Ferraro Designs The Claw

The Claw

Manufacturer: Ferraro Designs

Price: approximately $52 (US)

Review Date: 2-25-01

Features:

• 9 programmable buttons
• Selectable "shift" button
• Up to 5 keystrokes assignable to each action
• 2 program banks
• AT or PS/2 keyboard connection

Box Contents:

• The Claw
• User Instructions

Warrantee:

Limited 2 year

System Requirements:

PS/2 or AT keyboard connection, works under all operating systems

The Claw from Ferraro Designs not only has a cool name but has a wonderful premise- simple, effective control. The Ferraro Design team came into the game controller world back in 1996 with the Advantage 1 Racing Wheel and Pedals. The Racing gear was predominantly made of metal and had a cushioned wheel. It was (and continues to be) a highly acclaimed wheel.

The Claw went from concept to users desktops in less than a year. The Claw was recently upgraded to assign a modifier button. Using the modifier essentially doubles the functionality of the remaining buttons allowing you to have two actions programmed to each! Claw owners who do not have this ability are not out of luck- Ferraro Design offers a simple upgrade that provides you with all of the right tools, the CCPU and instructions on installing it.

The connectors

Underside of The Claw showing the program switches.

The natural positioning of your hand on The Claw.

The Claw configuration sheet. (click to download)

Sample configuration sheet layout.

CAD concept drawings.

Installation:

Installation of The Claw is a simple proposition. Dangling from the end of the Claw's cord are two connectors (see first image above). One of the connectors is a double ended PS/2 connector with both male and female ends. The second connector is the same but with male and female AT style connectors. Determine which your system uses and ignore the other. Unplug your keyboard from your system, connect the male end of The Claw plug into the PC and plug the keyboard into the back of The Claw's adapter. Installation is complete. Setup will be confirmed when you power your system with an audible beep from The Claw. This beep indicates an internal memory test has been performed and is OK.

No software drivers are needed or provided. Windows (and other operating systems) will not detect The Claw's presence since it is seen as the keyboard.

Documentation:

The Claw documentation is brief. It could be said it can fit on the underside of The Claw. In fact, the instructions for programming The Claw are conveniently printed on the underside of the base where you access the programming buttons for easy reference. The printed instruction sheet that comes in The Claw's box covers installation and programming as well. The sheet also has and ergonomic warning and a warrantee card.

The Claw website offers every product detail available. You can get product details, download the configuration sheet, learn about the company or join in discussion on the chat board dealing with The Claw.

Programming:

The underside of The Claw's belly is home to two switches. The first switch toggles between program and play modes. The second switch toggles operation from the two different memory banks. The first thing you need to do is program key press setting into The Claw. to do this:

• Move the left switch to PROGRAM. The CLAW will emit a continuous tone.
• Select and press a button on the CLAW, The CLAW will now beep continuously.
• Select and press one key on the keyboard, The CLAW will now emit a continuous tone. This key has now been programmed to the button on the CLAW selected in step 2.
• Repeat steps 2 & 3 to program additional buttons, or move the left switch to PLAY to exit PROGRAM mode.

To program multiple keystrokes to the same button repeat the second and third steps using the same Claw button. To program modified actions:

• Move the left switch to PROGRAM. The CLAW will emit a continuous tone.
• Select the button you wish to make the modifier. Press this button on the CLAW. The CLAW will now beep continuously.
• Press the right hand Shift key on the keyboard. The CLAW will now emit a continuous tone.

Note: You must use the right hand Shift key. The left one will simply program the Shift keystroke.

• Exit program mode by switching the CLAW to PLAY mode

To easily understand how to program buttons for the modifier take this simple example- Using the basic programming action assigning a single button two keystrokes as described above (i.e. "A" and "S"). Each keystroke will become an independent action with a modifier button active. The first key action of "A" will be sent when the modifier is not used. When the modifier button is activated the same button press on The Claw will send "S".

Once you have experimented with the programming functions of The Claw you will find it is best to program simple, single key actions to the 4 thumb buttons, use one of the index finger buttons as the modifier and all other buttons more single key actions but with modifier abilities. I use only one memory bank of The Claw and prefer to use my Claw default keys. Then within the different game setups I assign the presses of The Claw buttons to the desired actions.

Performance:

So how does it all come together?

The Claw is a highly comfortable piece of hardware- Far more comfortable than resting your hand on the keyboards edge. The Claw has a heavy, sturdy base that stays exactly where you place it. It can even be balanced on your lap if you find it more comfortable. The buttons are all well within reach and placed at angles that mock the curvature of your hand at rest. The button actions are smooth- gliding your thumb across the 4 closely placed thumb buttons is almost like operating a hat switch.

For every game I played I used the same basic programming on The Claw. The 4 thumb buttons were assigned the arrow keys, the first index finger button as the modifier and all of the other buttons random letters on the keyboard. Within the game setup menus I then assigned the corresponding keyboard actions through The Claw. For example my Quake 3 setup has the 4 thumb buttons controlling forward and backward motion and sliding, turning and view angle is controlled with the mouse. The primary mouse button fires and the second jumps. The remaining finger buttons on The Claw control weapon changes, item use, chat commands and the like. Each of my First Person Shooters (FPS) is setup similarly.

Overall:

The Claw does a great job of providing FPS control in conjunction with your favorite mouse. It has a sleek, practical design and the latest update to its hardware gives you control of 16 functions at your fingertips. The Claw is only for use with your left hand so if you're a lefty your out of luck once again.

The Control Center highly recommends this simple but effective device.