Hi DaveG587.
I had a Thrustmaster stick at first, and it did me fine for my first couple of hundred hours in MSFS. But like you mentioned I found that the precision, feel in use and build quality was a bit poor. I asked around on this forum and others, and I tried out as many joysticks / hotas setups as I could find in computer shops or whatever my gaming friends owned before I settled on the VKB Gladiator, later adding some extra modules and the VKB rudder pedals.
I decided to go with a joystick / hotas as that is best suited to the way I prefer to play, and the desk space I have available is limited. I work from home and play from the same desk which I can’t easily mount a stick or yoke on, so it was important to have something fairly substantial but which could also be easily moved aside & back into play when needed.
I could have changed the desk to allow for a yoke & throttles but as I largely fly in trainers, GA craft like the DA62, mil jets and warbirds (plus the occasional A320 and helicopter outing), I prefer to go with a joystick.
In side by side comparisons between the VKB and the Logitech & Thrustmaster products I tried (Warthog, 3D Extreme, T16000 and X56) there really is no comparison - the VKB gimbal design is much, much better in use and feel than the cup-and-ball gimbals of the others. It also has contactless sensors, ballraced bearings, changeable springs and adjustable dry clutches for damping.
The basic Gladiator NXT Evo stick has a throttle built into the base for stand-alone use, plus 4 x 8-way hats, 6 x buttons, 2 x triggers and 2 x rotary encoders. It’s a modular system, and over time and as budget allowed, I have added VKB’s side module (includes flaps, landing gear, start button, some rockers and extra buttons) plus 2 x throttle modules (3 additional axes & 8 more buttons each), the WWII throttle grip and finally their GA panel, which covers all autopilot and light functions . In all, this gives me the desired substantial hotas with great feeling flight controls and loads of buttons / axes which can be used for any aircraft in the sim, whether in pancake mode or VR. Here it is:
