A controller by any other name ....
Written: Jan 22 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: LOTS of buttons
Cons: Uncomfortable to use for long periods
The Bottom Line: If you can be comfortable with the grip required to use all the controls, get it!
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| Gavvin's Full Review: Guillemot FireStorm Dual Analog GamePad |
It seems that I am very hard on game controllers. I buy a new controller at least once a year. The only game I play that requires a controller is EA Sports NHL series, but I DO tend to play several seasons. For the last 4 years I have used Gravis gamepads. When my last Gravis pad bit the dust, I went to go get a new one. Much to my surprise, the store had no Gravis gamepads. Since I desperately wanted to play my new copy of NHL 2002 (review forthcoming), I decided to try a different brand.
Not only am I hard on controllers, I am also very picky about them. I have gotten used to the 4 thumb-button configuration found on the Gravis pads and don't want to retrain my thumb to use the (apparently) more popular 6 thumb-button style. This limits my options when looking for a new controller. After much looking, I finally found the Thrustmaster Dual Analog pad. I remember Thrustmaster as a pioneer in joystick/throttle technology and decided to give it a try. I did NOT opt for the vibrating version because I find it to be distracting.
I was apprehensive when I plugged the controller into my system because I run Windows 2000 Server and it is not known to be the friendliest operating system to games and their peripherals. However, the software installed with no problem and I was shooting the puck within minutes. The first thing I noticed, was that the buttons were mapped differently than on the Gravis. I was able to use the software to map the buttons in the configuration I am used to with only slight problems and away I went. The extra 2 triggers are useful, but create an uncomfortable grip. Since one finger controls the top triggers and one finger controls the middle triggers, this leaves you using a 2 finger grip, which gets uncomfortable after a while. After an hour, I must take a break and after a week of playing for an hour a day, I can feel the discomfort creeping in when I first start playing.
All in all, it seems to be a very good controller in a very poor package. The software is very good and almost intuitive and the digital/dual analog controls make this controller very versatile.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 26.00
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Epinions.com ID:
Gavvin
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Location: Grand Prairie TX
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 6 members
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