Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I picked up this controller at my local game store on 10-24-10. Obviously this controller is intended for Black Ops but since the game isn't out yet, i've had a few nights to use it on Modern Warfare 2.
The first thing you'll notice is that Mad Catz did a great job with concerns to the overall appearance and feel of the controller. The artwork on the controller is Top Notch. Personally I wouldn't care if it was just a plain black controller but they really went the extra step in making it look cool. The red backlight on the analog sticks adds to the atmosphere, especially if you like to play late at night with the lights out. The cord itself is made up of a durable braided material that is designed to withstand a lot of coiling and twisting. I remember with the xbox 1 stock controllers my cat would chew on the wire and ruin the thing! Unless you have a sabre tooth tiger this shouldnt be an issue! haha. I found the cord length to be just fine and that's with a 50" plasma TV.
Alright, so how about the actual usage of the controller? The grip is very comfortable and the analog sticks, buttons and triggers feel just like they do on the stock 360 controllers. That's all fine and dandy but the main selling point is going to be the combat buttons. Do they feel natural? Easily accessible??? Honestly, it may really come down to how you hold the controller in your hand. I am left-handed and found that the combat button underneath the right analog stick is in a perfect location. On this side of the controller you can set the button to function as RP (Use your knife), X (Reload), Y (Switch weapon), and RSB (PrecisionAIM Mode/Sensitivity Decrease). I don't see the advantage of RP as your thumb should already be on the right stick anyways.. I primarily use it to switch weapons and you'll notice that this can give you an extreme advantage. I can't count how many times ive been in a one on one confrontation and needed to reload or switch weapons in mid firefight. being able to switch weapons while also keeping a continuous aim on your enemy is HUGE. The extra second or two that you save really does pay off. Sadly, the feature I was most looking forward to, the PrecisionAIM mode is not what I hoped for. To be fair I hardly snipe with a sniper rifle. The sensitivity drop when you hold the combat button down in this mode is too low in my opinion. If I were able to adjust that sensitivity to a higher setting I could see myself using it a lot. But the only real advantage is when your opponent is waay across the map and far off. Mid-range not so much, as the sensitivity is not quick enough to keep up with a running or 'dancing' enemy. Hopefully Mad Catz will release a program for the PC where you can manually set the sensitivity for PrecisionAIM Mode. Again, this is just my opinion and if you are a sniper who likes to have Insane sensitivity you may come to love this feature. Phew... Now on to the left analog stick combat button. The problem for me is the way that I grip the controller with my middle finger, used to press the combat button, naturally rests south/below of the button location. I have to awkwardly adjust my left hand grip to compensate and thus find myself not really using that button at all. It's a shame because you can set it to LP (Run), A (Jump), B (Prone), or RSB (Precision AIM, why in the world you would want to slow your movement stick is beyond me). I could definitely see myself using it as the B button and would be able to dropshot or duck out of cover in an instant. This I am sure would increase my K/D ratio significantly. I haven't ruled out hope yet and may learn to eventually hold it so that it feels comfortable and I can use that button with ease. I have medium sized hands I would say and that it may be drastically different for folks with small or large hands as well. Again it really depends on how you grip the controller. Unfortunately, even though it is packaged entirely, you would still need to test it out in actual gameplay to get an idea of how it would rest in your hand.
So what's the final verdict? This is definitely a solid product and I think with some patience I will truly come to appreciate this controller. at $50 it can be a sizeable investment for a gamepad but you'll have to ask yourself.. How much will i play MW2/Black ops? If your answer is a LOT like myself.. Go ahead and pick it up, you shouldn't be disappointed. It won't make you a killing machine, but if you give it time you should notice an improvement in your K/D ratio. I never tried the MW2 mad catz controller that came out a year ago, but from what I hear this is a major improvement. My only suggestion for Mad Catz would be that next time they make the combat buttons elongated in an elliptical shape running north and south to compensate for grip and hand size. If they do that, an experienced player would have an unfair advantage in my opinion by far : )
Click Here to see more reviews about: Xbox 360 Call of Duty: Black Ops PrecisionAIM Controller
Engage the enemy within the hidden world of covert operations with the Call of Duty: Black Ops PrecisionAIM Controller for Xbox 360. Equipped with unique, easily-accessible 'Combat" buttons for on-the-fly custom remapping, the all-new PrecisionAIM feature-which slows the on-screen aiming speed-assists in rendering your adversaries helpless as you flaunt your tactical skills with optimum control and pinpoint accuracy. Backlit analog sticks, stealthy design, and ergonomic firearm-inspired grips promote immersion into the game's numerous skirmishes. Featuring a 9.8ft (3m) cable to ensure lag-free gameplay, the PrecisionAIM Controller thrusts you upon the frontline of military gaming.
Click here for more information about Xbox 360 Call of Duty: Black Ops PrecisionAIM Controller
