Written by Brakken
August 2008
Introduction
Welcome to my review of Team Xtender's (XCM) XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus. I would first like to start out by
thanking eXtreme-mods.com for providing me with a sample of what
has to be one of the best accessories for the XBOX 360™ to hit the market. The XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus
allows you to hook up a keyboard and mouse to your XBOX 360 allowing for superior control in FPS games like
Gears of War™, Unreal Tournament 3™ and the Halo™ series. Before you anti-computer fan-boys start laughing
it's actually a matter of physics - you have more accurate control with a mouse for aiming and the keyboard
offers a key layout for easy access to your weapons. If you're not convinced yet check out this quote from
the products description.
"Let’s be honest, first person shooters just weren't’t pioneered to be played on a standard Xbox 360
controller. Ask any First-Person-Shooter (FPS) fan out there what method of control they find optimal,
and you will find the resounding majority shout out mouse and keyboard! The days of getting your fingers
in a twist while trying to grapple with those unfriendly analog sticks are over. The XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus
is here to help Xbox 360 gamers with the ultimate way to play FPS titles – with a Mouse & Keyboard! The
XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is the latest edition of this amazing device!"
The XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus also lets you connect Playstation 2™ input devices such as the Dual Shock 2™
controller, light guns, racing wheels, dancing mats and guitars. So if you don't want to go out and spend
an arm and a leg for these same devices on the XBOX 360 and already own them for the PS2™ you'll be happy
to know they work perfectly. Now let's look at the XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus's features.
Features
Compatible with 95% of the PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse combinations
Instant plug and play technology
Ideal for use with all First Person Shooter titles such as Call of Duty™ and Halo series and more!
Extremely durable Yellow coloured shell
Brings auto-fire functionality to the Xbox 360
Allows gamers to use Playstation 2 Dual-Shock 2 controllers on the Xbox 360
Allows remapping of any Xbox 360 controller key (include both analog sticks) to any key of the keyboard.
Compatible with the newest version of the Official Xbox 360 wired controllers.
XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus is the latest version of the XFPS Keyboard and Mouse Adapter!
Compatible with these PS2 products:
As already touched upon, the XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is compatible with Playstation 2 controllers but also the following Playstation 2 peripherals :
PS2 Light Guns
PS2 Racing Wheels
PS2 Dancing mats
PS2 Guitars
Contents
XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus
Instruction Manual
Installation
Installation is rather simple as all you need to do is plug in the XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus's USB connector
into one of your XBOX 360's spare USB ports. Once this is done you can either connect PS/2 devices, USB
devices or Playstation 2 devices.
To use PS/2 devices simply plug them into the PS/2 ports (they are marked with keyboard and mouse symbols)
and turn your XBOX 360 on. Wait a little bit until you see the Green connection LED light up and you're good
to go.
Using the USB ports is a little bit different and requires a wired controller to kick-start the XFPS. You'll
need to connect the wired controller into the XFPS and turn your XBOX 360 on. Once the LED for the controller
lights up you remove the XBOX 360 wired controller and plug in both the USB keyboard and mouse. Although, it
works fine it is a bit annoying to have to repeat this process each time you turn on your console.
Getting your PS2 devices is pretty similar to the USB process and also requires a wired controller. You plug
the wired controller into the XFPS and then plug your PS2 device (in my case all I had was a PS2 controller)
into the PS2 port on the XFPS. Now power on your system and you're good to go.
Usage
Once you have your keyboard and mouse hooked up and working it's time to kick some ass in some FPS games.
Before you do this you must first learn the key assignments which are outlined in the scan of the manual
below.
As you can see the default control scheme is much like any FPS game you would play on the PC. The keyboard
handles your movement using the W, S, A and D keys and the rest of the keys are assigned close to them for
optimal game play. The mouse is set to trigger and change your weapons (in most games) and of course moving
the mouse will let your character look around and aim. The precision is outstanding is by far beats the
normal XBOX 360 controller. Due to the fact I rarely play the XBOX 360 it took a little time to get used
to Halo, but after learning a couple of maps and the games physics I was kicking some serious ass. I was
even accused of cheating since my player record didn't contain anything special. Being accused of cheating
really impressed me, but I am a PC FPS player.
If for some reason you do not like the default key mappings you can change them using a XBOX controller and
the programming switch on the XFPS. To set a key, say "A" to "LEFT SHIFT" you would toggle the program on
and wait until the LED lights up. Once it lights up press the button on the XBOX 360 controller you wish
to assign to your keyboard (in this case "A") and then press the button on your keyboard you wish to assign
the button to. The LED will turn off and you can either map more buttons or toggle the switch back off. This
way if you're playing a game with an odd control scheme you can customize the controls to your liking. What
is even more impressive is the fact that the custom control scheme you define is saved in the XFPS even
when the XBOX 360 is turned off or you unplug the unit. Although, if you wish to restore the XFPS to it's
original key mapping you simply toggle the switch on and hold the "P" button on the XFPS for about 5 seconds
until the LED flashes.
Oh, the XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus also houses two scroll wheels which let you adjust the mouse sensitivity
from 16 different settings. So if you're mouse is moving your viewpoint too fast or too slow you can adjust
it to suit your needs. Additionally, there are eight "Turbo Switches" which allow you to turn the Y, X, B,
A, RB, LB, RT and LT buttons to auto-fire. I was never a fan of auto-firing, but I guess some people could
make use of these buttons.
Lastly I tested an analog Dual Shock PS2 controller. I guess if you're used to using a PS2 controller this
option could be handy so you don't have to get used to the XBOX 360 controller. However, the most exciting
feature of the PS2 controller port is the fact you can use other devices such as racing wheels, light guns,
guitars and dance pads. So if you already own some of these products for the PS2 you won't have to go out
and buy new ones for the XBOX 360. DDR™ fans rejoice!
Conclusion
The XCM XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus is by far the coolest and most useful accessory for the XBOX 360 I've had the
pleasure of reviewing. It's made for hard core FPS fans and if you want to get some of those game achievements
it will be a heck of a lot easier using this device with a keyboard and mouse. It might take a little while
to get used to if you're not a hardcore PC gamer, but once you get it down I assure you that you will not
want to go back to using the XBOX 360's controller to play FPS games with. Yes, it's that good! The PS2
port is also useful for you old accessories and the auto-fire can help out in some games. Being able to
program the device is a great feature. Overall I'd say this product is worth every penny.
Negatives
Wired Controller Required for USB initiation
Wired Controller Required for Playstation 2 initiation
Some USB Mice Don't Work
Was a Yellow Shell Really Necessary?
Positives
Superb Control
Programmable Keys
PS/2 and USB Support
Plug n' Play Installation
Links
Team Xtender's (XCM) Website
eXtreme-mods - Official USA Distributor
-=[ XCM XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus Review Discussion Thread ]=-
Product(s) were received from the website above. ISO-420 will always link back to whomever sent the
product(s) *respect*, but please remember that the reviews are independently written by our staff
and are not subject to alteration by whomever supplies us with the review product(s).
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Some Mice Don't Work :(
