PRE ORDERS OPEN - Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Advanced Flight Control System for PC

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Now available to pre-order :) Looks like they've really styled it for the space sims coming out this year. No Mans Sky, Eve Valkyrie, Star citizen etc...

Should be dropping sometime in June. No official date yet....

Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. Advanced Flight Control System for PC @ £219.95 inc VAT

Pro-Flight-X-56-Rhino-for-PC-02.jpg


Military-grade Space Sim Precision

Evolving the H.O.T.A.S.

Designed to meet the needs of the re-emerging space simulation genre, Saitek introduces the new X-56 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. System. Built to the same exacting standards of Saitek's award-winning Pro Flight accessories range, the X-56 Rhino delivers a multitude of customizable options.

6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF)

New Mini Analog Stick Control Surfaces

In modern space sims control is becoming more complex than in traditional atmosphere-based flight simulations, with many more inputs required to achieve true control of the space craft. Pitch, roll, yaw, backwards, forwards, up, down, left and right (the titular 6DoF) all need to be accounted for. This is why the new mini analog sticks are required; providing four more axes of control. Assignable to any in-game axis function, or programmable using the included software, running out of control options is no longer an issue.

RGB Backlighting

Customise lighting to suit your setup

Many PC peripherals now feature RGB backlighting and now the X-56 is no exception. Use the software to set the colour of the lighting to match the rest of your gaming rig.

VR Controller

Ideal for use whilst wearing a HMD

Piloting whilst using VR is a great experience but can prove difficult because you can't see your own hands, which can make finding the controls you need problematic. The X-56 places controls perfectly under your fingers where subtle distinctions in button feel and shape help you navigate the control set with ease. Even the switches on the base of the throttle are staggered or separated so telling them apart from feel alone is possible, leaving you free to concentrate on the immersive VR experience.

Contact-free Hall Effect sensors

Enhanced Stick Accuracy

The X-56 Rhino's control surfaces are incredibly accurate, courtesy of a 16-bit aileron and elevator axis, each employing hall-effect sensors. Developed from the ground up, Saitek's 16-bit axis solution enables extremely precise flight.

Adjustable Stick Spring Force

via Advanced 4-Spring F.E.E.L. System

A ground-breaking, adjustable stick spring system allows pilots to alter the force required to move the stick. Four springs of varying resistance are included to provide a total of five different options. Choose the spring – or no spring at all – which best accommodates your style of flying.

Twin Throttle

With Friction Adjuster and Throttle Lock

The X-56 Rhino boasts twin throttles – ideal for situations in which your primary engine is disabled and you're down to one – and also provides the option to adjust the friction required to move them. And if your aircraft of choice is single-engine, a handy throttle lock effectively converts the twin throttles into a single unit.

H.O.T.A.S. Configuration Software Enables Programmable Controls

At least 231 Programmable Controls

Saitek's software provides the ability to completely customize all of the X-56 Rhino's axes and buttons. You can adjust deadbands and response curves to fine-tune axes to respond as you wish; all buttons can assign any number of in-sim commands, such as afterburner, Frame Shift Drive, target lock and weapon group firing. The software also allows programmability for an array of mouse and keyboard commands – from basic single-key inputs to very advanced, timed, and macro commands.

Product Includes:
X-56 Rhino Stick Unit with USB Connector Cable
X-56 Rhino Throttle Unit with USB Connector Cable and Green Backlighting
Spring System with 4 Springs of Varied Resistance

Flight Simulation Software Compatibility:
FSX - Flight Simulator X (PC only)
X-Plane 10(PC and Mac)
Prepar3D® 2.2(PC only)
Most Other Flight Simulation Software

Minimum System Requirements:
Windows®: XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10
2x USB 2.0 Ports

Compatible with Most Flight Simulation, Combat Simulation, and Space Simulation Software including:
Elite: Dangerous
Star Citizen
Flight Simulator X
Flight Simulator 2004
X-Plane 10
X-Plane 9
DCS World
DCS: A-10C Warthog
DCS: Black Shark 2
DCS: UH-1H Huey
Lock On: Modern Air Combat (LOMAC)
Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 3
Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2
Lock On: Flaming Cliffs
aerofly FS
Take On Helicopters (TKOH)
Rise of Flight
Arma 3
Falcon 4.0: Allied Force
Falcon BMS 4.32
World of Warplanes
War Thunder

Only £219.95 inc VAT.

