Customer Reviews

Saitek Cyborg Evo Force PC Flight Stick ( PS27 )

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've used joysticks for gaming since the Atari age in the good ol' days, and I know many different models and what they can (and can't do), and this one most definitely takes the prize of the best joystick ever. Not only it's well designed (the base won't flip over as in many other models I know) but it also looks way cool!. Besides, the smart design of the stick makes it fully adjustable -and comfortable- for both right and left handed (I'm left handed and I constantly feel discriminated by the so-called "ergonomic" designs). The force feedback feature is also another highlight in this model, as it can truly kick you off from your seat if set to full power. Don't be afraid, as you can tweak the intensity to your liking. A must for true flight simulators, when you want to "feel" the plane.

Before buying it I was afraid it would be too fragile to support my wrath after being shot down, or it wouldn't support the strong evasive actions when fighting to dodge bullets, but I was definitely wrong. The metals and plastics used in this one are high-quality and quite strong, despite how fragile it might look.

Deifinitely recommendable.

Yes, It's adjustable
Yes it has pretty blue lights.
But that's it on the "pro" list.
This stick has one very very major drawback if you are using it as a "Flight-stick":

The deadband around the neutral point is HUGE.

So, starting with no pressure on the stick - you make a fine correction by pushing / pulling and......nothing happens.
So you push / pull a little more and......nothing happens.
By now you've moved the stick-top a full 1cm, and THEN you get a reaction, or rather an over-reaction. By now it's too late.........

I've tackled Saitek at length about this issue, but they insist that it's normal. There are other issues like the wandering rudder, which can be cured in the short-term by editing the registry, but this excessive deadband has no fix.

If you fly flight/combat simulators I suggest you avoid this stick at all costs.

Force feedback could have been a little stronger...I also noticed that even though it's supposed to be self calibrating it tends to ride very slightly up and to the left when centered...I compensated for this by increasing my null zones in my flight sims...very good product overall though.

I purchased this to replace a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, which was not compatible with my new PC. I am very satisfied with the new joystick and its realistic behavior when used with FS2004.

Although there are many options for controlling your flight sim aircraft, this joystick has been a very good choice (for me) especially considering the price (I got mine for less than $50 from Amazon - new). There are more expensive options with more bells and whistles but it all depends on what your willing to spend.

Set-up was straight-forward however I don't like the fact that set-up includes drivers for a mouse and keyboard.

The large null zone in the center - I have not experienced at all. In fact - at least in Flight Sim X the most subtle movements are noticeable in most aircraft. There are some user designed aircraft that the stick is finicky with especially the rudder - so that could be a software quirk. Which also brings up a the point that this stick would definitely benefit from having on board trim controls.

It seems that it really depends which game you're playing as to how much feedback you get. I've noticed the most response in FSX (look out when you crash)! I have yet to try it on X-Plane 9 but I've noticed that its very slight on IL2 right out of the box. I've also noticed that I lose FF in IL2 at times and don't know if its the stick or the software. But it seems the key is to at least have the settings properly adjusted for every game.

Being an actual pilot, the feedback where flaps and gear being deployed as well as air turbulance and touch-downs on landing all work well in FSX and are all very much appreciated. In an actual aircraft scenario, when you raise the flaps, the plane feels as though its sinking slightly and that is the feeling I get with this stick running FSX. I can also feel the difference between the weight of a Cessna and the weight of a P51 when pulling back or otherwise controlling the stick - again with hardly no dead zone at all - very responsive. I have several aircraft models that work extremely well in FSX and I've also downloaded a bunch of junk. The necessary files on some of the user designed aircraft are just not there and it seems that also includes the support for proper force feedback.

Take all these reviews for what they're worth and remember that users really should check their software settings for the joystick and the simulators before they submit their reviews.

After extensive searching for "just the right" joystick for Flight Simulator X, I settled on the PS27, mainly because of its Force Feedback feature.

The first surprise came when I noticed the AC power supply packed in the box. The manual states that "in order for your Operating System to recognize your joystick, please make sure it is plugged in before connecting the USB cord".

