I am a mode 2 thumb guy, When ever I take my heli for flying, even though I am confident hovering, my thumbs start to shake due to nervousness, and this shaky ness shows mostly on the throttle stick, pitch pumping the heli, this happens initially for a few mins and settles down. I noted that pinching on the stick reduces this.

So should I change to pinch? Is it worth all the effort to change? what do you guys have to say?

PS: I have tightened the throttle stick a little so that it does not move easily. still should I change to pinch? I have seen on the videos that most of the expert flyers are pinch.

I have had a plane crash because my thumb slipped.  I have been in the process of moving to pinch for a while now, but I tend to forget that many times.  When I remember it, I fly pinch, and that is my destination ! 

When you are moving to pinch, a harness on the radio really helps.

What harness? You mean a neck strap? Or some people make a whole platform to rest their hands like Rao has done.

Yes.  Harness or neck strap.  Unlike thumbs, pinch makes holding the TX a bit awkward, so the strap/harness helps.

The whole tray thing is pretty rare, although seems to be a bit more prevalent in Europe (based on Youtube videos!).

I use mode 2 and recently changed from thumb to pinch . I used to find the thumb easier , but i feel safer with pinch.

O yea, and a neckstrap really makes it comfortable to hold the tx if useing the pinch method.

Its really becoming pain for me to change from thumbs to pinch. I was not even able to hover my 450 using pinch. I think as the saying goes - Practice makes man perfect.

+1 !  Still "in between" thumb and pinch.  Lack of adequate sim time these days is a major factor.

From my earlier experience, pinch with extended sticks, gives you the best control. But this necessitates the use of a tray. It feels a bit strange, in the beginning, and - apparently - more sensitive. But once you get used to it, you are hooked!

I have made a few sticks for Futaba and am making a tray for my 9Z also.

 
 struggled with mode 1 for some time  .......then discovered mode 2 

 its all about conditioning....IMO M2 is better for beginners.

 for the strap.....just pick up a ID card tag. Costs 20/- and easily available at any stationary shop.

ID card tag presses on the neck after some time of use. Camera straps are way better. Believe me I have tried all. By the way Welcome to MODE 2 Club 

hey..guys..i want to go for a simulator..but i'm not sure whether to go for mode 1 or mode 2..since this is my first sim..i feel i can get used to either one but which would u say is more generally used in india?? and that i should practice on??..i feel mode 2 would be more convenient.. ..but open to suggestions..

Mode 2 would put you in the majority.  This helps when you need help from others with testing your stuff. Mode 2 is also more natural (also closer to real/fullscale planes).

i thought mode 1 was more popular in India?...

Not any more, it seems ?

Just look at the poll results above (as a sample) !

Mode 1.

Flying Plane & Heli's both on mode 1.

A heli flier on our field (from Lebanon) switched from Mode 1 to Mode 2 over the past couple of months.  He used to do 3D in mode 1, but struggled quite a bit the piro flip.  He says it is like being born again !  Crashed once also in the process.

"mixed pinch and thumb" on Mode 2
I use pinch for throttle and thumb for elevator

Heli 3D by japanese pilot Tooru  (Mode 1) Thumbs, like me 

Of course, it can be done... it us just quite a bit more difficult.  And combined with that, there are many maneuvers which start with the piro-flip, with minor stick variations, like piro-hurricanes, piro-tictocs etc. 

Why forcing mode 2? are all the people in kerala mode 2? 

Would about 85% in the world (and India) work better than all of Kerala ?

See the poll here : http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/mode-1-or-mode-2-pinch-or-thumb/  (Please vote!)

And this : http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/mode-1-or-mode-2-pinch-or-thumb/msg37343/#msg37343

Most of the old timers who does not report here are mode 1   I see more than 50% at jakkur and iisc Mode 1

Do a full survey on even a city like Bangalore (which is not just Jakkur), and you will know what is the current situation, and where the future is heading

And I am quite skeptical even about Jakkur.  If you consider the 3ch helis, then it is a washout !

Ya correct, all the NEW ones are entering mode 2. But still when I wanted to learn helis, there was only Rajesh who could help me out! I agree recommending sensible mode