I think anyone with a little "do it yourself" experience and basic tools could build the base for alot less in a few weekends. All you need to build is a gimbal and make a stick. The two hall sensors and one of these
http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/ fill out the electronic requirements.
I am actually building my own stick, throttle, rudder setup using the BU0836. The only thing appealing is the replica stick I may actually spend 200 on it as my first attempts at carving one were less than impressive.