Saitek Cyborg Evo Wireless Joystick

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Saitek
Jan. 18, 2005

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Introduction

For as much time as I spend playing games on my PC, I must admit that I could not easily bring to mind many more than 2 or 3 major PC input controller manufacturers. Give it a try, it's not as easy as it sounds. Of course you will think of Logitech and Microsoft and then there is Belkin. Unknowingly I had forgotten about Saitek. And it's not that I didn't know them, more like I couldn't remember them. According to their corporate website, Saitek was started in 1979 and entered the gaming input device market in 1993 with their first real success being in the electronic chess game market...not something most of us are familiar with. However, I do recall through a haze of 1980's Transformer cartoons and G.I. Joe public service announcements a small unassuming game box that ruthlessly and systematically eradicated would-be chess masters. That was my first introduction to Saitek, I just didn't know it.

Twenty some years later Saitek is still making chess games. But, more importantly they are churning out stacks of wonderfully designed gaming devices from PC driving wheels to console controllers. Today we will be looking at one of their more innovative products, the Cyborg Evo wireless flight stick. Let's see if it is good enough to drive those memories of impossibly difficult chess games from my mind.

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Looks
Page 3: Setup & Testing
Page 4: Conclusion

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10 User Comments

1 - Posted by Guest on January 19, 2005 - 12:19 pm

i purchased one of these about 2 months ago (only able to find it on Saitek's website back then) and have been extemely pleased ever since.

the stick is tight and responsive and i get a real feel for my flight sim games. it's also the first wireless controller that consider truly wireless. a simple USB dongle no bigger then flash storage keys. most other peripherals that are "wireless" include a base station with a 3 to 5 foot WIRE on it.

my only complaint, if i havent used the joystick in over a day or so, i have to pop teh battery out and in real quick to "Wake up" tjhe joystick for use. but it's easy to access and i rarely go a full day without using it.

a great value and a great joystick

2 - Posted by handrail on January 19, 2005 - 1:26 pm

i totally agree. i loved reviewing it. lightweight enought to fit on your lap too.

3 - Posted by Kurtis on January 19, 2005 - 2:02 pm

I may be wrong, but to wake it don't you only need to push one of the buttons on the joystick? I don't think wiggling the stick will wake it up, but I believe pushing any of the buttons does. Correct me if I'm wrong.

4 - Posted by handrail on January 19, 2005 - 3:36 pm

i think what they meant was that after a long period of time, using the buttons won't wake it up. you need to re-insert the battery. i didn't notice that problem, but maybe i never let it sit long enough to elicit the problem

5 - Posted by Spoonman on January 20, 2005 - 8:49 am

This is all well and good, but when are these companies going to come out with a bluetooth joystick or gamepad? I'm asking the question because I'm assuming Saitek will be reading this review and these comments and will be smart enough to see an opportunity ;-). A bluetooth joystick shouldn't be any more expensive to manufacture than a proprietary wireless one, I'd be willing to be it would be a lot less in terms of R&D. It could come with a BT dongle, which could then be used for other things (adding value). A BT gamepad would be so very spiffy for my BT-enabled laptop, I'd pay a heavy premium for one (it would have to be relatively small, though. Say the size of the original NES controller). I currently carry a small USB one I picked up, but think the cool factor of opening my laptop, turning on the BT gamepad (MUST have an on/off switch!), turning on my BR mouse and just wirelessly working and playing would be outstanding! Saitek, are you listening?

6 - Posted by handrail on January 20, 2005 - 2:15 pm

well, i think that is just it. you WILL be paying a hefty price for a BT enabled gaming device...at least at this point in time.

http://www.wsdmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/6718/6718...

i think they will definitely hit the market one day. my guess is logitech will be the first to give it a try.

7 - Posted by handrail on January 20, 2005 - 2:19 pm

oh yeah, i saw this at CES too. didn't pay much attention at the time. looks like someone is working on the technology anyway.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=20626

8 - Posted by Spoonman on January 21, 2005 - 9:37 am

Thanks, those were great articles. At least now I know WHY I haven't seen one yet. I just assumed that since BT mice were relatively cheap ($45-60) and had good battery life (well, those that have on/off switches get good reviews), that game controllers were just a natural next step. I can't imagine dealing with a 1-1.5 second reconnect latency, though. I have enough trouble dealing with a "my fingers are so damn slow" latency! ;-)

9 - Posted by maddpeanut on November 9, 2006 - 5:10 pm

BEWARE. The Real-Time Pricing links on this page lead to WIRED product not wireless.

10 - Posted by sirdond on February 20, 2008 - 3:24 am

Is MS Sidewinder Precision 2 better than this?

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