Customer Rating:  
Summary: Bad, just like my other THREE Logitech joysticks.
Comment: About a year ago, when I was thinking about buying the Extreme Digital 3D, I was a little hesitant about it. I have owned three Logitech joysticks prior to this one, and they have all stopped functioning properly in the same way at approximately the same time. I was worried that the same thing was going to happen to the Extreme Digital 3D. But with its good looks, affordability, and many buttons, I decided to just go ahead and get it. That was a big mistake.
The Extreme Digital 3D, like my other three Logitech joysticks, worked just fine for about a year. The controls were crisp and precise, the buttons responded instantly. Everything worked great. Then about a year later (two months before I wrote this review), calibration problems started showing up. In "Game Controllers", the crosshairs would bounce all over the place with the slightest nudge of the stick. It can sort of stay at the center if I'm not touching it. But in a game, when I have to keep my hand on the joystick at all times, the thing I'm controlling (car, plane) refuses to stay in the center, verging to the left mostly. I had to keep unplugging/replugging the joystick to refresh the calibration, but it loses it again after a few mintues. Oh, yeah. And one of the buttons (button 10) won't register anymore unless I press it really hard.
Look, stay away from this joystick. It WILL fail you in about a year. As for all these good reviews talking about how good this joystick is...ask yourself how long the reviewer has had this joystick. A few days? Please, only pay attention to the people who've had this joystick for a few months to a year. The calibration horror stories are true. They're there.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Agree with Lars
Comment: The fix posted by Lars actually worked. If you have an extra two hours to take the stick apart (he may have done it quicker), you can soak the pods in alcohol and get a fairly decent result. Mine works quite fine after following his advice. Hardest part, as usual, was getting it back together- very frustrating. But for the price, if you really like this controller, buy another one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Logitech's off center joystick...
Comment: This stick used to work in prime condition. But after having it for 1.5 years its starting to show its true colors. If you read other reviews about the "Logitech WingMan Extreme: Digital 3D" Model Number J-ZA10, you will find one thing in common. It works like a charm for the first 3 months to a year and then shows a common and re-occurring symptom/problem/error. The sticks Y axis and Z axis will get more and more heavier on the left side until the stick is unplayable. I see this all over other review, It has happened to me, my brother, and my brothers friend who all have the exact make and model (the only variation being a minute color difference). An additional problem that I have encountered is the speed control will un-calibrate easily. I suggest that you get this joystick only if you accept that after prolonged use you will need a new one. If you think Microsoft's game controller recalibration software will do you any good it will only make things worse. I give it a 7/10 for features 9/10 for ease of use but a 2/10 for its reliability. However this joystick still beats Microsoft's Sidewinder into the dust.
The CALIBRATION PROBLEM can bee seen in ALL of LOGITECH'S JOYSTICK Products (as of 02/16/2005). My suggestion is look at Saitek or other joystick manufactures (besides Microsoft).
Customer Rating:
Summary: HOW TO FIX YOUR LOGITECH STICK
Comment: We all love the feel of the Logitech Sticks.
However it is 99% guaranteed that they will start to drift or jump at the slightest twist or touch.
For some reason the potentiometers gets dirty real fast.
Make sure that your USE 91% rubbing alcohol, all other things will ruin your stick.
Be careful with the potentiometers they are very fragile.
To fix the twist.
Take the handle apart and drop the twist pot into 91% rubbing alcohol and turn it a few times and dip it again and turn it.
Put it all back together.
Four screws and a clip.
The Base.
Take the handle apart.
Remove the twist spring.
Pop the lid with the imitation Allen-screws with a flathead screwdriver.
Unscrew the screws on the bottom of the base.
Remove the throttle.
Remove the pots for the x and y axis and give them the rubbing alcohol treatment.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Second One to break....
Comment: This is the second Logitech WingMan Extreme Digital 3D Joystick that I have owned. The first lasted over a year and then some of the wires inside just snapped (opened it up after failure of some buttons). Looks like they used very brittle thin wires in the construction. However, over a year with my 4yo using it wasn't too bad so I replaced it with another in June. It just failed after 4 months. While the feel of it was great, it's reliability is a serious drawback. No caibration issues here.
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