Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005NIMA
• Item model number: 326-00103
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 14, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

In a wild, hair-raising dogfight, precision and control are critical. That's why the SideWinder Precision 2 has been reengineered for even more accuracy. With its nimble rudder twist, Microsoft three-year warranty, and an improved throttle, this professional-quality stick feels as great as it performs. Having the SideWinder Precision 2 on your side is like having an Ace for a wingman.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great product with one major flaw, October 10, 2001

By 

Carlos Ugarte "cugarte" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick (Personal Computers)

The flaw is that this joystick will occasionally not work (at all). Reportedly a charge of static electricity builds up and prevents the stick from being recognized by the computer. When this happens, unplugging the joystick for a few hours seems to fix the problem (until the next time). This Sidewinder is the middle of the line model and supposedly the only one with a metal base. The other two models (including the one with force feedback) reputedly do not suffer from this problem.

When it works, it is a pleasure to use. The software offers a great deal of configurability for each of the buttons and for the stick's "dead zone". Controlling the yaw/pitch/roll movements is very smooth and accurate. The throttle control can be awkward to use (especially if you like to keep the joystick to your right, as it will probably require use of the left hand), but that is common for many of the other joysticks in this class.

Left handed players will want to look elsewhere, as the handle is molded to fit the right hand.

For an alternative in the same class that is a little bit cheaper and ranked a tad higher, look at the Saitek Cyborg 3D Gold. Those interested in separate joystick and throttle controls might look at the Thrustmaster Top Gun Afterburner or the Saitek X36 or X45 control systems.

52 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Microsoft Does Not Support Hardware, February 11, 2002

By 

Keep On Keepin' On (Little Rock, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick (Personal Computers)

After upgrading to Windows XP, my Microsoft Precision Pro Joystick is no longer programmable. Here is the information from their own website:

Windows XP compatibility for SideWinder game port devices
This section applies to you if you own one of the following SideWinder game port devices:

SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, SideWinder Precision Pro
SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (game port version only), SideWinder Game Pad, SideWinder 3D Pro

The SideWinder software (version 3.02) included with these SideWinder game port devices is designed to work with Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98. If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP, the operating system includes device drivers for these game controllers listed above, so the device will function properly on both Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However, the accompanying SideWinder software (version 3.02 or any previous version) will not function, so you will not be able to create profiles for these devices using the SideWinder software on Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Microsoft is not planning to update the SideWinder software (version 3.02) for game port devices.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good stick with minor flaws, December 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick (Personal Computers)

I bought the Precision 2 in hopes of finding a nice mid-range stick for some serious space simming. The stick performs well in all situations I have put it through, with a couple of exceptions.

Other sticks have the button placements more accessible to one hand... with the P2 you will need both, as there are 4 buttons on the base that are unreachable with the stick hand - without removing it from the stick, that is.

The other minor flaw is that, in a precision dogfight, the 'Precision 2' joystick has an inexact way of tracking the angular deflection of the stick from zero... if you're turning at 30 degrees right and 30 degrees up, then try to smoothly shift to 25 degrees right and up, you may end up with 20 degrees right and stuck at 30 degrees up. The result of this is that you end up in 'zones', and have to oversteer the stick and constantly correct during intense dogfights. Your aim suffers, and your kill rate suffers... especially if you try to reach the top ranks of dogfighters in your chosen game.

I hope to try out the Saitek 3D stick soon, or perhaps a Thrustmaster. I haven't found a perfectly engineered, mid-range 3D stick yet, regardless of price (although I haven't tried them ALL).

If you just want a good stick at a good price, but not a 'perfect' flying stick, this will definitely work for you. I like it for most games.

If you have a suggestion for a 'perfect' tracking stick, 3D, with 8 or more buttons, let me know here.