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ACT Labs Eagle Max Joystick

ACT Labs · 1999 · PC Joystick
Hardware programming so simple it makes software macros feel like a relic, but one baffling design choice holds it back.
4.5
Excellent
POCG VERDICT
The most effortless programmable joystick I've used, kneecapped by one misguided feature lock.
ACT Labs' Eagle Max makes programming a snap with hardware-only macros, a stellar manual, and microswitch build quality. But you can't use the hat and throttle together, and that thumb button will betray you. A brilliant stick if you can live with its quirks.
About This Hardware

The ACT Labs Eagle Max is a programmable joystick designed for PC gaming in the late 1990s. It connects via a 15-pin gameport and includes a keyboard passthrough to preserve a keyboard port. The stick features 12 buttons, a throttle wheel, an 8-way hat switch, two trim wheels, and a three-position rocker switch. Its signature feature is hardware-based macro programming: all button assignments are set directly on the stick using a setup switch, requiring no software and allowing on-the-fly changes during gameplay. Four macro banks let users switch between configurations for different games or flying phases. The Eagle Max uses microswitches for all buttons, providing tactile and aural feedback, and its base is weighted with steel bars for stability. The yoke has a textured grip and a palm rest, though some aesthetic elements like molded eagle eyes and shingle-like ridges are divisive. It comes with a 20-page manual, drivers for DirectX, and a one-year warranty. The Eagle Max requires a 15-pin gameport that supports two joysticks.

Specifications
Interface15-pin Gameport
Buttons12 (plus trigger, rocker, and trim controls)
ProgrammableHardware-based, up to 10 keystrokes per button
Macro Banks4
ThrottleRotary wheel
Hat Switch8-way (cannot be used simultaneously with throttle)
Trim Controls2 analog wheels
Switch TypeMicroswitches
DimensionsBase approx. 9.5" x 6", height approx. 8.5"
WeightSteel-weighted base (approx. 2 lbs)
Warranty1 year
Hardware Info
ManufacturerACT Labs
CategoryPC Joystick
Released1999
MSRP$39.95
ReviewedJune 14, 2026
How to Get One Today
Price
MSRP: $39.95
Notes & Warnings
The Eagle Max uses a 15-pin gameport and a keyboard passthrough, so it requires either a vintage PC with both ports or a compatible USB adapter (note: many adapters do not support passthrough). The boot issue with the setup switch left on is a known quirk, ensure the switch is off before powering on. Working units are rare; expect to pay $20–40 on eBay for a complete, tested stick (as of 2026).
Editor's Note
This hardware review was restored from the POCG archive and rewritten in the Maniac voice. Original score: 8.5/10, converted to 4.5/5. The original review split the verdict into 7.5 or 9 depending on need; the overall score of 8.5 has been preserved here.