Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick
by Microsoft
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Our Price: $599.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $90.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick
Customer Review: A little update for those running Vista
Summary: 4 Stars
Hi all, I bought this joystick back when it was new (almost six years ago now) and I have to say that after so much abuse (mostly from the old Mech Warrior franchise) it still looks, feels, and plays just like it did out of the box. Kudos to Microsoft for creating something with so much staying power and that after three PCs has yet to need replacing from overuse or obsolescence.
Most of the pros and cons of the joystick have already been covered in reviews here already, though I would like to add that this joystick runs like a dream on Windows Vista Home Premium. I had lost my driver CD some time ago, though I gave plugging in the USB port a try and in a few seconds it was self-installed and ready to play. No searching, rebooting, or anything. A vast improvement it seems over the situation with XP (though personally I've never had any issues with XP compatibility.) Oh, and as for the gripping complaints, a small piece of black tape over either of the IR hand sensors on the front side of the stick will keep the feedback active regardless of hand position. This is definitely still my favorite gaming accessory for the PC.
Customer Review: A fine stick for XP
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good joystick for casual flight sim and mech-combat games. It's fairly responsive, it has eight buttons plus an eight-way hat and a throttle. It does not have the shift button of the original MS Force Feeback Pro, but it also does away with that sticks oversized power brick.
It lacks some specialty features available on other sticks. Many games demand more buttons. For these, you may require an additional throttle or button-brick. It also lacks the extra dimensional controls of sticks such as the Gravis Xterminator, which are useful for some sims.
Overall, this stick is worth picking up if you can get it for a price in line with other force feedback sticks, but the current market has inflated its price beyond its usefulness.
I feel obliged to comment on XP support, as several others have disparaged it:
This stick works consistently without additional software on each machine I have tried it on with XP Sevice Pack 2. I don't know if there are problems without SP2, but I can't find the forums other reviewers have mentioned, so I'm inclined to think the problem has been resolved.
Customer Review: Very nice force feedback joystick
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're a (flight) simulator fan, this joystick is really worth the money. It is well built with a nice feel and feedback effects.When I was shopping for force feedback joysticks I was torn between this and the Logitech "3D" model. I have to admit, the Logic had a nicer design. The stick itself had a slightly better feel and the throw on the throttle control was longer and more precise. However, I decided to go with the Microsoft model because of the positive experience I've had with their force feedback steering wheel. Just like the wheel, the construction on the joystick is very solid. I expect this will stand up to a lot of abuse.
This stick is not without it's drawbacks. First, the throttle control is a bit small. I would like something a bit bigger and with a bit more resitance. Second, the force feedback is only activated when you are fully grasping the stick. This is actually a neat feature, but can be annoying when you don't feel like "properly" holding the stick.
Customer Review: Buy it,, you'll like it. I think...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Force Feedback would get five stars from me if it detected the Jet Ranger better. It does a great job of flying it but I expected at least some wobble when bouncing around on the skids and a little resistance when changing axis. Registration tells you to click "about" in the "help" menu for the ID number you need--incredibly frustrating: I couldn't find a help menue and it wouldn't accept the serial number. The number, that works is on the bottom of the joy stick, though, if you want to bother with registration. On the plus side, Installation is a snap (follow directions exactly, though). It programs itself completely on installtion and looks like customizing would be easy. It is very smooth. I like the button functions better than on the sidewinder Pro and it has the smoothest throttle I've used. The thing really kicks hand when you crash, too. I did expect a difference in the rumble of the wheels when I went off the runway and onto the grass.Customer Review: Great But could be better
Summary: 4 Stars
If you can't get this joystick to work, what you might for sure need is a new computer because the installation is so easy, It says all over that you must install software first and then plug it in but that's just nonsense since it asks you for the disk once detected anyway.It works great and the forces are really awesome and so strong (it can be set to medium or low intensity if you want) that it can make most of the stuff on your desk to move and fall down!!, they should warn you about that!!! instead of the: install software first notice you find everywhere.
the 'hand detector' thing is missplaced since it only allows the stick to return to center and produce force feedback forces when your fingers surround the front of the stick, I think it should be in the back because sometimes when I straight my fingers to relax and then grab the front again, once activated it will cause a slight movement that can make you change your attitud/heading/etc.