Greetings and welcome to LGR Oddware where we’re taking a look at hardware and software that is odd, forgotten, and obsolete. And yeah, we’re taking a look at the Mouse Yoke this time, from 1992! A device, plastic and other things, that adapts a normal computer ball mouse and turns it into a flight yoke, somehow. Yeah, let’s take a look at this weirdness!
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Key Takeaways:
- The Mouse Yoke is a device from 1992 that turns a regular computer mouse into a flight yoke for gaming.
- It was released by Colorado Spectrum and sold for $34.95 in the US.
- The device was praised for its low cost and innovative design, but had limitations such as no fire button and difficulty returning to center.
- It received product tie-in endorsement with Microsoft Flight Simulator and other games.
Design and Features:
The Mouse Yoke, released in 1992 by Colorado Spectrum, is a device that allows users to turn a regular computer mouse into a flight yoke for gaming. The device is made of plastic and other materials, and it adapts a standard computer ball mouse by strapping it into place and attaching it to a desk.
The Mouse Yoke was compatible with various computer systems, including Macintosh, Amiga, IBM and IBM Compatibles, laptops, notebooks, and portables. It offered a new level of realism for software pilots, allowing them to experience the thrill of realistic flight in seconds.
Colorado Spectrum Incorporated:
Colorado Spectrum Incorporated, the company behind the Mouse Yoke, was founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company specialized in developing flight-related hardware and software. In addition to the Mouse Yoke, they also created other devices such as the Mouse Wheel, Notebook Gameport, and R/C: PC.
Reviews and Endorsements:
The Mouse Yoke received generally positive reviews, with praise for its low cost and innovative design. It was particularly noted for its use of quality materials, including extruded anodized aluminum. However, there were some limitations and concerns, such as the lack of buttons, difficulty returning to center, and potential scarring of the desk.
Despite these limitations, the Mouse Yoke received product tie-in endorsement, including being featured in The Official Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 Strategy Guide. It was also compatible with various flight and driving simulators that utilized a mouse for directional control.
