Review: Logitech Wingman Strike Force 3D joystick

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Logitech's Wingman Strike Force 3D

by Human Tornado

(IDG) -- Logitech has long been a standard in the mouse and trackball market, but the company's line of game controllers has made a leap in form and function with the latest in the Wingman line of PC joysticks, the Strike Force 3D.

The Strike Force 3D is the top of the line in the Wingman joystick series, and it carries a few features not found in Logitech's other force feedback stick, the Force 3D, namely a scrolling clickable wheel similar to the wheel on a PC mouse, and second programmable hat switch. Other than that, the stick is remarkably similar in appearance and feel to Logitech's other Wingman joysticks?and that's a good thing.

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In the hand, the Strike Force 3D is a nimble performer. The throttle glides smoothly, is big enough (many sticks have a tiny throttle), and has a no-slip grip that's perfect for your thumb. The clickable wheel is an excellent addition that let's you pick between weapons, inventory, or HUD displays in a flash. The eight-direction hat switches offers quick response for cockpit views, and the four direction programmable switch lets you lock on with ease. All of the buttons on the Strike Force 3D also have a nice tactile click that gives you a solid feedback in the heat of battle. Overall, the force feedback effects are very well done, Mechwarrior 4, NASCAR Heat, Crimson Skies, and USAF felt quite good with gravity and G-force effects in the flight sims were particularly solid. In Mechwarrior 4, the newest game in our test suite, weapon firing, walking, and explosion effects all showed subtle and convincing differences. In addition, the stick itself is very quiet, there are no whiny motors or fans. You can also adjust the intensity of the effects in the software control panel.

However, one caveat is that the software used to program buttons for individual games isn't as intuitive or as full featured as it could be, but it functions well enough, and it comes with a scad of pre-programmed setups for most popular games.

One final question remains: is it better than Microsoft's Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro and the newer Sidewinder Force Feedback 2? Since both of these joysticks are competing directly with the Strike Force 3D, it's only fair to compare them. The answer: yes and no. Microsoft's software controls are much more refined than Logitech's and easier to use. The force feedback effects are also slightly better, but the Strike Force 3D has a much better button layout, an excellent feel in the hand, and more functionality built into the stick.

Logitech has come out with a very high quality force feedback joystick. It's got everything a flight sim enthusiast or racing fan could want. The solid force feedback, excellent button layout, and smooth handling make this one of the best joysticks money can buy.

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