mode 2 is the way to go
in mode 2 you can fly with one hand if you need two, their have been times when i really needed to answer the phone (answer not talk, land then talk), hand people stuff, ect, while flying i couldnt do that with mode 1
mode 1 is also much more popular so if you want someone to trim your plane good luck finding a mode 1 pilot.
elevator and alieron on one stick, imo, is far more precise than rudder w/ elevator. your aileron are used the most, so if you are flying at full throttle it would be a little funky to have your fingers streched out that far, or down if you are at idle.

its the most popular for a reason.....it is the best