The X45 is a good stick, but I did have some trouble with it.
THe XP drivers can be a pain to get working, but 98 is pretty easy using Saiteks drivers.
The problem I had was with the hardware itself. In less than 4 months I'd worn out the stick, and no amount of tightening seemed to help my problem. The stick itself became loose on the shaft it is mounted on, and it would wiggle 1/4 inch left and right around the circumference of the alluminum shaft.
Saitek replaced it, and I sold it on Ebay when I picked up my Cougar.
The X45 is still the best bang for your buck, and you can find them for less than 40$ sometimes on Ebay.