Saitek J45 Cyborg 3D Force Stick (USB)

by Saitek

Product Details

Product Manual [268kb PDF]

• ASIN: B000063DF7
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,220 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Saitek Cyborg 3D Force Stick is the ultimate joystick for the discerning gamer. This awesome joystick comes complete with sublime new looks and Immersion's patented TouchSense technology to take the gaming experience to a new level of interactivity. The haptic technology inside dramatically improves gamers' performance and power; by unlocking their sense of touch and allowing them to feel what they see and do on the computer screen. The Force Feedback Technology is combined with a full range of features to put you in total control in any game.

Feel the game with Force Feedback technology. Unlimited programming power with Saitek Smart Technology software. Stunning design stands out from the crowd. All the controls at your fingertips for hours of fatigue-free gaming. Ambidextrous design for left- and right-handers. Simple 'plug-and-play' USB connection.

Features:

• 4 Thumb Buttons
• 4 Base Buttons
• Rapid-Response Trigger
• 8-way POV Hat Switch
• Lever Throttle
• TouchSense Technology
• 3-D Twist
• Smart Technology

System Requirements:

• PC Pentium 133MHz or higher with USB port
• Microsoft Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP
• DirectX 8.1 compatible

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My first (and last) force-feedback joystick!, September 15, 2002

By 

Jason H. Reskin (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saitek J45 Cyborg 3D Force Stick (USB) (Video Game)

As a user, I like the size and style, and the fact that you can use it with your left or right hand. It is very quiet, has an interesting light that shows the amount of force it is delivering at the top of the stick.

I am not sure how strong the constant forces are compared to other sticks, I will be looking into that but if future reviews could include a comparison it will probably help users.

As a developer, my only concern have been with their web site (registration link from the CD came up 404 and their webmaster hasn't written me back or fixed the dead link in over a month), the XP installation process was challenging since the instructions are incorrect. The capabilities of the utilities they included are somewhat lacking, but Microsoft's DirectX SDK has a few tools that make up for it.

--- Additional information added 11/04/2002 ---
I have continued to have difficulty raising anyone responsible for their web site.

My company released a document comparing the Logitech and Microsoft products to this unit. The long and short of it is, this Saitek unit is the best bang for the buck. ...Saitek Cyborg 3D Force - By far the best value we found. It gets very hot after a short period of use. It has a symmetrical and high-tech look. Fire trigger is a little oversized. It has an intensity light on the top of the stick and a large "Saitek" illuminated electric-blue power light.

Logitech Wingman Force 3D - A close runner up on value! The lightest weight unit, stays cool, and works as a normal joystick when the power supply is not connected. It has the roughest movement, however, and makes audiable squeeling noises when full forces are used.

Microsoft Sidewinder 2 - A little pricey and the base is large and oddly shaped, but heavy to keep it firmly planted on a desktop. It can detect when your hand is present so it doesn't flop around. And the feel is by far the smoothest and strongest of the devices we tested.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST stick., May 30, 2002

By 

dfkap (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saitek J45 Cyborg 3D Force Stick (USB) (Video Game)

I've tried all of the force feedback sticks, Microsoft and Logitech included. This stick blows them out of the water! The set-up is easy (as long as you follow the instructions and DON'T PLUG IT IN UNTIL YOU INSTALL THE SOFTWARE) and the look is incredible.
A warning for you: Do not expect too much in the way of support. I tried to call them and the person I talked to was not overly conversant with the product, on top of which I could barely understand him and he required me to repeat myself over and over. The bottom line: Get the stick, but don't call them.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid piece of engineering, January 10, 2003

By 

mj405 "mj405" (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saitek J45 Cyborg 3D Force Stick (USB) (Video Game)

Bought the Saitek Cyborg 3d Force because of its rather sturdy and solid touch and feel, compared to its measly competitors.

It's not solid metal, but very tough!

The feedback is strong and makes all the difference when flying my good old MS Flight Simulator 98.