Manufactured By:  AVB

Retail Price:      $79.99

Review Date:  11-21-99

Affordability, plenty of features, quality and function are the key elements to a good controller.  AVB has released a sub-$100 force-feedback joystick- the Pegasus.  it offers a boatload of features (including force-feedback), is highly functional and appears to be of good quality.

AVB's manufacturing facility is located in China and they began as a potentiometer (the motion sensing device in controllers) manufacture in 1973.  They made the next logical step and began manufacturing the entire controller.  In the past couple of years AVB has made some affordable and nice controllers.  Recently they expanded their line to include the Sonix Flat Panel Speakers.

The Pegasus joystick is their first force-feedback joystick but not their first force-feedback device.  Last year The Control Center received the AVB Force-Feedback Wheel for review.  The Pegasus rounds out their product line nicely and the line will eventually include a rumble gamepad that plugs into the Pegasus.

• I-Force 2.0 Force Feedback
• 8 way hat switch
• Rudder control
• Throttle wheel
• 12 buttons
• On/Off switch
• USB or serial port connection

• Flight Sims (MS FlightSim 98, CombatSim, Fly, etc.)
• Racing Games (Need For Speed, Powerslide, Midtown Madness, etc.)
• Space Sims (Descent Freespace, Forsaken, Mechwarrior III, Incoming, etc.)

The Pegasus was the first controller I used with the newly acquired Microsoft FlightSim 2000.  Using the in sim setup I reassigned the buttons to my liking, disabled auto-coordination (allowing use of the rudder) and adjusted the force-effects.  The rudder control is a horizontal wheel just below the throttle wheel.  Unlike the throttle, the rudder wheel is self centering.  The Pegasus offered enough buttons to keep me from using the keyboard except for accessing the menus.

I had similar experiences with Flight Unlimited II, Microsoft CombatSim, and the many other flightsims I own.  Space sims such as Descent Freespace, Star Wars: Alliance and Forsaken were also easy to setup and navigate thanks to the control surfaces and buttons.  With the exception of Forsaken I didn't use the rudder control for space sims too much (set as rotate ship).

I prefer to use a wheel for racing games but put the Pegasus to use with a handful of racers.  Re-Volt, Midtown Madness, Need for Speed High Stakes and Powerslide all have well implemented force feedback and the Pegasus didn't disappoint.  When using a stick for racing I prefer to use the throttle wheel for acceleration, a button for braking and the stick for turning.  The many buttons were used for the different game features and the hat switch to change views.  In some respects this stick offers more features than a wheel.  However, I still prefer a wheel.

Other games included Mechwarrior III, Motocross Madness (no FF support), Star Wars: Racer and Incoming.  With every game played the force effects were good.  In a few instances I adjusted the level of the effects to make it easier to control.  

The Pegasus layout is near perfect.  All of the buttons and hat switch are well within reach of either hand (you use 2 hands with this controller).  The only criticism is the inability use the throttle and rudder wheels at the same time.  Both are controlled with your left thumb and confidently placed for individual use.  In games like Mechwarrior III or Forsaken where you want (and need) to control each at the same time- you can't.

Overall, the Pegasus is a well laid out, great functioning joystick.  Its performance is solid and its highly usable with a variety of games.

Setup 92% -
Setup as either a USB or serial port device is easy although not true plug and play.  The joystick requires external power for the force effects.  A power block is included and should be connected to the joystick before you begin the other steps.  Also be sure the switch on the base is turned on.   As the manual describes, insert the CD and connect the device.  It will be detected and ask where to search for the driver.  Be sure to check off the CD.  It will find the proper driver, install the software and prompt you to restart the system.

Upon restart you should enter the game controller applet.  If there is already a device present as controller #1 remove it by unplugging it or deleting it from the list.  Select add new and find the AVB Top Shot Force-Feedback Joystick.  Select it and assure it is read as "OK".  Although not stated in the manual no calibration is necessary but you should move each axis to its extremes and check the setup in the test window to assure a proper read.

The properties tab of the game controller applet brings up an advanced menu for the controller.  You can test the controller axis's, buttons and forces.  You can also adjust the gain settings for the controller and adjust the return to center tension (a very nice feature for any force-feedback device).

I used the latest driver set from AVB for testing.  The drivers are essentially I-Force 2.0 reference drivers.  Their is no button programming utility included with the package.

The AVB website offers basic product information, a discussion forum, downloads and a FAQ.  

You could easily spend almost the same money on a non-force stick having the same features.  But why would you?  The Control Center recommends the Pegasus Force Feedback Joystick.

• Great Force-feedback effects
• USB or serial port connection
• Numerous buttons
• Nice button layout

• Can't use the throttle and rudder wheels at the same time because of location

1 Stick  - Not Recommended
2 Sticks - Functional            
3 Sticks - Recommended with some issues 
4 Sticks - Recommended
5 Sticks - Highly Recommended!

• Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro
• Logitech WingMan Force
• Guillemot Force-Feedback Joystick