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Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Joystick

Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Joystick

List Price: $74.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow! A Microsoft product that works great!
Review: After about 10 seconds installaton for hardware and software the precision pro was go. After trying it out on games previously played using an analouge joystick the diffrence is immense. With a good feel and buttons well placed it's comfortable to use, the twist grip is extremely natural adding additional movement possibilties for 3D games A real plus! The throttle looks arkwardly placed but in use proves to be well placed. The shift button and easily programable buttons are a real plus.This joystick is great value and quality for money. A recommended must have.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fabulous for most, but some users left behind by this design
Review: After having tested several joysticks, this is the one I kept coming back to. I've had a version of this joystick on my system for two years, and have yet to find anything better. I don't at all agree with the ...... editorial review that says it's got stiff joystick movement. Quite to the contrary, it's capable of very subtle movement.

Plus, it's got lots of features without being over-engineered. I especially like the fact that it comes with both throttle and rudder control within easy reach. The button cluster on the stick itself is very sensibly designed, with all major buttons a comfortable distance apart. The hat is cleverly devised as well, being both solid and flexible. Most importantly, perhaps, the software, now at least two years old, is very stable, and allows you complete control over each button.

Yet, there are some people who might not find this product enjoyable. As others have commented, it is a very right-hand-centric design. Since there are a host of buttons on the left-hand side of the base, you can't hold the joystick in your left hand and access those buttons without crossing your hands. Also, the cluster of buttons on the joystick itself are designed to fit the right hand. If you're a right-handed person, this design is ergonomically perfect. It literally fits in the palm of your (right) hand. But a left-handed person has no business whatever buying this product.

Neither does a Mac owner. This product's USB connectivity, though convenient to Windows users, does not extend to the Mac. That's an unfortunate oversight that, one suspects, wouldn't be all that difficult to correct.

Still, if you only intend to use this thing on a Windows machine, and if you're right handed, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better joystick.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: Aight i got this stick wayback in 1997 ( its the serial port version) just before my purchase of X wing versus TIE Fighter.

I still use it today for just about any flight sim demo.
I haven't even bothered looking for an upgrade in the past 5 plus years!!!

I have to state that this stick used to slightly drift to the left in some old DOS games but the problem seems to have disappeared now. DirectX games were never affected cause i guess the drivers had some auto-correct feature going. MMM so Microsoft does seem to do somethings better than they are given credit for :D

The only other gripe i have is that there ought to have been a light to say whether i have engaged the SHIFT function or not. I don't really use the shift button though cause the joystick has more than enough button functions as it is.

Anyway the positives are numerous to the point that these 2 small gripes are more or less insignificant. I got the flightstick for around $65 (Dhs. 250 where i'm at) and I would more or less (hopefully less) pay the same again if there is a USB 2.0 version.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best. Just the best . . .
Review: I have 'flown' regularly for almost 4 years on AirWarrior, using the same stick (non-USB model). It works as well as it did on day #1. The Microsoft site has an updated Win98 control panel for programming the stick (fast, free and easy download) painlessly. It is bullet-proof.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Gold Standard.
Review: I have 'flown' regularly for almost 4 years on AirWarrior, using the same stick (non-USB model). It works as well as it did on day #1. The Microsoft site has an updated Win98 control panel for programming the stick (fast, free and easy download) painlessly. It is bullet-proof.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Couldn't ask for a more user friendly joystick!
Review: I have been a big fan of the Microsoft Freestyle Pro, but I decided to check out the Precision Pro. I am mainly using it for Motocross Madness 2 and the feel is very comfortable. The switches on the handle make it very easy to do tricks. The great thing about Microsoft's controllers is the software which lets you program each button accordingly. I highly recommend getting this joystick, especially for the money. The joystick comes with a good rebate too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: an exited buyer
Review: I have had the Microsoft percision pro joystick for some time now. the only problem is the featherlight base that seems to always mover around a lot. the throttle controle is extremely useful for the Mechwarrior games, and the sturdy stick makes it impossible for unwanted controls to be made if you let go. ill never find a joystick quite like it, i just wish it was compatible with windows XP. it is outdated and only works on windows 95 and 98, altough it only lists 95. i recomend this for 1st person shooters and flying sims, although it is acceptabe for racing games.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best. Just the best . . .
Review: I was originally going to buy a huge $100+ setup with seperate stick/throttle/rudder pedals. This one cought my eye when i was at a CompUSA. Upon closer inspection, i realized that microsoft had perfectly combined an amazing, self-calibration joystick (now more aiming in the corner of the screen, then the other), a very smooth, very precise throttle, and a twistiong joystick that i felt is even better than rudder pedals, plus enough buttons to be able to play x-wing alliance with barely and reaching to the keyboard(those who have played it know what i mean. without a joystick with lats of buttons, you're never going to win). I was a little worried because i am left-handed, but it wasn't a problem in any way for me, but i play the guitar and hockey and tennis right handed. If you're still worried, go to a store and try it out, it is soo comfortable that you won't even care. and with the rebate, it is just the best

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent performance.
Review: I'm not a great fun of Microsoft but I have to admit that they did a great job with this joystick, just for once. I bought the Saitek Cyborg 3D. Same price. It was horrible. Unstable. It was cool looking but what's the use a cool joystick when you can't land your plane with it because it sends random signals to your pc? Sidewinder is precise and reliable. Also it's multipurpose. I use it for Falcon 4 and Need for Speed and it's great with both.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: solid joystick
Review: I've had mine for a while now and after all this time and abuse, it still works just like new. Wish newer joysticks were as good. As for anyone saying that this will not work in windows xp, they're dead wrong. If you attach it to a gameport, just add it through the game controllers interface in the control panel. If through the accompanying usb dongle, it'll automagically be detected. It works great in all my games new and old.


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