I've had a look at the Leo Bodnar BU0836X which looks, if not idiot-proof, maybe suited to my level of idiocy.
Some users - in this forum - have problem with axis detection with BU0836X.
BU0836A is more "bullet proof".
Two questions: 1. would I just bin all the circuits from within the X-45 and wire it all into the BU0836X?
Axis is just matter or use 3 wires for each potentiometer - replace the originals with microphone cable (shielded).
Buttons you need use two wires for each (or one common and one for each button) with BU0836X, and remove all
Saitek original wiring, because use some kind of matrix (can be 4X6,3x8...)...
You can trace a map of the actually wires and make changes to adapt for BU0836, but is headache. Better erase all and make news, of course leave buttons and HAT's in place.
If case of BU03836A is need combine buttons in 6x6 matrix, more laborious.
would this reduce the noise in the system sufficiently that I could just up the sensitivity in-game or would I have to replace other bits?
The ideal is replace the potentiometers, at least in X and Y axis, for quality ones like Bourns, Spectrol.
The problem is joystick need a ~60 degrees potentiometers, and most of available to buy are 270 degrees...
If you use a 270 degrees pot' and turn then only 60 degrees you loose resolution, because his voltage variation will
not be 0 ~ 5 v.
If I remember correctly L.Bodnar boards (BU0836) have a software that allow "ZOOM" the axis output... Check his page.
Sokol1