What I have just described is a brief synopsis of what eDimensional’s Audio FX force feedback headset and Voice Buddy 2.0 software accomplishes for FS2004 (and for FS2002) in this case. Granted as I am not a real life pilot, and I might have neglected a few necessary steps for flight preparation, but in this world forgetting a few things does not necessarily mean disaster. What commands I spoke into the adjustable microphone are in the first set of quotes, and the reply from Voice Buddy 2.0 and Microsoft’s SDK 5.1 voice recognition software (included in the install of Voice Buddy 2.0) replies are in italics, from the basic flight commands of “All lights on” to the commands that add a sense of realism to the sim speaking like the captain over the intercom to your passengers.

What can you say? Sometimes you get a big surprise that isn't expected, but hoped for, which makes your flight sim experience even better. In this case, as stated above, its the excellent eDimensional product I received a couple of weeks ago. The voice text I have provided is just a snippet of the plethora of commands you can give. In my particular sim were listed over eleven hundred possibilities. You could spend a full day or longer speaking each command into the microphone, and probably have a few pages left over. There are a lot of them.

As most of the readers at SIMviation know, I came from a military simulation background, having started a number of years ago with the Jane’s Simulator World War II Fighters. Within the past year and a half I have found my biggest enjoyment being general and commercial aviation simulators, specifically Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2004, A Century of Flight. This was my first foray into general aviation without guns and missiles, or fire and brimstone. Honestly at the time I did not know what to expect, believing I might find myself bored, and would fail to compare to my dreams of being a pilot. Sadly I can never be a pilot due to a childhood injury; however I can definitely immerse myself in the aviation sim world, and have with gusto. It’s become a hobby unlike any other and there is no turning back for me now. I love the best, and want only the best hence my love of payware add-ons, utilities, and hardware.  Sure there are some beautiful freeware objects of desire out there, but I have found that purchasing payware add-ons means I get great customer service and items with such detail, you cannot go wrong. Of all the payware I have purchased in the last eighteen months, only one has been a disappointment. In the future I will reveal which that is in one of my reviews, however, on this day, the Audio FX, is the "star on Flight Sims walk of fame" and deserves my undivided attention. Shortly you will read an example of a hardware customer service experience, but for now, I shall continue on my train of thought.

Since my initial interest in military and general aviation simulators, a lot of advances have come along the way, including many excellent hardware peripherals, from joysticks and flight pedals, to computer’s that take advantage of the resources at our fingertips. It almost seems endless. Design of software add-ons has been incrementally bested by previous simulator versions, and one’s in depth enjoyment increases along with it. There are many companies out there that are dedicated to bringing you the best, and for that we should always be thankful; then again this is a buyer beware market!

In this case, referencing the term “the best” is the eDimensional Audio FX force feedback headset with the Voice Buddy 2.0 package. Definitely not in the category of "buyer beware" Not your average fly by night company, eDimensional, delivers, not only quality but literally - quite quickly I might add. Within two days I had my box from them. After opening it, I found great packaging, ensuring that the headset was carefully sent to me and my excitement was overflowing with anticipation of a new level of depth.





Once I removed the packaging materials, before my eyes was a plastic shell; a labeling insert and a big green X designed on it. What you find is distinctive product labeling within its shell that you would find in any retail store that sold high quality computer merchandise. eDimensional means business and are dedicated to making John Q. Customer a happy individual.

The headset is of top quality, pleasing to the eye in silver and black and well constructed using hard  durable plastics, many pieces held in place by small bolts instead of just glue. A nice touch not often found except in expensive audio only headsets for your home stereo system. More often than not, hardware for computers, fails to compare to hardware we buy for other electronics for around the home. Computer users are not cheap individuals. Look at the cost of a premanufactured computer, made specifically for gaming. Some can reach the costs of a large HDTV flat panel LCD or  plasma television. We mean business and should never settle for sub-par items. Thankfully eDimensional offers high grade products, and within a mid tier budget minded individual.

