ST50 ACTION STICK/THROTTLE KEEPS THE
GAME LIGHTNING QUICK
Saitek Applies High-End Properties To $10 Game Controller
LOS ANGELES, CA - The rapid-response trigger is the feature of the new
Saitek ST50 Action Stick and Throttle that guarantees PC gamers lighting
quick action; the $10 retail price makes it the first serious stick at
this cost. Designed with a sleek, futuristic look, Saitek's new
ST50 boasts a special constant force spring system used on more
expensive models. In addition to the finger
trigger, the controller features a thumb button for firing and
smooth-action rotary throttle. An ambidextrous design makes the ST50
equally comfortable to left- or right-handed players. "Saitek can offer
the ST50 for $10 retail only by integrating the successful
concepts of its higher-end products," said Nicholas Gibbons, managing
director of Saitek Industries. "Players and retailers alike will not
believe the price of this product when they see and feel the quality,"
he said. The ST50 is available at Wal-Mart. For more information,
contact Saitek at 1-800-452-4377 or visit online at
www.saitekusa.com.
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Saturday, June 16, 2001
ACT LABS is pre-selling the clutch pedal
system for $59-79.95 depending on the style you need. The pedals
with clutch can be used with ACT LABS RS Systems (including RS Shifter)
and other manufacturer's wheels.
Click to
pre-order
Thrustmaster has posted some
details on the HOMAB
Tacticalboard. It has 42
programmable keys to offer up to 84 actions, adjustable wrist pad and
thumb buttons, and the latest in voice recognition software (Game
Commander 2). The device will connect via USB. No release
date or pricing information is available. To see all of
Thrustmaster's 2001 gear
click here
Gravis is beefing up its product line with
a force feedback version of the Exterminator Gamepad and a force-feedback
version of the Destroyer Joystick. No release dates or prices
posted.
InterAct is also working on the release of
the Raider Advanced FX Joystick with force feedback. Its due to hit
retailer's shelves in July.
Saitek has posted the beta of the Windows
2000 drivers for most of its controllers. You can download the file
here. There are limitations and you should read the full details
before installing.
Although I am now married, work ungodly
hours at my "real" job and occasionally like to pickup a guitar and do
some yard work The CC will continue to be the best source for in-depth
game controller news and reviews. There are others out there, even
those with paid staff, that provide brief one page reviews that miss many
of the finer points I take pride in bringing to you. I try and work
closely with the manufacturers but will not accept sponsorships directly
from manufacturers. To offset the large cost of bringing The CC to
you I have affiliated with Electronics Boutique, Buy.com and a few
other on-line retailers. Please support The CC by supporting my
sponsors.
Sunday, June 3, 2001
This news item is exciting but a little
hard to describe so here's a snip from the press release-
Bioforce
allows gamers for the first time ever to be literally ‘wired’ into their
games. Bioforce-enabled controllers and other accessories work by
providing safe electrical impulses to the user's body via small surface
electrodes. When a specified Bioforce ‘event’ occurs in a video game the
user will instantaneously receive a small impulse to coincide with that
event.
“Bioforce defines a completely new standard of immersion that is possible
within the video game environment,” said Michael Cooke, C.E.O. of Tank IP
Pty Ltd and the creator of Bioforce. “An example of this is if the gamer's
on-screen character was to receive a blow from another character within
the game - he or she will then be able to ‘feel’ the blow inside their own
body. Of course unlike the poor on-screen character, the user does not
sustain any actual pain or damage, just a small, safe impulse to let them
know that they've been hit.”
According to Mr. Cooke, both the strength and type of impulse can vary,
changing from a tickle up to a forceful jolt depending on the gameplay
itself, thus allowing gamers to actually become part of the action rather
than mere spectators with a controller.
Bioforce is aimed at bringing attention back to the game controller
category. “We see great potential for Bioforce, not only as a creative
accessory for use with consoles, but with wider applications for PC and
coin-operated arcade gaming”, said Mr. Cooke.
CH
Products is pre-selling the Pro Throttle USB for $149.95 (US).