ORDER NOW

SEE THE REST OF OUR GAME CONTROLLER RANGE HERE
 
Any actual improvements over the X55? Looks the same to me, apart from the colour change.
From what I can tell, the only functional change they've made is the added mini analogue sticks that have been placed on the flight stick and throttle (replacing a button on each).

Beyond that it seems everything else is purely cosmetic with the paint job and the lights changed to RGB ones.
 
Any actual improvements over the X55? Looks the same to me, apart from the colour change.


"New Mini Analog Stick Control Surfaces

In modern space sims control is becoming more complex than in traditional atmosphere-based flight simulations, with many more inputs required to achieve true control of the space craft. Pitch, roll, yaw, backwards, forwards, up, down, left and right (the titular 6DoF) all need to be accounted for.

This is why the new mini analog sticks are required; providing four more axes of control. Assignable to any in-game axis function, or programmable using the included software, running out of control options is no longer an issue."

Pro-Flight-X-56-Rhino-for-PC-04.jpg


Also is now RGB :)

rgb-backlighting-x56.gif
 
From what I can tell, the only functional change they've made is the added mini analogue sticks that have been placed on the flight stick and throttle (replacing a button on each).

Beyond that it seems everything else is purely cosmetic with the paint job and the lights changed to RGB ones.

Haha... beat me to it, although I inlcuded a pretty pic and gif XD
 
I'd prefer the RGB if they made all of the blue accents on the base units a clear acrylic so those could change colours too.
There would still be the blue on the stick and throttle but it wouldn't be as bad.
 
You're going to build your own joystick and throttle?


Yeah, I added a decent sized control panel to existing throttle/etc (it's not pretty but it works) but building stick+throttle (even with decent hall sensors) isn't actually that hard :)

There's tonnes of Arduino code around that can be used to monitor the sensors (halls are effectively magnetic pots), plenty of cheap sticks around for donor parts that would otherwise be tricky/expensive. PSP1000 thumbslides make excellent hat sticks.... it's definitely very possible :)

Using some proper, heavy metal switches for things adds lots to the feel of stuff and they're generally pretty cheap (or free if you can bothered to hunt around, it's just a ring holding the switch to a suitable metal plate, unscrew - perfect working switch).

My current setup has a load of switches/etc at fingertip reach when at max throttle (seemed logical) while genuinely not being fancy at all and still kinda small/etc. Had a panel for it 3D printed though would be super easy/better to have it cut from some sort of sheet. The perfect hole for a cherry MX switch (used 10) might be a TINY bit harder to model/cut in CAD.
 
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<Looks at Info>"ooo sounds nice I think I need one of these for Elite!"
<Notices prices> "Or maybe I should pay off my credit card first .. sigh

mice/joysticks/keyboards are getting so damn expensive....
 
Hurrah, an Rgb version of the worst hotas you can buy. :D

I stupidly bought an x55, it squeaked and creaked, the calibration was awful and the twist seized up due to cheap pots so i took it apart, it looked like a GCSE electronics project, full of poor components, glue and cheap plastic.

The only positive is that Saitek support in Milton Keynes were superb and supplied me with enough spares to build about 3 more sets which kept it going long enough to buy the warthog and give the thing away.

Even the support people at Saitek said it was badly made.
 
I like it, as with most things I'll leave it to go through a production run as Saitek/Madcatz always, always have production issues first run.

Very tempted to flog my CH Pro throttle and use it to part fun this, X55 was nice but few options for those of us not wanting to use pedals these days.
 
Saitek don't have the best reputation for quality control, software or customer service; CH kit does seem to get better reviews from its users. You're better off saving up for a Thrustmaster HOTAS imho; it'll be cheaper in the long run ;)

Fortunately OcUK has got you covered either way.
 
Hurrah, an Rgb version of the worst hotas you can buy. :D

I stupidly bought an x55, it squeaked and creaked, the calibration was awful and the twist seized up due to cheap pots so i took it apart, it looked like a GCSE electronics project, full of poor components, glue and cheap plastic.

The only positive is that Saitek support in Milton Keynes were superb and supplied me with enough spares to build about 3 more sets which kept it going long enough to buy the warthog and give the thing away.

Even the support people at Saitek said it was badly made.



Yeah I got myself an X52 last year...and after three days it was dead in the water, complate utter rubbish , I would never buy anything from Saitek again
 
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