I have the x45 too. Bought it when I started flying BMS about a year ago, moving up from some old Microsoft Joystick.
It might not have the worlds most precise stick, but when it comes to price vs. value, it’s still THE choice.
Bought mine off ebay for about 30EUR, later bought another one for the same price. The second one sits in a closet as a replacement - for the day my first X45 might stop working….
I did try a couple of other, more expensive, more HOTASes at the German Buchenau BMS LAN last year. Yes, many are a lot better (force sensing IS a game changer), but they cost a lot more. The X52 especially seems to be too close in performance in order to justify the money spent to upgrade (while the X45 is in working order).
EDIT: Now I see youre thinking about the X55… thats a nice one, thinking about it, too, (for when my second x45 has flown its last mission)