It might be like you say but I find it very easy and accurate in FSX to dial in using the scroll wheel. For me it absolutely is the preferred way in FSX.
Like I said earlier it would be very nice to at least have the option for this plane.
I have to be honest though, I don't have any experience with scroll wheel in X-plane but if it can get near the FSX experience it is my number one choice of manipulating dials.