Moggy,
I have a saitek x36/x35 joystick/throttle setup and I like it. It connects via either usb or jstick port and I use it with USB. Saitek finally redid their stick programming utility so it actually makes sense.
I am also using analog ch pedals which are hooked up to the joystick port with an analog wheel. AH is smart enough that even with all these controllers, I can still select what axis I want to use for what and it all works.
I've had the saitek for a couple of years and although I'm not too rough on sticks, this is one of the first I've found that hasn't gotten all sloppy at the center point. I don't know how the newer saitek stick/throttle setups work but if they're anything like the x36/x35 they ought to be fine. Lots of buttons, hat switches, a switch that can be programmed to be like a mouse, an analog rocker and 2 digital/analog wheels on the throttle, etc etc. The programming tool (mine is version 3.2.x) is fairly easy to use now and it works under winXP.