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Basics: This is a controller, made by Splitfish, specifically for the PS3. It only works on the PS3. You can checkout their site, it is limited but adequate. The basic premise of this controller is to have the right analog stick replaced by a mouse. Obviously, this is to bring PC controls to the PS3. While the mouse could be used for anything, it is clearly an FPS device.
The Fragfx v.2 hooks to the PS3 by a 10 foot USB cord. No Bluetooth here, my friends. The PS3 powers the controller, so the Fragfx v.2 cannot turn on the PS3. The 10ft cord goes into the back of the left-handed "Fragchuck" (I did not invent this term). Also emerging from the back of the Fragchuck, is the cord going to the mouse. You also receive a pretty good mouse pad with your Fragfx V.2, although I ended preferring my lap desk. Anybody hardcore is going to end up on a desk or table.
The mouse is right-handed and optical. R1, R2, and R3 are represented by the left, right and center mouse buttons; with the "start" button behind the center R3 button. The triangle, square, circle, and X buttons are on the left side of the mouse, under your thumb.
The Fragchuck is left-handed. It has an analog stick on top, used most often to represent the left analog stick on the PS3 controller. Think Wii nunchuck with a bunch of extra controls. The D-pad is behind the stick. Also on top of the Fragchuck are the Select and PS buttons. The Fragchuck has 3 front "triggers". The uppermost trigger is the "Frag" button. Under that are L1 and L2. L3 is the top of the analog stick, same as a PS3 controller. On the right side is a sensitivity dial. Finally, the Fragchuck is your sixaxis controller in this setup.
Bells and Whistles: This controller comes with many extra options. The first is the "Frag" button. When you hold this, the sensitivity on the mouse drops and your sight moves only a little with large moves of the mouse. This is to allow you to make sniper shots more easily. The second extra control is the sensitivity dial on the side of the Fragchuck. This was my favorite feature. By adjusting game sensitivity and then the sensitivity dial, you can fine tune exactly how much action you get on the mouse. You can even change it on the fly.
Additionally, the controller will let you set buttons to rapid fire. You can adjust the sensitivity of the motion controls, and their calibration. You can "switch" the mouse to represent the left PS3 stick on the fly (the Fragchuck analog stick will represent the right PS3 stick in "switch" mode.) You can flip it to "mouse" mode and use it with the web browser. Finally, you can program the motion control to double as any button except, Frag, PS, Select, and Start.
Functionality: Plugging the Fragfx V.2 in for the first time, I immediately saw how easy it would be to drop the darn thing. Not quite as nice as flopping down on the couch and punching the PS button on a dualshock. The 10ft cord was just about right length, I have to sit pretty far from my sports-bar-obscenity-only-an-American-would-own TV. USB extension cords are cheap, so I do not see this as a problem regardless.
I am a freak because the PS3 is my first console. Mouse and keyboard is what most of you learned FPS on; I was coming at this backwards. It was a bit like learning to drive stick after automatic. Initially a mess, but ultimately a more responsive set up. I noodled around with the browser and a couple of other games, but Killzone 2 was the central game in testing. At first I had the sensitivity way too high and got nauseous when one large mouse move executed a 360. Within 30 minutes, my aim was better with the mouse than it had been with 30 hours on the dualshock. I could now weave about while keeping my sight on a moving target. My firing in general had less of a sweeping quality and stayed on enemy heads more of the time. My effectiveness with the starting assault rifles improved. Keep in mind that improvement for me is NOT Barry Bonds using steroids. This is much more like HIV patients using steroids to maintain muscle mass. I am moving from hopeless to decent, not good to Lazlo-quality sniper. During my initial "plug and go" sessions, it was hard to get the sensitivity to the point where I could turn quickly, yet maintain control of my aim. One or the other would suffer, yet it was still better than a dualshock.
What really made the difference for Killzone 2 was the firmware update from the Splitfish website. It really made the sight less jittery and gave me a smooth feel with the game sensitivity at max and the Fragchuck dial at about 4. I could turn like an F18 in the alleys, yet pull up the sight and plonk off a pretty good burst at somebody's favorite head.
Overall, Fragfx v.2 good. The Frag button works but did not magically make me a sniper god. I am not a General in the game, so sniping was limited to single player and skirmish modes. The dial was my favorite feature, allowing me to adjust to circumstances. I could turn it up when on a fixed gun and cover the area nicely. I could turn it down when engaging via the M82 rifle sight. When I tried going back to the dualshock, I went right back to captain-sweepy-shot. The Fragfx v.2 really let me stay on the target better.