Closeup of the LED light bars on the side of the headset (LED lights are on both sides)



Now regarding customer service, eDimensional excels in this area, and like their products, offers the best. Why you are thinking would I need customer service? Well, the initial headset I recieved, once plugged in had a bad speaker connector. I could not get sound other than popping, even though the microphone was working. This is no fault of eDimensional though. Remember, anything you purchase, be it a toaster oven, or a Ferrari, could have some problems upon purchase. In my case, I tried everything, including plugging the speaker wire into each speaker connector in the back of my PC, but to no avail. I emailed eDimensional with my problem, gave them my name and phone number just in case, and within the hour, I had a reply email stating that they would have one of their technical support members contact me. Sure enough, in less time it takes to watch a Hollywood movie, I had a phone call from them. A gentleman with the company from their tech support staff, patiently walked me through everything he could think of, after finding out what the problem was, and he decided that it was a bad connector. These things happen, and he stated without hesitation, that they would send out a replacement. This occured on a Saturday, and because of that, he said they would ship it out on Monday. By midweek I had my replacement at my door, and within minutes, I had it plugged in, and working perfectly.

Another view of the side of the headset



The aspects i like about the Audio FX Force Feedback headset and Voice Buddy package are:

Design and build quality is exceptional
Lightweight
Adjustable headset depending on the size of your head
Customer and technical service from eDimensional is outstanding
Sound quality for both gaming and listening to music is tremendously satisfying
Comfort
Force feedback capabilities
Ability to drown out external sounds
Accurate voice recognition
Long cord which means you can move around your computer desk without feeling as though you are attached by an umbilical
Adjustable volume and force feedback controls in the cord as well as an on/off switch for vibration control

Now for things that I think could be improved upon:

Force feedback vibrations if turned up too high can cause some serious reverberations, so set the level about midway, maybe slightly more for optimal results, and even at mid level, the vibrations are definitely enough.
Microphone sometimes does not hear your commands, but adjusting the microphone to be very close to your mouth tends to fix this
*Possible compatibility issues with force feedback joysticks. I borrowed a friends MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 joystick to test this as my Saitek X-45 does not have force feedback ability.
     If you are supposed to be getting force feedback from the joystick, the headset force feedback takes over and the joystick force feedback won't work.       
And vice versa if you are supposed to be getting feedback from the headset, you feel it in the joystick.
           Unplug one or the other and the force feedback capabilities are restored to that hardware peripheral.
           * not sure if this is across the board on all force feedback joysticks however upon contacting eDimensional via email, this is something they said they would look into. They obviously want their product performing its best.
On hot and humid midwest days the ear covers can cause some pretty severe sweating in your ear. Turn on the air conditioning and the problem is resolved!!

Yours truely, proudly wearing his headset around the house



Other than that, I find the eDimensional Audio FX force feedback headset with the Voice Buddy 2.0 software an excellent value, and a must have for those that want to add a bit of realism, take their hands off the keyboard, and let your voice activate the commands that would normally have you all over the runway like a drunken college graduate. There is no comparison to being able to turn on your speed brakes and thrust reversers with your voice, while guiding your aircraft down the runway, controlling your throttle and rudder/wheels upon landing.
I also love the ability of being able to crank up the volume without disturbing my neighbors, which honestly is an easy thing to do in my apartment built circa 1920's. Imagine being in a fighter jet, volume blaring (not recommended due to hearing issues that can result from over use) from your afterburners as you guide your aircraft through the rocky mountanous terrain.

Overall my rating is an easy 9.5 out of 10 considering I use a non force feedback joystick. For those who have force feedback joysticks, you might want to contact eDimensional first before purchasing the Audio FX, but like I said, due to my inquiry, they are now looking into this issue.

8)
Dude!!! you have outdone yourself...................
The quality of your review is only outdone by the product of the reveiw.
Thanks for taking the time.............

Air

You have the same boom box as me Stephen. Dont know how I spotted that but I did.


Anyway, great review!!

Quote:

Out of interest where'd you order it Dave? These links aresupposed to give us credit for sales yet only 15 clickthroughs have been recorded on ED siote (though more than 70 from here) & zero sales. Also out of more than 31 million eD ads displayed & 13,500 clickthoughs & since march on their ads running on simV, zero sales have been recorded on their site -despite having had good sales until March this year - then suddenly zero since. I am smelling a rat.