Touch Force Optical Score: 90% Developer: Saitek

Function: PC gaming and console gaming have evolved separately along parallel lines. Some things bridge the gap, such as gamepads, but often these products are accepted by one 'camp' and all but refused by the other. Due to the nature of PCs (and their included original equipment), most PC gaming is accessible to mouse users, regardless of other possible input devices that can be used. The mouse and keyboard have been the mainstay of PC gaming for quite sometime. Gamepads, rampant on video game consoles (once again, original equipment...) have had 'force feedback' or 'vibration' features for some time now. But PC users couldn't get the same sort of stimulation from a keyboard or a mouse... The Saitek Touch Force Optical incorporates 'TouchSense' Feedback from Immersion Technology to provide that tactile feedback so lacking in PC gaming. A benefit of having feedback on a mouse? You can also simulate 'textures' - the feedback is changed based on movement of the mouse, much like the vibrations of a piece of wood being dragged across gravel. The only difference is that in the case of the mouse, the vibration is being generated not at the surface that touches the ground, but in the middle of the mouse itself...

Performance: I was absolutely amazed when I first used the Saitek Touch Force Optical on a texture simulation. It's really interesting and exciting to 'feel' what's on the screen. There is also an 'engine' simulation that replicates the feeling of engine vibrations surprisingly well. In fact, I was discussing the Touch Force Optical mouse with a researcher the other day who was interested in the possibility of using it to allow blind people to 'view' a snapshot from a telescope; sort of a 'simulated Braille', I suppose... It's not only an interesting phenomenon, it's also pretty cool in games. Now you can feel when you shoot your weapon or get shot, etc. even while using your trusty keyboard and mouse to play your favorite first person shooter.

Features: USB Connector TouchSense Feedback from Immersion Technology Works as Standard USB Mouse before Driver Install Drivers Included on CD Optical Mousing Technology Feedback Responses are Configurable Feel Your Desktop! Symmetric Design Allows for Right or Left-Handed Use Works with Windows 98, Windows Millennium and Windows 2000

Drawbacks & Problems:: The Touch Force Optical mouse is comfortable to use and is pretty precise, as it's optical, but has only three buttons. Those of you who have gotten used to a five button mouse may miss your extra buttons. Otherwise, the Touch Force Optical mouse is an excellent product, with a solid settings interface (one of Saitek's specialties). The feedback may not enjoy widespread use currently, but I would expect that in the near future more and more games (and other software) will support this feature.

-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins

Minimum System Requirements: PC with USB connection, Windows 98, Windows Millennium or Windows 2000 (Windows XP also works... see below)   Test System: Compaq Presario 725 running Windows XP