Post by artemisgoldfish on Feb 27, 2006 12:35:54 GMT
www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=161&products_id=3176&
Here's a little history:
A few months/a year or two ago, I bought a PC Joypad, the Gravis Eliminator Aftershock (I think that's the name) for $30USD. It was pretty good, it has buttons to turn on a precision analog stick mode, made sniping in shooting games more precise, and I loved playing PC Halo with it.
Soon thereafter, the analog sticks decided to stop working, then the whole device just crapped out. Bummer, $30 gone.
So, I got another Gravis pad, a bit different (Has no Analog sticks) for about $10. Another problem: It just didn't do what I wanted it to. One thing after another, huh?
This is where the SmartJoy Dual PLUS comes in. Around X-Mas time, I was gettin' pretty tired of the crappy PC Pads I had been using, so I decided to order from an online store called Lik-Sang, based in China. (Wing wang wong, Kung Fu)
If you've never heard of the SmartJoy line of products, here's the lowdown:
There's a few different types, and they basically convert the signals from various Console controllers (SNES, XBOX, PS2, Etc.) into Windows XP Human Interface Device data.
On X-Mas day, I tore into the package. The unit is exactly as it looks in the pictures on the Lik-Sang page, is sturdy, and made from a good grade of plastic (Rather than your run-of-the-mill cheap chinese fair).
Upon plugging the device into my computer and plugging a crisp, new Sony PS2 DualShock2 controller therein, Windows XP Happily reported finding the device with it's usual Taskbar text bubble. Included in the package is a Driver floppy disk.
A problem arose: I have no floppy drive. I won't bore you with the details, but I burned them to a CD-R.
Installing the drivers enables a few cool features, like the pressure sensitive buttons and various modes of Controller to OS input ( Ex. The Directional Pad can act as a POV Hat Switch, Directionals, or buttons ), Rumble, and remappable controls. ( Rumble is useful in Nintendo64 and PSX Emulation, and is DirectX controlled )
A problem I've encountered, though, is some strange driver conflict problems. Upon unplugging (accidentally, usually) the device, Windows freaks out and crashes to a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death, for the technically unsavvy).
Otherwise, the SmartJoy Dual PLUS is a high quality product, and I'm very satisfied. The only reason this product doesn't get a 10 is the BSOD issues I've encountered, and they're minimal at most.
9.5/10
Here's a little history:
A few months/a year or two ago, I bought a PC Joypad, the Gravis Eliminator Aftershock (I think that's the name) for $30USD. It was pretty good, it has buttons to turn on a precision analog stick mode, made sniping in shooting games more precise, and I loved playing PC Halo with it.
Soon thereafter, the analog sticks decided to stop working, then the whole device just crapped out. Bummer, $30 gone.
So, I got another Gravis pad, a bit different (Has no Analog sticks) for about $10. Another problem: It just didn't do what I wanted it to. One thing after another, huh?
This is where the SmartJoy Dual PLUS comes in. Around X-Mas time, I was gettin' pretty tired of the crappy PC Pads I had been using, so I decided to order from an online store called Lik-Sang, based in China. (Wing wang wong, Kung Fu)
If you've never heard of the SmartJoy line of products, here's the lowdown:
There's a few different types, and they basically convert the signals from various Console controllers (SNES, XBOX, PS2, Etc.) into Windows XP Human Interface Device data.
On X-Mas day, I tore into the package. The unit is exactly as it looks in the pictures on the Lik-Sang page, is sturdy, and made from a good grade of plastic (Rather than your run-of-the-mill cheap chinese fair).
Upon plugging the device into my computer and plugging a crisp, new Sony PS2 DualShock2 controller therein, Windows XP Happily reported finding the device with it's usual Taskbar text bubble. Included in the package is a Driver floppy disk.
A problem arose: I have no floppy drive. I won't bore you with the details, but I burned them to a CD-R.
Installing the drivers enables a few cool features, like the pressure sensitive buttons and various modes of Controller to OS input ( Ex. The Directional Pad can act as a POV Hat Switch, Directionals, or buttons ), Rumble, and remappable controls. ( Rumble is useful in Nintendo64 and PSX Emulation, and is DirectX controlled )
A problem I've encountered, though, is some strange driver conflict problems. Upon unplugging (accidentally, usually) the device, Windows freaks out and crashes to a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death, for the technically unsavvy).
Otherwise, the SmartJoy Dual PLUS is a high quality product, and I'm very satisfied. The only reason this product doesn't get a 10 is the BSOD issues I've encountered, and they're minimal at most.
9.5/10