Looks like I have to break down and get one of these. For years I've been so happy with my Logitech rumble pad but everyone here is insistant that wont fly (pardon the pun) with Wing Commander which I will now be getting for my BDay next month.
Instead of looking for myself, my lazy ass is going to ask for all of you to pick one out for me. Just so you know, last stick I had was a sidewinder I bought back in 97, 98? I loved it but I used it for Carmageddon and I beat on it a little much.

Am I still talking about gaming or did this thread just take a pornographic turn!?

I use this little CH beauty myself, but I know it's on the pricier spectrum of things. I love it though. If you're feeling more like a cheap bastard this Logitech one seems to do an okay job, according to quite a few folks around these parts.

I've been using that Logitech one for the last 5+ years.

I'm partial to Logitech and the more buttons the less keyboard work which is good, however there are some nasty complaints online that it tends to lose calibration over time and you can't get it back? Have you ever noticed this?

Never had a problem.

The forum has previously said good things about CH Products, um, products: http://www.chproducts.com/Consumer-Products-v13-p-124.html#5

Ha ha! Yeah I saw that and I actually bought one. Not for my computer mind you; I'm building an F-16 in my garage.

Since you didn't mention a budget, I'm going to play the old joke and tell you to pour as much money on it as possible. Can't go too wrong. I think the most expensive joystick set-up you can buy these days is the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog.

In any case, I've heard that Saitek should be avoided. Reliability issues, apparently. My Cyborg EVO still works alright, but I've used it fairly little anyway.

I played my whole pc childhood time with Gravis analog - never managed to break it no matter how much i tried.

These days I have some used low end budged CH flightstick and I actually dont like it. Maybe I would pick up sims again if I bought a proper joystick again, but not in a hurry really.