The release date is posted as June 2001. "New features of the pro
throttle include a mode switch to allow three defined sets that can be
switched on the fly. An LED light array to show the user which button set
he or she has loaded: regular, combat, or advanced mode. A mini joystick
is mounted for control with the thumb to allow advanced targeting,
360-degree view control, an excellent tool for racking up the “frags” in
first person shooting games."
Sunday, May
20, 2001
ACT
Labs has some new products heading our way that are quite
exciting- A stand alone shifter that can be used with wheels made by
other manufactures is on the way. The next logical step is a
clutch pedal they will be releasing in June. You can view the
promo video on the clutch pedal
here
Saitek has launched an
interactive page displaying images and features of the gear they
announced during E3 this year. You can get the scoop on their
soon to be released products
here
Thursday, May
17, 2001
My review of the super-convenient
FrontX Multimedia Extension Ports has been posted for your
viewing. This neat idea brings the most used ports on the back
of your PC to the front where you can easily access them. The
unit is customizable for different port types.
read
the full review
Logitech made its E3
announcements today letting us know they will be coming out with a
list of new game controllers for the PC. The list includes a new
gamepad, precision joystick, racing wheel and the next version of the
attack stick (uneventfully named WingMan Attack "2").
read
the full press releases
Logitech has also issued
individual press releases for each game the new GT Force Wheel for the
PlayStation 2 is compatible with. (please stop- we get the idea!)
Saitek, Thrustmaster,
Radica, Mad Catz, Nuby, Nyko and many other console hardware makers
have made announcements stating that they have entered into licensing
agreements with Microsoft to produce hardware for the widely anticipated
XBox system. With the November 1st release of the XBox the
Control Center will expand to include reviews and full news on
hardware for the system.
Tuesday, May
15, 2001
Saitek has dropped their
E3 announcements a bit early to beat the rush. Announced are a
Force-Feedback joystick based on the successful Cyborg line, a
force-feedback mouse, a stick with throttle for under $10, a combo USB
stick/pad, an updated R100 wheel and a brand new force-feedback wheel
and to round out the lineup a redesign of the X36 Stick/Throttle combo
to be known as the X45.
see
all of Saitek E3 releases
Monday, May
14, 2001
In the first of many E3
week announcements
Belkin
announced details on the Nostromo
line of game controllers including 5 PC controllers and one
PlayStation 2. The new gear will be shipping in July.
read
the full press release
Watch this space for continuing
E3 announcements.
By weeks end I should have
a complete review of the FrontX unit which provides you with
multimedia ports on the front of your computer system. Ports
include: line in, line out, headphone, gameport, USB and serial
connections.
Visit
the FrontX homepage
Monday, May 7,
2001
The
winners of the contest sponsored by
AVB
has ended. 10 winners were selected from all of the entries and
are posted on the contest page.
Check
to see if you won
Saturday, May
5, 2001
I'm back from my wedding
and honeymoon! All went well and the Bahamas was great.
Thanks for your patience while I was out. I should have all of
the e-mails responded to by the end of this weekend.
While I was sitting around
waiting to get hitched I completed the review of the Sony PLMA-35
Plasma Glasses. If you have never seen these before their a set
of futuristic looking glasses that provide a 2D image through a
standard RCA or S-video input. I put them to work with my
Dreamcast and computer system.
see
what I think of them
Microsoft
has released updated software for the
Gamer
Voice unit. Version 1.3 has improved macro key binding,
improved performance, better networking setup and now allows you to
setup a Gamer Voice network server.
Thrustmaster has opened up
The Gaming
Zone on their website. The Zone works using the GameSpy
Arcade to provide retail and on-line gaming connections, an on-line
shop, a release calendar, chat rooms, a huge selection of demos and
buddy lists. Visit
The
Gaming Zone page on the Thrustmaster site to download the required
software.
Speaking of Thrustmaster-
the HOTAS Cougar (formerly HOTAS 2000) will be demonstrated at this
years E3 extravaganza.
