Xbox 360 second best D-Pad?

[nZero]

I've put a lot of wear on my beloved pair of Horipad EX2 Turbos and now that new ones are impossible to find I'm wondering what to do when they eventually go out. What's the next-best D-Pad available for the 360? Bonus points if the rest of the controller is competent as well.

[Fudoh]

The controller generation with the turn-/tranformable d-pads was quite OK. I can't exactly tell you if this was the standard from some point onwards or it was limited to a special range of controllers, sorry.

These:

[TransatlanticFoe]

It was a specific late release that was only available as a "play and charge" model. They didn't replace the original wired and wireless pads.

I never saw any when they were new, so no idea how easy they'll be to find now - or indeed if they were any cop.

[Stevens]

It was a specific late release that was only available as a "play and charge" model. They didn't replace the original wired and wireless pads.

I never saw any when they were new, so no idea how easy they'll be to find now - or indeed if they were any cop.

I bought one new when they were released. Like many I later found out the controller is indeed wireless and that the cable only charges the pack (poorly), and does not transmit data. I bought it specifically for the d pad which does not disappoint.

Eventually (because I hate wireless controllers) I swapped the face of this pad onto a wired 360 pad.

[SmokeMonster]

The transforming dpads are pretty mushy in my opinion, even by 360 standards. The only good dpad I've ever felt on a 360 controller is the miscro-switched PDP Versus.

[HydrogLox]

The micro switches on my PDP Versus didn't turn out to be very durable under light use. You may want to look into the HORI Xbox 360 Gem Pad EX instead (haven't used mine that much but I don't recall the D-pad being an issue). The negative reviews tend to be primarily from FPS gamers. Kotaku: The Hori Gem Pad May Just Make You a Better Fighting Gamer

[SmokeMonster]

I have a pile PDP Versus from back when they were really cheap and never had issues with any of them. I would replace the switch if they ever had a broken button.

[bigbadboaz]

Another vote for the transforming D-pad. I found it perfectly responsive and, personally, not mushy at all. FWIW, I sold mine on eBay a while back and it didn't fetch anything extravagant.

I know this is probably less elegant than you were looking for, but you should also know that the eTokki PS2->360 converter works great with the PS2 Saturn pad. If you want to go that far and you're a believer in the Saturn pad.. look no further.

[Elixir]

http://www.suruga-ya.jp/search?category ... C%E3%83%9C
http://auctions.search.yahoo.co.jp/sear ... e&ei=utf-8
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hori-Pad-EX2-Tu ... Sw32lYnYWo

Here's some starting points. I have one but I don't like it, but shipping would kill it.

Honestly I would still recommend the xTokki 360 and PS2 Saturn pad combo over it.

[HydrogLox]

the PS2 Saturn pad.

and PS2 Saturn pad

... if you don't mind the current used eBay asking price of +US$300. And I thought US$150 two years ago was ludicrous.

[austin532]

Why Microsoft has such a hard time creating a good D-pad is beyond me. The transformable D-pad is pretty good and a hell of a lot better than the stock controller but after some heavy use they begin to feel mushy and loose.

[bigbadboaz]

They slammed it out of the park with the One version. It'll never be as comfortable to use as a proper digital controller with the D-pad in the optimal position, but the action and accuracy of the pad itself are near perfect. I just don't understand the people who claim the One version still sucks.

..the Saturn pads are over THREE HUNDRED now?? I may finally have to part with my spare..

[HydrogLox]

There are reports that an Xbox One controller can be used on an Xbox 360 via CronusMax.
Faginrs500: CronusMAX PLUS v3: Using the same controllers over PS3, 360, XBOX ONE, PS4 & PC platforms

[Endymion]

The standard XBox 360 pad works wonderfully when it is spaced properly. See here. -> http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/xbox-360-d-pad-improvement/
I recommend performing the "alternative method" there. This is extremely easy to do, and if you have a dremel it'll look like a factory job. Every pad I've performed this mod on has come out the other side deadly accurate, maybe you don't prefer the feel of the pad on your thumb but that's another matter.

If that gets to you, any standard XBox 360 pad can also be converted to a transforming pad for a cost of only about $4. You can order the transforming d-pad from several vendors on ebay. Once you have it, just disassemble your 360 pad and use a dremel to cut away the inner rim of the shell, then use an xacto knife to cut a notch to fit a tab that the new transforming d-pad has, put it back together, and you're done. You should definitely perform the spacer mod simultaneously with this, though. In fact, the few special edition transforming pads I've got (i.e. pads that were manufactured with the transforming d-pad already) I have done the spacer mod on as well. If you have the standard pad, I recommend just performing the spacer mod first, then play with it and see how you like it. If you really prefer the more prominent t-shaped pad that the transforming pad can allow, then perform the d-pad mod as well. A video on how to do the transforming pad mod is here. -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8MCYIH9E7s

[Elixir]

the PS2 Saturn pad.

and PS2 Saturn pad

... if you don't mind the current used eBay asking price of +US$300. And I thought US$150 two years ago was ludicrous.

eBay prices are a waste of time, why are you using them as a reference?

http://www.suruga-ya.jp/search?category ... descending
http://closedsearch.auctions.yahoo.co.j ... 8&slider=0

All Cronus adapters introduce lag, don't bother. They're banned from EVO for a reason.

[furntree]

If it's any help I've been loving my cheapo PS2>360 adapter and playing with a DS2 controller. I haven't done in depth testing but I can't feel any added input lag from using the adapter. Might be helpful if you have some dualshocks laying around!

https://www.amazon.com/SINNRY-Controlle ... 00P80VNOY/

[nZero]

All responses are helpful, thank you LIX thanks for the links, just wish they weren't 中古品 since the very first run of pads had an issue and it's hard to tell if those are from a later production run or not. Good to know that I can always consider a PS2 converter if none of the 360 pad options work out, no lag issues even on the shanzhai ones? For now, I'm going to try out a GemPad EX and see how it works for shooting/fighting/puzzle (in before HRAP) since I suppose I can always use a standard MS wired/wireless for FPS/racing/just about anything else. I'll try to report back with impressions.

[bigbadboaz]

What issue was reported with the first run of Saturn pads?

[Ed Oscuro]

I have a Hori Gem Pad EX, which is currently retired because the left stick has the wobbles (enough to be a problem).

Its d-pad is very similar to the pad in the PDP Afterglow you can find new in stores all across the US right now. Tapping at the pads, the Gem Pad EX pad seems mainly different due to having just the cross shape raised. The Afterglow's pad has the entire plastic circle raised. Beyond that they feel almost identical - quick engaging, not very mushy, though definitely not the same as a microswitch. I can't say for sure but I almost prefer the Afterglow, from the standpoint of comfort. I don't know what a pro d-pad user would prefer.

I'm waiting for the day when optical microswitches become standard in more products. That should cover a bunch of bases (durability and precision).

[nZero]

What issue was reported with the first run of Saturn pads?

Nothing as far as I know, I was referring to the first production run of the Horipad EX2 Turbo where they would start ghosting inputs.

Since no one has mentioned it yet (lack of experience or with good reason?) my local WalMart has a Thrustmaster GPX, which is a brand I remember from PC peripherals and looks like a clone of the wired MS pad with a cross d-pad instead of a big floating circle, any opinion?

[bigbadboaz]

Good to know, thanks.

I don't recall the Thrustmaster being received as any better than your typical third-party piece, but maybe with Walmart's return policy you can take a flier?