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Problem with Saitek pro flight throttle quadrant please help - Printable Version

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Problem with Saitek pro flight throttle quadrant please help - FlyingShark - 20.05.2010

Hi all,

I've bought a Saitek pro flight throttle quadrant. I use one of the handles for throttle, one for prop pitch and the third I'm going to use for mixture when the new Team Daidalos patch will be out. But that's just to introduce this topic because I have an annoying problem with this thing. The problem is that whatever handle I assign to prop pitch, it never reaches 100% up, nor 0% down, it always stays at 98% or either 2% depending on increasing or decreasing the pitch. I tried different settings (changing sensivity, deadzone, range,...) in the stock software as well as in a progam called "Il 2 Joy control" from mission4today.com but the problem is still there.

I used the search function but didn't find anything about the problem. On the other hand, I noticed that serveral people here use this product and are quite happy with it. If anybody knows about this problem and knows a fix, i would appreciate if you could post it here.

Thanks


~S~

- rigamortis - 20.05.2010

How old is it?

I've owned three Saitek sticks. I currently have an X52 pro and it's the last one I buy.

Read what these guys said about your quadrant. Perhaps you need to clean the pots:

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A versatile, modular quadrant
by Robert from Lake Stevens WA USA
Review: I now own 3 of these quadrants: one came with my Saitek ProFlight yoke and the two others were bought new, separately. The affordability is the big attractor: not only do you get the quadrant, but screws, knobs, more than you'd initially expect; when combined with another quadrant, the modular aspect shines through. Furthering the versatility factor is the amount of programmable rocker switches on the face (3 each). All these are the pros. There's only one con: the resistance values of the trimpots inside change with time and usage, faster than appreciated. On receiving my 2nd quadrant, it was startling to notice that in spite of common setting of knobs between the two quadrants, the values on the Sim program were noticeably different. I ordered the third one and paired it with the second one for twin engine operation; the original quadrant does duty for singles. Saitek should really use better, more durable trimpots.

Monday, October 19, 2009
Good, but not durable
by A Customer from Seattle WA USA
Pros: Great tactile and ergonomical feel, extra buttons
Cons: Trimpots inside are absolutely horrible
Review: Saitek has been an innovator in the Flight Simulator peripheral world for us Average Joes who can't make the proud claim of being "middle-class"; the products are affordable and, for the better part, very good. After two years with my first Saitek Throttle Quadrant which came with my yoke (there's no difference between yoke throttles and separate ones, other than plug), I'm rather disappointed. Sure, the product feels great and looks attractive and the buttons are a small miracle in themselves, but after you've used it a few months, things get a little...strange: virtual knobs start to spike, you nudge the throttle and suddenly you're lurching at takeoff setting, bump it up a little more, it returns to normal. Weird. I disassembled mine and found 3 of the cheapest proprietary trimpots ever made. I disassembled them fully, cleaned them with contact cleaner and a soft toothbrush and it helped...a little. My electronic engineer friends told me that these pots were not intended for this type of activity...and "good luck". Ominous... To go from single to twin required the purchase of two new throttle quadrants; don't try to pair a new quadrant with an old one, you'll see why. My thoughts: we live in a progressively greener world, and if we're going to continue in that endeavour, then corporations need to stop their just-toss-it-and-buy-a-new-one mentality. They should use better, more durable pots. This doesn't cut it. It's sad to see so many companies reveling in profits from new- and return-customer-sales when their questionable products are ending up in landfills. Bad form on this one, Saitek!

- FlyingShark - 20.05.2010

Thanks for the reply, after reading these 2 reviews, I understand that it's not what you could call durable.

Anyway, I bought mine only 2 days ago and I have the issue since the very first time I tried them out.

One more thing, I think it's an IL2 issue though, as the quadrant works like a charm in another applecation (Rise of Flight).

So, if anybody has any suggestions?

~S~

- rigamortis - 20.05.2010

In IL2 Joy control did you set each value to 100 and make it a linear line value?

- FlyingShark - 20.05.2010

rigamortis Wrote:In IL2 Joy control did you set each value to 100 and make it a linear line value?
Yes, that's one of the many things I tried out.

~S~

- rigamortis - 20.05.2010

Well, you're not alone in the feeling of frustration over Saitek stuff. I can't get the rotary wheels setup properly for trim and get spikes and dead spots on my pots all the time.

I may ditch the X52 Pro for a Thrustmaster warthog when it comes out, although I may get some grief from the Commander of household affairs over the anticipated US $500 pricetag.

- nzwilliam - 20.05.2010

I have Saitek X52 and was having heaps of problems with spikes and having it re-calibrate itself crooked halfway through a dogfight. One thing that made a big difference was getting a powered USB hub + turning the pretty blue lights right down, and always checking control panel/game controllers/saitek x52, properties before cranking up IL2 to look for spiking and wrong calibration. If I check it and input isn't smooth or controls won't go the full movement I just unplug it from the powered hub, wait a second and plug it back in again and it's all good to go.

- Neil Lowe - 20.05.2010

Quote:it never reaches 100% up, nor 0% down, it always stays at 98% or either 2% depending on increasing or decreasing the pitch

Yeah I have one of those, mine does the same thing, so does my friends. 2% isn't going to make much difference to the way the plane flies so I don't really worry about it Wink

Cheers, Neil Smile

- FlyingShark - 20.05.2010

Neil Lowe Wrote:
Quote:it never reaches 100% up, nor 0% down, it always stays at 98% or either 2% depending on increasing or decreasing the pitch

Yeah I have one of those, mine does the same thing, so does my friends. 2% isn't going to make much difference to the way the plane flies so I don't really worry about it Wink

Cheers, Neil Smile
I know that those 2% at decreasing won't make much difference but in aircombat, every inch of energy counts and so, what bothers me most, is the fact that I can't get it higher than 98%. Anyway, it's my 2nd Saitek product and it will be my last. I also had the Cyborg X and you know what, after 2 days one of the buttos on top broke off and I had the same range problem with both hanles (that is prop pitch and throttle).

~S~

- KG64_Cnopicilin - 20.05.2010

"Slam" it to the 100%. I have two of them and I have the same problem. I have it with my Logitech extreme 3D pro too. Not only saitek problem AFAIK.

- rigamortis - 20.05.2010

when mine doesnt do it I hit the "0" key which puts all engines at 100% in my profile. It's the only fix I can suggest ATM.

- OberstDanjeje - 21.05.2010

I have the trottle quadrant from the 2008, I have the same problem.
I fixed it using the axis in the reverse way (100% is all down) and setting the reverse trust with the 100% pitch.
I noticed if I move the lever slowly I reach the 100%

- FlyingShark - 21.05.2010

KG64_Cnopicilin Wrote:"Slam" it to the 100%. I have two of them and I have the same problem. I have it with my Logitech extreme 3D pro too. Not only saitek problem AFAIK.
OK, thanks, here's where I am at, at the momment:

You're right about slamming but someone else said the move slowly, my experience after a few days is in between, you have to slam it but not too hard, on the other hand, you can also move it slow but - once again - not too slow.
I downloaded autohotkey and if I get experienced with it, I'm gonna try to preset 100 positions - one for each % - at my middle handle. We'll see how far I'll get and if that fixes it, I'll inform you guys if it works BUT I need some time job and getting a bit experienced with that program.

About the problem with your logitech joystick: I've had that in the past but easyly fixed it buy minimising IL2, disconnect your joystick and replug it but make sure the handle is completely down (lilke it is at 0% in IL2).

Anyway, thanks for your replies all.


~S~