Amazon.com Review
After its introduction in 1997, the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick swiftly became one of the bestselling gaming peripherals. It recently reached the mark of over 1 million units sold, and for good reason. It offers over 100 different Force Feedback effects, from subtle shudders to wrist-twisting explosions.
The Force Feedback Pro is one of the more expensive sticks out there, but Microsoft helps make up for it here by including the full version of MechWarrior 3. The well-built stick features a large base, which takes up some desktop space, but also offers a solid foundation for gaming. The stick itself sports an eight-way point-of-view hat, as well as three action buttons and a fire button. Your left hand rests on the side of the base and has access to four programmable action buttons, a shift button, and a throttle. The shift button provides secondary output for each of the action buttons, and the swiveling stick can also handle rudder control. The SideWinder software makes it easy to customize all the stick's buttons; you can even assign a series of keystrokes (such as a rocket jump in a first-person shooter) to a single button.
The Force Feedback effects are some of the best around, bolstered by on-stick sensors that react to your subtlest moves. The Force Feedback RAM, built into the stick, stores and calculates different forces, and the Force Feedback Pro's 16-bit processor communicates commands between the stick and your games. All of this feedback comes with a minor tradeoff: the cooling fan built into the base can get a bit annoying during gameplay.
Even with MechWarrior 3, the Force Feedback Pro will cost you plenty. There are other joysticks out there that dutifully serve their purpose in flight sims and action games, but none that really provides the all-around feature set and extras that the Force Feedback Pro gives gamers.
Pros:
- Great force-feedback effects
- Bundled with full version of MechWarrior 3
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Heavy
- Takes up desk space
Amazon.com Product Description
With the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro 16-bit on-stick processor, you feel as many as 100 or more forces--from subtle sensations to rugged power forces--in every game that supports Force Feedback technology. You choose the amount of force you want to feel for each game, or you can turn it off entirely. The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro also allows you to program your best moves to the eight joystick buttons using the enclosed Game Device Profiler software. In games that support it, the shift button doubles the functionality of your buttons, hat switch, throttle wheel, trigger, and handle movements.
Features also include a digital-optical camera built into Force Feedback Pro, providing pinpoint accuracy, optimal speed, and no drift. Digital overdrive helps the Force Feedback Pro communicate more quickly with your PC. Finally, the ergonomic design ensures you'll play in comfort for hours, no matter the size or shape of your hands.
Installation is easy with a single port connector, and the solid circuit board with a minimal number of connectors provides dependability.
Product Description
Then Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with dynamic force feedback technology and earned PC Gamer's Editor's Choice Award. Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the best-selling 16-bit on-stick processor - delivering realistic, high-fidelity forces faster. Feel true-to-life feedback - from subtle sensations to raw power forces. Experience multiple forces simultaneously. Even feel which direction the forces come from. Only Microsoft force feedback technology puts you right inside the game so you can react quickly and decisively to win. Microsoft has changed the face of gaming forever.
Customer Reviews:
Microsoft Side Winder Force Feedback Pro: Electronics.......2005-12-31
I have not had better customer service from anyone. I had ordered a side winder but it was not what I thought it was when I received it. I had misread the description. I contacted the seller and he immediately, without question, found the side winder I was looking for and shipped it to me at his own expense, so I would receive it before Christmas. I would recommend him highly to anyone looking for his product.
A long lasting stick.......2005-03-24
I would just like to say that my experience with this stick has been excellent. Granted, I have only used 2 other sticks thus far. I honestly can not even remember how long ago I recieved this stick as a gift. I have owned it for well over 2 years and had zero problems. I originally used it on a 98 system then an XP system. XP automatically installed it as soon as it was plugged in. Also, SP2 did not affect its operation.
The base is heavy and will never leave your desk unless you are trying to flip it. The resistance and force feeback are adjustable with the bundled software over what I feel is a fairly wide range of resistance. Some have mentioned problems with the stick becoming floppy. I have had no such problems. However, it is important to note that FS2004 plays without resistance and only force feedback on my system(don't know if this is changable or not). The number of buttons has served me well in FS2004, Janes F-15, USAF, Combat Flight Sim, and CFS 2. I have also found the optical sensor to be useful. Some of the forces are unrealistic/annoying. Adjusting your grip to not activate the sensor will make life easier.
