A behemoth of a joystick, the Logitech WingMan Force is a killer. Packed away in its nearly 5-pound mass is a network of power that gives it exceptional muscle and stability. The WingMan Force features nine programmable buttons, an eight-way hat switch, a thumb-controlled throttle, and WingMan Software, which makes programming buttons and setting preferences simple. Installing the joystick consisted of plugging in the power, connecting the USB cable, and booting up the software.
The weight of the joystick certainly helped with stability. Even when games got rowdy, the WingMan stayed firmly on the desk. The grip was solid and comfortable, and we didn't experience some of the jerking and stiffness that many force-feedback sticks produce. This can be chalked up to Logitech's cable-drive system, which is smoother than many gear-based joysticks. We also appreciated that most buttons on the stick were easy to reach in the midst of a game that demanded serious concentration.
We set multiple profiles within the WingMan Software for each game, and the software remembered them for future use. The force feedback on some games seemed less powerful than we expected, even with controls set to high. At one point, the force feedback gave out all together in the middle of a game, but resumed once we restarted. However, at other times, the force feedback was tremendous, making for an intense experience. We found the joystick to be best for games with machine guns or rapid-fire weapons, where the force feedback was at its best.
Despite some inconsistencies, the WingMan Force is a nice joystick with a lot of power. Its sturdy construction and considerable weight will help it survive the thrashings it's sure to take.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Easy-to-use software
- Simple to install
- Programmable buttons
Cons:
