Rating: 
Summary: Perfect joystick -- until..
Review: ..the microswitches of the POV switch loose contact (bad solder points) or the X/R-axis potentiometers wear out (after 1-6 weeks). The latter just happened to my 5th (!) Freedom 2.4 after 3 weeks (the former doesn't happen if you resolder them switches after you unpacked the stick..) I'm done w/ Logitech until they change back to non-mechanical pickups for the X/Y/R axis (like the Interceptor.) I'd recommend the Logitech WingMan Extreme Digital 3D or (if you can get your hands on one..) the Microsoft Force Feedback 2 (red skin edition). Stay away from the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick -- the pot problem is worse w/ that one ! (...)
Rating: 
Summary: More Thoughts Regarding "Smooth"
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Really a pleasant surprise.
Review: I am a big fan of all things cordless, and so I thought I might try a cordless joystick. My reference point has been 5 faithful years of service from a Microsoft Sidewinder Pro.
The Logitech installed easily in WinXP. I ran the included CD, plugged the tiny USB transmitter into an open USB (2.0) port on the back of my PC, and then installed the batteries (3 AAs) into the stick itself. Synchronization took 5 seconds; I pressed the button on the front of the transmitter box and then a (any) button on the stick, and it was done. I used the software to calibrate in 2 minutes and was ready to fly.
Flying in MS FS2002 was very good with this stick. The 10 buttons on the stick are a snap to program with the software.
In my other flight sim, Fighter Ace 3.5, it wasn't as smooth a result. The kinds of ACMs required by a combat sim are necessarily more precise and I've just had a difficult time getting the right amount of damping. Maybe I'll get the hang of it as time passes, but for now my kill ratio has crashed.
The stick itself is well built and quite nicely layed out (i.e. good ergonomics). It sits comfortably on my lap, is light weight without being flimsy and its base is very easy to grasp. I have every confidence it will not break easily.
Overall, I'm encouraged. I hate clutter and the lack of one more cable on my desktop makes me happy. Of course, if I keep getting lit up, it'll be back to the Sidewinder, but for now I'm working on it.
Rating:
Summary: Lack of quality craftmanship
Review: I have had no problems with any of the Logitech products (including their joysticks). This Logitech Freedom has given me nothing but problems. After using two defective joysticks, I lost my patience.
The joystick wouldn't respond to movement right after I took it out of the box and installed the software. I liked the idea of having a cordless joystick, so I got a replacement. After 1 month with the new one (and not having used it in 2 weeks) one of the buttons stopped functioning. I have never had a problem with Logitech joysticks in the past--but this one has been a hassle! Save yourself trouble and money--don't buy the cordless!
The joystick is flimsy and button placement is terrible. The only thing nice about the cordless is that beam range is excellent and it's a USB. Don't waste your money on this! (Unless you want to have a 'new' joystick every month).
Rating:
Summary: Wireless, without the hassle. No setup needed in WinXP
Review: I like the fact that I can put the batteries in, connect the usb, push a button, and be using the joystick in less than 90 seconds. I don't like installing manufacturer's software and I never register my product, why would you?
Batteries last as long as the 9v does in my smoke alarm. This takes 3 AA batteries, but my point is, it isn't top on my list of things to care about until it is time to change them, when the light turns orange it's time, and unless you bought 99Cent store batteries, you won't feel ripped off if you have to put fresh ones in.
I have used this joystick almost daily for the last year and there isn't one sign of a problem, actually there is really hardly any sign of use at all. It is tight, calibrated, and it works perfectly.
Don't believe people when they say this joystick is a cheap piece of garbage that won't last, it is just not true. It is just as good as similar products at much higher prices. Consider ch products, top of the line rudder pedals, well my toe brake in those went bad because the sliding motion snapped a wire inside, I paid something like $150 and it broke, why? you should have seen how thin that wire was.
