...on my x36, I was able to assign buttons to this device and get it to work as a hatch switch. It became my flaps control - would love to duplicate that, but I can't see how to make this act as a hat switch, even though the manual says it can. The only options in the SST are for 'axis' or 'bands'Help appreciated.

Try asking at the Saitek forum. I found them to be very helpful....

I have the X-45 with it's little mouse hat with elevator and aileron trim. It should be feasible with the X-52 (I imagine). In the profile editor, see if you can click a little arrow on that mouse's assignments to choose 'buttons'