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A Visit to Saitek
by Kurt GiesselmanThe Saitek QA group is chartered with breaking things (grin). New products, software and hardware, are handed off to these folks for durability and stability testing. They abuse the hardware and misuse the software to try and uncover the weak points before it goes out to consumers. A small group can not uncover every potential problem but they do reduce the number of problems experienced with new products.
New PCdash2
For most COMBATSIM readers the R&D group is the most important stop in the tour. There is enough news from the Saitek R&D department to write an entire article (Oh yeah, I am doing that, aren't I?). The biggest news is the new PCDash 2. The target introduction is early this fall. The new unit, first described in detail here on COMBATSIM, is more compact than its predecessor but packs a programming and flexibility wallop that may make it the best new gaming tool of the year.
The list of improvements is topped by the change to a USB interface. Dropping the PS/2 interface means the end of sticky keys and the ability to hot plug the PCDash 2 into your system. Now one PCDash 2 can be used for your home computer, portable computer, and potentially the new set-top web TVs like Microsoft's X-Box that will support USB input devices. I have found the new PCDash 2 a really great addition to my laptop travel case. The PCDash 2 has a pair of supports on its underside designed to straddle the keys on a standard 101 keyboard. Works like a champ but not sure who is ever going to do this.
Underside of new PCdash2
The PCDash 2 has been improved with a positive tactile feedback. Press a key through the spill-proof membrane and you'll feel a solid click. No more guessing whether you pressed a key in the heat of action. The keyboard is still very lightweight. This reduces wrist fatigue for those all-night gaming sessions.
It is pretty easy to mount. The smaller size means it is not a direct replacement for the original PCDash (I guess my gaming console/cockpit was overdue for a redesign anyway). The new PCDash 2 has a fire button at the top of the right handgrip and the shift button on the top of the left handgrip. This means a bit of attention is required for mounting. In other words, you will not want to cover up the shift key with a flush mounting arrangement.
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