Trust is a European outfit that turns out loads of computer gear, and has been doing so for a long time. It only recently turned its attention to the U.S. market, however, hoping to compete with the likes of Logitech and Microsoft in the world's largest consumer electronics market.
It send us a boxful of toys from across its range: mice outfitted for wired, wireless and gaming use; a wireless desktop; two joypads; some ultra-tiny notebook peripherals and a Vista Media Center remote control.
So, how does it do?
Though its lineup lacks a cutting edge, they're similar in quality to premium brands and come at a cheaper price.
Nothing is quite as sexy as Logitech's Harmony One or MX Revolution—but they don't cost more than $100, either.
For example, the standard-issue MI-series optical mice, similar to Logitech's V-series mice, are about half the price, with a model to match it in every niche.
Fancier models run at about the same price. The GM-4600 "Predator" Gamer Mouse, at $60 (Newegg), is much like Logitech's G5, which has the same tag. Put to play, it got the job done: it's hard to say more, because there's nothing much to complain about, but not a lot to praise, either. It's a 7-out-of-10 in waiting. The pointer moved where I pointed it. The buttons clicked when
I clicked them. Fragging did occur on schedule.
Trust's mice don't have tilt wheels. They don't have OSX
configuration software, either, though they work fine out the box on
Macs. (To get extra buttons working, install SteerMouse.) They are relatively light, which will please some, but leave others with concerns about sturdiness.
Trust's RC-3400 Vista Remote is ugly and old-fashioned, but effective. An infra-red dongle is included, and there's plenty of buttons to control everything. It would be nice if these things generally came with a trackpad or other means of mousing, but for $35 or so, I'm not complaining.
The Wireless Laser Deskset, the DS-4400D, was a nice surprise. It has a simple, straightforward design, with large, clearly-marked special keys—none of the squishy little control nipples to be found poking like rubber croûtons from similar products. The mouse that came with it was pleasant enough, with five buttons and the same curiously familiar design. It's $50, this time a little pricier than basic models from the other guys.
Onto the game controllers. The $25-ish GM-1500 series dual-stick gamepad is sturdy and pleasantly heavy: you could incapacitate a home invader with it. Compatible with both Windows and Playstation, there are no mistakes or marvels, just solid controls and a full complement of buttons.
The USB-only GM-1300 model, however, is made of lesser stuff. Fancily designed, it's prettier than the Sony-styled GM-1500, but its D-Pad is too high-up and the trigger buttons weirdly angled: one must pull them up rather than squeeze them in.
But — and it is a big but — you can get one for $10. It's still well-built and workable, and you won't get better at that price.
There's a lot more to look at—Trust makes at least one of just about everything—but I'm sure you get the picture. If we awarded Michelin stars for manufacturers, this would be Trust's first: it's proved it can cook (and at a tasty price). Now it's time to concoct something special.
