I actually have an old nostromo but am looking for something better. I found one item, it looked kind of interesting, but I'm not completely sold on it:
I've found other stuff, but they're super expensive. This is one of the cheaper models I've found:
But I've since started searching for a gaming mouse. I found this one. Any idea if it's a good model:
I use a Razer Tartarus as an extra set of buttons. I set it to work as joystick inputs. You can customize the RGB on each key, which makes it easy to reference/organize your buttons.
Helpful hint for anyone who has a joystick and wants to get a throttle. Look at getting a razor gamepad or something similar. It's not perfect, but I find it works fairly well and they only cost $40-80 depending on the model. It's a good temporary solution until HOTAS throttles come back into stock and prices go down. I'm using this one right now. It's currently on an Amazon prime sale for $50.
Depending on budget, he might want to use something like this completely programmable gamepad:
https://smile.amazon.com/Razer-Tartarus-Progammable-Detachable-Mecha-Membrane/dp/B07754PYFK/
I'm right-handed, but learned to mouse with my left hand 20 years ago after RSI injury, and have gamed with left-hand-on-mouse since then, though I've started to train with my right hand for games.
I've got a few suggestions that might be useful.
First is something along the lines of the Razer Nostromo PC Gaming Keypad (amazon link) It's a combo mouse keypad for one-handed use. 16 buttons
or
Or the Razer Tartarus v2 Gaming Keypad (amazon link) 32 programmable keys
That will at least give you a decent starting point to search for other possible models.
There is one other thing that you might want to think about in addition to one of those things - using programmable footpedal inputs to give you more key options by using your feet.
Finding one that fits your needs and doesn't cost a fortune can be hard. I wanted a set of pedals for flying helicopters in ArmA, but I decided to build my own instead for under $40. I used this thing called a Makey-Makey board, that's designed for kids that lets you turn just about anything into a keyboard/controller input device - regular old buttons/switches for a controller or even make a piano out of bananas, lol. You can have up to 16 programmable buttons, no soldering or complex electrical or programming skills needed.
The one I built has two separate ramps/stands made from the backplates of some old computers, one for each foot, with two big 2 inch diameter buttons like you would find on an old arcade game. I use them for keybinds that I might be holding down for a long time - one for voice chat in game, another for voice chat on Discord/Teamspeak. The other two are for various things like telling OBS to start/stop recording, change scenes, etc.
The Makey-Makey board cost me ~$25, the buttons maybe $10, and the backplates were just crap I had laying around at work that was about to go in the dumpster.
If you're interested, I can message you a link to a google doc that has a simple build plan.
