Rating: 
Summary: Amazing for the price
Review: Sure, the Thrustmaster Cougar has a bit more programmability and is made out of metal, but it also costs almost 1/4 as much. If you have Windows XP, download the new driver from Saiteks website, don't bother with the one on the disk included. This will make installation much easier. Once installed, this is a very capable stick. The ergonomics are excellent. Very good feel. For the person who argues that the stick is too big, he must have small hands as everything is in reach for me and my hands are of average size at best. As for the jumpy slide collar on the joystick, just put a few dabs of silicone grease in there and that problem is solved. Lastly, the cover on the launch button may be a little bit cheesy, but if you don't like it like that previous poster, just leave it in the up position. Problem solved. Bottom line, this is a killer package for the money, though if you have the money for the Thrustmaster Cougar, I would go that route.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing for the price
Review: Sure, the Thrustmaster Cougar has a bit more programmability and is made out of metal, but it also costs almost 1/4 as much. If you have Windows XP, download the new driver from Saiteks website, don't bother with the one on the disk included. This will make installation much easier. Once installed, this is a very capable stick. The ergonomics are excellent. Very good feel. For the person who argues that the stick is too big, he must have small hands as everything is in reach for me and my hands are of average size at best. As for the jumpy slide collar on the joystick, just put a few dabs of silicone grease in there and that problem is solved. Lastly, the cover on the launch button may be a little bit cheesy, but if you don't like it like that previous poster, just leave it in the up position. Problem solved. Bottom line, this is a killer package for the money, though if you have the money for the Thrustmaster Cougar, I would go that route.
Rating:
Summary: Awesomely capable HOTAS system
Review: The most extensive set of controls you can get. I was particularly impressed by the throttle unit, with its triple set of thumbable controls: programmable rotaries (e.g. instrument select, weapons select) and ministick, plus rudder rocker control under my middle fingertips.
Good visual feedback.
Industry-leader software allows you to drag-n-drop commands (even command strings and - get this - programmable intervals between the individual keystrokes in the string) on to the buttons, rotaries, shifts (pinkie) etc.
That's neat: with a complex state-of-the-art flight sim, it takes some tweaking to get them just right. With this drag-n-drop system, it's a breeze.
BTW - I fly real planes too.
Rating:
Summary: Veteran Gamer and Real Jet Pilot
Review: The type of person that looks for advanced gaming control systems that sell at and above this price range should be one intelligent enough to use it to it's full potential. It's not meant to be an "out of the box just plug it in and fly" one step controller for kids or casual simmers. It's a system for those who want to maximize control of the game! Well it takes a little time and effort to get there. For those who said you read the directions yet you couldn't even figure out how to hook up the the throttle, you just made a BIG lying fool out of yourself. The throttle doesn't use a serial port connector, it uses a gameport connector which plugs right into the joystick and the joystick plugs into the USB port. Setup is the easiest part and if you can't get that right just put it back in the box and take it back to the store right now! It's not recommended for WinNT(read the Box) and if you're using WinXP just go to the Saitek site and look in the right places and you'll find the proper driver that solves the problems provided you know how to download, install, and setup, a simple SGE program. I have four computer systems in my home (one is a laptop) all on a LAN. My Saitek X45s work on all of them just fine, even my laptop! MY systems are using three versions of windows...98SE, ME,and XP. I actually read the directions and downloaded all the driver updates before installing them so I had very few problems.
True, if you write Saitek an email asking for help they'll take a long time getting around to it. But Hey, they're in Europe what do you expect, everything is slower over there. They're laid back and Americans are always in a hurry. So despite a couple of minor nuisances I give it five stars for the way it feels in your hands, the ergonomic placement of buttons and controls. The throttle friction is easily adjustable from one screw on the bottom. (disassembly not required)It's programmability is the ultimate in flexibility. You can easily setup multiple or combination key presses too. To top it all off it's designed just like the control sticks on Europe's high tech EF2000 fighter jet. For the number of buttons and modes available it is second only to CH Products F16 Stick and Throttle combo. Yet it costs less than half the price of those. Thrustmaster is too stiff, not adjustable, and very expensive. The MS Sidewinder is for kids. The Logitech Wingman is a joke. They're durable, I have the old X36 Stick/Throttle combo and two of the newer X45 controller sets and they work as accurately as the day I bought them. Clean them and your USB/gameports once in a while and you'll see how sharp they can be! For Value, Features, and Design it scores an A+. Games I play with it? Starwars Starfighter, Battle for Naboo, Rogue Squadron, X-wing, Need for Speed, EF2000, F22ADF, Nascar2000, Janes Fighters Anthology, USAF, F-15, F/A-18, Mig-29, F-16, F22 Lightning 2 and 3,AH-64D Longbow, Comanche4, MechWarrior, Jedi-Knight, StarTrek Elite Force, Quake 3 Arena, and OF COURSE... Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, 2002, Combat FS, Combat FS 2 and 3. Get yourself a set of CH Products Pro Pedals USB to complete the package. You too will get closer to being "as real as it gets".
