(Moderator: I posted this in the FS2004 forum and not on the Hardware Discussion Forum so that it would reach the widest membership possible. My apologies if that decision was inappropriate.) Saitek has finally made an official announcement regarding the recent "phantom commands being sent by faulty switches" issue I and many others have been experiencing with their new flight sim yoke and throttle system that I originally discussed here:<< http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...&topic_id=29505 >>According to their support team, "After much investigation into this, it appears that this issue is not widespread at all. Those of you with this issue have faulty units and they need to be returned to the store where they were purchased for an exchange.Very sorry that you've had this trouble but the replacement units should work fine for you."Saitek has also asked that if anyone else here is experiencing problems with this product please email the head of the investigation. Here is the thread at their support forum if you'd like to read it -- the email address is on page 2 of this thread:<< http://www.saitekforum.com/showthread.php?t=12687&page=4 >>I know there are a lot of people who have bought the product and don't have this problem but, personally I hope Saitek isn't kidding themselves a bit and that this problem isn't more wide spread than they'd like to think. I'm very relieved that I bought mine through Amazon.com as their policy is to pay shipping both ways in the event of a defective product (Bravo, Amazon!). I would recommend for now that anyone considering the purchase of this product consider making their purchase through a distributor who will do the same. Of course, Amazon is currently out of stock, so it will be at least 4 to 6 weeks before I get a replacement unit and can report whether or not Saitek's assessment is accurate or not.Overall, though, I do appreciate the unit's heavier feeling metal shafted design over my CH Products all plastic one, as well as the separate throttle levers, and will most likely try to continue to use the Saitek unit for now. However I do get frustrated that my view angles, flaps, and engine cutoffs are suddenly and inexplicably activated, especially when I'm trying to land at the end of a 3 1/2 hour session and just 150 feet above the runway! And my Saitek does have the same "sticky shaft" problem the CH product has, but the Saitek sticks when turning the wheel left to right, as opposed to CH's "in and out" resistance, but those are only minor annoyances.Certainly, if the random switch activation problem gets any worse I'll have to go back to the CH Yoke.

I sent mine back because of this problem. I could not even get the engines started on a plane before the phantom buttons started. I have a feeling that people are just dealing with the issue, but I can't have things like flaps, landing gears, etc going off randomly during the flight. I have been very pleased with Saitek gear in the past (and I am now back using my X52 right now), but this experience has not been positive. In addition to the phantom keys, my yoke was off-center fairly significantly. I was just going to deal with it, but the random keys were intolerable.

To add to this enigma I notice that "due to logistical reasons" the next batch of yokes won't be available until November 14th......

I didn't mention it but I had problems with Saitek's X52 and had to return it. My skepticism about their solution is rooted in that past experience and, also, the rapidity of their conclusion. I'm very eager to get my replacement system so that I can decide for myself.

And my Saitek does have the same>"sticky shaft" problem the CH product has, but the Saitek>sticks when turning the wheel left to right, as opposed to>CH's "in and out" resistance, but those are only minor>annoyances.>>Certainly, if the random switch activation problem gets any>worse I'll have to go back to the CH Yoke. I, too, had a "sticky shaft".. but mine was in the Y axis, as opposed to yours in the X axis... Additionally, I had a permanently off-axis tilt in the X axis.. the yoke was tilted about 5 degrees right when "centered".Saitek suggested I return it for a replacement (which I have - bought mine through Amazon.com as well!)Overall, though.. I was very pleased with the look, feel and general aesthetics of it!- Alex

Good morning, Alex.Your replacement solved your problems then?