Rating: 
Summary: NOT AS GREAT AS IT SEEMS!!!
Review: I purchased the "Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick" primarily for "Flight Simulator 2002 Profesional" and "Combat Flight Simulator 2". I went with Microsoft because I figured since they are the ones that designed the games, then their joystick is probably the most compatible with their games.Some of the nice features of this joystick are the 16 programmable functions, and the rotating handle for precise rudder control. I also liked the fact that it is quite heavy in weight, allowing it to stay firmly on the desk as I maneuver the joystick around during gameplay. Now for the bad features of this joystick. You have to fully grip the joystick in order to enjoy the force feedback feature. This can get tiring when you'd like to sit back and cruise at high altitudes. You would not need the force feedback feature when you are cruising at high altitudes anyway, but here is where the problem starts. I usually let go of the joystick and hold it lightly at the base to keep the aircraft centered. Apparently, there is a sensor in the joystick, and if it does not sense your hand fully grasping the stick, it lags over to one side (usually down, and to the left). This causes the aircraft to suddenly plummet out of the sky, drastically going off course. It is easy to recover with the smaller aircraft, however when you're using the 777 or 747, it gets really annoying! If you have the auto-pilot engaged, the stick will lag over to one side. There is a button on the joystick which allows you to change your views (such as viewing the aircraft from the outside). If you reach over to change your views, the joystick senses your hand, the force feedback suddenly kicks in, and the joystick goes crazy for a couple of seconds by jumping to the left and the right. This causes the auto-pilot to kick off, and once again the aircraft plummets out of the sky! I have learned to tap the "view" button very lightly, so the force feedback does not trigger. Another annoying thing is the fact that the throttle control is very small, and has absolutely no resistance. It is very difficult to set your throttle without accidentally giving too much or too little. These minute things can get very annoying during the gameplay. I was very eager to return this joystick and buy the "Logitech Wingman 3D", however there are mixed reviews for the Logitech as well. I guess there can never be a perfect joystick!
Rating: 
Summary: A good value
Review: I purchased the MS Force Feedback after a Logitech product of mine failed. I was happy with this stick seconds after installation! MS CFSII was a wholly different experience with force feedback. I cannot imagine playing any flight sim without force feedback. This is a good choice for anyone looking for a good product without spending a bunch of money on some of the costlier stuff I've seen out there.
Rating:
Summary: Cool device
Review: I recently bought it. Get it, get MS Combat Simulator and get MS Flight Simulator 2K2 Pro. You will spend days enjoying it... :-D For flight sim it's just great. I have to agree with other reviewer that says that the throttle is too small, but it doesn't compromise the overall performance of the joystick.
Rating:
Summary: Desert Combat Mod + BF1942
Review: I was dissapointed because the main shaft joystick of it doesn't work with the Desert Combat Mod Helicopters. The rest of it is a snap, but still, that set my rating back a little.
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--$$$ at ......--excellent buy!
Rating:
Summary: Microsoft doesn't support their own products!
Review: I've been burned by Microsoft twice before with Sidewinder joysticks. The first time I bought one was when I had Windows 98. It was a Sidewinder Pro. Great joystick, plug n play, all that. When I migrated to Windows 2000, I found that the Sidewinder Pro was not supported (despite being analog--you'd think it would be easy to program drivers for it). I thought, "Okay, maybe there are problems, blah blah blah." I then bought a Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, again, great product, plug n play, all that. Worked great. When I migrated again to Windows XP I found AGAIN it wasn't supported by Microsoft. There is NO reason why a company such as Microsoft cannot support their own products on their own operating system. I will NEVER buy a Sidewinder again. I can't trust them. Buy anything else. I've had great luck with the Wingman Digital Extreme--$$$ at ......--excellent buy!
Rating: 
Summary: Great But could be better
Review: If you can't get this joystick to work, what you might for sure need is a new computer because the installation is so easy, It says all over that you must install software first and then plug it in but that's just nonsense since it asks you for the disk once detected anyway. It works great and the forces are really awesome and so strong (it can be set to medium or low intensity if you want) that it can make most of the stuff on your desk to move and fall down!!, they should warn you about that!!! instead of the: install software first notice you find everywhere. the 'hand detector' thing is missplaced since it only allows the stick to return to center and produce force feedback forces when your fingers surround the front of the stick, I think it should be in the back because sometimes when I straight my fingers to relax and then grab the front again, once activated it will cause a slight movement that can make you change your attitud/heading/etc.
Rating:
Summary: Very nice force feedback joystick
Review: If you're a (flight) simulator fan, this joystick is really worth the money. It is well built with a nice feel and feedback effects. When I was shopping for force feedback joysticks I was torn between this and the Logitech "3D" model. I have to admit, the Logic had a nicer design. The stick itself had a slightly better feel and the throw on the throttle control was longer and more precise. However, I decided to go with the Microsoft model because of the positive experience I've had with their force feedback steering wheel. Just like the wheel, the construction on the joystick is very solid. I expect this will stand up to a lot of abuse. This stick is not without it's drawbacks. First, the throttle control is a bit small. I would like something a bit bigger and with a bit more resitance. Second, the force feedback is only activated when you are fully grasping the stick. This is actually a neat feature, but can be annoying when you don't feel like "properly" holding the stick.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent !!!
Review: Is the best Joystick in a world, its a new experience in a simulator game, try a Flight Simulator with this joystick...is the best way to have real fun...
Rating:
Summary: Too bad discontinuing production.........
Review: It is a crying shame that Microsoft has announced that it is halting production on this product. If you are a sim pilot, this is one Sweeeeet Joystick. I am sure there are some problems encountered in some that have been manufactured, fortunately not in mine. I have 2, I use one and have one on spare reserve, just in case the one I use goes belly-up! In this sim-pilots opinion, the only mistake you could make would be not to buy one. FA's #1 Bruceman : )
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