Rating: 
Summary: Worth its price
Review: About a week ago my friend got a flight simulator that I found very enjoyable, but I didn't have a joystick. So I came here and searched around for a while. My friend has the Force Feedback joystick and I intended to get that, however it's quite costly so I decided to get this instead. This joystick works just as well as the Force Feedback (I think it's better, it doesn't tire you out as much), it lasts longer (the Force Feedback has been known to jam up after a while because the motor will break after a year or so of usage), and it costs half the price.
Rating:
Summary: Worth its price
Review: About a week ago my friend got a flight simulator that I found very enjoyable, but I didn't have a joystick. So I came here and searched around for a while. My friend has the Force Feedback joystick and I intended to get that, however it's quite costly so I decided to get this instead. This joystick works just as well as the Force Feedback (I think it's better, it doesn't tire you out as much), it lasts longer (the Force Feedback has been known to jam up after a while because the motor will break after a year or so of usage), and it costs half the price.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent basic joystick
Review: I bought this joystick for the purpose of flight simulation. Although, I saw many other sidewinder editions, like the Force Feedback 2 or the Precision 2 , I wanted a simple and easy to use joystick handy. This joystick clearly does the job. With 6 buttons and easy to move controls, this joystick do all the jobs you expect from a basic and affordable joystick. For setup, simply plug into the USB port and you're ready to go. It is portable, lightweight, and doesn't take up a lot of space. It works like any other joystick. Best of all, it is at a very affordable price.
Rating: 
Summary: Does the job, best for flight simulators
Review: I bought this joystick to use it specifically with MS Flight Simulator 2002 Professional. It gives a more realistic feel than using the keys plus it has good response and many other buttons already preprogrammed for various actions such as trim, throttle, flaps and point of view.I do not like the response for action or maze games though. If you want to purchase a joystick for general use, I would ask you to choose carefully. I thought that the joystick base was a little heavier. Sometimes the base goes in the direction I'm moving when doing sudden movements. You need to actually push down firmly while moving the stick to keep the base in place. The joystick's grip is designed for right-handed users, left handed users may feel it uncomfortable although not impossible to handle. Make sure to have an available USB port. I connected it to a USB hub and works perfectly there. Also, the package states that the joystick works with games designed for Windows 98 Second Edition or later. I use it with Windows XP Professional. I hope that my review helps in choosing the best control for you. I took one star out because of the limited use of this joystick.
Rating:
Summary: Does the job, best for flight simulators
Review: I bought this joystick to use it specifically with MS Flight Simulator 2002 Professional. It gives a more realistic feel than using the keys plus it has good response and many other buttons already preprogrammed for various actions such as trim, throttle, flaps and point of view. I do not like the response for action or maze games though. If you want to purchase a joystick for general use, I would ask you to choose carefully. I thought that the joystick base was a little heavier. Sometimes the base goes in the direction I'm moving when doing sudden movements. You need to actually push down firmly while moving the stick to keep the base in place. The joystick's grip is designed for right-handed users, left handed users may feel it uncomfortable although not impossible to handle. Make sure to have an available USB port. I connected it to a USB hub and works perfectly there. Also, the package states that the joystick works with games designed for Windows 98 Second Edition or later. I use it with Windows XP Professional. I hope that my review helps in choosing the best control for you. I took one star out because of the limited use of this joystick.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but nothing fancy.
Review: I have always enjoyed flight sims, but I didn't have a joystick. I got the Sidewinder, and it has served me well. It hasn't failed or broken to this date. It is fairly light, but has a wide base, so stability is not an issue. It has only 8 buttons however, which may not be enough for advanced gamers or for true flight sims that have many controls. Also, the lack of instant rudder is a downside. As I recall, setup was painless and haven't needed to bother with reinsatlling drivers or getting tech support. It is comfortable, but i find that after several hours of using it my little finger starts to get sore. Overall, it is a great joystick for a basic gamer. It is reliable and cheap, so if you want a joystick for simple uses, this one is perfect.
Rating: 
Summary: Microsoft doesn't support their own products!
Review: I've been burned by Microsoft twice before with Sidewinder joysticks. The first time I bought one was when I had Windows 98. It was a Sidewinder Pro. Great joystick, plug n play, all that. When I migrated to Windows 2000, I found that the Sidewinder Pro was not supported (despite being analog--you'd think it would be easy to program drivers for it). I thought, "Okay, maybe there are problems, blah blah blah." I then bought a Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, again, great product, plug n play, all that. Worked great. When I migrated again to Windows XP I found AGAIN it wasn't supported by Microsoft. There is NO reason why a company such as Microsoft cannot support their own products on their own operating system. I will NEVER buy a Sidewinder again. I can't trust them. Buy anything else. I've had great luck with the Wingman Digital Extreme--$28 at WalMart--excellent buy!
Rating:
Summary: Microsoft doesn't support their own products!
Review: I've been burned by Microsoft twice before with Sidewinder joysticks. The first time I bought one was when I had Windows 98. It was a Sidewinder Pro. Great joystick, plug n play, all that. When I migrated to Windows 2000, I found that the Sidewinder Pro was not supported (despite being analog--you'd think it would be easy to program drivers for it). I thought, "Okay, maybe there are problems, blah blah blah." I then bought a Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, again, great product, plug n play, all that. Worked great. When I migrated again to Windows XP I found AGAIN it wasn't supported by Microsoft. There is NO reason why a company such as Microsoft cannot support their own products on their own operating system. I will NEVER buy a Sidewinder again. I can't trust them. Buy anything else. I've had great luck with the Wingman Digital Extreme--$28 at WalMart--excellent buy!
Rating:
Summary: Easy to install and works
Review: I've owned a Sidewinder for a little over a year. In that year I have reinstalled the software more than 20 times. It seems that whenever I shut down the computer the device driver vanishes. This last time (and it will be the last time) I reinstalled the software and the joystick will still not work. Trying to contact tech support is a nightmare. Bouncing around the microsoft website is a joke. I've tried everything they have suggested, yet nothing. Acessing online tech support they notify me that tech support for this product is not available in the United States- apparently I flew to asia and purchased this product without my knowledge. The final answer to my question appears to be to not buy any Microsoft products.
Rating:
Summary: Stay away
Review: I've owned a Sidewinder for a little over a year. In that year I have reinstalled the software more than 20 times. It seems that whenever I shut down the computer the device driver vanishes. This last time (and it will be the last time) I reinstalled the software and the joystick will still not work. Trying to contact tech support is a nightmare. Bouncing around the microsoft website is a joke. I've tried everything they have suggested, yet nothing. Acessing online tech support they notify me that tech support for this product is not available in the United States- apparently I flew to asia and purchased this product without my knowledge. The final answer to my question appears to be to not buy any Microsoft products.
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