I'd say the "worth it" really comes down to how much you want to play Ikari Warriors - style games. I pretty much got mine specifically for Time Soldiers.
As for small and dinky - they are definitely compact, but I find them to be very well made, and actually like the design of the sticks, given their intended use. (8 way + rotation)
Also, I'm finishing up designing my cab (borrowing from Frosty's design) which will have a rotating CP. I don't think I'd want to use LS-30's as my primary joystick.