I finally got it today, glad DHL has these self-service points so that you can pick up packages at your own convenience.
The build quality of the metal base is excellent, my custom logo turned out great. Nice LED work that can be set up to provide info on toggles, but the red gear LEDs flicker to green a little bit occasionally, for a couple milliseconds, maybe a software thing. Good set of accessible controls, which will come in handy for flight sims, especially trim and engine controls, and it's very convenient that you can rotate the grip for center mounts.
The default gimbal is smooth around the axes, which was the main feature I wanted, as it will help precision where it's important in dogfighting for instance. Good force progression toward the edges as well, doesn't stop unnaturally at a wall but builds up resistance rapidly (like an U) to make a gradual transition to a stop. If you want the extreme positions you'll have to really push it, and you'll know you're at the limits and what it entails for your craft.
The downside is the grip, I got a grey one (black would've been more fitting
), similar to the Defender Cobra I have, but with the difference that the trigger buttons aren't as tactile. Maybe it's a question of habits and taste, but I'm used to the crisp (but noisy) clicking sound/tactile feedback of my other (older) grip. The button layout (type and location), including the multi stage trigger and pinky are essential though, but I would be interested in a slightly taller PAK FA style metal one (for example) with an analog thumb joystick for use with jets and/or space craft. I hope there'll be an updated grip up for sale eventually that ships with suitable cams/springs.
All in all, a nice piece of engineering.
