Customer Reviews

Microsoft SideWinder Dual Strike

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When playing FPS (first person shooters) games, you are usually hunched over your desk with one hand on the keyboard, and one hand on the mouse or trackball. This device allows you to lean back, sit comfortably and play hours on end. The pad is versatile enough to incorporate all the essential functions of any FSP. However, you tend to lose some precision relative to a trackball, i.e. this device will probably not increase your Quake II Railgun kill ratio. In addition, the hat switch does break too easily and too soon. However, I was able to extend the life of my pad with superglue. Overall, I don't see anything on the market that gives you the ease of play for FPS games, which is why I give it 4 stars, but I would recommend buying two so you have a back up when the 1st one breaks, "and it will break"

I bought this after reading the review in MaximumPC. They were right -- you have to use this controller for about a week before you get the hang of it. I only use it with Q3A and it was frustrating at first, but now I could not imagine playing without it.

I have now owned 3 dual strikes the thumb pad is *very* poorlycrafted. The store I bought it from offered a replacement guaranteefor 4.00 so I bought it, and I'm glad Ill be getting my fourth dual strike today. Why you say because is an incredible tool...If it wasn't for the thumb pad I'd throw my mouse, keyboard and joystick out the window. Its a dream pad...If Microsoft can beef up the thumb pad they have a serious winner. If not, Ill just keep exchanging them for a year then get my money back!

Thumb pad breaks off way to easily...with maybe 10 hours of game play consistently Don't buy one without a purchase extended warranty. In fact don't buy one unless you have lots of free time to keep exchanging it. END

I picked up one of these controllers several months ago, just after it first came out. I used it to play UNREAL Tournament and QUAKE III Arena. I really enjoyed the ability that a direction button (left thumb) and a mouse-type trigger movement (right hand)gave to strafing. My ability to move, shoot, change weapons and generally avoid other's shots simultaneously skyrocketed. As well, the programmability of the mechanism and option to change certain features of the DUAL STRIKE in the software interface allowed me a great deal of comfort in customizing to my own playing needs. Though my overall impression was favorable, there were small, annoying problems. First, no lefties. You gotta learn right-handed triggering. I'm right handed, but I had gotten used to moving with arrow keys and a mouse, which righties use right-handed. And if I didn't shoot with the mouse, I'd shoot left-handed with the keyboard. Second, the left-handed movement button is like a joystick, you just set your thumb on it and move the thumb around. Sounds cool, and it is, because you get that 8-way movement without missing a beat. But I think the plastic they use in the manufacture of it is a little weak, or I'm super-strong. I broke the button off twice. I'm good with super-glue, so I fixed it twice. I noticed that the shaft the button is attached to is a little long, which might contribute to the problem. Third, and finally, it is a Microsoft and a USB product. That means that it will usually be first on the list of gaming devices and when you least expect it your other USB devices will stop responding , in favor of the Dual Strike. And don't forget that the targeting swivel on the right-hand is, technically, a mouse input. Yes, you will have to abandon your mouse use and just get used to using the controller exclusively. Oh, and I did have problems outside of games. I sometimes couldn't use my mouse, but I could use the DUAL STRIKE. But that can be remedied pretty easily by turning the DUAL STRIKE off in your device manager. USB makes this a breeze to turn off and on without rebooting and it still works.

When I got this "banana shaped" item I thought that I never would enjoy to play with it. But after twenty minutes of intensive playing I loved it! The only bad thing is that you have to play several minutes with it to know how it works.

I agree with all of the reviews up until now. The product was GREAT for playing games like Quake 2 and other shoot 'em ups. But, the fun only lasted until the thumb directional pad fell off. After looking at how it happened, it's easy to see that it (the thumb pad) was definitely under-engineered. It's only held on by a small piece of plastic (approx. 1/8" in diameter), and it is easily broken during normal gameplay.

I got more than 10 hours of use, but it definitely didn't last as long as I expected from a product from Microsoft. I have purchased other Microsoft hardware, and I'm very happy with the durability of those, just not the Dual Strike.

First of all, this is to say this is the only controller of its kind, and very good at what it does for FPS games. But, #1, the buttons could be laid out better, and #2, the hat switch will fall off. It gets expensive always replacing the controller, so here's an easy way to fix the hat switch for good:
Once it breaks off, get yourself 4 things: a medium paper clip, a tube of superglue, wire cutters, and a pin vice (one of those tiny hand-drills, with a bit the size of the paperclip wire). Cut up the paper clip so you have three pieces each a half-inch long. Drill three holes in the hat-switch base, laid out like a triangle, and three corresponding holes in the place where it broke off. Apply superglue to the ends of the paperclip peices, and insert them into the hat switch holes, then line them up and glue it into the holes in the base. Voila! It will never break on you again, and you can enjoy your Dual Strike at least until someone comes out with something better.

This Controller has to be by far, the WORST by Microsoft. Within 5 days, the swivelling Point of View hat had broken off, which didn't really bother me as I couldn't get the controller to work with half of my games! If you want to try it, it isn't a bad price if you like throwing your money. My advice: STAY AWAY! FAR, FAR, AWAY!

Within 2 months of buying this controller it broke. although, the thing rocked for Soldier of Fortune. Upon further examination of the boken piece, I realized just how cheaply it had been put together. it seemed bound to break. Otherwise, the game software could come with a lot more configuration shemes. Or, at least have them for download someplace.

This gamepad is the best I've ever seen/payed with.

Should be mandatory in a first-person shooter game as well as roleplay. (Played NWN/Diablo serie with it)

Very sad that Microsoft stopped the production (AFAIK) of this jewel and never replacer it with anything else (which mimic the mouse)