Novint Falcon takes flight

We've tracked this little guy from his prototype days, through a Switched On feature, and all the way up to this January's release date announcement. Now we can finally say that the Novint Falcon -- top rate purveyor of the game-controlling, force-feedbacking, wrist-snapping, virtual-textured 3D input experience -- is officially on sale. Novint is offering the squat interface on their website for $189, bundled with a limited edition "grip", 24 mini-games and a numbered certificate of authenticity, just in case your skeptical friends don't believe you actually own a Falcon.

[Thanks, Sabrina]

[NHAnimator @ Jun 19th 2007 11:04AM]

Checked out the demo and... If you are limiting your movement to only about 3 inches in any direction, this thing is not gonna fly in the gaming world. I've seen people yanking their PS2's all over the room playing GT3 with a wired controller. Now limit them to a stationary base with a knob?

Actually, if it does fly (e.g. a Wii controller), it will do a LOT more damage to your plasma screen.

But then again, maybe that's why it's called a Falcon.

[andi @ Jun 19th 2007 11:14AM]

I really really hope you're not limited to that tiny knob and can exchange the attachments... else this would suck bigtime... by looking at how it's held and reading about what force it can apply i can tell for sure that it won't sit that sure in your hand - thus it won't be precise.

[Tim @ Jun 19th 2007 11:47AM]

Nanoo Nanoo

[david @ Jun 19th 2007 12:16PM]

I pre-ordered one at CES. It is pretty cool and physical movement is limited to about 3". However, it seems to be designed more for PC gaming from a chair. RPG's, MMORPG's, and FPS more than racing games.

[Bruno @ Jun 19th 2007 12:33PM]

Of course it can interact with porn. This thing looks like it's only suitable for playing TT GT - that's Titty Twister.

If necessity is the mother of invention, this poor bastard was definitely adopted.

[Ken @ Jun 19th 2007 1:24PM]

@NHAnimator
What, you got like tourettes or something? How far do you fling your mouse? This isn't a Wii and it its use isn't restricted to 1337 OGMWTFBBQ gheymurz.

@andi
What exactly did you have in mind? A rubber phalice?

@Richard
ask andi

As for my own opinion, $189 seems like a great price. I'm damn sure I'll be gettin one to try out at work. I'd love to see CAD softwares will support this.

[StrangeBum @ Jun 19th 2007 4:09PM]

About CAD. I was actually thinking along the same lines. I'm sitting here at work (not working apparently) and as soon as I saw this, I thought 'This would kick my mouses little Laser Optics ass.'

But I think this would be fun to use in RPG games and such if you were talking along those lines.

[Mile @ Jun 19th 2007 1:49PM]

Is it iPhone compatible?

[Juan @ Jun 19th 2007 3:37PM]

No. No, I don't think it is.

[rocko @ Jun 19th 2007 4:18PM]

Not to sound like a walking talking advertisement, but with Engadget's pre-hype stuff at CES and all the other reactions and stuff I've read online, I was expecting this puppy to go for at least $400, but daayummmn, $189??? Pretty sweet

Also, I remember a while back Novint mentioning that they could decrease the size of the Haptic controller to fit any device if needed.........right?