The stick itself is superbly designed for a comfortable grip. Both of my hands rest naturally in their proper positions. Also, I honestly enjoy the bulkiness of the stick. It was quickly dubbed my baby. The bulkiness and sleek black design also make for an almost intimidating stick at LAN parties as well.
I have only one complaint about this stick. I don't like the interface with the computer. It requires a large power cord that takes up a lot of room on my limited power bar in an even more limited dorm room. However, I am finally forced to retire this fine stick because a small peice of plastic in the data port on the stick broke. I feel that this is more due to it having to live on my dorm room floor as opposed to old age.
My final conclusion is that if you are not a poor college student, this is an excellent stick. I would buy another if I had the money. However, I need something for a lower price. Therefore, I will be purchasing the Logitech Wingman Force 3D.
Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro-no in Win XP.......2004-04-16
Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro
by Microsoft just can't be used with Window-Xp, Why can anyone help, How to go about solving this Q
decent product.......2003-06-18
I liked this stick alot. It wasn't too bulky or large. I never had any problems running it on win 95 and 98. The only complaint I have is that after two years of non strenuous use the force feedback died and there was no resistance so the stick didn't even stand up straight if you let it drop. I guess the little force feedback motor died. It made it un-useable. I really enjoyed the way it vibrated when I crashed in rogue squadron.
great joystick.......2003-05-30
i dont know why gmmjr from little rock had a problem windows xp installed my joystick automaticaly works perfectly great joystick
Product Description
First there was sight. Then there was sound.Then Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with dynamic force feedback technology and earned PC Gamer's Editor's Choice Award. Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the best-selling 16-bit on-stick processor - delivering realistic, high-fidelity forces faster. Feel true-to-life feedback - from subtle sensations to raw power forces. Experience multiple forces simultaneously. Even feel which direction the forces come from. Only Microsoft force feedback technology puts you right inside the game so you can react quickly and decisively to win. Microsoft has changed the face of gaming forever. SideWinder Force Feedback Pro comes with two great games Microsoft Urban Assault (full game included) and 3 months of free Internet gaming with Microsoft Fighter Ace Online multiplayer game.
Product Description
Feel your tires hug the asphalt. Tighten your grip as an icy road sends you into a tailspin. Watch the wheel go slack mid-air and then rumble over railroad tracks. With premium force feedback technology driven by a powerful onboard processor you will feel the thrill of the racetrack.
Product Description
First there was sight. Then there was sound. Then Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with dynamic force feedback technology and earned PC Gamer's Editor's Choice Award. Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the best-selling 16-bit on-stick processor - delivering realistic, high-fidelity forces faster. Feel true-to-life feedback - from subtle sensations to raw power forces. Experience multiple forces simultaneously. Even feel which direction the forces come from. Only Microsoft force feedback technology puts you right inside the game so you can react quickly and decisively to win. Microsoft has changed the face of gaming forever. SideWinder Force Feedback Pro comes with two great games Microsoft Urban Assault (full game included) and 3 months of free Internet gaming with Microsoft Fighter Ace Online multiplayer game. Move with precision. The infrared beam in Force Feedback Pro signals your every move. Rely on Force Feedback Pro. A solid circuit board with minimal connectors makes Force Feedback dependable. Play with accuracy. A built-in digital-optical "camera" reads your exact position. Get faster responses. Replacing analog potentiometers with Microsoft digital-optical technology means more precise translations of your games.
Product Description
First there was sight. Then there was sound.Then Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with dynamic force feedback technology and earned PC Gamer's Editor's Choice Award. Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the best-selling 16-bit on-stick processor - delivering realistic, high-fidelity forces faster. Feel true-to-life feedback - from subtle sensations to raw power forces. Experience multiple forces simultaneously. Even feel which direction the forces come from. Only Microsoft force feedback technology puts you right inside the game so you can react quickly and decisively to win. Microsoft has changed the face of gaming forever. SideWinder Force Feedback Pro comes with two great games Microsoft Urban Assault (full game included) and 3 months of free Internet gaming with Microsoft Fighter Ace Online multiplayer game.
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