Dcs use direct input api It doesn't discriminate as long as windows recognize your device properly. If you don't have driver from the factory. It's windows default usbhid.sys driver send input to software. Dcs simply accept whatever value windows throw at it.

Go to windows control panel and gamepad settings. Make sure your button and axis are all presented and working and axis can move with "full range".

"Vkb joy tester" is a universal joystick test tool test all your input and range:
https://www.vkbcontrollers.com/pages/downloads
DIview and dxtweak is powerful calibration tool allow you remap hardware raw inputs to correct direct input value:
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/635-directinput-adjusters/

If test have shows no issue. All button work and axis goes Lowest to highest So do dcs.

Please watch the wag's full video carefully.
Clear the default profile. Only bind axis to to axis command , button to key command. Don't try bind button to axis and axis to button command. It will never pick up.

Select the correct device column.

Make sure there is no double binds, each axis command only bind to one device. It may create input conflict.

If dcs input box didn't pick up your input, could be your device has "incorrect range", which seems many people on the internet have shared.but You can still manually click the drop down menu and select the axis you want to bind.

Then in the "tune axis" dialog, watch careful at the top of dialog, in some axis, there is a drop down menu can select between rotated rx/ry/rz or non rotated x/y/z. You might tune the wrong axis. If you not pay attention.

Dcs is complex and many places can trip the user. Please record a video and many screenshot as possible so we may have ideas of your situation.

[Troll Norris]

Insônia is right. BTW DCS SU-25T is much older than Mustang. SU-25T had been released in 2005 as unofficial datadisc for LockOn Modern Air Combat. Mustang have been released with the first release of DCS:World in 2008.

[spike2071]

No idea on your problem, OP, but keep rockin' that X-45. I still miss mine.

[mike_aronis]

The answer from a long time DCS pilot is the Su25 has two engines. DCS needs dual throttle set up to function on dual engine sim. Than makes sense. Buying new set up I guess. LOL.

Mike

[Jel]

Originally posted by mike_aronis:

DCS needs dual throttle set up to function on dual engine sim.

It doesn´t. Dual Engine modules, also the SU25, have both: bindings for dual engine control (both axis needed) and bindings for controlling both engines with only 1 axis. For the SU25 you will find Throttle left and Throttle right as well as a third binding: Throttle (both) - this should work.

[mike_aronis]

Ok, don't want to stir the pot too much. I got the new stick and rudders so thats great. X56 and Logitech Rudder Pedal Combo pack from BH photo. Also I have a Yoke and small throttle module. I had just enough steam to get it set up and running last night. Just set up, configured a few things and went to bed. I was up operating all night on Thursday. LOL> Found my issue with the X45. And also I got the regular desk top version of DCS as the Steam Edition has very limited plane choices.

So.....

The Throttle on the X45 WORKS FINE, you have to assign it to TRUST. Not throttle. Jeesh. And DCS has option to assign Trust to BOTH (right and left) or individual if you have dual throttle, but you DON"T NEED THE DUAL THROTTLE.

The build quality of the X56 is nothing compared to the X45. Nothing is made great anymore. But the X56 extra switches are a great addition. The Three YEAR B&H warranty will get me at least three years of use.

Nuff about that. DCS IS GREAT. Having fun. I have put off setting this up for too long. The only piece I am missing is a headset with mic. I had to figure out how to make the toe movement on the rudder pedals do breaks. Set it as an axis in the Logitech software, then in DCS set tune the axis as Inverted and a Slider. This made the axis be zero when the pedal was at rest and 100 percent when pushed all the way down. Ie Brakes. Works great.

Dealing with Ghost button presses though, less with all the lights turned off on the logitech, but still happens. I have a powered USB hub as recommended but the random button presses are a pain in the ()&(*&*

Mike