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money!
Review: There's a wonderful saying of truth in this world that goes like this: If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Well, Saitek should have heeded this advice. The X36 joystick produced by Saitek was a flight simmer's dream. Economical and very capable. Also very compatible. The first version was analog and you had to calibrate it often. Not the worst thing in the world, but it was really nice when the digital version came out which required no calibration. The only improvement that could have or should have been made to the X36 was the new self centering and constant tension spring on the stick. That is the only thing the X45 improved upon.Unfortunately, Saitek thought they needed to mess around with the driver files for the joystick and more than likely changed the integrated circuit board design inside as well. But here's the thing...it doesn't claim to or actually do anything the X36 did. In fact, the X36 actully worked like it was supposed to while the X45 isn't useful for much more than a boat anchor...especially if you want to play Falcon 4.0. Also, you have to calibrate the darn thing again if, and that's a big IF, you can get it to work at all! So here's the best advice you can ever get about the X45...run as fast as you can away from it. You DO NOT want one unless you like ulcers, loss of sleep, loss of money, loss of hair, etc.. Take my advice or you will certainly wish you had...I took mine back to the place of purchase three days after I bought it.
Rating:
Summary: the sky is the limit.
Review: These things are cool. Have XP no problem, lit them up inside of 10 minutes. I admit they are a little complicated, but to have adult fun you may need to read the manual. I am now looking for the ultimate game to go with the perfect controls. *High quality construction.
*Ultimate programmability.
*Easy to install.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent HOTAS
Review: This hands-on throttle and stick combo is definitely worth the price. Great game profile construction with the included software. Excellent control - I have not had the problems with sticking buttons that others have had. ONE PROBLEM: The suction cups do not work to keep the controllers stable and the plastic construction (albeit sturdy) doesn't add enough weight to take care of this problem. I would give this product 5 stars if the pieces could be fastened down better.
Rating:
Summary: No peripheral is ever perfect...
Review: This HOTAS has more promise than any other joystick or gaming peripheral I've used so far. The programmibility of the stick is awesome by itself. I love the look, the price point, and the button placement design of the hardware. It doesn't work for everyone, so test drive it first before you buy. I've been using this setup for about 5 months now...
When I took this thing out of the box, installed the software (use the saitek site, not the CD!!!) and loaded Mechwarrior 4, I was somewhat dissappointed. The weight of the joystick and throttle cause them to slip and silde with stronger game movements. The rubber pads on the bottom don't really work all that well. With this setup out of the box, in spite of everything I love about it, I give it an unremarkable 1.5 stars.
However, EVERYTHING changed when I decided to mount the two pieces to brackets I fashioned for desk or chair use. By using the mounting holes below the stick and throttle, the x45 became a serious gaming peripheral and buttons that were hard to use before (rudder rocker switch) became easy and almost effortless! The biggest shortcoming of the x45 for me is stability. The mounting bracket solved this.
This is not a joystick for everyone. My hands are a bit smaller, so I had a reach a little more but not uncomfortably for certain buttons. Out of the box, this piece is something of a letddown because of its instability for practical, more aggressive gaming. Slap the HOTAS on a wood and steel bracket, you're ready to rock.
Just don't forget to make a hole for the tension screw on the throttle! I had to take my bracket apart last week to make this change and it's a pain.
Saitek x45 out of box == 1.5 stars
Saitek x45 mounted on bracket == 4.75 stars
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Best - from a GA pilot
Review: This is the best fighter throttle and joystick combo out there. The product is easy to install (follow the directions, the throttle plugs into the joystick and the joystick plugs in to the computer.) and the configurability is excellent.
I am a GA pilot and use this for both combat sims (IL2, LOMAC, Aces High), X-Plane and FS2004. The construction is rock solid (it is not made of cheap plastic like most joysticks on the market) and the ability to change the tension on the joystick and throttle are an added bonus.
Bottom Line: If you're an avid flight sim fan looking for a joystick, skip the rest, buy the best.
Rating: 
Summary: If it's not metal, it's garbage!
Review: This product is a great starter HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick). But it is a HORRIBLE finisher. The buttons stick. A quick perusal of the usenet will show this to be the norm. The stick has an annoying (and childish) cover over the missile button. This is stupid. The stick is WAY too big as well. I'm all over it trying to get to the different buttons. A REAL fighter joystick has all buttons VERY easy to reach. You can forget about quick response with this thing. The stick's programmability leaves A LOT to be desired. There is no way to program a key to do different keystrokes on subsequent presses. For instance, button 8 could map to "g" to lower gear. And then, hitting button 8 again would map to "U" to cause gear to retract. The stick's plastic resistance base at the end of the springs also doesn't move smoothly - it's jumpy. My recommendation: Cougar HOTAS from ThrustMaster. I'm E-Bay'ing my Saitek.
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