Console Controller Rant
 

With the exception of the Wavebird for the GC, no one has developed an integrated, reliable wireless controller for the xbox or playstion2. I have not heard of any positive reviews of the few wireless controllers that are available. I get tired of wrapping up cords when me kids forget to put them away. The technology exists and the Wavebird is proof. I just wish that controller wasn't so awkward. I know a lot of people like it but, I feel that it was designed for a child and not an adult. We've had remote controls for tv's forever it seems. It's time we cut the cords and demand reliable wireless gaming controllers.

I agree. I hope the next gen systems all come with wireless controllers.

On top of reviews being somewhat less than glowing for the third party wireless controllers on the PS2 and X-box, they're damn overpriced, with non-sale prices $20 or so more than the Wavebird (which I love, fits my hands perfectly).

it's funny considering how much these companies spend figuring out new and better ways to make $$$ off us gamers!

it's staring them right in the face!
They would make a killing off of well made 1st party wireless controllers.

They'd fly off the shelves quicker than a case of snickers at fat camp.

And if xbox would just develop a wireless controller that would work with the headset, there'd be no stopping them!!!!

I had one of my friends at E3 pose this question to Microsoft about if they'd considering making a 1st party wireless controller for offline gaming. I'll let you know what they said when I hear back.

I've said this before : MS has put all their marketing eggs in the Live basket. They seem completely focused on selling online gaming to the masses. It really doesn't make any sense for them to put out a controller that is incompatible with it, and since a bluetooth headset controller would be more expensive than the box, I doubt we'll ever see that.

Now why Sony doesn't follow Nintendo's lead with a wireless controller is beyond me. After all they went ahead and "copied" the analog stick and rumble feature from the N64 in the last generation...

The Wavebird doesn't have force feedback, which downgrades it significantly for me.

Agreed.

I have a 3rd party wireless controller for my PS2... but it's just nowhere near as reliable as the Wavebird. Still, I hate to go back to wired controllers so I continue to use it, even with the sporadic "cut-outs" I get with it.

Also, I've changed the batteries in my Wavebird ONCE. However, the 3rd party PS2 controller eats through batteries like a vibrator... it's awful.

Fingers crossed that wireless controllers are standard for the next gen of consoles. :D

What's the average battery life for the Wavebird? And are you SOL if the batteries die on you mid-game or does it have some type of auto pause feature?

You could buy a 8 pack of AAs and have leftovers when the new Nintendo comes out.

I found out some xbox controller news... MS won't allow Logitec or any company to release a force feedback wheel due to SDK issues, so the Logitec wheel coming out for xbox won't be true force feedback. Also - I got some tasty tidbits about the Xbox2 controller - I can't disclose most of it, but it's going to be smaller than the s-controller - think dual shock + GCN controller. That's all I'm gonna say. A few companies were sporting new wireless controllers that looked good - Hip Gear had one that had a headset jack in the controller, but the prototype was heavy as shit. I'm told the final will be a bit lighter. I also saw a few in Kentia hall that looked good.

100 hours.

No auto pause, but the batteries don't just die. When they get low, you'll just notice the control not being as responsive, then you know it's time to pop in new ones.

I've had my Wavebird since it came out nearly 2 years ago, and I've changed the batteries twice.

Plus you could use the rechargeable AA NiHM batteries (which last much longer than regular batteries on just a single charge) and probably never have to even take them out and recharge them before you sold the GC for the next gen systems.

I just raided my Wavebird for batteries... (my boy wanted his music table, and I'd taken the batteries out last week for my PS2 controller :rolleyes: ) and I noticed I had NiHM rechargables in there.

So my comment about the Wavebird batteries lasting longer than the Fountech PS2 wireless are most likely bogus... :)

What does NiHM stand for and can I get them at Best Buy or Circuit City? Sorry, I'm a rechargeable battery n00b. :o

NiMH stand for Nickel Metal Hydride - it's a type of rechargeable battery. better than Nickel Cadmium but not as good as lithium. Nickel batteries have a memory, lith don't. You can get Nimh batteries wherever they sell rechargeables. Best Buy probably.

Thanks Trig. I'll probably buy a Wavebird soon. And then I'll buy a GC over summer to match. :D

Instead of batteries, it needs to have a rechargable cell much like cordless phones that use a charging station to keep the power fresh. The rumble feature is nice but, I can live without that if the sacrifice is a reliable controller with decent battery life. Bluetooth is catching on but, maybe they should consider 802.11b instead. This wireless standard is even more common and wireless routers are cheap.

Re: Console Controller Rant
 

I think the first time you "ground" your kids from using the xbox/ps2 for not wrapping up the cords, you will find out how quickly this problem will go away! a little tough love and everything will be ok.

although, i agree we need a a good wireless contrller for the the xbox

The wavebirds stop working every time the phone rang, or somebody was on the phone. Thats plenty reason for me to stick to wired.

I am looking forward to the newer revision of the Logitech wireless Xbox controller, and their upcoming PS2 Wireless controllers. They look pretty good.

I have the Pelican Wireless controller for the XBOX, and I have to say that it's great. I haven't had it cut out on me in the least in any game. Plus, the battery life is about as solid as it gets. The response is solid, it includes an option for turning the feedback on and off, the buttons don't feel cheap as on some other ones...

I think it's on par with the wavebird. I picked it up for $34.99 at Best Buy...I had looked at the logitech one, but it's just too fricken expensive.

That's weird, considering we have 3-4 Wavebirds hooked into a GC with the phone base not a foot away, plus cell phones. Phone calls and conversations disrupt nothing.
Same response as pretty much everyone else - love the Wavebird, want wireless for PS2 and Xbox.

must not be a 2.4Ghz phone.

Nah - happened in my house too with a WB and a 2.4ghz Panasonic phone... any time it would ring or someone would place a call, it killed the wavebird. We had to change the channel on the phone or something - I don't remember what we did. The phone was like 5 years old.

Panasonic? You sure it wasn't a Sony phone that was causing the problem?

I get that you're making a joke, so I'll give it a ;) and then actually answer that question seriously.

Nope - it was panasonic. I don't buy Sony phones... just their receivers, dvd players, tape decks, walkmans, cd players and changers, televisions, cameras, etc... and nearly everything I've bought from Sony Electronics has broken around the time their warranty expires. yet I continue to buy Sony. For phones, I only buy V-Tech or Panasonic. I have a Motorola and a Siemens, but both of them suck and I regret having strayed from Panny and Vtech.