Gamepads and Controllers

  • Thread starter LoudMusic
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LoudMusic

LoudMusic

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I am slowly trying to get back into gaming on my computer. When the GeForce FX goes into production and hits the shelves I'd like to shell out some cash for a nice one. The problem is, I've always liked games like Tomb Raider but they suck with the keyboard. I'd also like to play some Mech games and flight sim games but I haven't found a joystick I like. I do have a Logitech wheel for driving games, and I like it very much.

What are some controllers you have used / seen / purchased that you like?
 
Well I have a fairly old Microsoft Sidewinder, I've had it for about 2 years already and it still works with most up-to-date games I have like Flight Sim 2002.

About gaming pads I don't know but there are some good ones for cheap money out there so just compare.
 
I've got several controllers, and it all depends on what you are playing.

For Flight Sims (Wing Commander, Starlancer, Freespace) I use a Saitek X36 which has now been upgraded to an X45 (Smaller, but just as great.)
I also have a Logitech Wheel (For GT3, but it works great for the PC, as you are aware.)
And as far as gamepads go, there are 2 that stand out. My older one is a Logitech Wingman Rumblepad which is a great controller, and has a sliding throttle.
My new Controller is a Firestorm Dual Power and is the best pad I've ever used. It lacks the slider, but has 4 more buttons (2 more than the PS2) and has the most amazing feel to it (it's completely rubberized.)
Gravis also makes a good gamepad, but they have lacked good driver support in the past. (My best friend had to get the same thrustmaster because gravis never made XP drivers for his 1 year old gamepad.)
 
Wow, Saitek makes some PHAT hardware! Good thing price is no object ... their stuff looks to be expensive (:

Edit: I just did a price check on that Saitek you have. It's listed at $80. Pretty cheap!

I've been handling some Logitech hardware - they always seem to make quality stuff.

Those two extra buttons on the Firestorm look handy. I wonder what the real difference is between all the different models. I dig the wireless version ... that could always be handy.

I saw this while surfing another site. Probably the most affordable and functional racing chairs I've seen. Looks to be quite compact and easily stored.

I was led to that site from a link to this USB to PlayStation port adaptor. Has anyone used anything like this? It's cheap enough to just 'give it a try', but I suspect it's probably not going to be the best.
 
Originally posted by Viper Zero
CH Products make VERY good flight sticks, throttles, and rudders for flight sims, especially for Flight Simulator 2002. You can buy them here.
Click to expand...

I agree, CH makes excellent Flight products, but I haven't seen them around, and totally forgot...

And I wish my X36 only cost $80 when I bought it...

It does have a built in mouse on the Throttle though (A little knob like old laptop mice), which was sweet in a few games because you could target seperately from the center with a flick of the thumb. :D

On the Flip side, if anyone owns Soldier with Kurt Russel, there is a scene when the bad guy (Jason Lee I think) is driving a huge vehicle, and you get a nice shot of the control stick he's using, and it's an X36 joystick embedded into the console. :D
 
THE best gamepad for PC is
*drum roll*
PS2 Dual Shock 2!!
yup. or a PSX controller, either of them work fine.
You can purchase USB converters for any and all PSX/PS2 controllers, and they work wonderfully on the PC.
and best of all they are cheap!!! (less then $20)

as far as joysticks go, i'm kinda hardcore in the flightsims so i spend some money on HOTAS setups. right now i have a Thrustmaster F22 Pro and F16TQS with the Elite Rudder pedals. but what i really want to get is the new Cougar HOTAS system (Hands On Throttle And Stick). $300 will buy you the ultimate in quality. just about everything that can be metal, is metal, including all buttons and hat swtiches. the flight stick is an amazingly accurate replica of the F-16 flight stick. it also comes with it's own software for total programability, so u can do just about anything with it. It's not the kind of setup for the impatient (i would say ill-temepered or somthing similar, but you'd be hard pressed to break these things) if you want the most out of it, but if u want the best, there is non better. plus there will be future add-ons as it were, you can take the flightstick off the base and replace it with new releases they make (replicas from other jets). i know thrustmaster sucks butt in general, but this is and always has been thier territory, no one can do it better, period.

http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/
http://us.thrustmaster.com/products/hotas.php3?skin=Hotas
 
Ok, back to this one. I'm still pondering a USB adaptor for my Dual Shocks. Does anyone have one? And can you share an opinion?

