Microsoft Force-Feedback Pro 2

Microsoft Sidewinder Force-Feedback Pro 2**

Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro 2

**Manufactured By: Microsoft Corp.

Retail Price: $109.00 (US) **

Review Date: 1-13-01

The "new and improved" Sidewinder Force Feedback Joystick with the uncreative distinction from its previous version with the addition of a "2" after its title has some nice improvements over the first and one or two features from the first that were left out. The shift button on the base of the first SWFFP is gone. This effectively neuters the controller into half of the functionality of its predecessor. Many rarely used the shift capability of the original; requiring you to create a profile to take advantage of the feature and memorization of all of the functions. Still, its hard to justify the deletion of this feature some took full advantage of.

Improvements include:

• A better throttle- the previous version used a throttle wheel that was difficult to determine the center of. The new throttle is a paddle that provides better accuracy of throttle control.
• Refined button layout- The base buttons remain in the same configuration (minus the deletion of the shift button). The stick buttons are better arranged for thumb action. Some of the buttons can even be used in conjunction with the hat switch.
• Self contained power supply- The original gas a large power brick you needed to find a home for. The new and improved design has the power transformer buried in the base of the controller. You now only need to find a home for the polarized 2 prong plug. It easily fits on a power strip and only takes up one outlets space.
• USB connection- The previous version used a 15 pin gameport connection. However, it did not use the analog signaling of the gameport; instead using the MIDI signaling of a proper gameport. There were numerous compatibility issues with less popular soundcards, on-board gameports and switched MIDI sets. The USB offers a quicker connection and fewer compatibility issues.

Compatibility is increased with the switch to the USB connection. Still, Microsoft made a major blunder by not testing the prototypes with VIA based motherboards. If you have a motherboard or add-on USB card with a VIA USB host controller you will need to get a patch that was released shortly after the release of the MSFFP2. The patch corrects the issue that should have never been. There is also a patch available to correct issues with Microsoft's on-line air combat sim Fighter Ace 2. With DirectX 8.0 the MSSWFF2 would not function properly in this game. Its as if the people of Redmond, Washington do not speak to each other or assure compatibility with their own products!

Features -

• 8 buttons (1 trigger, 3 face buttons on stick and 4 base buttons)
• 8 way hat switch
• Stick twist rudder
• 146º throttle lever
• Force feedback

Warrantee -

Limited 3 year hardware warrantee.

System Requirements-

• Pentium 166 or higher processor and USB port
• Microsoft Windows® 98 or Windows 2000
• 16 MB of memory (RAM)
• 25 MB of available hard-disk space
• DirectX® 7.0a or higher
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later browser software to view User Guide
• Printer for profile printouts (optional)

Price -

The older Sidewinder Force Feedback Joystick rang in somewhere in the $120-150 (US) range. The new force feedback stick offers a newly designed layout and a USB connection while chiming in at a more affordable $109 (US).

Performance -

The SWFFP2 is a good stick. The improvements enhance gameplay just a bit. The layout is comfortable and the features are all within reach. The updated throttle is nicer and allows you to better gauge the level of acceleration you are applying and centers more intuitively. I put the stick to work with a stack of game CDs.

In flight sims such as MS FlightSim 2000, Combat Sim 2, Crimson Skies, Fly 2K and Flight Unlimited 3 the stick provided decent control and provided enough button function to take advantage of most of the primary sim functions. I used the twist stick rudder control in all of the sims in place of coordinating the rudder with the ailerons. The only place where the rudder just didn't provide the accuracy necessary was with helicopter flight. The small range of the stick motion usually sent the copter into a twist that was reversed with overcompensation in the opposite direction. The only way I could rectify this was to reassign the function to a set of CH USB Pro Pedals in sims that support multiple controller configurations.

