As for the slop, if you're willing to tear it down, you can improve the stick a lot by shimming the linkage to the x-axis motor (the top one) and moving the magnet closer to the sensor with a washer or two. Extend the stick by moving it a notch up on the shaft while you're at it. Once I did all that hovering in the Huey like a pro was a cinch. You have to be careful with the magnet, though. A fraction of a millimeter off, and the stick is going to center crooked, which is a pain in the ass. Get it right, and it's the best stick for helis with simffb besides a fully extended Warthog. But I can understand if you're allergic to the thing; heck, obviously they were too at Logitech, cause they couldn't support the thing for but a year.