Saitek Cyborg EVO PS 24 Joystick

Product Rating
4.5 of 5
4 reviews

Price Range
$0 - $0

Product Description

Summary

Simply the best stand alone joystick on the market, especially for lefties. I've owned two of them and they have long long lifespans. Adjustable to fit anyones hand and preferances. 10 buttons, 2 of which can function as a "shift" key. I wish there were 2 hats and more buttons on the top of the stick but I guess you can't have everything... unless you're right handed and can afford a CH system... anyways. Its a good stick, and its fully programmable. Have fun.

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Summary

Great stick for the money. It's the closest thing to my old favorite, the original Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro. But when they were no longer available, I decided to try the Cyborg. I didn't think I could ever get used to a stick with those egonomically shaped handles. They're fine for flight sims, but the button placement was awkward for most other games that required hitting buttons while turning and especially while twisting to use the R axis. But that seemed to be the trend and nothing else was available with a plain handle like the old Sidewinder 3D. So I decided to try the Cyborg mostly because it was so adjustable. (and it looked SO damn cool) I only have 2 minor complaints about the Cyborg. First is the way buttons 5 through 8 are flush with the base. It's almost impossible to find the one you need by feel alone. And to take your eyes off the screen to figure out if you're about to hit f1 or f3 can get you killed in a game. This I solved by taking some peel and stick rubber feet and placing them over the buttons. I had to trim them a little so they wouldn't interfere with the buttons depressing all the way, but they were perfect for developing a feel for which button was which without looking. Lots of small appliances come with these peel off feet to protect the desk or counter you place them on. Clear ones work best because you can still see the button numbers right through them which is very useful when configuring the buttons for games. (I got them with an external modem, I think) The second problem I had was durability. Button 2 on the head of the stick went bad after only 6 months of use. That's longer than some sticks have lasted me in the past and maybe it was just a fluke, but I still think it should have lasted longer. But I still bought another one to replace it since there's nothing better out there, especially for the price.

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Summary

This review is for the USB version of this joystick. First of all let me say that if you haven't checked into this piece of gaming hardware, then make time to do so. It is one of the most detailed yet straightforward instruments that I have ever used. With its slick, high-tech looks, its pleasing matte black and champagne-colored almost titanium looking finish, and its well placed plethora of buttons and switches, this cool tool looks like its going mach 2 standing still! It appears solid and well made with a high degree of fit and finish. It is physically tailorable to fit even the most discriminating user: you raise or lower the handrest on the stick to adjust finger access to the three thumb fire buttons, the trigger (which actually looks like a trigger!), and the eight-way hat switch. The trottle, which is as smooth as store bought chocolate milk comes set up for right-handers, but can readily be switched to the other side of the base for lefties. In addition to normal x and y axis control, this stick has a z axis in the form of a twist grip for use as yaw control or swiveling. By the way, all of these adjustments are accomplished by removing-adjusting-replacing a hex-keyed screw or two using the supplied hex key which sits handily available in its own little out-of-the-way niche on the front of the base. The stick is completely programmable using Saitek's slick program interface which they call the Saitek Gaming Extension (SGE). The SGE is thoroughly documented in the CD supplied manuals. Even though the stick can be programmed with up to 24 different functions it isn't necessary in order to use it -- you can just plug it in and start playing (but who does that?!). The programmable buttons include those already mentioned on the top of the stick plus six more placed efficiently around on the base including F1 - F4 and two shift buttons; a left and a right giving you unshifted, left-shifted, and right-shifted functionality. If you want to try your hand at the programming, don't worry, Saitek has supplied a lot of predefined profiles (for the Cyborg and all of their other devices as well) which can be accessed/downloaded from their website (www.saitek.com). Even if you don't have web access (???) Saitek includes a goodly stash of profiles on the installation CD. Considering that with a little bit of web browsing that I came up with a purchase price (including UPS shipping delivered within 3 days of placing my order) for the astounding price of under $38, I would have to say that this stick cannot be beaten. When you also take into consideration the features, the quality of workmanship, and that unbelieveable price, all of those other devices costing twice the price (and more) had better watch out. All in all I would venture to say that Saitek has a real winner in the Cyborg 3D Gold USB joystick -- don't be surprised if the price starts going up once it is "discovered!"

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Summary

I think its a great joystick. Very easy to set-up and simple to program. It is also one of the few flight sticks that can be setup up for left hand use. Great bargin.

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