Racing games performed reasonably well also. Many people feel a stick is actually better than a wheel for racing control. Some of the top virtual racers actually use a stick. I set the stick to control turning, the throttle to control acceleration and braking and used the trigger as a handbrake. The other buttons were used for the various other features of the racing games. The setup provided great control and feedback. Motocross Madness 2 was a blast with the FFP2 as were others from the Need for Speed series and Midtown Madness.

I also used the stick with some space and mech sims. Mechwarrior type games were built for this type of controller. The stick controlled mech pitch and turning, the throttle controlled movement, the twist function allowed for torso twisting and the hat controlled the mech's view and targeting control. Again the 8 buttons came into good use for most of the primary functions such a weapons control and change, communications and targeting. Space sims had full control of the craft with the 6 axis controls and hat switch.

Overall performance of the SWFFP2 is great. The force effects are smooth and do not appear to effect framerate or contribute to lag. The button layout is good and the 8 buttons provide enough function for most games/sims. Advanced actions may still require you to peck at your keyboard though. The ability to assign one of the buttons a shift function would have addressed this but is a minor annoyance that should not be an issue with most users.

Setup -

Setup of the SWFFP2 is easy. Its recommended to insert the software CD, install the software and follow the on screen instructions. Plug the power supply into the base of the controller and the other end into a polarized, 2 prong outlet. When prompted connect the controller to the USB port of your machine or hub. If you own a VIA based system or have a add-on USB card using a VIA controller you will also need to download and install the patch for the stick to be properly recognized.

The final, but not really necessary step of setup is to enter the properties of the game controller and adjust the force effect levels and/or the sticks return to center tension. Both can be customized to 4 different levels as you desire.

The properties window

of the SWFF2 where

you can customize the stick's effects levels and force levels.

Click for larger image

Software -

Its pick on Microsoft time again- The Sidewinder 4.0 software which includes both the drivers and profile utility is a good set of code. Just hang onto you CD for dear life. The software is not available for download anywhere. If you are prone to loosing or misplacing CD's get yourself some duct tape and secure the 4.0 jewel case to the top of your monitor. Microsoft has yet to respond just why they have not made it, or any of their more current software drivers publicly available for download. Yes the files would be huge, yes the different devices have slightly different code but none of these justify any reasoning. I have received dozens of request for the software and tried to start a petition to have it posted on the Microsoft hardware newsgroups but my postings were removed.

That aside, the software is a powerful and allows you to use the stick right out of the box. Depending on your needs and willingness to invest the time you can create a profile to adjust the stick response settings (deadzone, force levels and return to center tension). You can assign single key presses or complex keystrokes to each button of the controller. Serious flight simmers will love the ability to customize all of these options. The only drawback to the profiler's function is it does not detect a game or sim being executed and activate the profile automatically- you must activate the proper profile before running the game. Its a minor observation but other gaming profile utilities have this feature to make life a bit easier.

Profiles can be saved and shared. Right now a few add-on profiles are available for download and hopefully a site will be created where users can share their favorite files easily.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Documentation -

This time Microsoft provides a more in depth manual with its stick. The manual of course covers setup operation and introduces you to the profile software. For advanced information you should consult the readme and help files. The help files require MS Internet Explorer and are very comprehensive. If you're looking to create your own profiles you should spend an hour or two going through the help files to give you a sense of how it operates and what features are available to you.

The Microsoft web site has product details a few trouble-shooting blurbs, the VIA patch and DirectX update links. Right now no additional profiles are available on the site. As I may have already mentioned- the 4.0 software is also NOT available for download. The FAQ items are mostly generic Sidewinder issues and do not deal directly with the SWFFP2.

Overall Rating -

Despite the heavy criticism I throw in Microsoft's direction- the Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro 2 is a fine stick. The improvements they made of its predecessor are worthwhile (although I wish they kept the shift button). The SWFFP2 is not a logical upgrade for a user with the original- the updates to the stick do not justify the expense. Still, gamers looking to finally add a force feedback stick to their setup can't rally go wrong by choosing the SWFFP2.

The Control Center recommends the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick. It should provide good, long, problem free performance.