Customer Reviews

Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Overall, I have been very happy with this joystick. The install was easy if you just use the plug-in-play built into XP. You do not even need the software to run the joystick since XP automatically detects and installs it. While I have used it, I have been very happy: great accuracy/precision, enough buttons to be sufficent, and comfortable controls. However, I am already on my second, maybe very soon third, one of these because they are very delicate when connecting to the computer. My first joystick lasted some time, but suddenly it stopped working because the wire (apparently) broke. Furthermore, my second joystick just stopped working suddenly. Right now, I am hoping it is simply the annoying "static build up," but, given my past experience, I am weary. Thus, the joystick is great fun when it is working, but the fear of it suddenly stopping always lingers in the back of your mind. Currently, I am looking for a new, different joystick because that constant worry, I feel, distracts from the game. In one sentence: The Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick is a great joystick, when it works.

A joystick should let you play your games without thinking about the hardware. The Precision 2 does just that. It has all of the buttons I need to play just about every game (except flight/space sims--for those you also need the keyboard or another device, like a MS Strategic Commander) and works right the first time. You have to run the installation CD before using the joystick, but it's a quick process.

The hardware itself is pretty durable. I'm rough on things and my joystick works as well as it did when I got it nine months ago. The twist-rudder feature is nice if you don't want to spring for rudder pedals.

My only complaints about the joystick are that it tends to slide around on just about every surface (the base is large, but lightweight) and that the #3 and #4 buttons are sometimes difficult to reach in a hurry. I was trying it out with NHL 2002 because my Gravis gamepad stinks and found myself frequently banging the #2 button on accident.

Games that work great with the Precision 2: Crimson Skies, Independence War (the original), Superbike 2001 (until a decent motorcycle controller comes out, this is my controller of choice).

This joystick has been out for about a year now and is still worth the $50 I paid for it.

First all I got was "joystick not installed"...I called my computer manufacturer. No dice...check Microsoft. Microsoft says not supported for winxp. Sheez...great joystick, hardly used at all. So I searched the internet and found that if you install the joystick with the USB port connector it should work. I found the old usb connector, that I never used before, in my pile of computer cables, and viola...it installed perectly and with no more trouble at all.
NOW HOW COME MICROSOFT didnt simply SAY THAT ! ! !
That's the BS with sucha great company !! !
Maybe someone at Microsoft will read this???

This is a wonderful stick but.... Its not all they say, i got a sidewinder pro, best stick i ever had and still use it. It's seen it share of VERY hard battles and still works great except for the rudder drifting. So i thought the second gen would be even better, while the programming software was MUCH better this stick had a few flaws:
no shift button (for double macros)

THE HAT BROKE!!! Within a WEEK!!! I was in a hard dogfight and surprise, hat won't work. I use it to slide and it couldn't take the abuse. My old one works great and never gives out under the worst abuse. Also when i "removed" the new one the software would not remove or let me plug my old stick back in. I restored my system and got my old one to work.

The #2 button is really a pain because it's just low enough that you can't use the hat and puch the button without a hassle.

All in all, the joysticks were the only thing i liked about MS and now i am looking at other models.

PS: All wingman sticks suck, i know i've had two of them.

It will not install. Does it work with Windows ME? Who knows...
If you value your time, and want to use your computer rather than figuring it out, don't buy this joystick. One would think with the install wizard it would take no more than 10 minutes to install the software...WRONG...THINK AGAIN! If you don't get ERROR MESSAGES! it probably will install quickly. Why would anyone want a game item that requires them to go to the website troubleshooting and spend more of your time trying to fix the damn thing? That makes you a computer repairman not a computer user. A game should be fun...that doesn't sound like fun to me, does it sound like fun to you?
And what's this, static electricity, won't work, keep it away from your computer; you've got to be kidding! Get the #$@% outta heah!
My recommendation: if you are a computer geek and can figure out a relentless battery of error messages and know how to dig into your computer's software guts with relative ease and enjoy seeing "NOT CONNECTED" on your screen, then buy this. Good luck. I envy you, patience is your finest virtue.
I've returned it in exchange for Logitech, needless to say.

I've been burned by Microsoft twice before with Sidewinder joysticks. The first time I bought one was when I had Windows 98. It was a Sidewinder Pro. Great joystick, plug n play, all that. When I migrated to Windows 2000, I found that the Sidewinder Pro was not supported (despite being analog--you'd think it would be easy to program drivers for it). I thought, "Okay, maybe there are problems, blah blah blah." I then bought a Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, again, great product, plug n play, all that. Worked great. When I migrated again to Windows XP I found AGAIN it wasn't supported by Microsoft. There is NO reason why a company such as Microsoft cannot support their own products on their own operating system. I will NEVER buy a Sidewinder again. I can't trust them. Buy anything else. I've had great luck with the Wingman Digital Extreme--$28 at WalMart--excellent buy!

Bought this new joystick thinking it would be a breeze and had all the options I wanted. Nightmares soon followed when trying to install. Not Compatible with Windows XP at all!!! Also will not detect on Game Controllers. Will be buying a new joystick and add this on to the daughters "act like daddy on the computer" pile.