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RBMODS REVIEWS |
Date 2008-07-16
Provider: Novint
Author: Niko Lupala
Editor: Amber Lupala
Novint Falcon Review
Today we are taking a look at a cool gaming device from Novint, named Falcon. This new device will be gamebreaking if the features and hype about it are correct. It is a "mouse" for gaming but it allows you to do so much more with a force feedback function and a free movement. It's hard to explain further without pictures so lets take a closer look.
About Novint:
Check out their website.
Features:
Technical Specifications for Novint Falcon
3D Touch Workspace 4" x 4" x 4"
Force Capabilities > 2 lbs
Position Resolution > 400 dpi
Quick Disconnect Handle < 1 second change time
Communication Interface USB 2.0
Size 9" x 9" x 9"
Weight 6 lbs
Power 30 watts, 100V-240V,50Hz-60Hz
* All specifications are approximate and subject to change.
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The product:
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
This product is a bit bigger than a mouse but that won't be a problem in the end though. Inside I found a Quake 4 copy and two papers that will give you basic instructions on what to install and how to get the device working.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
Inside you will also find the power cable and a USB cable. Something neat with the power adapter is that you plug in the specific plugin that works in your country. That means that the adapter works pretty much worldwide and you just need to change the adapter part.
The Falcon itself looks like a big egg with a bunch of arms coming out of it but it is actually a bit more than just that.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
In the front you plug in the mouse controller, you either got a mouse type of ball or plastic gun that makes FPS gaming alot more realistic. In the back fo the unit you got two connectors which is all that is needed for this device, there is one USB and one power cable plugin.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
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The Novint grip as its called is easy to install, you just have to push it on to the Falcon unit and it locks on automaticlly. On the grip you have four buttons that will have different functions and they also work as a left and right button on the mouse.
When you plug the grip in two connectors will connect it with the Falcon so you can use it. There is also a pistol grip available to give you a more realistic gaming experience.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
It is hard to explain how this device works with some text and pictures therefore we have a movieclip later on in the review. When you have attached the grip you will be able to move all the three arms around and feel how the Falcon moves. I have to warn you that there is a learning curve and to get the feeling for it might take awhile so I urge you not to give up right away.
In action clip:
It is time to look at the device in action. This clip is taken while playing the game Penumbra that is included on the driver cd. To view the clip click on this link
If you take a closer look at the clip he is throwing rocks and chairs and when you pick a rock up for example it weighs a bit therefore the force feeback makes the grip very heavy to move around. Same thing with lockers, sacks etc, or even opening drawers is heavy and the Falcon makes sure you feel it and get the feeling from the game. The Falcon really makes things more realistic in games and we found it much more fun to play this way instead of just ordinary moving things around with the mouse.
I said earlier that the learning curve is quite steep and it takes a bit before you can actually throw and move things around. Some places require you to position the specific tools/furniture in a place and that is not so easy to start with and therefore is a tutorial in Pnemubra that will teach you how to move around.
Conclusion:
This device will and I repeat will get big on the market, games get so much more fun to play and they also get harder with this device. You get a more realistic feeling of the game and with the different grips that are beeing developed you will feel even more comfortable with the gaming. The Novint Grip can be hard to master but with a few hours of gaming you will get the feel of it.
The force feedback is what makes the games so realistic and it actually get a bit heavy after awhile of gaming. The Falcon is big compared to a mouse but since you dont have to move the Falcon around on a mousepad it will take up the same amount of space as a normal mouse.
The unit is well built and a high quality product, it will be able to take some beating without any problems. Put a few minutes in to tweaking the settings for the Falcon so you will feel even more comfortable with it. The big con with this is still the price which is around 200$, and the second con is that alot of manufacturers have not developed their games for this yet since it still has so few users, and it does not get more users because not so many games use this device. I however saw on their release list that there are new big titles coming out for this device so I am sure that we will see ALOT more from this product in a near feature.
Pros:
+ Force feedback
+ Realistic moving
+ Different grips
Cons:
- Price
- Not enough games
Current Real Time Pricing
Related Articles:
Qpad CT Mousepad Review
Geeks Axim x51V PDA Review
Razer Lycosa Keyboard Review
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