Joystick Defender Cobra M5: description, setting, review and owner feedback

The rapid development of high technology in the game world has led to the return to the market of game-flight simulators that will make any person permanently immersed in a virtual world of high speeds, beautiful and endless landscapes with a magnificent dynamic development of events. Unambiguously for such purposes, you need a convenient manipulator that can quickly fulfill the user's wishes in the process of managing the game.

In the focus of this article - a wonderful device - a complete analogue of the helm of a combat fighter, standing on the armament of the Russian army, Defender Cobra M5. The description, setting, review and feedback of the owners will help the potential buyer to decide before buying, because with the issue the question is already solved - this is the most affordable device on the computer market among analogues (we are talking about manipulators within three thousand rubles).

First meeting

It's been known for a long time that any impression of the user about the brand is formed at the first acquaintance with the product. Therefore, the manufacturer did everything possible to please the future owner. A massive box in the form of a huge suitcase with a plastic handle immediately attracts attention. The printing did not save on printing - graphic images and a detailed description of the device will unequivocally tell the user about all the features of interest to it.

After printing out the box, the user will find that there is nothing in addition to the joystick, instructions and warranty card. And where is the device for the Defender Cobra M5 driver? As it turned out, the manipulator works according to the Plug & Play standard - plug and play. Not bad, but still many players are accustomed to customize joysticks for themselves using branded utilities. Failure is corrected by downloading special software from the manufacturer's website, but as the owners of the device note in their reviews, nothing interesting will be found there.

About modifications

The main problem that a user may encounter, reading reviews in the media and player recommendations is the inconsistency of the descriptions in the feedback to the device itself. The fact is that there are three versions of the Defender Cobra M5 on the market, each of which is an improved version for the previous model.

1. The device with the non-updated firmware (HID: from 1.08 to 1.13) and the controller "Atmel".
2. An updated WKB controller is installed and it became possible to update the firmware (HID: 1.27). Added two MaRS sensors with round magnets. In the kit there was a game for Defender Cobra M5 - War Thunder, which the manufacturer attached as a gold collection.
3. A more advanced controller from the Defender itself is combined with MAGREZ sensors with rectangular magnets (HID: 1.01).

It is clear that the last revision is the best purchase, because it is equipped with the latest technology, but the lack of a popular game in the kit (and even in a gold version) somehow looks ugly in relation to customers.

It's time to meet you.

The opinions of the owners about the appearance of the joystick are divided. Some argue that for the device of the XXI century it looks somehow clumsy, while others are more important functional than the beauty of the gadget. However, in all reviews it is noted that the Defender Cobra M5 joystick is made of very high-quality plastic, it is pleasant to touch, the shape of the handle is comfortable, and all the buttons are next to the fingers.

There are, of course, questions to the buttons themselves, the softness of their pressing confuses many owners. Yes, on the one hand, it is very convenient to shoot - you do not need to exert any special effort. However, the buttons tend to wear out, and what will happen after 100-200 thousand shots, sticking? Many owners are not thrilled and from the too high platform of the joystick. Her physical dimensions do not allow her to be placed on her forearm, and accordingly the hand in the process of the game can be drained. Although, on the other hand, management does not require any effort under such an angle. The joint between the base of the lever and the plastic base is covered with corrugated rubber, which adds a joystick of similarity to the original steering wheel. The weight of the joystick is 1.6 kg, and the base is made of metal, so the user does not need to worry about the stability of the device.

Excellent push-button functionality

Physically, the Defender Cobra M5 joystick has seven buttons, but with three control modes, the number of options increases to twenty-one. On the top of the handle is a hat (eight-position switch reviews). There is also a four-position programmable joystick for the finger and two buttons for activating the trigger mechanism (the trigger). In the middle, the user will find a button mode switch that has three positions.

On the front of the joystick the owner will find two hammers, which can be used both together and alternately. The system is worthy of praise, judging by the numerous reviews of players, as it works on the ClusterFire system: a volley from all the trunks. At the base of the handle there is a small lever, which can also be adjusted to suit yourself (many put wheel brakes on it). In flight, in order not to accidentally press the lever, it can be thrown forward - a proprietary lock.

Axial control

Joystick Defender Cobra M5 USB supports four-axis control:

• The base axes X and Y are responsible for pitch and roll;
• Turning the handle around its axis controls the course;
• On the left hand plane there is a wheel that controls the engine speed.

At first glance, everything looks comfortable and has enough ergonomics, but users greatly confuse the wheel to control engine power, because the lever would have been much more interesting. Firstly, the wheel is located on the left side - under the left hand, which is inconvenient for many users. Secondly, it has no fixations - twist in any direction as many as you like (many agreed to a stepper lock). Thirdly, the rotation of the wheel "from itself" reduces engine speed, and "on itself" adds power. This is the worst nightmare for any fan of aviasimulyatorov, because the inversion is not provided. The solution to the problem is just one thing - to disassemble, solder the sensors and collect.

