Gioteck VX-2 Wired Controller - Red (PS3/PC)

I don't have a ps3 but fancied a controller for my PC. Having grown up with the ps2 controller I figured this one was close enough so I would be used to using it already. This is true, It is basically identical to a ps2 controller and is solidly built, not a clue if it is responsive because I have not tested it on any games yet but they all seem to click and clonk the right way.I do however hate the L2 and R2 buttons. Enough to tempt me to send it back, I probably would if it was my main interface for the pc but as it will only be used for thew occasional game and hopefully not one with heavy back button use It will do. I was a massive Tony Hawks player back in the day and not sure if this would interfere with the long combos of reverts etc needed to play something like that. I suppose I would get used to it but those two back buttons just do not feel ergonomically sound, they way they stick out and push the switch at an angle makes them feel slightly like you are missing the button. It also makes it hold weirdly in the hand as you cant rest your fingers on those buttons. Maybe these are things I would get used to over time and specific to me and my needs so I have given it an extra star for that reason.Perfectly acceptable, solidly built. Not sure about the L2 and R2 buttons especially for games like Tony Hawks which require long combos involving those buttons but am sure it would be fine on most games. Just a bit weird to hold for somebody used to the normal PS controllers. Still better than the cheaper ones you can get with the weird D pads imo.

Pros:-1) The turbo is a great feature, not just for button mashing, but if you're in a game where you have to repeat through menus constantly and the cursor position is memorised (like an RPG, repeating the same attack) it saves a lot of button mashing and repetitive strain injury2) It's a solid feeling pad, good grip, nice buttons. The D-Pad passed the street fighter 2 test. If you can't reliably perform a hadouken on a d-pad, bin it I say. It's obviously much better than the rather terrible Xbox 360 dpad and it might even surpass the Dualshock 3 one. Analogs are great too. The shoulders are certainly more grippy than the DS3 but, in my personal opinion, I think you give up a little bit of comfort - although objectively, this may just be a muscle position I'm not used to and is remedied in time.3) It works with rechargeable AA batteries so, I'd recommend you pick up for 4 AA rechargeable batteries so you can keep 2 on the charge all the timeCons:-1) Continuing the battery thread, this control has no USB interface, so if you're out of batteries, you're out of control. I'd of personally paid 2 quid extra for that USB. It taunts you by having the cut out for it. Add to that, if you don't already have rechargeable AAs and a charger to go with it, that's an expense that is added to the saving on a dualshock 3.2) On PC the default driver only allows digital mode for the L2 and R2 shoulder buttons, despite them working as analog on the PS3. I am certain this could be fixed with a simple driver update, but until it is, I would say this is a glaring oversight. If you enjoy driving games, or simulations where the ability to feather a brake or throttle is key, you will be disappointed here. Even GTA4 on PC will suffer in driving mode.3) Lack of bluetooth, as stated, it's a 2.4g wireless and it comes with its own dongle. I find that inconvenient. You can use a regular DS3 on a Android device with a bit of fiddling. This will never have that functionality.ConclusionIf you're looking for a turbo PS3 pad specifically, this is a great choice, a solid feeling controller, if you're looking for a PC pad that has analog shoulder buttons, you're out of luck (check for driver updates). If you skipped to here, note the analog shoulder buttons do work on PS3. Whatever you pay for this pad, you have to factor in either the cost of batteries, or the cost of 4 AA rechargeables and a battery charger. If you already have these items, this pad will make great financial sense even if you weren't specifically looking for turbo.Update:-So I've had this for 9 months now, it's fairly resilient as the hardware itself is still in perfect working order. However, I've revised my review down to 3 Stars since at the time of writing, they have still yet to release a firmware or software update to enable analogue trigger function on the PC. It defies logic, the hardware is there as clearly demonstrated by using them on the PS3. If you have a stock of rechargeable AA batteries and you're only buying this for PS3, at the current price and still say it was a good buy. If yours isn't working I'd say you got bad luck and a dud unit and return it.

I can only assume the bad reviews are from competitors?Positives:- CHEAP (the official ps3 pad is the same price as the ps4 pad... ridiculous)- The 'dead zone' is the exact same as the Sony controller (tiny)- Feels like a well made quality product in your hands.- Rubber grips are an improvement over the Sony pad.- Perfect for first person shooters.- TURBO button - you can hold X to sprint fast on GTA, or rapid fire pistols on CODNegatives:-The R2 / L2 triggers you have to press them right down to activate. So when you're driving a car on GTA you have to keep the trigger full down to keep on going. (basically there is a large dead zone on the r2/l2 triggers,, just have to get used to it)Thats it... the pad doesnt 'fall apart' like i read.. its not 'a chinese knock off.... Just make sure you buy the ***WIRED*** pad because the wireless version takes batteries that you cant recharge with the ps3 (the wireless is crap)

I've lost count of th number of controllers I've been through, it seems the trend with the PS3 controllers and I've known known one like it, be it Sonys own or other brand, the batteries don't last and they fall apart. I decided to try something different and went with a wired one this time, both for the lower price and to not have the battery problem.So far I am very happy. It's very comfy, the triggers have anti slip ridges on them which makes using them much better in my opinion, as you don't get your fingers slipping off in the heat of gaming. The lead is long enough you are not having to sit on top of the tv/console and of course you don't get the dreaded "low battery" warning mid game. For £10 absolutely can not fault this item.

The pad is well made and works well. However, the images are deceptive, the images show on the back of the pad a charging point like a standard PS3 controller. However these wireless pads are actually battery operated. there is nothing whatsoever in the description on the site here that says that they are battery operated.Also on the packaging it shows the same thing IE a power charge point. While the pad works well this is not a good procedure for honest sales. We wil use the pads but at the time of the purchase the wired version of the pad was not shown here, if it was we would have boguth thise IF we had known the pads shown were in fact battery powered!