| Top Shot Joystick Manufactured
By: AVB
Retail Price: $14.98
- 40.00
Review Date: 04-23-99 |
|
Every
AVB controller I have tried has impressed me. The price, quality and support has
been excellent. I must also admit that I may be prejudiced by AVB's continued
support of The Control Center (they were one of the first manufacturers to submit their
controllers for review). They are difficult to find offered in local outlets but
can easily be found through online vendors and AVB's own online store. To round out
their current line of controllers I picked up the gameport cousin of the Top Shot USB I reviewed a few months earlier. The Top Shot
has all the same features of its USB cousin plus DOS support in either CH Flightstick (hat
no throttle) or Thrustmaster FCS (throttle with no hat) mode.
It appears that this model is being cut from the AVB line in favor of the USB
version. The price has been reduced and the AVB website does not have an active page
for it on their website. The original MSRP of $40 was just slightly under the price
of the USB model and the USB version came with the full version of Descent Freespace.
I was able to purchase this joystick for $1.50 plus shipping due to a $10 off
Easter promotion an on-line retailer was having! Currently you can purchase the Top
Shot from AVB Direct for $14.98.
The Top Shot gameport version is very similar to the USB version. Since
I have both in-house I was able to compare them side by side. A few minor but
noticeable differences exist between the two. The USB version seems slightly heavier
and has a tighter stick tension. Whether this true of every pair out there I can't
say but this was the only difference I picked up. Otherwise I found the Top Shot to
be comparable to its highly rated USB counterpart.
|
Features
95%-
- 8 programmable buttons
- self centering rudder wheel
- throttle
- 8 way hat switch
- Digital or analog interface
- CH Flightstick or Thrustmaster FCS mode
selectable (under DOS mode)
|
Appropriate For-
- Flight Sims (MS Combat Flight Sim, Flight Unlimited II)
- Space Sims (Descent II, Freespace)
- Racing (Motocross Madness, Need For Speed III)
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System Requirements
-
IBM compatible, gameport, DOS, Windows 95, 98 |
Price
-
The current price range for the Top Shot ranges from around $15 up to $40.
The feature list is far more extensive than similarly priced sticks. You
would be hard-pressed to find a better deal on a full function controller for flight sims.
|
Warranty-
One year limited warranty.
|
Performance
85%-
I mirrored the testing I performed on the Top Shot USB and came up with
identical results. I tried the Top Shot with all my favorites: Microsoft
FlightSim 98, Combat Sim, Need For Speed III, Motocross Madness and Descent Freespace.
It performed well in each. This controller is very precise and drift was
never a factor. I also found the trim controls especially helpful in the flight sims
where I was traveling great distances and did not want to hold the nose down for extended
periods.
The 8 buttons allowed me to use most of the games features without having to bother
with the keyboard. The rudder control is a spring loaded wheel on the base of the
joystick. I found it a bit difficult to use the rudder control effectively and
accurately because of its small size and the centering tension. The hat switch is
placed in the center of the controller head, between two thumb buttons. Unlike other
controller designs, the hat switch does not get in the way as you transfer your thumb from
one button to the other. It still would have been better to arrange the buttons and
hat in a triangle configuration with the hat at the top to avoid any "view
accidents". Overall, I found it comfortable to use even after hours of use.
My only complaint about the controller is the suction cups used to mount the
joystick to your desk top. They simply are not sufficient when used on some
surfaces. The base of the controller is light and narrow requiring it to have a good
securing mechanism and it just doesn't work out on all surfaces. Even after cleaning
the surface and the cups I had the same problem. On another desk it faired better
but it would have been better to widen the base and add heft to it so that it can be used
on any surface.
|
Setup 99%-
Setup was clean and simple. Plug in the Top Shot, start the system,
install the driver, setup the controller in the control panel and run it through the
calibration regiment. The procedure is not quite as simple as a USB device but
should not be a challenge for anyone.
Under DOS setup brought me back to the days before Direct X. The appropriated
drivers must be installed for your soundcard (if using a soundcard gameport) before you
can attempt to setup the game. In DOS Mode of Windows you need to be sure sound
drivers are present for DOS support (mine were not at first). After getting that
configured everything else went well. I started Descent II for DOS, selected my
controller (used both CH and Thrustmaster modes) and configured the setup. The time
it takes to setup this controller for DOS mode is a function of the operating system and
not the controller. Hail Windows!
|
Software 75%-
The only software provided is the driver set so the Top Shot will be
properly be identified in Windows. The executable is small and provided on a single
floppy disk. The executable adds the Top Shot to the Game Controller menu.
|
Documentation
80%-
The manual sufficiently covers setup, installation and use of the Top Shot.
Within the 8 page guide you will find a feature list, installation instructions, a
good description of the digital mode features and use, analog mode guide, general care and
troubleshooting guide. the manual also has a line drawing of the controller
identifying the parts of the system.
|
Overall Rating
86.0% -
For the money you will have a difficult time finding a stick that offers
rudder, throttle and hat controls. Its backwards compatibility to DOS with the
digital/analog modes is something often overlooked by other manufacturers. I really
liked the USB version of the Top Shot and I can add the gameport version to that list.
It offers even more diversity than the USB version because of its ability to switch
modes. If your still playing through some of the DOS only games and want a stick
that also supports the latest offerings from the game companies the Top Shot is the
joystick for you.Pros
Cons
- Feature packed controller
-
Light base and desk mounting suction
- Great price
cups that may
not adhere
well to all
- DOS compatibility
surfaces
- Digital and Analog support
|
 |
1 Stick
- Not Recommended
2 Sticks - Functional
3 Sticks - Recommended with some issues
4 Sticks - Recommended
5 Sticks - Highly Recommended!
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