Mysterious inner world

Removing the lower cover of the joystick Defender Cobra M5, the owner will be surprised at the simplicity of the device: several plastic structures, chips and lots of cables. Buyers who understand such mechanisms, in their reviews note that the design of the Z axis (turning the handle around its axis) is very similar to the device of more expensive analogs - the axis of the resistor is located directly on the handle, and is not statically fixed. This solution allows you to more effectively monitor the actions of the player.

Users note that during the long life of the joystick, the controller's performance was not reduced. The movements are accurate, and setting the total zero is not difficult. Quite a strange situation is emerging - affordable device Defender outperforms the quality of expensive competitors. There's nothing to say, but it's definitely in the hands of the end user.

Symbiosis with additional equipment

In the media, the potential buyer can meet the feedback of many owners who share the impression of the perfect combination of two devices in the flight simulator - Gametrix ECS Ruder & Defender Cobra M5. An additional joystick for the left hand is clearly more pleasant than control from the keyboard. The main axis on a non-contact magnetic sensor, two additional axes and a pair of multi-position switches (this is approximately twenty additional customizable buttons) will obviously be useful to any pilot.

Optional device Gametrix ECS The throttle connects to the computer via the USB interface and is configured by its own utility. Gaming applications themselves determine the devices, and the user in the settings of the favorite flight simulator already performs fine tuning. However, more recently, it turned out that joysticks with WKB controllers have an additional management card, with which the device can be connected directly to the base gadget. On the one hand - this solution falls under the definition of "modding", and on the other, it's an excellent reason to get rid of unnecessary cables on your desktop.

First steps of the buyer

After purchase, all owners are advised to flash the device up to the current version, which is on the official website, for the Defender Cobra M5 joystick. Firmware is not required, but the old software for the microprocessor gadget often leads to management problems. Naturally, before updating it is necessary to find out which modification of the joystick is available. To do this, you need to connect the device to a computer, download the joystick utility from the official site and, having launched the program on your computer, read the "About the device" section. After downloading the updated firmware in the archive from the manufacturer's website, you need to connect the joystick to the computer and run the firmware (by the way, it works only in Windows environment). After that you can proceed with setting up the joystick in the games.

Tweaking

The first thing you do not need to do to a beginner is to set up the joystick in the flight simulator. In the media, there are many reviews of experienced players who recommend entering the settings and rewriting all the commands and buttons that are assigned to them, to themselves on a piece of paper. Further, several test flights are carried out, in which the beginner, getting used to the management, begins to understand what and where to improve it in the management of the Defender Cobra M5. The configuration should be performed in stages: changed the parameter - flown, checked. Naughty newcomers will never be able to adjust the joystick to themselves, and when they get tired of playing on an uncontrolled airplane, they will leave negative feedback about both the gadget and the toy, not understanding what the problem is in themselves.

In order not to waste time on self-tuning the joystick, the user can download the ready-made parameters as a file from the Internet. Here you need to be careful not to get a gift as a gift virus or other malware. You can trust forums that require mandatory registration, and where participants respond very quickly to the questions posed in different branches.

Bringing the device to mind

Without this, you can not escape, any computer device is not ideal, and there are always shortcomings in the process of operation. Defender Cobra M5 has several such flaws:

1. Very rigid control of three basic axes. In order to tilt or rotate the axis of the lever, you need to make a lot of effort. And if you remember that most owners of this wonderful device are children, then questions arise to the manufacturer. In fact, the problem is easily solved. You need to remove the cover on the back of the joystick, detach the rigid springs, which create resistance to tilt or rotation, and replace them with less rigid, prepared in advance. Many owners, judging by their feedback, use elastic bands instead of springs, in which paper bills are pulled in banks.
2. Too soft buttons Defender Cobra M5 tend to stick, because they are spring-loaded with rubber corrugations. There are several options: constantly flush the mechanism with alcohol from dirt or replace it with metal-pressed buttons.

Advantages and disadvantages

Definitely the most important advantage of a joystick is its price. It is available to any user. After all, it is unclear whether a newcomer will be drawn into flight simulations or not at the first acquaintance with the games. The presence of magnetic sensors as on expensive devices is appreciated positively by all owners of the Defender Cobra M5. Feedback from users also attributed to the advantages of the huge functionality of the steering wheel, which allows you to customize a large number of buttons. Do not forget about the double hammer, with which the game becomes more interesting.

There were also negative reviews. Many players complain about the uneven distribution of the load between the user's hands, because the joystick is placed under the right hand, and the left hand only has to adjust the engine speed. Logic is present, there will help a separate device of throttle. A big mess with the modifications of joysticks on the Russian market, and, accordingly, with actual firmware - so serious manufacturers should not deal with their customers.

Finally

It's time to sum up the joystick Defender Cobra M5. Overview of the device itself and its functionality clearly makes it clear to the prospective buyer that in front of him is a standing helm that is capable of much in flight simulators. The affordable price is clearly conducive to buying. And if you want to get as close as possible to the original control gear of a combat aircraft, you should purchase a separate device Gametrix ECS RUD. However, some manufacturer's mistakes and negative feedback from owners can spoil the situation. It's up to the buyer to decide what to give preference to, the main thing is to always remember that there are no ideal devices. Successful acquisition to you!