Fang Gamepad by Ideazon
by Ideazon
|
List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Fang Gamepad by Ideazon
Customer Review: Better than a keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I was not thrilled with the Zboard series as the keys were slower, stickier and layout wasn't always the best. However, this is a perfect solution Zboard came up with.
The Layout whereby nothing is under the red "down arrow" key made me buy this before attempting to get the Wolf King Warrior gamepad. I'm a little odd with my likings on a 102 keyboard layout as I always play my FPS games with the UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT arrow keys near the keypad and altered key selections of other commands from there. I always hated the WASD on a 102 keyboard as it is always slighly tilted, fatigued my left hand and I would always be hitting the ZXC keys by mistake. The Fang did not conflict with my 102 keyboard (MS4000) whatsoever and the keys on the Fang and your keyboard will sync where you can alter between using one or the other without hitting a switch. In another words, no programming involved. It is totally PNP. Fang software (recommended but optional) didn't cause any problems on my MS Vista SP1 32bit operating system.
I bought this because the game Dead Space would not let me alter any keys. That game still plays like it's on a Xbox Gamepad so that is the game's fault and hopefully they will patch it. But with games like COD4, Farcry 2, Crysis etc, I noticed no decrees in responsiveness, nor are the keys sticky on the Fang.
The defaults work in most games without having to change a thing. However, I have noticed a few things I like better which is to change the "jump" (space) button located by your thumb to Run, then the Run\Walk (left Shift button to crouch, the Crouch (LCtrl) button to prone and the number 5 (V) button to Jump. Most of the other buttons I pretty much like on defaults and it doesn't take that long to get use to where they are placed on the Fang. The point being, the Fang doesn't lock you into certain keys but are as programmable as the game allows
I have put over a hundreds hours of gameplay on the Fang with no problems. Excellent Product and not over priced. Would highly recommend the Fang to gamers or as a gift to those who play most FPS or RPG games
Customer Review: Almost perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this gaming pad frequently and extensively. I've used it for over a year now and here are my conclusions.
The Bad:
* The gamepad button layout is exactly symmetrical. This is great in one respect as it is left-handed / righ-handed neutral. However the downside is that there are buttons in some spots that are definately awkward to reach. They don't get in the way, it's just that those few buttons are not that useful. I just leave them unassigned.
* I wish there was a center button at the same level as the bottom buttons -- directly below the "S" key. It is very natural and easy for the thumb to press a button there if one existed. Adding the button would still keep the unit symmetrical, so it is unfortunate that it doesn't exist.
The Good:
* The hardware is rock-solid reliable. It gets PLENTY of abuse yet has shown more resiliance to abuse than any keyboard would tolerate.
* I can reprogram the key assignments! This wasn't the case when I first acquired the Fang, but has since been added to the configuration software -- which you can download for free from their site.
* Assigning a key to a button will cause the button to function just like the key on the keyboard even when <shift> <ctrl> or <alt> is used as a modifier on a separate input device. I have the thumb button on my mouse programmed to be <shift> and it works flawlessly to trigger a shifted-key by pressing the mouse thumb button and then pressing a Fang button.
* The extra big sized WASD+QE buttons feel very natural and make it very easy to press other Fang buttons without losing your finger placement on the critical WASD buttons.
* It is a bit hard to tell from the picture, but some buttons have scalloped tops and others have rounded tops. This greatly helps with pressing buttons by feel without having to look down at the gamepad. It is somewhat like how the little bumps on a keyboard's F and J keys help the touch typist.
Customer Review: Does great job.. still room to improve
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned this thing for close to a year now (maybe more). I use it mostly in mmorpg's. (everything from WoW, Daoc, EVE, EQ2) I like this kinda pad for mmorpg's because when you pvp timing of your hotkeys is critical. With as closely compact as all the keys are here, as well as the large amount of keys your get it makes it a perfect fit for mmo's.
If i could have given this a 4.5 star rating I would have. I mentioned the room to improve. My only complaint is the ergonomics (button layout) on this pad. While the red direction buttons are about as perfect as you could ask for for layout and prominence, the problem is all the other buttons. There is a learning curve to memorizing where they are in relation to your direction keys if you wanna be instantaneous accurate at all times. (hardcore mmo players here all know we need anywhere between 4-16 hotkeys depending on the class you play.. hunting for a key isnt something you wanna deal with in pvp) Once you memorize the layout of course this gets easier to use. However, even still close to a year later I will find myself looking down sometimes to find my hotkey on occasion.
Its programability of complex key press macros and redefining hotkeys makes this thing a snap to use for literally any game you could image. Overall im pleased.. However, if they ever release a "redux" i will be keeping a eye out for it. If they could make the buttons more "tactile" and different along the top and sides it would go a long way in find you keys easier.
Customer Review: You CAN PROGRAM The Keys
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a case where Amazon's review system is not working well - or at least, what it is giving the most prominence to is out of date. When I go to the customer review page, what is currently listed as "the most helpful critical review" is 100% lying to you about The Fang product you'd be buying - it is indeed now fully programmable. There are also several other older (year+) reviews listed prominently (on the first page) stating it's not programmable.
It is programmable on a key-by-key basis, and has been for about a year now. You can whip up all the personally customized key profiles you want.
On the product itself, where the ring, middle and index finger rest in the center - there is nothing better. It's not perfect, but it is far better in that area than anything else being sold right now.
The Fang is weak in the thumb area, this is it's main drawback. The Merc Keyboard (a Fang and keyboard merged) looks like it keeps what is good about the Fang and improves the thumb area substantially. For me personally, I like having a separate device from the keyboard.
Customer Review: This thing is pretty cool!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fang gamepad is pretty cool. I never really thought about getting a gamepad, I didn't think it would help. However, I'm one of those old school guys that still uses the arrow keys for movement in games. The thing is, is that there isn't nearly as many buttons over there next to the arrow keys, so when you get into games that has alot of different funtions its gets hard to be able to reach all the buttons. So that is why I got this and I must say it was worth it. It does take some getting used to when you first get it and I don't like that you have to turn the software on and load a profile for each game but its not that big of deal. Once you get the hang of it you won't want to go back simply because of all the different buttons. On americas army I can finally change weapons without moving my hands CLEAR up to the number keys. Some people complain about the jump key on the side but i think it is perfect it just takes some getting used to. This gamepad might not be as helpful for most people because they are used to the wsad key set up but if your an arrow guy like me, this thing is a must have!!!!