Saitek X45 Counterpoint

I just read the joystick roundup, and I was shocked to see
the Saitek X45 get such a bad review. I own an X36 Stick/
throttle combo which I love, and as I understand it the
X45 is very similar to the X36 -- just an updated version,
really. So, keeping in mind the differences between the
two, I'd like to respond to a few of the points made by the
reviewer.

First, he mentions that the controls are not very easy to
reach. Judging from the pictures, I don't think that the
size, dimensions, and overall shape of the devices has
changed from the X36, and I find the controls on my X36
to be quite accessible. The one exception to this is the
mouse emulator on the throttle, which is not as easy to
reach as it might be. Still, I would not characterize it
as useless, as the reviewer did. Also, I cannot speak for
the launch button, as that is different on the X45 than
on the X36. But apart from the minor flaws, I find the
ergonomics to be wonderful -- and I don't have unusually
large hands, either.

Secondly, the reviewer claimed that the rudder bar on
the throttle is inaccessible and useless. Again, I strongly
disagree. I use the rudder quite often in my flight sims,
and I've found it to be easily accessible. Short of
separate rudder pedals, I cannot imagine an easier way to
incorporate rudder control.

Finally, the Saitek software was accused of being
complicated and difficult to learn. Nothing could be
further from my experience. Considering the almost
infinite flexibility of this system's configuration, I
felt that Saitek did a remarkable job of making the
programming simple and intuitive, but still powerful.

I think that the reviewer expected the wrong things from
the X45. Saitek's stick/throttle combo is not just a
joystick -- it is a full-blown, programmable HOTAS setup
(the only real one in the roundup), and as such it requires
a little more effort to learn and get used to. But not
really that much, and once you *do* get used to it, it is
wonderful.

Just my opinion, of course...