My point here is that the quality is at least equal to the more expensive brands, and in my opinion the design is superior, though I would prefer more buttons and a twist lock. But I just disable it and it really doesn't get in the way or twist too easily.
Hey maybe that's the reason there can be two opposite experiences with the same product. I don't use the twist and it is perfect, I wonder if the twist messes something up or stretches a wire to become less functional,like the toe brake broke in my rudder. Check out www.toebrakebrokeinmyrudder.com for cool pics and me the webmaster and moderator. Just log on.
Wow this raises many questions, but one thing is certain, you won't be able to judge the quality by reading these reviews, you have to try it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Sturdy, Agile, Cordless - it's simply the best!
Review: I purchased the 'Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2' joystick, and it is not as great as it seems. I was very interested in purchasing the 'Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick' because of the way it looked, and the fact that it is cordless! There were no reviews on Amazon.com, so I was a bit uncertain about this joystick, and went with Microsoft's joystick. I came across a review on the 'Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick' in Maximum PC magazine. The only drawback for this joystick was the fact that it relied on AA batteries (because it is cordless), which do not provide enough juice for the force feedback effects. So if you're not into that much force feedback, then this is the joystick for you. I thought that I'd post a review for this joystick for people to decide whether or not to get this joystick over some of the other ones. Here is the review from the magazine: 'Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick: Sturdy, agile, cordless ' it's simply the best. Odds are that every Maximum PC reader has the same problem: thanks to all the gamepads, mice, keyboards, digital cameras, speakers, MP3 players, and networking equipment you've got hooked up, there's a rat's nest of wires behind your PC. Wireless peripherals are the obvious solution, but no hardcore gamer would trust his online reputation to a flaky wireless joystick, would he? But what if the stick wasn't flaky? We've been using the Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick for about a month now, and from a reliability standpoint, it's virtually indistinguishable from a weird joystick. Its 2.4GHz wireless connection to your PC is every bit as responsive and sensitive as the cable that gets wrapped around your chair and trips you when you stand up. Because it's wireless, the Freedom 2.4 relies on three AA batteries for power ' and they don't provide enough juice for force feedback effects, so you can cross that feature off your list (a non-issue for the many people who just don't care for force feedback). The good news is that the batteries provide a sturdy ballast for the base and prevent it from sliding around on most desks. We were especially impressed with the three-axis stick itself. It sports six buttons, including the trigger and an eight-way hat switch. All the buttons are easily accessible, even for a gamer with unusual hands (large, small, it doesn't matter). Along with an analog throttle, there are four more buttons on the stick's base. This is the perfect stick for the casual joystick gamer. Anyone who likes to hop into a Spitfire in 'Battlefield 1942', play an occasional round of 'Crimson Skies', or enjoy space-based slaughter in 'Independence War' will find this stick to be perfectly suitable. That said, Flight-Sim fanatics will be better served by picking up a more 'realistic' controller with more buttons and hat switches.' Pros: A great wireless joystick with more than enough options for any arcade-style flyer. Cons: Wireless design precludes force feedback. Not optimal for hardcore flight sims.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe just bad luck....but
Review: I recieved the joystick. It's really amazing....it feels great in my hands. LOOKS AMAZING. Installs very easily....doesn't work. For some reason the joystick did not recognize the reciever. It is currently on its way back to amazon. (great great customer service...really appreciate it :) )
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Joystick, better than I expected for Logitech
Review: I regularly play IL 2 Sturmovik, and have been with a Logitech Wingman Force for about a year. I was really disapointed with the contruction of the Wingman ForceFeedback stick, sloppy centering, hesitant responce. Anyway, I purchased the Logitech Cordless Freedom 2.4 Cordless and have to say, this is a VERY well contructed joystick, excellent centering, seamless movement response even though it's wireless and ergonomically well set up ( if your right handed)...
Rating:
Summary: If your in the market for one buy this one!
Review: 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!!
Rating:
Summary: Freedom to play!
Review: 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?!)
| 
