Logitech Freedom 2.4 GHz Cordless Joystick
by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $57.95 You Save: $2.00 (3%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Freedom 2.4 GHz Cordless Joystick
Customer Review: Freedom to play!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was really pleasantly surprised by the Logitech Freedom cordless joystick. The first thing I noticed--it fits your hand really well. The second thing was that it is very, very smooth. This is hard to describe, but on some sticks you have a hard time making a clean circle... it always feels like you are fighting the stick a little... or more accurately, like the resistance isn't perfectly even at all positions. Not so with the Freedom. It has a great feel, very even, and just the right amount of resistance. It takes some getting used to if you are coming from a force feedback joystick, though. It has a load of buttons, and for the most part they are placed very well. My only quibble is with the throttle. Mine isn't loose or anything, but I don't like the position very much. I think I would have preferred having it on the side, more like a Sidewinder, but to be fair it certainly works where it is. I would have really liked two hats too, but that's more of a sim junkie feature so I am not surprised there is only one. (The one hat it is equipped with does have a great feel, it is easy to hit the diagonals.)
As to the cordless feature, well, it works perfectly. I haven't gotten interference from my Logitech MX700 mouse or my cordless phone (though it is 5.8GHz so not in the same band). To start using the stick, you just click a button. A green LED will light up on the stick for a few seconds to show it has syned up with the base. It will go to sleep after a few minutes of disuse.
If you are looking for a precise and comfortable non-force-feedback joystick, or if you just want to cut the cord, I recommend the Freedom very highly.
(Now, when will Logitech make a complete flight controller suite, with an external throttle, collective and all that good stuff?!)
Customer Review: More Thoughts Regarding "Smooth"
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with the above review: this joystick feels very smooth. As that review caught my attention and was eventually the proverbial straw that convinced me to pony up the extra twenty-five bucks for a wireless joystick, I thought I might help to further describe how this stick feels "smooth."Out of the box, two characteristics define this joystick: smooth and fast. Both traits can be easily altered via Logitech's very good software package.
The smoothness of the joystick stems from the fact that it has absolutely no palpable mechanical resistance within its mechanism. As soon as you start moving the stick, it immediately reacts--there is no mechanical "dead zone" in the middle of the stick. As a result, the stick feels very "fast." It reacts quickly and without a trace of jumpiness between light, moderate, and strong inputs. This makes the stick feel very linear, "smooth," and "fast."
Out of the box, the stick was too smooth and too fast for my taste. Logitech's excellent software, however, allowed me to painlessly tune the stick to match how I play each of my joystick games. Better still, the software knows which games you have installed and allows you to customize each game independently. Consequently, you don't have to rummage around your C: drive assigning games to the software; so, once you assign a setup to a game, the software will load that setup when you load the game. The software is fantastic.
As for the buttons: it has many.
And finally, the wireless aspect works flawlessly. In fact, you forget that it's wireless after an hour.
Customer Review: Logitech Freedom 2.4GHz Cordless Joystick
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this to replace my previous joystick...the same model, which lasted through about 7 years of abuse before finally calling it quits. There aren't many options out there for wireless joysticks, but even if there were I'd recommend this one. The tri-point base is very stable, it doesn't slide on any desk I've had, the buttons and each axis are responsive. Battery life on the 3 AA batteries is good-I've switched over to rechargeables almost exclusively, and had them in the joystick for at least 2 years. They would last for several weeks at a time; obviously the more you play, the shorter their duration. Recalibrating and programing is fairly easy with the included software, but I don't think I ever used it after my initial purchase years ago. The stick can be programed in the games I used it for, so that's how I did it. The USB receiver can stay hidden out of sight behind your PC tower with no reception issues. I never noticed any lag between input and reaction, and I primarily used it for online gaming.
This is actually the second replacement I bought. The first one worked for about two days then stopped working at all. I had to return it and buy another, but I've been using this one for a few weeks and it's back to the good old days. I still recommend it for anyone looking for a cordless joystick or any kind of joystick smaller than a Saitek setup.
Customer Review: WIRELESS DREAM!
Summary: 5 Stars
This product is one of the first well made wireless joysticks i have ever used. The actual joystick uses a great blend of comfort and abilities. Most good joysticks now days tend to have lots of buttons but lack in there general comfort. This stick is capable of almost all of the great features of some of the other $100-$200 sticks and still is able to make long term gaming a breeze and greatly improve not only the stick but the game its self. Now you can't forget the fact that the logitec wingman is cordless this means that when it is time to put it away for other games that don't use the joystick you are able to move it quickly with out making your clean computer area look cluttered and not having to unplug any cords.Pros/Cons:
Pro's
-5 star Comfort
-Good stick options (including side2side turning and throttle)
-It's WIRELESS
Con's
-Bad set up program
-5th button weirdly placed
GREAT JOB LOGITEC!!
Customer Review: If your in the market for one buy this one!
Summary: 5 Stars
I replaced my Microsoft Sidewinder Precision pro with this controller. This controller simply ROCKS! It well constructed and has a great feel. I love the way the stick feels when moving it. It has just the right tension. I found myself scoring better with this joystick when playing Battlefield 1942 than with the Microsoft stick. Pluse the good part.... ITS WIRELESS. I notice 0 delay. The only nitpick I have is the connection between the stick and the receiver is only good for 2 minutes. If you don't use it for 2 minutes it loses sync. It takes about 1 to 2 seconds to resync the devices. At first I found myself rolling off the back of the carrier until I could get the connection back up. Now that I know about it, its not a problem. It is still an awesome stick and well deserves 5 stars!!