Name:  - Top Gun Fox 2 Pro Shock
Thrustmaster Description:
Feel it all in your hands
The Top Gun Fox 2 Pro SHOCK joystick performs to keep you in the game. Offering you a weighted metal base with non-slip rubber pads, sliding thumb throttle with ergonomic shape, and enlarged hand rest the SHOCK is comfortable and sturdy. When you add its twisting handle with locking mechanism, and the SHOCK’s biggest asset, the internal motor in the stick, you get the true feeling of being in the cockpit.
The SHOCK offers customizing software, Thrustmapper 3.0, to give you complete control of how it performs. Choose from up to 56 different functions and make this your stick.
Comfort even during the longest sorties, precision, and function from its 7 programmable quick-action buttons... the SHOCK can really boost your gaming experience.
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12/23/2001 - Hey all! Sorry for the delay since my last review but it's Christmas week at my office and that means food. Lots of food. No, really, I mean LOTS of food! I barely had enough energy to waddle home and veg in front of the TV! However, somewhere in-between consciousness, I managed to feast on Thrustmasters Fox 2 Pro Shock Joystick. A joystick that rumbles was an interesting thought for me cuz I've never used one that supported it. Forcefeedback is the norm so it'll be interesting to see what this baby can do.
By the way, a big thanks to Joystick Review Central for allowing me to dominate our first ever X Box game night. :-} --Let's do that again soon since LAZ forgot to take pictures! -oh and Twister was fun too!! --lol and what's with the Crisco on the door step? -ok I'll stop!! Now I know Zworm is jealous! --alright I'm stopping!
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Koggs Gets Shocked!
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85.5
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| First Impression |
Right out of the box this one reminded me of the TGF2P - Top Gun Fox 2 Pro. A virtual twin -with a few cosmetic changes. I like it. It looks great. One of the changes here is the twist action -a must for all joysticks these days and aside from the obvious addition of shock, this joystick is a paint job away from visually being an identical twin. --as is this review!! |
10.0
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| Software Installation |
Easy. Just insert the provided CD and follow the on-screen instructions. After doing so, you'll have the opportunity to check out the vibrations your newly acquired weapon of choice has to offer. |
10.0
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| Software Controller Interface |
The Thrustmapper - t-mapper - icon sits on your taskbar and automatically detects when the stick is plugged in and configures it accordingly. Upon opening up the t-mapper utility you have the ability to assign different commands to each button as well as a host of other things to choose from. Everything is there to either accept or to change depending upon your specific gaming style, however I found it to be a bit confusing when trying to set it up for a particular game. After I changed this, tweaked that and fiddled with the other thing, I quoted my favorite Simpson's character Krusty, AHHH KRAP!, hit the cancel button, and launched my game!
Obviously, I'm the type that just wants to sit down and go! I'll configure the stick in the game -if I need to- otherwise, just make sure the thing is properly configured -left is left, right is right, etc., and LETS GO!!!!! Thrustmaster must have had people like me in mind cuz that's what I did and everything worked fine.
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9.0
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| Game Included |
None. Therefore the standard 5 points are applied.
C'mon guys, let's see a game or demo ship with this fine controller. :o}
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5.0
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| Help Instructions |
A small but informative user manual with additional help via telephone to Thrustmaster Tech Support - no toll free numbers though - Or visit their website for FAQ's and e-mail support. If you want to get additional help with the presets, you'll have to get it from their website. I'd like to see Thrustmaster add this to the provided CD -it's a convenience thing. |
8.0
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| Comfort |
The games I used to test this one out was Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 2 (CFS2) and Tennis Masters Series. -no forcefeedback support- I fired this one up just to see how the stick reacts to something other than a flight game, and it responded well. With each baseline backhand and every forehand smash it reminded me of the good ole days when me and LAZ would tag team a certain Robsta with his partner Bad Attitude! ---ahh dem were da' days!
ShOckEd? The majority of game time spent was in the cockpit of CFS2. The stick reacted as anyone would expect, as was the vibration Good thing it didn't literally shock me --as the box description states! or I wudda taken this one back to T-Master Mysef! ;-p.
How Much ShOck? Even though the vibrations won't forcefully rock your world, they did an efficient job in duplicating each flying effect. Also, it wasn't garbled or run together. In other words, the joystick did not continuously rumble from start to finish. Each time I shot or got shot at, the force was distinct and precise.
Forcefeedback? The thing that shock will not give you, is the feeling you get with true forcefeedback sticks. Remember, this is vibration not tug and pull forcefeedback. If your looking for true forcefeedback, look somewhere else. This stick is more geared for the gamer looking for something more than what's offered with a standard non FF stick and a bit less than one that offers true FF. You know, like the kind of FF that tries to rip the stick from your hands! Therefore some of the advantages of flying with FF are lost.
All in all, I was pleased on how the Fox Shock handled itself. Each action, whether I was shooting or getting shot at, seemed a tad bit different and lead to a pleasant and mild experience. Even with the rumble turned up to 100%, it still was mild.
Comfort? Oh yeah! Comfort! Heck ya! This thing was dialed from the get go! The joystick spring tensioner located on the bottom of the base provides a variety of tension settings and the large base with the rubber pads kept er' stable on my desk top while gaming.
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8.5
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| Construction (Quality) |
Heavy duty plastic houses this bad boy, leading us to believe it's built for the long haul. The vibration motor is located in the stick itself assuring accurate response time. There's also a 6' cord - USB. Also adding the twist control was a much needed addition as compared to the TGF2P.
Functionality after hours upon hours of hours remains to be seen, however, Thrustmaster has always stood behind their products. Therefore I see no reason to believe why that would change.
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10.0
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| Looks |
Personally, I like the look of this joystick. Thrustmaster has a good thing going in the Fox 2 Pro line of joysticks. The added colors give it a new look but it's basically the same as the TGF2P without the flip up button cover. Which is why I think T-Master should do something a bit different. Add some lights, change the shape a bit. Be creative but don't sacrifice stability in doing so. This thing has a nice weight to it and sits in place for the majority of game time. --You need stability while trying to avoid being shot down by them Zero's! |
8.5
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| Value (price for what you get) |
If you're looking for a little more than your standard joystick, and you're willing to shell $39.99 for it, then this one's for you. However, I recommend trying a FF joystick first. The Shock will boost your gaming experience but won't give you full FF effects. |
8.0
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| Recommend to Others |
Looking for FF? Look somewhere else!
Looking for something more than your usual joystick without the force of FF? Then step on up and get ShOcKeD! It's as simple as that. The stick is solid and functional so recommending it is a no brainer. You just need to decide whether to shock or not to shock! |
8.5
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RECOMMENDATIONS to the Vendor
KOGGS
- Add a full game or a demo that demonstrates the power of the shock and ship it with the stick!
- Add a few COLORED lights to the buttons, the stick, the base, etc.. It would only inhance the looks, not to mention catch the eye of a potential buyer.
- Add more force. With the rumble\vibration settings to max, it was mild at best, therefore leaving no room for adjustment. Crashes should be pretty violent eh? Give us some serious initial punch on impacts please!
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