Fanatec Head$h0t Controller

Manufacturer: Fanatec
Supplier: Fanatec
Street Price: $99

by Dean Barker  (1/10/2007)

Introduction

After using the Fanatec Head$h0t Controller for a few days I'm almost dizzy from its feature set.  Most any product classified as a "performance product" has a single feature or two that separates it from the crowd.  That one element that elevates it above the rest of the field.  The Fanatec mouse combo takes this concept a few steps further, exponentially further as a matter of fact.  An oversized base pad, adjustable resolution Laser mouse, Exxon oil slick like mouse feet, adjustable colored lighting on the pad AND mouse that can have its pulse or brightness or even color adjusted are but a few of the things Fanatec put into their new setup styled the Fanatec Head$h0t Controller.  But can there be such a thing as too many features?  Today, Fanatec has set us up with one of their new mouse pad/mouse combos to see first hand for ourselves.

What you get

Your first impression with the Fanatec set is its packaging.  Now I'm not one for taking too many pictures of a box or spending page one of a review on it but Fanatec may be an exception.  The Fanatec Head$h0t Controller (yes, that's the way it is spelled) comes in an clear plastic briefcase as its retail package.  Fanatec refers to the case as the "weapon suit-case."  Maybe I'll use this next time I have a trip out of town.  Airport security should be a breeze.

  

Inside you have quite a bit more than just a mouse and a pad.  The pad needs some minimal assembly for its control arm to be installed so you have a few more parts than you'd expect.  More on this shortly.  As for the rest you have the Fanatec mouse, driver software, pictorial assembly instruction sheet, cables and an external power adapter are also found in our 'weapons case.'  Let's look at these in turn.

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