Introduction
What makes a good joystick? Good Ergonomics? Lots of buttons? Aesthetics? Or cool new technology? I think it is safe to say that the VR Pro 2000 has all of these qualities. Why in fact, its “fantastic new look is achieved by its translucent Black Ice color and internal LED lighting” and “enhanced button positioning and faster, tighter response” is due to the “advanced, motion-tracking sensor technology” which allows you to “control the game in MID-AIR, without a base!” I have to agree to an extent…
Here are the official stats:
· On-Base / Mid-Air Control
· 8 Function Buttons
· 4 Fire Buttons
· 2 Special Strafe/Rudder Buttons
· 3 Sensitivity Adjustment Buttons
· Point of View (POV) Hat Switch
· Precision Throttle Control
· For Both Right & Left Handed
· Intuitive Ergonomic Control
· Increases Mobility in 3D
· Environment 4 LED Sensitivity Indicators
The VR Pro 2000 is a remarkable joystick due to its ability to be used off of the base. Its ADXL202 +/- 2g accelerometer tracks movements fairly well. Since it doesn’t use a base, there is no resistance therefore the need for sensitivity settings on the top of the stick. Though a little odd at first, it is easy to get used to. If you can’t get used to it, use the base. But, I don’t recommend it because it is not level and the rubber collar restricts movement.
The placement of the buttons is fair. It is symmetrical so it will fit righties or lefties. The trigger is in the correct place and the other buttons are easily reachable though it is awkward to reach across the large bump the hat switch is situated on to get to the other buttons on the other side. The sensitivity controls are at the top of the joystick, on top of the bump mentioned earlier, sporting three buttons: high, medium, and low. The LEDs that are placed in various positions will change color with different settings. The only gripes I have are where button four, the throttle control, and the hat switch are placed. Button four is placed right between your thumb and index finger and you can imagine that is a hard place to reach. Directly above button number four is the throttle control and it has the same problem as number four. And the hat is a little too high for my taste, but I have smaller hands. Ergonomically, everything is just fine.
I also have some questions on the build quality of the stick, it seems to flex in my hand, the buttons seem flimsy, and the base a little crooked. The joystick itself is very light, probably to prevent fatigue from long flights. The base is nicely weighted, not too heavy nor too light and can hold up in some rough inputs.
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