5 years of flying so far heres the stick wrap up
Started with a Logitech..lasted about 6 months and died...no help available from anyone
Went to a TM setup..also wore it out in about a year, but TM offered to fix it for a price...hmm
Went to a CH Prothrottle, stick, rudders (gameport) Dang things still work (wherever they are) but upgraded all to USB at the point where I could sneak that much cash past the wife hehe. Been happy with them.
Set up a second system about a year and a half ago, attached an X45 with CH propedals and I have to say it works great. The stick actually has a bit of feel too it, where the Ch is kinda limp (no pun intended).Bought it new from New Egg for about 80 bucks, added and extra years warranty (bringing it to 2 years) for 5 bucks more with free shipping. Pretty sweet deal
Imho, your pretty safe with the X45 (I have a few mates that heve been flying with refurbed X45's for a lng time) or Ch stuff. Feel would be the biggest difference, but I've come to really depend on the trimwheels on the X45, and really like the stupidly simple profile software available for it at the website ( the stuff in the box is crap)
YMMV, Caveaot Emptor, and all that good stuff. Good luck.
blkmgc