This Joystick Will Take You To The Next Level Of Gaming!
Written: Jun 20 '00 (Updated Jul 03 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: DIGITAL PERCISION! INCLUDES EXCELLENT FORCE FEEDBACK! It is very durable!
Cons: It can be a little pricy and the force feedback feature isn't compatable with every game.
|
|
|
| etrustman's Full Review: Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro (656-00004... |
The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the newest edition to my joystick collection. Actually, I don't collect joysticks, but it might seem that way; I currently have 4 total PC gaming devices. The reason that I bought a new joystick was for the new features that it offered. After using "Epinions.com" to preview what I was going to buy, I decided to give it a shot. I was interested in the "new level of gaming experience" that is supposed to come with the joystick, and I'll tell you, it definitely brought me to this new level.
Some New Features
Force Feedback. What is it?
Force feedback is actually quite new in the market. It deals with the "vibration" action, which occurs whenever there is some sort of action in a game. For example: in the game Mech Warrior 3, the joystick will violently shake whenever you are shot at or your vehicle is destroyed. Sometimes the shaking is so violent it will literally shake right out of your hand; if it wasn't for the rubber pads on the base, it would end up on the floor!
Another great addition that Microsoft made to their joystick is that you can actually feel from which direction you are being shot at! This allows you to react faster to threats than with a non-Force Feedback joystick. Is that cool or what?
The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro also features more than 100 different force feedback sensations. This means that now you can experience a separate category of sensational force feedback for every genre! Talk about experiencing a game!
16-bit on stick processor and its own RAM
The 16-bit on stick processor and included RAM is what makes the price tag. Since Microsoft included so many force feedback sensations, the stick would require A LOT of RAM and a super fast Pentium processor to run. The on stick processor and RAM is meant to speed up the transfer of instructions from the stick to your computer to improve game speed and to increase the compatibility with older computers.
Multi-Layered Forces
The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro features an innovation called multilayered forces. What this does is it allows you to experience two different, noticeable sensations at the same time. Say that you are playing a fighting game and are hit by two different weapons at the same time, you will then feel both hits and recognize which weapons your enemies have. The Nintendo 64 rumble pak doesn't even have this feature and thus will just shake at everything.
As Good As Any Other Digital Joystick
Adjustable spring forces
Some people find that their joystick is too springy; the joystick just wants to stay at its home position. Fortunatly, for those who are bothered by springy joysticks, there is a feature called Adjustable Spring Forces. To change the "spring forces" just turn the knob found on the joystick's base.
Comfortable
The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the most comfortable joystick on the market. It is streamlined to fit your hand, that is, if you are right handed. If not, then you will need to use your right hand; it will feel a little ackward using your left.
Extreamly Accurate
The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro happens to be one of the most accurate joysticks on the market. There are "optical sensors" that detect the level of movement past the home-position on three axis: x-axis, y-axis, and a z-axis. This makes it digitally precise! No more do you have to deal with the "up and down" motion that an analog joystick requires; this joystick pivots on a rounded surface.
Z-axis
This is Very Important. This feature allows you to “twist” the joystick, allowing you to strafe, or yaw. Say good-bye to the keyboard in fighting games for now there is an all-in-one joystick that can cover any command for easy maneuvering.
It Has Buttons!
There are 8 total buttons on the joystick: 4 on the base and 4 on the handle. There is also a convenient hat switch that allows for even more control. A hat switch is a button that can be pushed 8 ways: up, down, right, left, and diagonal. This means that the hat switch is actually like having 8 more buttons that you can use! I find it very convenient to use in fighting games to change views and look around as I am fighting. Another excellent button that is included is a shift button. This allows you to DOUBLE THE BUTTONS for an ever better gaming experience! My view of this button is “only use it as necessary” because I feel that it is hard to press the shift button and then another button; I just don't like taking my hands off the joystick to do this. Also, If you want the full use of your joystick, your going to have to use every button option and that requires some memorization! That is the only drawback to using a joystick vs. a keyboard.
It's Programmable!
I love this feature of the joystick! In games like Quake 3, where you can change the control settings, I change the keys used to fire, switch weapons, etc., to different buttons on my joystick so that I can put the keyboard away! This comes in handy when you don't want to take your eyes off the game, even for a second!
Very Durable
I have been using the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro for about three weeks and it has never done anything out of the ordinary. That isn't saying that I don't use my sticks harshly; I was always breaking the cheap, $15, bargain brand joysticks before I decided to invest my money in a more expensive joystick. Actually, I figured that anything with force feedback would break within a week of almost constant play; my Nintendo 64 rumble pak broke within 2 weeks. If it breaks, there is always the full warrantee to turn to.
Software Installation
Microsoft has done it again with their software! Installation is a breeze. Just pop the CD in and follow the simple instructions. It will ask very few questions that don't take a computer expert to figure out. All it will ask you to do is tell it where to install. It will never require you to register or anything for updates like some software, made by other companies, require.
The actual Software
The control program is great and easy to use. If you have a configuration for one of your favorite games, you can save those settings as “game#1” or “Quake 3”. If you want to play another game and you have the settings saved, just double-click the SideWinder icon on your taskbar and select the saved game configuration that you want to use. I find this very useful when I have several different games that are playable with a joystick!
I also like the fact that this joystick has some other control features. The calibration is the best I have ever seen; most joysticks will "wobble" around in calibration but the symbol that represents the distance from the home position, on this joystick, just stays put. There is also a way to adjust the force feedback level that your joystick will produce. This comes in handy when it is literally jumping off the table!
The Disadvantages
The biggest problem with the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the cost. $100 is a lot to pay for a joystick but consider the added features. You get a processor and RAM, software that could possibly win awards, a free game, and force feedback! Microsoft could not possibly be overpricing their product considering the features included.
Another problem with the Force Feedback Pro is that the force feedback feature is not compatible with every game. This isn't a total loss though; the force feedback may not be compatible, but the joystick ability is. The Force Feedback Pro can still be used as a regular joystick and most games are compatible with it in this sense.
System Requirements
You will be disappointed if you buy the Force Feedback Pro and your computer cannot handle it! Make sure that you have all of these system requirements before making your decision to buy this.
You Need:
Pentium 75 or greater
8 MB of RAM
12 MB of hard disk space
2x CD-ROM drive
super VGA, 256 color display
Windows 95 or greater
Conclusion
Basically, this is a great joystick for the hard core gamer. If you love the thrill of fighting games and want to advance to the next level of gaming, I would highly recommend you buy this joystick. I have tried it and I know it is worth it. If you don't like it just take it back but I suggest trying it if you have doubts as to buying it. If you like the Force Feedback Pro but breaks within a month of play, just send it in and Microsoft will send you a replacement free of charge. Microsoft has made an excellent product; I know it was a good bargain!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.95
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
etrustman
|
|
Location: Boise, ID
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 158 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.