March - April 2001

Tuesday, April 11, 2001

• ACT LABS has announced that the RS Shifter now has support in EA Sport's Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed.  This brings the total number of racing sims supporting the RS Shifter to well over 20- with more in the works.
  
  

• CH Products will be releasing a USB version of the FlightStick Pro on May 1st.  The suggested retail price for this 3 axis, 4 button and hat switch joystick is $79.95 (US).  Pre-orders are now being accepted.
  
  

• I will be out for a while.  I leave for my wedding in a few days and will be heading down to the Bahaman Islands for a much needed honeymoon vacation.  I'll be returning just in time to catch all of the E3 announcements and news.  The contest is still running and will continue while I'm away.  E-mails will be answered after I get back and settled.

Sunday, April 8, 2001

• The review of the Saitek PC Dash 2 has been posted.  In keeping with Saitek's new naming scheme this device is known as the P8000 Command Pad but those of us old enough to remember the first PC Dash will call this "2".  read the full review
  
  

• I have also put together a new article offering free (you get what you pay for) advice to hardware and game manufacturers concerning controllers.  read my insights

Wednesday, March 28, 2001

• To quote my future grandfather-in-law: "its a bootiful thing!".  That's the only way to describe the Saitek P8000 Command Pad that I just opened from its plain brown box.  Yes, its here!  Saitek has announced the second generation of their PC Dash will, in fact, be available in the US on May 1st for $49.95.  I have a unit for review and will be working with it all weekend long.  Visit the Saitek press release page here for more details and look for the review soon.

Sunday, March 25, 2001

• Contest on!  AVB Technologies and The Control Center are giving away 10 USB Top Shot Joysticks.  Entry is simple and you can enter once a day through May 6th.  Enter now
  
  

• No new reviews and no news to report.  The pre-E3 lull is upon us...  This gives me a chance to perform much of the maintenance needed on the site.  I am fixing links, correcting font errors and still working on implementing a server discussion board that works!

Sunday, March 18, 2001

• This week I bring you a review of the Gravis Eliminator Precision Pro Joystick.  I had seen this stick on the shelves and it didn't draw me in.  I was mistaken and should have paid it some attention!  It has some unique features and allows you to use either the gameport or USB for connection.  It also has a low price and can be found bundled with Fly2K.   See what impresses me 
  
  

• The Control Center and AVB Tech will be bringing you a give-away featuring 10 AVB USB TopShot Joysticks!  Full details will be posted in the next few days.

Sunday, March 11, 2001

• I have just completed a review of the Gravis Eliminator Aftershock Rumble Gamepad.  It has been many years that Gravis has been in the game controller business- this is their first feedback controller and it looks nothing like their original gamepad that started the revolution.  read the entire review
  
  

• I have also received a Gravis Eliminator Precision Pro Joystick and should have a review posted next weekend.
  
  

• Right now the industry is pretty quiet.  Many announcements are likely being held for the E3 show in May.  I don't expect much to occur before then in the line of new gear announcements.  I will still be on the lookout for exciting news and post all of the details as they come my way.
  
  

• The website "Force-1" has disappeared from the WWW.  For many years Force-1 (previously WiggleStick) provided myself and others with great reviews and information concerning force-feedback devices.  The Control Center wishes Mark S. the best of luck in his future endeavors and thanks him for all his help.

Sunday, March 4, 2001

• An ambitious computer guru has undertaken a project to create a Linux driver for I-Force force feedback devices.  Right now the driver only supports serial port connections but he is working on USB capabilities.  If you use Linux and wish to try the driver visit the site here.  Be sure to provide feedback so this project can be further developed.
  
  

• I have received a Playmate Keyboard Control Cover from Control Zone Interactive and posted my review of it.  This simple but effective keyboard overlay provides an easy reference for all of those hard to remember keyboard commands.  They are available for a wide variety of games and work with standard keyboard layouts.  read the review
  
  

• Saitek has redesigned their website and has some interesting things posted.  The GM2 Action Pad and Gaming Mouse is available through their US on-line store for $14.95.  Also interesting is the listing for the P8000 PC Dash 2 listed for a ship date of May 1st.  Originally it was not slated as a US product but their minds have changed.  The Control Center hopes to receive the PC Dash 2 for review in the near future.