Virpil gear with MFG Crosswind pedals is as good as it gets. I'm just not willing to spend ~1000 € on a complete HOTAS set.
Well , I'm nearly 40, my financials settled and predictable, and single.
So I was sitting there one spring, thinking of embracing the stereotype.
Buy a tiny convertible and start hitting on 25 yr olds at bars.

I really don't want to be that guy.
And I could only use the convertible for two months out of the year so why?
So I figured I'd just embrace the nutty option and dive down the rabbit hole of VR and flight sims. Sure made the right choice rhere.
I don't think there are any rules here, whatever makes sense to you and works for you go for it.
I have roll and pitch on the right hand stick. The main axes on the left is thrusters forward and horisontal thrusters, left and right, makes sense to my mind.
Lateral thrust on the thumbstick, the thumbstick on these are as good as those found on xbx or PlayStation controllers.
In the Virpil software I have applied an S curve. That and any other configuration and calibration you do is stored in the sticks firmware, no software you need to keep running while you play.
The only thing I have on the twist grip is galactic and system map zoom.
I have pedals for rudder control.
I also use the thumbstick for SRV turret control.
In supercruise I use my throttle and not the left stick, that also gives me a host of additional buttons.
The main benefit to this is primarily in the forward/reverse thrusters . The long and sensitive travel means I can much easier find the correct sweet position that I want. For instance the controllability I got in the SRV was vastly increased.