Techmedia 3D Zone Master

3D ZoneMaster

Manufactured By: Techmedia

Retail Price: $9.99 - 99.99

Review Date:10-10-99

If I rated controllers based upon effort the 3D ZoneMaster would receive a solid A+: Wireless control of 3 axis, a hat switch and programmable buttons are things that would lead to its high effort grade. However, I don't rate controllers on what they are attempting to provide- they are rated on what the DO offer and how they function.

Techmedia created the 3D ZoneMaster based on technology from Pegasus Technologies. Pegasus was the creator of the FreeD wireless controller. The FreeD was a poorly operating wireless controller with X, Y and Z axis control and 2 buttons. Techmedia used the same technology and added 2 more buttons and a hat switch. The end result is a more feature rich controller but it holds many of the same issues of the FreeD.

Further, Techmedia seems to be gone (from the web at least). This would explain why the controller is now only available through close-out outlets.

Features 72%-

• Wireless X, Y and Z axis control
• 4 programmable buttons
• 4 way hat switch
• Mouse emulation
• Windows remote function

Appropriate For-

• 1st and 3rd Person shooters
• Mech sims
• Any game playable with a mouse

System Requirements-

Free 9 pin serial port, Windows, 9V Battery

Price -

At just under $100 (MSRP) the 3D ZoneMaster is a poor value. If this is a controller you just can't live without you should be able to find on for ~$10-15 through an on-line auction or close-out retailer. Inclusion of Mechwarrior II and Virtual Squad make its price a bit more tolerable.

Warranty-

1 year limited.

Performance 60%- The overall performance of the 3D ZoneMaster can be summed up in one word- "Yuck". No matter how used with different configurations the control in mushy and inaccurate.

With Quake II I bounced off the walls no matter if I used the placement of the controller in the air or the hat switch for movement. trying to hit a switch button with this thing was very difficult if not possible. Moving targets were even more difficult to frag. Every first and 3rd person shooter I played gave the same poor performance and control.

The only game was playable was Virtual Squad. The controller allowed me to aim at the various targets with success but my scores were higher and I was less frustrated by simply switching to my mouse. Plus the graphics of the game are weak by today's standards.

The 3D ZoneMaster gave decent performance as a Windows remote/mouse. I used it as a navigational device in Netscape and to get around the Windows environment. Control wasn't superb but did get the job done. I still prefer the system mouse any day.

The biggest factor for comfort was having to extend your arm to keep the controller in "the range" of the receiver. Extended use results in a sore arm. Its just not a natural way to control anything.

Setup 80% -

Setup of the 3D ZoneMaster is not too difficult. The L shaped bracket receiver sets atop your system monitor with the left "arm" hanging down the left border of your monitor. The upper "arm" of the bracket extends across the top portion of the monitor frame. The receiver plugs into a free 9 pin serial port. Physical setup is then complete.

The software installs easily using the executable found in the default directory of the software CD. A reboot is then required. Then define the center position of the controller (where in the workspace in front of your monitor you'd like center to be) by following the instructions in the manual.

** Software 79%-

** The software for the 3D ZoneMaster is simple to use. It allows you to configure the controller for use in games and also allows you to use the controller as a Windows remote control.

The most interesting application with the 3D ZoneMaster is the mouse emulation. The emulator works along with your current system mouse. You can use the controller to scroll through the web, select items and other common mouse functions.

Also included with the 3D ZoneMaster are full versions of Mechwarrior II and Virtual Squad (along with Virtual Squad 2 demo).

Documentation 80% -

The manual is the best part of the package. It is 36 pages long and packed with details on setting up, using and programming the 3D ZoneMaster. Unfortunately the well written manual does nothing to improve its mediocre performance.

The Techmedia website is no longer functional.

Overall Rating 68.3% -

The efforts of the 3D ZoneMaster (features and documentation) are the only thing carrying this controller. The performance is far too inaccurate and tiresome for it to be taken serious as a viable game controller. Even as a Windows navigation device it can't compete with your trusty old mouse.

The Control Center doesn't recommend the 3D ZoneMaster- there are far too many issues with it. Wireless control will just have to wait.

Pros-

• Wireless connection

Cons-

• Jittery control
• Too few buttons
• Pricey