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Saitek X7-38

Saitek · 1999 · 4-Button Joystick
One of the best sub-$40 joysticks ever made, if you can keep it from sliding.
4.5
Excellent
POCG VERDICT
Flawless button placement and a throttle that spoils you, but you'll need a brick to hold it down.
The Saitek X7-38 is ugly and light, but its button layout and throttle are so perfect I lost it to a colleague before I finished the review.
About This Hardware

The Saitek X7-38 is a 4-button flightstick released by Saitek in the late 1990s. Designed as an affordable option for flight sim and action game enthusiasts, it connects via the standard 15-pin PC game port and works with Windows 95 and DOS. The stick stands 8.5 inches tall and features a sculpted grip with a single trigger and three large thumb buttons on an oversized head. A sliding turbo switch with green LED sits on top, while the base houses two trim knobs and a large left-side throttle with 0-100 markings. The throttle is notable for its firm, precise resistance, which is achieved through tight-tolerance casting rather than heavy damping. The base measures 5.5 by 8 inches and includes removable suction cups. Internally, the X7-38 uses simple resistor-based circuitry and slide potentiometers for the X and Y axes, with no microchips or added weights. Its light weight, while making it less stable during aggressive maneuvers, contributes to its comfort over short sessions. The joystick ships with no software, relying on Windows 95's built-in game controller calibration. Despite its unusual, almost triangular aesthetic and lack of a palm rest, the X7-38 earned praise for its excellent button placement and throttle feel, making it a standout budget choice in its day.

Specifications
Interface15-pin PC game port
Buttons4 (trigger + 3 thumb buttons)
ThrottleLeft side, 0-100 scaled, firm resistance
Trim Controls2 (X and Y trim knobs on base)
TurboSlide switch with LED indicator
Height8.5 inches (including suction cups)
Base Dimensions5.5 x 8 inches
WeightLight (no internal weights)
Suction Cups4 removable
CompatibilityWindows 95, DOS 6.0+, IBM PC compatibles
Hardware Info
ManufacturerSaitek
Category4-Button Joystick
Released1999
MSRP$39.95
ReviewedJune 14, 2026
How to Get One Today
Price
MSRP: $39.95
Notes & Warnings
Available on the used market. Check eBay for 'Saitek X7-38'. Expect $15-30 for a working unit. Ensure the game port connector is intact and the throttle still moves with resistance. The suction cups are often missing; replacements can be found. No drivers needed for Windows 95/98, but modern systems require a USB adapter and may need calibration software.
Editor's Note
This hardware review was restored from the POCG archive and rewritten in the Maniac voice. The original score was 8.5/10, converted to 4.5/5 on the POCG scale.