A member of the Top Gun line of joysticks from Thrustmaster, the Fox 2 Pro Shock offers the design features that flight-sim enthusiasts have come to expect from Top Gun sticks, and it also throws a little feedback into the mix.

Because it's a USB joystick, we were able to plug the Fox 2 Pro Shock right in (after installing the software) and begin playing. We didn’t even need to calibrate it. The skimpy quick-install manual didn’t offer much information, but the simple set-up process didn’t really require much documentation.

The comfortably contoured stick fits nicely into the hand, while the weighted metal base holds the joystick firmly in place on a desktop (although we did have it slip a bit when we really got into our gaming). Your left hand rests easily on the base, with the sliding thumb throttle and three of the Fox 2 Pro’s seven programmable buttons within easy reach. The rest of the buttons are atop the stick, including a trigger, an eight-way textured hat switch, and two additional buttons. All of these buttons can be programmed using the extensive Thrustmapper software, giving the stick a maximum of 56 different functions.

The handle of the Fox 2 Pro Shock also twists, functioning as a rudder in flying games. Its level of resistance can be adjusted by twisting a knob on the base of the stick.

But what's most appealing about this stick is the Shock--a motor built into the joystick handle delivers excellent levels of force feedback in a variety of games (most games that have come out in the past few years have force feedback built in). While flying in Rogue Squadron, we’d get a jolt every time we were hit, and we'd feel the rumble of the afterburners kicking in, adding to the feeling of blasting ahead. Similarly, slamming into other cars in Midtown Madness 2 gave us sizeable bursts of feedback.

Many force feedback joysticks can be quite costly, but the Fox 2 Pro doesn’t shock with its sticker--it sells for less than $40, about average for sticks that don’t kick. If you’re looking for an ergonomic stick that lets your games interact with you, go with the Fox 2 Pro Shock.

Pro: Force feedback, great price, comfortable stick. Con: Base not as heavy as those of some joysticks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Thrustmaster 5505 St-Laurent Boulevard, Suite 4204 Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S6 Canada 877-484-5536 http://www.thrustmaster.com

Warranty
1 years limited