My biggest issue with the Satek yoke, despite the mods, is the lack of precision and smoothness of the yoke movements, particularly in pitch control. There is simply too much slop to make precise movements. Attempting a flare on landing is much more difficult than it needs to be, especially one handed.  It is one of my biggest issues with this yoke and may invest in PFC very soon.

My brand new CH yoke is junk. Very sticky shaft during elevator control. I am now taking a look at Saitek stuff. I see two basic yokes. The "pro Flight" similar to CH plastic product and the Cessna model with a steel shaft instead of plastic. 

 

The comments on the lo-end Saitek seem to mirror CH products issues. Left-right ok but in-out not so good. So getting another plastic yoke from Saitek seems like a crap-shoot. Some are ok and others sticky.

 

Then there is the Saitek Cessna model. Allegedly it has a steel shaft. I assume that it uses cheap plastic bearings so does it have a better in-out (elevator) performance or is the shaft a $50 marketing gimmick with a 50% profit?

 

The Hat Switch look odds compared to CH yoke. The pictures seem to show it to be quite flat(low profile). I assume it is the one on the left. Any comments on that item?

 

The new CH yoke is so sticky it moves in steps when making small adjustments. I do not want to get into the same thing if I went with Saitek.

 

Oh, also, I would dump the hobby if the only good alternative was a $600 yoke.

 

And finally, joysticks flying a GA aircraft not very authentic but much cheaper.Any comments there?

I did the spring modification on the Saitek yoke about a month ago and it improved the feel for sure. But I have to agree with the poster that the aileron control is still clunky. Why they used a plastic gear mechanism for that I'll never understand - it has just enough 'stick' to drive one nuts. I hope to one day get a PFC yoke, but it will be a while.

Has anyone tried the BU0836X mod mentioned here: http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=44922&page=2 . The idea behind is to override Saitek's own controller for the aileron/elevator axes with additional USB controller that is much more precise and does't have firmware hardcoded deadzone.

 

I bought Saitek Pro Flight Yoke last week and I think it's far worse than my previous CH Yoke what comes to it's flyablity. I just cant stand the huge deadzone that cannot be removed via any software nor settings. The mechanical detent doesn't feel an issue for me, although I consider removing couple of springs anyway. I think that having even slight resonsiveness in the center area would bring back the best part of the flyabilty. Now my landings are just plain horrible. Trying BU0836X is quite tempting even with losing warranty.