So do you still use it, or was it just experimental?
My "justification" for buying it was Google Earth, and I still use it for that purpose.
For Orbiter, I found it a bit too clumsy for one-handed use, because it slides on the table surface. Besides, I'm quite happy with keyboard RCS control.
On the other hand, if I were building a simpit, I'd give it another chance. Mounted on a stable surface, an armrest, for example, it could work quite well.
[highlight]Edit: Just tried it again and could not get any decent configuration which would be usable. The "roll" axis did not work at all. Maybe I've accidentally messed up my SpaceNavigator config while experimenting with the game device drivers, months ago. But don't rush out and buy one, just now ...[/highlight]
If FBW had the rate and pulse modes we discussed before, would it be more useable?
Definitely, yes.
It might also benefit from a "one-command-at-a-time-only" mode. That is, if the controller settings are, say, 63% translate forward, 13% rotate right, and 3% down, all but the 63% forward would be discarded. This would allow for smaller deadzones but with the obvious downside that you could not command two separate RCS maneuvers at the same time.
For all I (do not) know, such a mode might actually be realistic for the space shuttle and Apollo.