Thrustmaster
XL Screenmate
| PSOne Review |
| Category |
Mini Monitor |
| Review Date |
4/01 |
| Publisher |
Thrustmaster |
|
by Shawn Sanders |
|
One inch makes all the difference.
We're living in an age of crippling convenience. As I stare out the 2x2 window
of my editorial cell, I spy a man video taping the side of a building with a
camera that's the size of a Lee Press-On Nail. As the mini film production
continues, I notice that the gentleman is also on the phone - a mobile
phone, no less. With all this wealth of information and entertainment literally
at our fingertips (mobile phones, mobile computer and now Mobile
Monitors), it seems we could easily evolve into a group of soft, long-fingered,
spineless beings, good for one sole purpose: pressing the "on" button.
Well, if I am to be a sedentary editor who has his every whim electronically
catered to, then I have a few provisos. I want my robotic harem stocked with
fit video game playing goddesses, who can cook a mean chile relleno and properly
cover my ass in Counter-Strike.
I also want my replicator to be able to replicate itself so I can have one in
every room of the house, and I want my PSOne portable monitors to have a larger
screen size with true portability. 
As far as the PSOne is concerned, Thrustmaster has become my savior…sort of.
The Thrustmaster XL Screenmate answers the call for a larger screen (1
inch more diagonally), but ultimately fails to meet the demands of the gamer
on the go. No recharging pack equates hallucinogenic mobility because you're
always anchored to something. And the $150 price tag creates an ecstatic retailer
while traumatizing your pocket book.
The XL Screenmate is a full-color TFT-LCD monitor. It attaches easily
to the back of your PSOne with the help of the two included screws. One immediate
and noticeable difference the XL has over the Interact Mobile Monitor
is its hidden RF cord. It's just built into the hardware, so once you connect
the XL to your PSOne, the RF plug is automatically inserted in the proper
slot. Very easy!
Another difference is the absence of a metal stand with the XL Screenmate.
This little bar allows you to view the Interact Mobile Monitor without
having to attach it to your PSOne. While the Mobile Monitor stand doesn't
provide the sturdiest support, it does give you an option, which the XL
Screenmate does not. But yes, I know it's an incredibly small gripe.
Other than those niggling differences, Thrustmaster has brought us virtually
the same monitor, shaped slightly different, with an extra inch for juvenile
locker room bragging rights. You still get volume, brightness and picture controls
as well as the all-too-useful headphone jack. And I can't forget the one item
that makes this diamond in the rough nearly mobile - the car adapter,
which draws power from your automobile's cigarette lighter. Very cool!
But the extra inch is the Screenmate's true crowning achievement. Who
knew an added inch would bring such visual splendor and clarity? (There are
so many jokes there, but today I will be an adult.) With this monitor, you no
longer need to hover 3 inches from the display just to see what you're doing
in Tony Hawk 2. The
Screenmate is just what Dr. Game Geek ordered. Now if they could only
figure out how to cut the cord...
In the end, the Screenmate turns out to be a great product, though the
lack of PSOne portability (ie. battery pack) hurts. The color is sharp, the
sound is clear and although it's not actually mobile, the enjoyment comes in
spades. Too bad you still have to pay more for the screen than you do for the
PSOne. Well, at least you get more viewing area for your buck.
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