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Gravis Blackhawk Digital Joystick

Gravis · 1999 · Digital Gameport Joystick
The compact digital stick that trades a few misspent button presses for a rock‑solid trigger and absolutely zero drift.
4.0
out of 5.0
Excellent
POCG VERDICT
A precise, drift‑free digital joystick with a transcendent trigger, just watch where you put your thumb.
The Blackhawk Digital improves on its predecessor with zero drift and a satisfying snap, but its button placement will drive you crazy in fast combat.
Read the Full Review →How to Get One Today
About This Hardware

The Gravis Blackhawk Digital is a PC gameport joystick released in 1999 by Gravis, designed for flight sims, space combat, and action games. It features digital precision with no drift, a compact 7-inch stature, and a 7-inch round base. The stick carries five gray buttons, a red main fire trigger, and an 8-way hat switch. It connects via a standard 15-pin gameport, with a pass-through port for a second controller. Construction relies on microswitches and coil springs, with internal metal weights for stability. The unit shipped with an 8-page manual, a setup CD, and a $39.99 price tag. It required Windows 95 or later, a Pentium 60, and 16 MB of RAM.

Specifications
Interface15-pin gameport (pass‑through for second controller)
Buttons5 gray · 1 red trigger · 8‑way hat switch
Height7 in
Base Diameter7 in
ConstructionPlastic body · metal screw connectors · internal metal weights
Switch TypeMicroswitches (all buttons)
ConnectivityHardwired pigtail cord
Hardware Info
ManufacturerGravis
CategoryDigital Gameport Joystick
Released1999
MSRP$39.99
ReviewedJune 14, 2026
How to Get One Today
Price
MSRP: $39.99
Used / Collector Market
The Blackhawk Digital turns up on eBay sporadically. Expect $20–40 for a clean working unit without the box. Check that the cord and microswitches are intact.
Notes & Warnings
This stick is right‑handed only. The spiral cord between the handle and base looks odd but is durable. The thumb button dominates the rest area, so accidental presses are a design quirk. No driver disc is a problem on modern PCs; the stick works as a standard 4‑button gameport joystick without the Gravis software.
Editor's Note
Restored from the POCG archive and rewritten in the Maniac voice. Original score: 8/10 (converted to 4.0/5).