Microsoft Game controllers(not X-box stuff)

[lazygamer]

Ok this thread is about all those MS controllers like the Sidewinder, Sidewinder freestyle pro, Sidewinder precison pro etc.

What do you guys think of them? Half-decent? Pretty good? Excellent? Shit?

I have a Sidewinder freestyle pro gamepad. Ya see I got it for Christmas and never had a chance to do research on it.

Do I like it? Well it certainly isn't shit, but I feel it's not all that great. My biggest beef is with the D-pad, it's not very precise, even with the patch(patch that "improves" the D pad control). My guess is that it results from the wierd angle it's on. You see the D pad isn't 90 degrees straight, it's slanted. Maybe this makes your thumb use it easier(due to the grip design). However, it blows for precise control.

So at Staples they offer some non-MS gamepads for a good price. I just wonder what one I should get. Of course I might be able to order one from a computer store(or shop around with teh phonebook).

Ok what do you guys recommend?

-Under $50 Canadian
-At least 8 buttons.
-The D Pad is PRECISE
-Compatible with old games and new games at the same time.
-Not shoddy quality.
-Comfortable to hold. Of course this depends on the person.

So in case your wondering my hand size, I did some measurements with a ruler.

7.5" from tip of middle finger to start of wristbone(you know that knobby thing that bulges out of your wrist, that's what im refering to)

Middle finger is 3.25" long from tip to hand(measured on underside)

4.25" across the most widest point of palm(measured with thumb and fingers pressed together)

Not sure whether that's small, average, large etc.

[lazygamer]

Thought I should add what types of games I play. Ok I would want something that is good for many differnt types of games.

One of the biggest uses would be emulation. So it should be able to happily play Nintendo, Genesis, SNES, Playstation, N64 etc. equiavlent to the real thing.

I would also be interested in trying to use a gamepad to play FPS's. Im not sure how it works, but my theory is that it could work pretty good if you gave it alot of practice.(and had a really good gamepad)

Then there's your standard issue gamepad usage... simulations of course. Nah I don't play much racing or flight sims... but ya never know. Ok but I do like mech games. Damn I should try Heavy Gear 2 sometime, my bro burned it for me and I never bothered to play it much.  

[badkarma]

Buy a converter for your favorite console controller and use that for your pc. They aren't that expensive either....

[lazygamer]

Well for the time being, my Microsoft Sidewinder 3D pro(a joystick, not a gamepad) seems much more controllable. That's pretty horrible when you think about it, joystick(not the POV hat) outperforming a Dpad for prescion?! I suppose it's because all the weight allows you to make sure motions. I remember playing Equinox, a SNES rom, with my freestyle pro. It was absolutely horrible, I kept dying and dying, I coulden't get past the first few rooms! Plug in the 3D pro, HUGE difference.  

What's even more shitty is that MS didn't update their configuration software for XP, which also means I can't install a special patch to enhance the precision.

Forget about helping me find another gamepad, if you've used a piece of MS hardware, let us know what you thought etc.

I will say this. MS is far better at hardware, then at operating systems. Still, don't buy a MS controller, go with some other company.

On another note, im rather interested in my brother's Gravis gamepad pro. It was made 5 years ago, yet they have Wind0ze XP driver software for it. Now that's service!