I can not testify to the longevity since I have only had this setup on my bedroom simulator setup for a couple of months now. The configurable led backlighting when looking at the settings from the device and printers area of win 7 is pretty awesome and there are a considerable number of back lighted switches and knobs on the pro system that really makes it stand out from other devices on the market. The Metal parts of this stick and throttle gives a overall better impression of quality to the Pro version.
It returns to center better than I ever remember my old X52 did. The dual spring design is also a plus in the twist ( rudder ) part of the Pro. I have had an original CH yoke and I now use the CH Eclipse and CH rudder pedals in my main sim setup in my basement and even though they are great yokes, I can fly more precise with the X52 Pro. The X52 Pro is listed as having twice the sensors and I believe it is true as I have never had the precision that it delivers to my flying.
I had a Plain Saitek X52 years ago and one of the Hall Effect Sensors would Intermittently Fail and the stick would not center in roll otherwise it was a good stick.
