New is always better, in most cases. That is why it is always exciting to buy a new joystick. With so many manufacturers and stores, finding the right joystick is easy. However, you need to note that just because a joystick looks amazing doesn’t mean it will be ideal for you. That is why you have to make vital considerations before making your choice. If you are in the market for fingertip joysticks, here are the key things you must look for in the product’s specifications.
Expected cycle life
While it is exciting to buy a new joystick, you don’t want to keep having to buy a new one every few months, do you? To guarantee reliable performance and avoid buying replacement joysticks now and then, you must ensure you buy a durable joystick. The best fingertip joysticks should have an expected cycle life of about 5 million. This means you will be able to use it for extended periods without worrying about it getting damaged.
Centering
Another important thing you must consider is how the joystick centers. Do you have to move the handle to the center position or will it automatically center itself? The best joystick will have a spring return for centering. The spring return should also offer a favorable tension so that it is neither too light nor too hard to move the handle.
System support
Which operating system are you using? While it would be nice to have a finger-tip joystick that supports all operating systems, there is none. Most of these devices are plug-and-play, while others require you to install drivers. The operating systems that are supported are Windows, iOS and Linux. Make sure you check the system support before you purchase a joystick.
Type of cable
Another vital consideration is how the joystick connects to your system. Most finger-tip joysticks use a USB male type A connection. If your system doesn’t have a type-A USB port, consider buying a joystick that has the connection cable you need. You also want to make sure that the cable is long enough to help you work comfortably. Some joysticks come with cables that are as long as 5ft.
Operating temperature
Last but not least, you must pay attention to the storage and operating temperatures. The last thing you want is the unideal temperatures in your workplace to impede the performance of or damage your fingertip joystick. For indoor use, most joysticks will operate reliably in temperatures ranging from 0 to 40-degree F. They can be stored in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 160 degrees F.
Fingertip Joysticks