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Logitech Wingman Rumblepad USB
by Joe "Impaler" HighmanProduct Name: Logitech Wingman Rumblepad USB
Category: Input Device
Manufacturer: Logitech
Release Date: Released
Minimum Spec: IBM Compatible PC with Intel Pentium or AMD-K6 Processor or better; 16 MB RAM; 15 MB HDD space; Available USB port; Windows98,Windows2000, or Windows ME; DirectX 6.0 or better.
Demo: Not Applicable
Article Type: Review
Article Date: November 28th, 2000
Shaken, not Stirred
Ever since the early days of personal computing, game players have demanded more and more sophisticated input control devices. I think back to 1985 and flying Microsoft Flight Simulator v1.0 using all keystroke commands quite nostalgically. How quickly the experience soared once I had first used a joystick to guide my linearly rendered aircraft over the dot-matrix grid work below. Sometime later, I had the good fortune to discover systems equipped with dual control devices… a stick for pitch and roll control and matching rudder pedals for yaw. The optional throttle control introduced new levels of gaming goodness, and I envied the high-dollar performance setups of my friends. I vowed right then and there that someday, I too, would own such an ornate and authentic ensemble.
One generous tax return later, I found myself maneuvering a shopping cart at the local computer superstore, visions of expertly flaming a whole Mess of Messerschmitts danced merrily in my head. I gazed longingly at the acres and acres of peripherals, drew a deep breath, and asked myself what started out as a very simple question: “Okay, what do I need?”
I knew that I needed a control stick for precise maneuvering. I want a sliding throttle for speed control in my Sims. I want a rudder pedal system for my flight games that can double as pedals for racing and vehicle Sims. I also need a comfortable programmable gamepad to aid my play of complex sports titles. Not to mention that I require an 8-way Point-of-View hat, Force Feedback, and USB compliance…. Not too demanding a list, is it? Go ahead and play along at home. Price those features out for yourselves. Go on, now… I will wait on the next page.
I broke out my trusty pocket calculator (yes, I am a geek; no reason to try to point out the obvious, thank you very much!) I punched in the price tags one by one, blissfully unaware of the mammoth subtotal awaiting my approach. The liquid crystal oozed forth and formed a 340.00… and then a fine smoke rolled from my wallet and my ears.
Now, what would you say if I told you that you could have all these features and specifications for under $30 US?
I thought that might get your attention. Fear not, fellow budget-minded simulation fanatics, for our demands for a cost-effective complete solution have not fallen upon deaf ears. Enter Logitech, long-time manufacturer of input devices such as mice, trackballs, keyboards, game controllers, and an emerging presence in cameras, speakers, and desktops. Logitech now offers a new addition to its successful Wingman gamepad family.
A gamepad for simming? Yes, it can be done.
The Logitech Wingman Rumblepad provides all of the traditional features of the Wingman gamepad, but then give the device a shot of steroids. Its futuristic design provides hours of comfortable hand-held gaming. The slick black plastic contains two ultra-accurate analog joysticks, an 8-way Point-of-View hat/D-pad movement controller, two large and easily accessed trigger buttons, a sliding easy to reach throttle bar, six command buttons, a dedicated “start” button, and two toggle switch buttons that can toggle the gamepad between a traditional arcade based console gamepad and a completely hand-held flight simulation control suite. All of this, plus the unit includes a native USB interface, offering blistering 12 MBps data transfer speeds. No batteries or external power supplies are required as the device draws its power from the USB bus.
Pictures are always nice in instructions, eh?
One could spend all day going over the external features of this unit alone, but the astute reader will note that the name of this device reads “Wingman RUMBLEPAD.” “Rumblepad,” you ask?
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