Once you have AC and you plug the PS27 into the computer, the setup is rather easy. Windows XP recognizes the PS27 right away and installs the proper drivers for it. The PS27 comes with its own driver CD, but the instructions state it is not necessary unless you want to install the optional programing software.

I opened the Control Panel and opened the Joysticks to calibrate the PS27. I found that everything worked except moving the joystick to the right. It would not register. I moved the joystick to all four axis, and after a couple of times doing this, it moved all the way to the right. Throttle and rudder worked great. Then, after a couple of seconds, the right would not register again.

I launched FS X and found that the same problem occured in the game. Turning left - no problem. Going up and down - no problem. Turn right - problem. Now, if my intent was to travel to the left during the entire game, this would have been fine. But landing requires both directions, so I read the instructions some more. I also found a separate sheet packed in box which apparently was left out of the manual. The sheet said that the PS27 has "Dynamic Centering". This means that it does not have auto-centering like most joysticks. It suggests that before launching the game, you move the joystick all the way around a couple of times, move the throttle up and down and twist the handle a couple of times in each direction (rudder action) THEN launch the game. It should be noted that this applied only to the PS27, which has Force Feedback.

So I did this and then launched FS X again. Same results as before - left, up, down, throttle, rudder, no problem. Right, problem. Now, the problem can be fixed from within FS X by moving the joystick all around during flight a couple of times. It will then move to the right, but after a few seconds goes back to not turning right. This is fine at 2000 feet, but when you get closer to the ground, it can cause issues, such as losing control of the aircraft.

I updated the software and drivers from Saitek's site, repeated the process and came up with the same results.

It is my opinion that the joystick was deffective, however I don't know this for a fact. The look, feel and features of the PS27 are great. The Force Feedback can be turned off, which I did, but the results were the same. Some adjustments can be made from within Control Panel, which are suggested by Saitek, but again, the results were the same.

The Saitek EVO Force looks a bit too sci-fi if you are like me and enjoy flying vintage aircraft, but one thing I have found from Saitek in general that their products are a good value for the money.

I wanted more immersion from the IL-2 WWII combat flight simulator that I have been enjoying for the last few years, and this joystick delivers the performance I was after. Most importantly, as what ever aircraft I am flying approaches stall speed, the stick shudder tells me that I need to push the throttle to maintain attitude (and altitude).

One thing (besides high tech looks) that I'd say is a shortcoming, is the spring tension is a bit weak. I wouldn't want to be fighting the full G-forces of pulling out of a dive, but perhaps adjustable force may be a feature that would make this type of product better.

That being said, I am pretty happy with this product over all for its reliability and value.

Excellent made stick.. Very stable, heavy weight, hard to tip over... Force feedback is excellent, it was the selling point for me and im not dissapointed. The adjustability of hand rest and top buttons made it feel like it was made for my hand.. so comfortable i felt like ive been jerking this stick around for years the very first time i gave it a good yank session. The only down side that i have found is that i occasionally lose calibration during a game after a couple of quick back and forth type motions, very rare though. Overall i Love It.

I'm really surprised at the high ratings this joystick has received. I had high expectations after reading all of it and went out to get one.

Out of the box it looked great; Loads of buttons and even a little blue LED... if that sort of thing turns you on.

Then I calibrated it and tried all its buttons. It had several forcefeedback simulations - a helicopter, machine-gun, even what seems to be a toilet flushing. Still great.

Then I installed a couple of flight simulations games and was totally dismayed at it's response, or lack of. It works great it you intend to sweep left and right accross the screen, but if you need accuracy, pinpoint targetting... forget it. There is no response for movements of an inch or so.

I had better response from my genius joystick that cost barely 1/3 the price.

I use this joystick on an Intel i7 system running Vista 64 ultimate to play FSX.

Pros: Seems well built and is heavy enough to stay put on my desk. Its very comfortable.

For some reason the force feedback would not work with my ECS core 2 quad setup but is working fine on the i7.