Review: XCM XFPS 4.0 Speed

[bandit]

XCM XFPS 4.0 Speed
Manufacturer: XCM
Site: Buy from Play-Asia / Buy from ConsoleSource / Buy from GoldenShop / Buy from Amazon
Price: $90.00

Overview : Use a keyboard and mouse on your Xbox 360 with the XFPS Force adapter. Compatible with all keyboards and mice, it is precise and efficient and will clearly give you the edge on many games, starting with FPS.

It is easy to map all the Xbox 360 wired controller keys/inputs to keyboard and mouse using your PC and XCM software. When used in conjunction with the soon to be released Magic Link the XPFS will allow a remote player can to co-play with you via internet connection. A PC is required to use the XFPS Speed.

Features:

• Connect PS/2 or USB mouse & keyboard to your Xbox360™
• Compatible with all mice and keyboards.
• Accuracy in aiming and fast response while playing shooting game.
• Easy to map all 360 wired controller keys to keyboard and mouse via PC by XCM software.
• When using with our new coming product (Magic link), the remote player can help you to pass the game level via the internet from his PC.
• 3 level of auto fire function.
• Must connect to PC (laptop or desktop).

Quality/Usability : Unlike XCM's previous XFPS like the XFPS Sniper Plus, the new XFPS 4.0 Speed requires a laptop or desktop if you are using a mouse and keyboard.

To connect a wired 360 controller and enable turbo/rapid fire, plug the XFPS 4.0 Speed to one of the USB ports on the console and have the PC-Controller switch on Controller. The XFPS logo will blink green. Plug in your wired 360 controller and the XFPS logo will stop blinking and will stay lit. You can now use the turbo/rapid function.

Rapid Fire/Turbo switch has 3 settings, Normal (N) which is OFF, Medium (M) Speed Firing which gives 15 shots per second and High (H) Speed Firing which gives 30 shots per second.

To connect a keyboard and mouse, the first half is the same as above for enabling turbo/rapid function. A wired controller MUST be connected first before the XFPS 4.0 Speed is recognized. Plug the XFPS 4.0 Speed to one of the USB ports on the console and have the PC-Controller switch on Controller. The XFPS logo will blink green. Plug in your wired 360 controller and the XFPS logo will stop blinking and stay lit. Now unplug your wired controller and the XFPS will go from green to a blinking red. On the PC-Controller switch, switch it to PC and plug the included USB cable into the bottom of the XCM and the other end to either you desktop or laptop USB port. Once connected, the XFPS logo will stop blinking red and will stay lit.

In order to use a keyboard and mouse as well as map/configure your settings, you'll need to download XCM's software. The latest software can be found here (whenever there is a new upgrade, you can find it here). Review was tested with version 1.50.

Once you downloaded the software, extract the file and you should see a XFPS folder or XFPS icon on desktop or within folder. Before running the software, make sure the XFPS is connected to the computer. If not, the software will give an error message stating that it "Can not find XFPS". Double click the XFPS icon and the program will display a picture of a Xbox 360 controller. To configure your keyboard and mouse, click on "TOOL" and "SETTINGS". Enter a name for the setting, than click "NEW" and than "MAP". From here, you can map whatever keys/buttons you want to correspond to the Xbox 360 controller. Move the cursor to the box you want to remap and press the key you want to use. If you made a mistake, highlight the area, right click and click DELETE. Once you're done, click on "CONFIRM" in the MAP screen and click "CONFIRM" again in the SETTINGS screen. When you see the Xbox 360 controller, you can click "FILE" and "START" or F12 to begin. Once you start, the mouse and keyboard now takes over the Xbox 360. Even though the mouse and keyboard is connected to laptop or desktop, nothing will happen. To escape out of Xbox 360 control, press F11 and you can now control computer with mouse and keyboard. This is perfect for when you want to go back to the settings and make any adjustments. Not only can you map your buttons but you can adjust the X and Y axis sensitivity as well as invert the X and Y axis.

In my testing, I've used onboard keyboard from a laptop and a cheap Dell wired USB mouse (for v1.41-1.44 software) that came with my computer and Microsoft IntelliMouse (for v1.50 software). I've also used a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse combo and all have worked fine. My wireless mouse had a higher sensitivity so I had to lower the sensitivity on the XCM XFPS application. I did not notice any lag or any jumps in movement. I know some people have complained about dead zones and zig zag movements when moving the mouse up and down but I did not experience any of the problems. I was able to move the mouse ever so slightly and the cursor moved. I did however have to adjust the sensitivity to over 3.8-4.5 for both X and Y axis. Max is 5. This setting may be different for you and may be different for each game you play.

As mentioned above, this review was tested with v1.50. What makes 1.50 different from 1.41-1.44 is that the new v1.50 software allows you to do rapidly turn around 360° and move forward. You can also configure more buttons on a mouse if you have buttons on the side of the mouse rather than the usual left click, right click and middle wheel.

Having tested with v1.50, I preferred it. I'm not much of a PC FPS person, so using the keyboard for movement doesnt suit me. However, I love to use the mouse to aim and shoot as I have a better accuracy. With the new 1.50 software, I no longer have to use the usual WASD for movement. I can use the forward and back button on the side of my mouse for movement while still using the mouse to look around. The only time I would use the keypad is to jump, squat, stand up, switch weapons and other functions. The mouse would be my main movement, visual and firing.

Conclusion : Overall, the Team Xtender XCM XFPS 4.0 Speed worked great but you MUST be connected to a laptop or desktop in order to use it. Your desktop and Xbox 360 must be in close proximity in order for the USB cables to reach each other. If you're using a laptop, its not as bad. If you are editing a saved settings, you would need to delete it and start fresh. When you turn off the console, the logo is still lit up. So for the XFPS 4.0 to turn off completely, you'll need to unplug the USB cord from the computer or console.

Like the other XFPS versions, a wired 360 controller is required because the Charge Kit can't send the signal to the console. Hopefully, XCM can find a way to let us gamers use wireless controllers. I know not everyone has a wired controller because I had to go out and buy a wired controller when the XFPS first released. From what I have read on the web, newer Xbox 360 wired controllers dont work. So if you need to purchase a wired 360 controller, its best to pick up a 3rd party controller such as MadCatz, Joytech and other brands.

Unfortunately, if you own a Apple MAC desktop or laptop, the program will not work. Will XCM release a MAC compatible software, I hope so. If not, MAC users will be left out.

If you dont want to be chained to a laptop or desktop and just want to use a keyboard and mouse, you can take a look at XCM's XFPS Sniper Plus.

Images via comments

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