3D gamers joystick of choice
Pros:
Buttons, configurability, design, USB or gameport
Cons:
Wears out over time
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
My dad recently got 2 Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro's for the price of one, and I was lucky enough to get the one he didn't use. I normally would have thought a joystick wasn't really any good for playing games, but I was seriously wrong. Without this joystick, I would never be able to play MechWarrior 3. I hated that game until now...
The Sidewinder Precision Pro is loaded with features. The joystick has an ergonomical feel to it, making it feel like its a part of your hand. The button layout is also very nice: it has a thumb trigger, pointer finger trigger, 3 top thumb triggers, a tophat (goes in 8 directions), 4 buttons on the left, a button at the bottom, and a throttle control. It has enough buttons for just about any game that can utilize a sidewinder.
The joystick feels very smooth and precise. Not only can you move the joystick in all directions, but you can twist it as well, so it's useful in games that have torso twists and such. Imagine trying to run left and twist right while slowing down WITHOUT a joystick in Mechwarrior 3... Unless you have 3 hands, its near impossible, but it's very simple with the joystick.
The Sidewinder Precision Pro also comes with software that you can use to program the buttons to do preprogrammed moves, like a programmable joypad. If you find yourself pressing a sequence of buttons all the times in a game, you can assign it all to one button to save yourself a lot of hassle. The software remains in the system tray, and you can access it at any time.
The version that my dad got came with his new computer (OEM) so it didn't come with any games, but if you buy the normal boxed set, it comes with a retail game and demo games, I believe. I'm not sure what games, but I think I remember seeing Mechwarrior 3. If you can get the joystick AND the game for $55, GET IT. It is well worth it, even if you're not into Mechwarrior/Battletech. Just get on the net and play multiplayer games with it, and I'm sure you'll be hooked :P.
This joystick can also be plugged into the USB port or the regular game port, so you can also have a regular gamepad for games that work better with gamepads. If your USB is already used, you can get a USB hub to connect even more USB devices, as more and more USB devices are coming out every day.
Overall, this joystick is perfect for all of my needs. Its black, sleek design makes a great addition to any gaming system. Any gamer should go and buy this joystick as soon as they can.
