Not Cutting Edge - But Great Anyways
Written: Apr 05 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nicely designed grip and handle, adjustable sensitivity, good control layout, inexpensive.
Cons: Right-handed design, noisy keys after excessive use, no force feedback.
The Bottom Line: The Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick 1.0 is not force feedback enabled, but has plenty of good features like a great grip and handle.
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| billy159401's Full Review: Microsoft SideWinder 1.0 Joystick |
I was out shopping for a good controller for my PC gaming needs. Amongst other choices such as a Playstation or Xbox controller, I noticed a rare sight at the store – a two in one controller- Microsoft’s Sidewinder Joystick 1.0. It was fairly cheap for a controller (only $29.99), so I decided to give it a try.
What’s In the Box
The box contents include the Sidewinder Joystick in bubble wrap, a user’s guide manual, a registration card, and several ads for other Microsoft made controllers. The USB cable is attached to the Joystick, so I didn’t even have to worry about finding a USB cable from underneath my bed.
Design and Control Layout
The Sidewinder Joystick is designed for right handed people only. The Joystick is a perfect fit: designed to allow the index finger to be placed comfortably at the front of the toggle. There are three top keys and four other buttons on the left hand side base. There is also a throttle with 60 degrees of mobility towards the front of the base.
The layout makes logical sense. The handle and grip of the Joystick felt good, and I felt quite comfortable using my left hand to navigate around the buttons on the base. I estimate the learning curve for the Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick to be less than ten minutes. The layout is smart and well planned.
Setup
It was quite easy to set up the Sidewinder Joystick. I plugged in the USB 2.0 cable into my computer and the drivers were automatically installed. Also, the user guide shows clearly how to configure the settings of the Joystick for use and steps to test if it is installed correctly. I had no problems getting the Sidewinder Joystick set up.
Performance
I was eager to test out the Sidewinder Joystick in some real action. Games that I tested the Sidewinder Joystick on included Need for Speed Most Wanted, F1 Championship Season 2000, and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I was quite impressed with the sensitivity of the Joystick toggle. Note that the sensitivity may be increased or decreased according to the settings on your computer.
The overall feel of the controls were great – certainly good for its price. The base buttons (5-8) do click after excessive usage, but they still remain quite responsive, which is good. Also, the Joystick toggle was nicely tuned, making it neither too fast nor slow.
The Joystick is relatively accurate in determining input. The range of motion for the Joystick toggle is a full 360 degrees, which allowed for some realistic braking motions in racing games.
I found that the Sidewinder Joystick performed much better for racing games that required action such as acceleration and braking than for games that required movement of characters. It just simply felt more natural to use the Joystick to drive than walk around.
Also, this is not a force feedback enabled Joystick. Force feedback (also known as haptic feedback) is the idea that the Joystick moves in conjunction with the action going on in the screen. For example, if your car crashes, a force feedback enabled Joystick would suddenly pull back on its own. The Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick 1.0 is not force feedback enabled.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s Sidewinder Joystick 1.0 is quite a steal with its relatively cheap price and unique design. The Joystick has a nice grip and handle and contains adjustable sensitivity. However it is right-handed and is not force feedback enabled. If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology, then stay away. Otherwise, this baby might just be the right controller for you.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 29.99
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Epinions.com ID:
billy159401
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Member: Billy
Location: New York City
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me:
I like bacon.
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