I have been through a few sticks in my years, the 2 best I have used are the Saitek X series and the Logitech Freedom 2.4 wireless joysticks.
I have never used the CH products as Perk has, but these days I use the X52 and have had no problems with it.
What I like most about it is the LED lights on the buttons, so you can see them in the dark.
The Saitek sticks comes with their own programming software so you can program your stuick pretty much any way you want, but you dont have to use it and all button are detectable by the MWLL actionmapper with the exception of the lower POV hat on the stick.
I have never usted the rudder pedals for Saitek so can say anything about them, but the X52 stick comes with a twist handle, this means you can rotate the the stick left and right for say torso twist on a mech, or for rolling in an ASF.
The old Saitex X-sticks used to have a rudder control on the Throttle handle which you used your fingers to push on.
On the X52 that has been replaced by the twist handle the the stick, and I for one find that much more managable than the old system. I feel I have mcuh better control with that than the old system.
If you want a stick that will last a long time, then perhaps you should listen to Perk.
I really dont know much about the longeviety of the Satitex X-series, as I have been swaping them out as new ones have come out.
But if you want something that looks fancy yet still gets the job done then I can recommend the X52.
Its a good controler and very fexible.
For MWLL I use the X52 flight controler, and have almsot all functions maped to the stick or throttle in some way.