THIS is a pretty cool product and priced well too (comparitively). I want to order it, but I don't want it to SUCK ASS.

Thoughts?
 
I have 2 USB adapters for the Dual Shock/2's. And, they simply rock. they work flawlessy, and are probably the best thing u can buy if your looking for a gamepad. well, that's if u LIKE the PSX/PS2 controllers. i know i do, so it was a no brainer for me :P

Ahh yes, that product does look awfully familiar. I sent one to my friend, it looked exactly the same, except it had a flashy sticker on it. he said it's awesome and he would kill anyone who stole/broke it!

hope that helps :)
 
I don't think Radio shack carries that (checked the website already, but you never know.)
I read a review on those adapters a long time ago, and it was very positive. I would beware a little though because everyone is making a PS2 USB adapter including pelican and madcatz (2 of the world's finest makers of junk.)
Make sure you buy one that you have already read a good review on.
 
CRAP! just lost my post. bah.
as i was saying...

Alot of the conveters use diferent recognition methods.

For instance, the controller i currently use is like so...

4 axis 16 button joystick.

Left Analog - X,Y axis'
Right Analog - Z,R axis'
and then all the buttons (including start,select,L3,R3,and thumb pad) are number 1 through 16.

it works perfect in everyway. though there is no shock support (one of the earlier converters), but i didn't care about that.

the 2nd one i have (which i don't like) is this way...

Shock support (one of the early adapters of this, it uses a soundcard passthrough, and vibrates the controller according to the bass lvl).

Thumb pad - X,Y axis'
Left Analog - HAT (acts like a HAT toggle switch)
Right Analog - Z,R axis'
then all the buttons (exluding thumbpad) maped 1 through 12.

I've seen a few other converters that were different as well. i think i got lucky and found the one i liked the best the first time :)

SO basically, if you purchase one, and it doesn't work like u want it to, that's probably why. return it if u can, and go for a different brand.

Speaking of "brand", the converter i like best, is a no-name :D

it just has a corny sticker PS-PC USB Converter.

well, good luck LM!
 
if you can solder and are nifty with electronic things, you can build your own psx to pc converter. it allows you to use the familiar dual shock with your pc. just search the internet, you will find the site. i think there are a few.

Im doing this myself. I have taken a while, but will finally start the project so I have a good controller for running emulators with.
 
Originally posted by advanR
if you can solder and are nifty with electronic things, you can build your own psx to pc converter. it allows you to use the familiar dual shock with your pc. just search the internet, you will find the site. i think there are a few.

Im doing this myself. I have taken a while, but will finally start the project so I have a good controller for running emulators with.
Click to expand...

My God, what would you do? Buy a USB cable, cut it in half, buy an extension cable for PS2, cut that in half, then solder the wires together???

Oh yeah, BTW, the best controller you can ever have, if you can get a converter, is the original 8-bit NES controller!
 
I dont like to resurrect old threads... but does anyone here have drivers for the
redoctane dual usb adapter? they dont have drivers for it on the website. i just cant get it to work. it just shows up as "unrecognized usb device" :( i want to use my ps2 controller on pc.
 
MachỎne;2474999
Which would actually cost you something.
Click to expand...

Xbox controller: $29.99 (From xbox.com)
Xbox 360 wired controller $39.99 (From ebgames.com)

I know you could get them cheeper somewhere else, but for $10 more you dont have to hack up and make your own usb Xbox controller. Some people don't have the skills to do wiring.
 
MachỎne;2475207
Alot more people own original Xbox's than Xbox 360's..
Click to expand...
Xbox 360 pads have much better ergonomics than the old ones.
 

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