Max Shooter Review

If you ask any PC gamer what their biggest problem is with console first-person shooter games, chances are they are going to tell you that the controller is no match for the mouse and keyboard combination. Although this problem has decreased over the years, most gamers still prefer to use a mouse instead of a joystick when aiming up a perfect headshot. Because of this problem, a few third-party companies have developed devices to allow gamers to play on console games by purchasing their device. Once of these devices, the Max Shooter, allows you to use both a mouse and keyboard instead of the traditional controller.

Design

The design of the Max Shooter couldn't be better. Its small, compact, green, and looks great. On the front end of the device are two ports. One for a keyboard and one for a mouse. On top of the Max Shooter is the default memory card port. This will allow you to do the same exact thing your normal Xbox controller will allow you to do with its memory port. You can plug in memory cards, Xbox Live headsets, or other devices. However, with the Max Shooter there is only one port, so for example, you couldn't be using a headset and memory card while playing with the Max Shooter.

Features

Below is a list of features for the Max Shooter. These details are straight off of the official Max Shooter website.

• Exclusively designed for First Person Shooters

• Supports most of keys on Keyboard and Mouse (including Scroll-Wheel)


• 9 programmable levels of mouse speed adjustment


• Programmable Y axis of mouse control inversion


• 10 degrees of mouse deadzone setup


• Built-in Memory Card slot for compatible peripherals including live moudle


• Works with any game, even without built-in Mouse + Keyboard support


• Compatible with all Xbox consoles


• Compatible with standard PS/2 Mice, incl. most of USB Mice with a USB to PS/2 adapter


• Compatible with Optical and Wireless Mice

Setup

The setup of the Max Shooter is literally plug and play. However, there are a few more steps that you must take to make sure both your keyboard and mouse will work correctly with the Max Shooter, as well as tweaking the settings to your preferences. First of all, most computer mice today now use USB instead of PS/2 ports to connect to your computer. However, the only available ports on the Max Shooter are two PS/2 ports. So if you have a USB mouse you will either have to find a USB to PS/2 converter (many computer packages come with one or more of these) or buy a completely new PS/2 port mouse if you are really serious about gaming on the Xbox with a mouse and keyboard.

After you have that situation worked out, you can immediately start playing. The Max Shooter has preset defaults for a number of different games. The game presets range from Halo, to Counter-Strike, to Unreal, and just about everything in between. If you choose to go with one of these presets and jump right into a game, you will likely notice that turning and looking around is extremely difficult. Because games are designed to work with normal game controllers and not computer mice, you will usually need to set the look sensitivity on its highest setting as well as tweak the Max Shooter to increase this look sensitivity past what you can set it at in the game options. By simply pressing Alt + any number (1-9) you can set the speed of the mouse above what the game has already set it to. This allows you to set the mouse sensitivity precisely where you want it and where you feel most comfortable.

If the preset button layout is not to your liking, you can re-program these as well. On top of that, you can even save over the presets and, in case anything goes wrong, with a few button presses you can have the entire thing back to factory default! While testing this with Halo 2, by having the instruction manual in front of me and in my own game, I was able to create my very own button layout and save this over the preset Halo button layout. I changed the two mouse buttons to fire each weapon. The left mouse button fired the left gun and the right mouse button fired the right gun. All of the other keys I set up in a Counter-Strike-like setup because this is what I am most used to (WASD to move, E to pick up a weapon, R to reload, ect...)

Performance

After I had everything set exactly how I wanted and was extremely comfortable with the controls it was time go online. The best thing about the Max Shooter is that you can actually program the thing at any time. If you notice you keep missing a button for some reason, duck behind and corner, press a few keys to reprogram the button, and you will be back in the action in a matter of seconds. However, one downside that I did notice about this device is that often times lag will appear in your commands (key presses and mouse movements). This happens every now and then and is not that big of a deal, but you will notice it. However, after you play for a few rounds it is pretty easy to get used to, but in worst case scenarios, if it happens at exactly the wrong time, it could result in screwing up the perfect sniper shot.

Overall

Overall, the Max Shooter is a great product at an even greater price. The number of ways to program the Max Shooter to your own preferences is amazing. The design of the unit couldn't be better; it's small compact and doesn't get in the way. Although there are slight lag issues and the fact that you would need a desk in front of your T.V it is still well worth the money. If you are used to the mouse and keyboard combo and decide to to take it over to the Xbox, your friends are going to think you went through some intense game training or something because your skills will be improved without a doubt.

The Max Shooter is available at: Cliff Racer