3D Controller Shoot-out part 3

Gravis Xterminator Dual Control Joystick (read the full review)

The Gravis Xterminator Dual Control Joystick is the newest controller in the shoot-out. It almost didn't make the competition because of its recent release. Once received the shoot-out was delayed in order to include it. The Xterminator is Gravis's first attempt at a 3D controller. It is very similar to the Panther XL in function and layout.

The Dual Control is a very well laid out controller and is found to be comfortable with different hand sizes. The controller has every finger involved in the action. With either hand your thumb plays a vital role. Your right hand thumb controls a hat switch, rocker switch and button while your left thumb handles the other hat switch.

The second hat switch is important to the Xterminator's "dual control". Standard movement is controlled with the joystick and viewing/aiming controlled by the second hat switch. The hat switch can be configured to be read as a second mouse. This is my preferred configuration. However, the hat switch sensitivity and the mouse sensitivity in the game must me tweaked considerably for good performance. At the default sensitivities I found the views shooting to the extremes with the slightest movement.

Performance-

Again, call it laziness OR proficiency- I setup one single profile to use for most of the 1st person shooters on the list. I then made modifications within the different games - assigning buttons, actions and movement to the desired features. However, with each game It took some effort to get everything to my liking due the highly sensitive hat switch.

Once configured gameplay was highly comfortable and proficient. The Dual Control offers great control and accurate movement. It took much practice to perfect the aiming/viewing mechanism. I spent many hours with Quake II adjusting to the way the view switch operated. Many deaths later (mine) I was able to use the hat switch with some regularity. The practice is well worth the effort. The Xterminator offers the quickest view/aim mechanism in the lineup. Because of its speed it is hard to achieve accuracy- but not impossible.

The Xterminator Dual Control works great as a standard joystick too. Its comfortable shape, many buttons, hat switches and throttle make it a good candidate for flight sim enthusiasts. With MS FlightSim 2000 the Dual Control setup and performed well. The only missing control was a rudder. Two of the buttons on the left hand side of the base were used to control the rudder but a different rudder control would have been better. When controlled with buttons its difficult to make the small adjustments needed from a rudder. The simplest solution is to bind the rudder control to the ailerons with "coordinated rudder" enabled.

The joystick was also suitable for the two racing games listed in the test. Both Midtown Madness and Motocross Madness were setup with the throttle to control speed, a button for braking, hat switch for view switching, and various other buttons for other game features. Neither needed all of the buttons the Dual Control offers. Control was good.

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