Type – Controller Manufacturer – Logitech MSRP - $49.99 Platform – Xbox
Quality third party controllers are hard to come by. Not that the game pads are bad, but the first-party stuff is almost always the better way to go, delivering the performance, compatibility, and reliability you can expect to come from the console hardware’s maker. When the Xbox launched in November of 2001 though, gamers could’ve really used a solid controller to replace the hamburger controller that launched with the Xbox (often referred to as “Duke”). But then, the controller was redesigned, and the Controller S was born, a much better effort from Microsoft, and probably one of the best controllers out there. But just because Microsoft scored with their Controller S doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a worthy (or even better) alternative. In fact, the Cordless Precision from Logitech may be just the controller you’ve been looking for.
The feel of the Cordless Precision is unbelievably comfortable. Though smaller than the Controller S, those comfy with that pad won’t be disappointed here, which is a bit of a surprise. The Cordless Precision is ergonomic, with all of the necessary buttons in place. The buttons are pressure-sensitive, but we found that you need to press the buttons further down than on the Controller S, so the buttons on the Cordless Precision are a bit less sensitive. Other than that, everything else works just fine. The Controller S’s biggest strength is its analog sticks, and the dual setup works just as well on the Cordless Precision.
The Cordless Precision’s smaller size is due to the absence of the card ports found in the Controller S, but this can actually be a downfall. While some will clearly prefer the smaller size, the ports are located on the receiver (the unit that plugs into the console and picks up the 2.4 GHz radio frequency). So while you get lag-free performance from the controller for up to 30 feet away, if you’re using your headset, you can’t go very far.
The Cordless Precision Controller requires two AA batteries, which the unit includes in the package you purchase, and Logitech promises 50 hours and more, even with the vibration function on. The $49.99 price tag is certainly affordable, though it’s worth noting that Logitech’s cordless equivalent for Sony’s console is ten bucks cheaper. Regardless, cordless controllers just don’t get much better, and backed by Logitech’s standard of excellence, if you’re shopping for a cordless controller for your Xbox, you can’t go wrong with the Cordless Precision.
