SUMMARY:

• Fully hand adjustable for right and left handers
• Adjustable hand rest
• Precise 3D twist/rudder function
• Throttle lever
• Ratio digital technology
• 16 Independent Programmable Buttons
• Up to 24 programmable actions
• Programmable HAT in digital mode
• USB version available
• Easy to use Win 95/98 interface
• Screw holes for permanent fixture

Every few months a new product is released that really gives meaning to the word "excellence." When we first looked at Saitek's HOTAS last year we were quite impressed, but nagging software and configuration issues plagued the new hardware. Only recently are most Saitek stick users completely happy with their gear.

However, after a few hours with the new Cyborg 3D, I am astonished! This stick has it all, looks fantastic, seems incredibly solid, and MSRP is $69 US.

In fact, the Cyborg 3D gives new meaning to the term "complete" single stick solution. The software is excellent and flexible, the stick is fully programmable and can be configured as analog or digital, various parts of the stick can be adjusted for individual comfort, and this single stick has both rudder and throttle built in. Equally important, documentation is easy to follow and very complete.

I LIKE this stick. The Cyborg 3D has more programmability than the Microsoft Sidewinder Pro, and is much more user adjustable for comfort. Its comparable to the Sidewinder Pro in weight, despite being a smaller unit. Frankly, it looks better than the Sidewinder Pro, being techno-modern in the post apocalyptic Road Warrior sense.... If I could only take one stick with me on a trip, it would be this one. Follow me on a quick programming tour with Janes WW2 Fighters.

Installation

As I mentioned, documentation is solid, a rare feat in a first release these days (and it's provided in about five languages). However, I didn't even use the two manuals provided (one each for the installation and programming software) until quite late in the game when I had a question about font selection for printing the graphic.

The driver installation went smoothly from the CD provided. I then ran the software provided to install the Saitek Command Center, which gives access to any of the Saitek digital hardware you may have: the X36 sticks, the PC Dash, or either version of the Cyborg 3D. Next I inserted the 3.5 floppy for the software update, and I was up and running.

Calibration as a digital device was quick and easy. The test software, accessed within the Game Controller applet in Control Panel, was nicely done and easy to use.

In use the feel of the stick is just about right. It's more solid and heavy than the recent Quickshot GenX 700 we tested, and much more configurable.

Click to continue . . .

Programming was intuitive and easy. Simply click on the COMMANDS tab and then on ADD COMMAND. A "record" dialogue box pops up, and you simply hit the keyboard key you wish to record.

For a chorded stroke, say SHF and C, you simply hold the SHIFT key while pressing C. When you are finished adding commands, you can access the list from the COMMANDS tab. Click HERE for a zoom in of the command list and ADD COMMAND switch.

If it sounds easy, it is! It's a lovely piece of software, one of the best I've seen for a new release, and it works as advertised. Amazing these days!

To then assign a key command to any button or hat direction (you must first have made the hat a digital device in the Cyborg Options) you simply select the button you wish to program by clicking on the right side of the screen on the button of choice. A yellow box appears around the button or hat direction selected.

In the shot above I have selected the button on the left front of the stick labelled "F1," and I will then choose from the commands I have previously recorded and assign one to the button. When you assign the command the label appears in the appropriate place in the graphic on screen right. Quick and painless!

Notice that you can also select MIMIC KEYBOARD for an individual key assignment. I selected this one for the hat functions. This allows you to determine the length of keypress for scroll functions and the like; so long as you hold the button the command is sent. I assigned my hat for the SHF LARROW etc keypad functions for scrolling inside and outside views in WW2 Fighters....

Go to Part II