Other Options: I tried the Fragfx V.2 on mouse mode, and it works OK. Honestly, I prefer the regular PS3 controller with a keyboard attached (I like the keyboard, but I do not use the touchpad "feature" on the keyboard, that "feature" is a Goddamned nightmare, I freaking well dare you to get the cursor down from the top of the screen, I freaking well dare you).
I do not really have a game to test "switch" mode. This swaps the mouse and joystick. It looks like it is geared for GTA4 and the like, allowing you to use the mouse for the steering wheel or the gun. I don't think switch mode can fully compensate for left-handed people. Even if you switch, the buttons remain the same. You can't use the mouse left handed, the "shape" buttons are no longer under your thumb.
Reassigning motion control is fun. You can make shaking the Fragchuck do almost anything. After programming, shaking the Fragchuck can throw a grenade, reload, swing a rifle butt, etc. It does not work well for any continuous function, like running. If you get the correct download off of their site, you can remap all buttons... except R3 and L3. I would love to remap L3 into oblivion, but c'est la vie.
More than a year later: This review has been edited now that I have had the thing more than a year. It has good durability, still works great. I managed to yank it accidentally once and L2 popped off, but it popped back in and works like it never happened. Two times I have fired up the system and the mouse has not registered. Restart and everything was kosher, so that it a mighty fine track record.
I still can't tell you if this device will move you from good to God. It moves me from bad to decent. I am old and 14 year-olds literally have 500 milliseconds on me at all times. What are you gonna do? I think some folks want a mouse to make them telepathic and able to aim bot anything they see. No product is going to do that.
The price has come down. My initial review said this was not worth it at 80 bucks but was worth it at 50 bucks. The time has come. The cost is similar to a dualshock and this makes a far more interesting backup controller. Give it a shot. Even if you splurge for a XIM and PC and fragenstein setup, if you suck you will still likely suck.
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The Splitfish Fragfx v.2 allows you to play like a pc gamer on the PS3. However, the lack of quality of the product will only slightly improve your overall accuracy if you're already good with the dual shock 3 controller made by Sony.
The product works as advertised (no software necessary) and feels very close to using a mouse for FPS games on the PS3. The mouse and the left grip controller are very light weight and made of very cheap plastic. The mouse is optical, not laser. I cannot even compare this product to a real gaming mouse like the Logitech G5 or the Copperhead, they're in completely different leagues. However, the Fragfx will definitely feel more comfortable to use for gamers coming from the pc gaming platform over to the world of playstation.
Splitfish claims that you can have the DS3 controller and the Fragfx plugged in simultaneously. However, I found that if the original controller is connected, plugging in the Fragfx will not automatically work; it will only recognize the left grip controller and not the mouse. You must first turn off the Sony controller completely (not just unplug it) and then connect the Fragfx, and push the ps button on the Fragfx: THEN the mouse will be recognized and you're good to go.
The Fragfx v.2 can be programmed as advertised, and now has a rapid fire feature (usually called a turbo) that allows you to fire a single shot weapon as if it were a machine gun. However, please note that COD4 and COD5 have disabled this feature in the game, so don't be shocked if your G3 only fires one shot per second with the turbo/rapid fire turned on. Besides, we don't want to be cheating now do we?
Overall, I'm very pleased with the concept of combining a mouse with a controller. It's a brilliant idea! I just wish it was made better and used laser instead of optical technology in the mouse. If you're frustrated with the DS3 sony controller and hate using joysticks, this is a great alternative until something better comes out.
Update Aug 9th 2009: Disappointing
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They claim that the tweak utility works in Windows Vista...
I've been playing around with the "tweak utility" program available on the Splitfish website. Splitfish claims that this utility allows the user to remap the buttons and adjust the button pressure...
Well no matter what I did, I could not get it to save the new button arrangements to the fragfx. Not only that, but every time I click on the tab for the button pressure adjustment feature, my entire computer becomes unresponsive, and I have to force a reboot. I tested this on Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit, and Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit: it just doesn't appear to work at all.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Splitfish has released any updates for this product since my first review: The tweak utility is still in beta, and the firmware hasn't changed either. I'm very disappointed as I desperately need to change the buttons for certain games.
