I don't know where people come up with TM being crap.
I have had an F-16 FLCS and F-16 TQS for over 5 years now. THe only thing I have ever had to do was replace the potentiometer in the TQS, and I even got the manufacturer to send one to me free as a user sample
I also have the Formula T2 driving wheel and peddals, which also work perfect after 5 years. Heck, I even use the T2 peddals for my rudder controls.
Never had any stick spikes. Never had to calibrate after initial setup. Never had to replace broken springs.
Also, the programmability of the TQS is far beyond that of the X36 and probably the others too. (I tried the X36 last year while on a trip in Texas)
The new HOTAS Cougar from Thustmaster will be far superior to anything on the market today. ALL medal construction, USB and fully programable with multiple configurations that can be interchanged on the fly with a simple button press, including reversable and selectable axis control, input scaling and user defined macros.
This stick-set is going to kick ass. And DeJa, where the heck did you pre-order this thing? I want one ASAP.