Logitech Buys Saitek (betanews.com)

PC accessories maker Logitech announced that it is acquiring Saiket brand and its line of flight sim controller assets from MadCatz for $13 million in cash. From a report on BetaNews: Today, the company announces a surprising acquisition. Logitech has officially bought Saitek -- maker of simulation controllers. While the move was unexpected, it actually makes a lot of sense. Logitech gains entry into a niche gaming segment that depends heavily on high-priced controllers. "First, these products are just great. We know a thing or two at Logitech about what makes a gaming product stand out and these products deliver exceptional experiences. Don't take our word for it -- we've seen the Saitek fans on the forums. Second, simulation games are cool and getting cooler. Whether you're into driving, flying or exploring space, there are fresh new titles available and more to come. Some of these titles are even VR enabled and we believe that dedicated controllers will stimulate and enhance the total VR experience," says Logitech.

Comments

Goodbye Quality

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not confident this won't just result in Saitek being pilfered for engineers and then allowed to stagnate or close, while we are still stuck with Logitech quality. I have had a number of lousy experiences with Logitech gaming devices. Most recently, a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro that developed an annoying permanent yaw to the left, for which calibration has not worked to solve or alleviate. Of course, Windows 10 borked calibration, but still...similar experiences with several other Logitech sticks.

Now mice, that's a different story. Logitech makes a good basic mouse. I've got a few that are 10+ year old laser mice that still work just fine.

Re:Goodbye Quality

[Dunbal]

Logitech was never poor quality for lack of engineers. It was/is poor quality because of the shitty pots (potentiometers) they use in their products that cause them to require constant recalibration after only months of use, and are totally worthless as little as a year after purchase. Saitek used higher quality, though I guess that's all going to change now.

Re:Goodbye Quality

[Khyber]

"The mouse button switches on the M/570 trackball mouse wear out after 4-6 months for me, particularly the right mouse button"

That's because your middle finger has more strength than your index finger. Your middle finger is usually the one hitting the right-click unless you're left-handed. Given the same plastic type, switch construction, and equal weighting between usage of left/right mouse buttons, the right one will wear out far faster.

Guitarists learn this early on, and focus more strength training on the outer digits versus precision training for the middle one. It's one of the biggest causes of fret wear and tear. Watch a bunch of metal or rock music videos. When almost any note being bent without the aid of a tremolo bridge happens and is shown in video, it's done almost exclusively by the middle or index fingers. These are our dominant phlanges on that section of our body, and what we use the most often, so it makes sense they'd be stronger than the others.

Good

[CeasedCaring]

Saitek QA has been in the toilet since they were bought by MadCatz in 2007.

Re:Good

[CaptnCrud]

I know, I don't understand some of these "now the qc is going to go down the crapper" posts...the qc was already in the crapper and anyone who ever owned the x-52 and 56's know this.

If anything this might actually make things better, logitech may be the defacto generic brand but at least some of their products are good (I actually like their wired gaming mice and keyboards).

Anyway CH sticks ftw, they are ugly and old looking but you wont find a better, or smoother action for the price...their just so damn ugly though..

Nobody does HOTAS like Saitek

[Iamthecheese]

A Saitek flight controller is the best.

If Logitech takes away that legacy, however, there will be another company to pick up the slack. It would be sad to see Saitek decline, like watching a friend turn to alcohol and slide into the gutter. but the miracle of capitalism is that demand will be met. Whatever happens within five years there will still be an excellent flight controller on the market. At $250 a pop Saitek controllers are selling for now it's just too lucrative. CH, Thrustmaster... someone will step in with a godly HOTAS* at that price.


*For the uninformed, HOTAS means Hands On Throttle-And-Stick

Saitek has had some issues

[Chewbacon]

There are some discussions out there about saitek having supply chain issues and products being on backorder indefinitely. One in particular is their rudder pedals, which used to be reasonably priced, now costs hundreds of dollars. Hopefully Logitech will get things on track. The flight sim controller isn't a crazy lucrative business unless you are really enthusiastic and the ultra enthusiast is shopping above Saitek's quality.

Does anyone remember.....

[dkone]

Slim Devices (RIP)

For those not familiar, way back in the early 2000's Slim Devices put together a hardware/software package for whole house streaming audio that is STILL ahead of today's current technology. Logitech bought them in 2006, actually made a few improvements until maybe 2009-10, but I am guessing that is while the most of the unit was still staffed with Slim engineers. In 2012 they discontinued the line, followed up with the EU Radio (stupid fucking name) which was in the same housing as the last version of the Squeeze radio. The only bright part about the EU radio is that you could flash the bios to make it work as a Squeeze radio. They then discontinued the EU radio. Trying to find replacment squeeze radios gets harder and harder (and more expensive by the month). I have 8 devices at home and that should last me..... Fingers crossed.

FU logitech, stick to making mice and keyboards. You never let me down there, but did you really fuck up the Squeeze line.