Buy PS3 FragFX v.2 Controller with Mouse Pad Now
I currently own the v1. and have used the v2. I noticed the same problem on both for a pc gamer like myself the mouse buttons are sometimes un responsive. Yes you can adjust the sensitivity and that will help. For the average user just looking to play easy this will most likely not be a problem. However if you are a hardcore gamer (i myself am in between.) you will need to fix this issue. However i have the solution. The basics of the mouse are simple all the buttons are pressure sensitive. This is where the issue lies. If you pull apart the mouse (5 screws) the board you see for the main mouse buttons (l-click r -click) have 3 terminals with a black band. this band is the pressure sensitive interface. To fix your problem you have 2 options the easy and the expert methods.
The easy method
use a fine screw driver and gently and slowely scrape the black substance from the terminals making sure not to remove the underlying contact. Re assemble and adjust your sensitivity to 5 10 for active. Now every time you hit the button your sensitivity is full and you wont have any issues however you loose pressure sensitivity on that button (i only preformed this on my left button because of some games utilizing pressure sensitivity and left is shoot)
The expert method (which i prefer because i like tacticle click of a mouse)
after removing the black band proceed to your electornic supply store (most likely not a radioshack) and purchase a surface mount momentary tac switch. (lowest ms recovery possible) all you need is a two terminal no need for a third ground. also make sure the base is non conductive. all you want is two conductive leads. This switch should match the general size of the rubber push button piece minus the little nub that goes in the button post. if you go too small you will need to rig up something to extend the post too big and you wont be able to re assemble the mouse. Solder this to the terminals (going from left of the buttons 3 terminals) 2 & 3 . Re assemble the mouse and now you have a clicking button where you put the switch. This will work on all buttons in the mouse however you will loose pressure sensitivity.
You will need to adjust the minimum pressure because now it will have residual conductivity and will show pressure. Just adjust for the 5 10 range and you will be set.
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14 years of pc gaming experience and very meticulous when it comes to aiming.Near 1 year on the fragfx version 1 on ps3. I just recently got the version 2 this was the outcome on KILLZONE 2. I hope this is just bad luck or a firmware issue it is up to date by the way. It showed me jitters and lack of micro moving. Version 1 gets 5 stars but till I try another version 2 I cannot give it more than a 2 which is pushing it since it was very jittery while trying to move slow it would jump 10 pixels sporadically.
Version 2 special edition is much better.
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I have been playing FPS games on the PC since the early days of Doom. The only Console FPS game that I was heavily addicted to was Goldeneye and since then I have never found any enjoyment from using a controller to try and aim on screen. That is not to say I cannot do it, I just do not enjoy it as much as feel like I am having to put up with horrible controls to enjoy console shooters.
I have been keeping an eye on the Frag FX since first hearing about it and all the issues with the V1. I held off on making the purchase simply because of all the negativity that I would hear about the controller.
Killzone 2:
When I got the Frag FX V2 I plugged it in and immediatly setup a skirmish in Killzone2. I played with the adjustements until I found a smooth setting that gave me fairly quick turning. I have found that killzone is a pretty bad game to test this controller because it appears that GG designed the game to make it difficult to use this type of controller.
This controler increased my ability to aim while on the run and to hit targets that were on the run. I noticed that if I had someone behind me I had trouble spinning fast enough due to the "weighted" design of the game.
Bioshock:
I then put in Bioshock and I can see how this controller is designed to work now. I had a lot of fun playing with this controller in Bioshock and I am finally decided that it would be enjoyable to work on the survivor difficulty.
Once I got everything adjusted and smoothed out, I felt like I was playing this game PC style. I tend to like my mouse controls loose and quick on the PC so this controller feels a tad bit sluggish and slow. It is 1000 times better than using a standard controller to aim with.
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If you are a PC gamer and love FPS games... you will enjoy using this controller. For me it injected some fun into games that were getting a bit stale to me due to the hassle of the controls.
I was able to get my top 1% ribbon in Killzone 2 and 100% the trophies prior to getting the Frag FX and now with this new controller I have a reason to play the game again... FOR THE FUN OF IT!!!
Hope this reviews helps some of those PC gamers on the fence. I think 90% of the "HATE" reviews are based off on people whole play online and do not want an even playing field.
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After a lot of time with the Frag FX I found that the controller was not able to achieve the speed and quickness that I wanted. I purchased the FragNstein to test out a different controller and found that the ability to adjust that controller was a thousand times greater than the options I had with the FragFX. I also had my FragFX mouse buttons stop working and had to mail the controller to Canada in order ot get it replaced. SplitFIsh did replace it no questions asked!
I am sure that now Splitfish has released products that are closer in quality to the Bannco FragNstein, but the build quality, customer service, and software flexibility (deadzone in particular) of the FragNstein makes it the better choice.
My next possible purchase will be the Eagle Eye to test out a converter rather than trying another controller.
