I got mine a few weeks ago and it has been heaven for me.
I was using an X-45 before the resistor cup "swelled" (this is what Saitek said, as some cups can swell due to humidity or something like that) lubricants, 'tricks' didn't work so I removed the spring, which meant that I had to keep a steady hand to keep it centered. Overall the X-45 was bulky and since my hands aren't THAT big, the joystick felt huge.
When I got the X52 I fell in love with the spring. I have a bad right wrist from work and typing so this helps A LOT. Plus with the adjuster height my prayers of a small hand in a large stick world were answered.
The functions on the X-52 completely and totally outweigh the X-45 in my opinion. 3 2-way switches, two-stage trigger, better button placement, slider on throttle, LCD display, and my personal favorite, spring-locked SAFE switch (Which becomes UNSAFE for when I bailout).
All in all, I love my X-52. Don't care much for the twisty rudder as when I had my Cyborg, it'd sit in my lap and it wouldn't be a problem, but with it off to the side it hurts, so I rarely use it. I'm going to buy a set of pedals though.
