Creating an Optical 360 Flight Stick...suggestions?

[MrScary]

Hey all,
I am about a week or so away from officially starting this project and would like some input from the community.  Basically, I am having a shaft machined that will allow me to hook a Happ Flightstick (upper) to the base of an Optical 360.

I am doing this for a few reasons, mainly because I love the feel of the Optical360s and I like the idea of all my controls being digital vs analog switches.  My other joysticks are Opticals and they work great.

The other reason is room.  In my current set-up, I am not sure if a full blown Analog flight stick will fit.  I already have an Optical in that space, so I know that will fit. 

I am going to order the HAPP parts soon and the machine shop is working on a brushed Stainless Steel shaft to fit the two together.  So far though, they are working on the specs and will wait for my go ahead.  My only concern is preventing the stick from twisting.  Not sure about how to address that yet.

My question to you, the community, is this...is this a good idea or a bad idea?
What other digital options are available?  Have anyone else tried this?
Any suggestions or comments?

Also, if this is successful, I can have more shafts made if anyone is interested in doing the same.  I may even offer fully assembled units to those who are interested...


Thanks....L8R!!

MrScary

[DaveMMR]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54569.0