I loved the USB Saitek X36 until I kept wearing out hat switches.
I ordered a ANOTHER brand new one, which came from stock bad. Something was wrong digitally and it wouldn't center. That was a pisser, so I bought a X45 which finally had a spring to help what I concidered a sloppy feel. Unfortunatley, and that was bad as well.
So I just unplugged them all, returned the X45, and will get a hoopty stick to use until Thrustmaster releases the good stuff in January.
The X36 was a great solution for awhile, but not worth messing with how badly they are built.