Saitek X45 or Cougar?

[logjam]

I've often thought about a Thrustmaster Cougar hotas, the only real drawback is the price. However, apart from the cheap plastic feel, I have been told that the Saitek X45 performs better and is more reliable in terms of components etc. Can anyone confirm this?

[Nexus]

They both get the job done.
But the cougar is more precise (has more than twice amount of "sensors" compared to a normal joystick) and has that lovely metal feel.
Only drawback is that the speedbrake button is not properly aligned with the pot (on some units), which will eventually break the button in 2, it is very difficult to explain if you don't own one yourself

[logjam]

Niicce setup there  :-/

[Scottler]

I've had my X45 for over two years, and I've never even given one thought to a "cheap plastic feel".  It's just something that's never crossed my mind.  (Primarily because at $90, it wasn't as expensive as the Cougar, but I'd hardly call it cheap.  They've come down about $20 since I got mine.)

Most importantly, I've done some pretty extreme flying, and I've never broken any of the 18 buttons, dials, etc....

[jakubz_87]

No expierience with the cougar, though i use the X45.
Got it for about $80.
I'm stickin' with it.