Ive had no experience with that particular model, but saitek is good mid-grade brand controller.  Looks like you have 4 stick buttons, 4 2-way toggles, 3d-twist, and duel throttle.  Plus a mode switch for alternate stick maps.  If I were in the market for a stick, it sounds like it would be worth consideration.
If you did ask first, I would have said to look at Saitek's if you need to keep it under $100.  Another alternative if you were willing to go used would be to check out Ebay or something for the X-52 or x-45 HOTAS.  Also would have added the caution to stay away from logitec.
Barring any design flaws with that model, sounds like you did ok.