I've had 2 different Xboxes and with each I've had a different Controller S. Each controller had crappy rumble. The rumble I get is real weak but very noisy. That's not a good situation. So...do I just have bad luck or is the Controller S a P.O.S.?

I'd say mine is about the same. Very loud... kind of like something loose inside when it rumbles.

xbox controllers have louder rumble than ps2 controllers. If you don't like it, then get a controller with no rumble or one that you can turn the rumble off. These are cheaper anyway. I personally don't really like the S Controller - I prefer the larger original one. I've been using 3rd party controllers though ever since I bought it so it doesn't really matter.

it was the controller S that finally pushed me over the cliff with the whole rumble feature. its loud and annoying. it adds nothing to gameplay. i bought a wavebird for my cube when it first came out and haven't enabled the damn feature since.

My controller S sounds fine. I dunno what you guys are complaining about

I've never noticed the rumble. The fact that the buttons are flat should make up for it. The raised buttons on the original controller ruined my thumb.

Ditto

i have a controller S that sounds fine, but I never use the damn thing... I much prefer the regular "bulky" controller... it fits my large hands nicely and I like the raised buttons for some reason... weird huh?!

also .. the large controller's analog sticks seem better for FPS's.. IMO.. dunno why, but i think its because the second stick has a smaller thumb recticle, so it seems more precise moving it around..

Never noticed the noise of the rumble, either.

I prefer "The Duke", but even mine make a rattling sound when it rumbles. I rarely use the rumble feature and usually turn it off in game.

or

??

I have 2 different S controllers, each have a different type cord. One has the original hard plastic wire, while the new one has a softer, Nintendo-like cord. I wonder why they switched.

99% of the time though I use my Logitech and disable the wireless. Or my Wavebird on the cube. I think the rumble was a nice novelty for last generation systems, but I think it has run its course. I've been playing GTA the past few days with the S (due to a broken Logitech) and the rumbe is more annoying than anything.

I disagree about rumble. I like feeling the jolt of gunshots when I pull a trigger or the rumble when my car hits a railing. I've come to expect tactile feedback. It is nice that you can always turn it off if you like.
No doubt, the Controller S is louder than the PS2 one, but I like them both in their own way. Still I've been using the dual analogue Sony controller since I imported one from Japan in early '98, so it's the one I'm most used to and most comfortable with.
The original Xbox controller is shockingly big and very uncomfortable to me and my tiny hands. I'm glad I didn't have to get one with my Xbox.