Lance;
I have the CH F-16 Fighterstick.
The 8-way hat works just fine in AH.
I also use the little index finger button for up view and the pinke for down. That's 26 views with 1 hat and 2 buttons!
It has 2 separate fire buttons, index trigger and thumb.
I use the side thumb-hat for el. and rudder trim, another hat for zoom, [, and ], and the fourth hat for ail. trim and films and pics (never use them though).
I can't do Jack without all the buttons, and am very happy with it's perpormance.
I have had Saitek and TM sticks and throttles, and prefer CH stuff.
Saitek, IMO, has the best argonomics/feel (sp.?) and button possibilities, but the quality sucks. They wear out in a couple of months, spike like crazy, and caused 3 different types of computer lock-ups! One kind required a hard re-boot. I have heard that the USB versions don't have the lock-up problem, but the pots still suck and the bushings wear out.
TM has pretty good quality (Although 2 out of 4 of the units that I bought had faulty buttons right out of the box.).
TM programing (at least 4 years ago)[F-16 FLCS + WCS] was a nightmare. I honestly think I could ace any college math course with less effort than it takes to learn and troubleshoot TM programing. Saitek can be learned in an hour, CH in 5 min. TM support is non-existant.
I have yet to try the Logitek Digital stuff, but have heard GREAT things about thier sensitivity and durability. Don't think they have quite so many buttons and hats though.
Anyway, I also have a CH pro throttle and Pro rudders that I am also very satisfied with and have very few problems.
Bottom line, SPLURGE! You won't regret it.
eskimo