Customer Reviews

Smartjoy Frag Keyboard and Mouse Adapter for Xbox

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A word of advice for XBox 360 users, specifically those like myself who are coming to the 360 from the PC world, and may not be as familiar with what's compatible between the original XBox and the 360: the SmartJoy Frag adapter is NOT compatible with the 360. The connector on the Frag is intended to fit a "classic" XBox controller port, and will not work with the USB ports on the 360. And substituting the USB end-cable from a 360 controller also does not work, as the "breakaway" connector is incompatible as well.

I have no complaint with the SmartJoy Frag device itself (not having tried it). Just wanted to save other 360 owners the disappointment of picking this up and not being able to use it. (A pity, too, since from reviews it sounds like the Frag is a better deal, price and feature-wise, than similar devices that _are_ intended for the 360!)

If you're used to playing games on a computer, then this device will make you feel right at home on the Xbox. I've always hated the controllers anyway so finding a keyboard/mouse option is fantastic.

I'm not going to go on and on, but simply this device works very well. There are reports of some incompatibility with certain keyboards and mice, but I think those are limited to high end wireless gear. It works great with just basic keyboards and mice.

It comes with a review card that lists the basic keyboard configuration if you plan on custom programming the keys (and you probably will). The review card is not accurate, so you need to start the game, hit f12 to get to the base keyboard layout, and then just start hitting keys to see how the game reacts, make a note of the action and then program that original key to your preferred key.

For example what is supposed to be the black controller button (keyboard TAB) actually turns out to be keypad +. So it takes some time to get it figured out and programmed properly, but after that it's fine. The device does not give you any on-screen help at all, you need to remember or write down your keyboard mapping.

For me the best thing about this device is that it gives left handers the ability to play on a level field. Some games, such as Big Red One, does not have a left hand controller layout. If you use a lefty configuration for Halo or Halo2, you're pretty much screwed when trying to play Big Red One unless you're willing to re-learn the controller layout.

I have to have the left thumb control the "look" aspect and the right thumb control "move". I find it impossible to swap the thumbpads, my brain just doesn't work that way. Plus if you move with the right thumb then it makes jumping a LOT less effective. But now I move with the 8,4,5,6 keypad, look with the mouse and jump with keypad 0. It's great - because I can jump while moving.

Just to give you a bit more of an insight: keypad 7 = reload, 9 = swap weapon, 2 = melee, 1 = black 3 = white, right mouse = right trigger, left mouse = grenade, mouse wheel = zoom/ADS. But I think I'm moving melee to keypad 1.

I have my Big Red One layout matching my Halo2 layout with just a couple exceptions. This is a great advantage when moving from one game to another.

I know of two other similar devices on the market, one is reported to be better than this one, and the other is reported to be much worse. You can't beat twenty bucks in any case.

Be sure to also buy the extension cable, the cable hardwired to the device itself is ridiculously short.

For up to date info, check out the forums at lik-sang.com

This product was OK. It was too jittery for me in halo 2, but in games like red faction II and counter-strike i thought it was much better. It just seems like after going through the hastle of configuring the deadzones and everything else it seems more easy and relaxing just to pick up a controller and play.

I would recommend this product to people who aren't familiar with an xbox controller and are much more used to keyboard and mouse. You'll love this product if this is you. However if you're already pretty decent with an xbox controller but your slightly better with keyboard/mouse (like me) well... its just not worth all the hastle, its easier just to stick with a controller.

Oh and by the way. Make sure you get the "Smartjoy Frag" model of this product!!! Theres another model that looks almost EXACTLY like this one but it has a different name (i dont remember it right now) and it sucks horribly! If somebody sends you the wrong model then ask them nicely for your money back because the model i got the first time i ordered it was impossible to play with.