Most durable PS1/PS2 controller?

[Edmond Dantes]

So lately, I had a PSOne controller go bad on me. The problem seems to be a connection in the wire--it would randomly lose the connection to my PSOne while I was playing Medal of Honor (causing Lt. Jimmy Patterson to stand there like an idiot while a turret-mounted Nazi fills him full of lead).

I'm afraid the PS2 controller I'm using now will eventually follow suit.

So what's a good, durable PS1/PS2 controller? Something that would survive travelling in a backpack once every three days and still work just like new a year later? I especially stress a flexible cord, since that seems to be a recurring problem.

Thanks in advance.

[Skykid]

All PS controllers are completely and equally durable, you're just mis-handling them.

[null1024]

I'd just get a normal Sony controller. Just about every knock-off I've had has been much less reliable/crapped out in some input-related way.

Hell, I bring my PS1 controllers to uni every other day in my bag so I can play KOF with my buddies. PS controllers are fairly sturdy.
If it's a wire problem, you might have just gotten unlucky, wires tend to fray eventually.

I just buy them off of eBay [and spend 10 minutes cleaning them when I get them, first one I got was filthy as hell]. The things are cheap to get anyway.

[Ed Oscuro]

Yeah, I'd just try another. Or, possibly, you could take a look to see if you can't fix the disconnect. I recently played through a good bit of Armored Core on the same PS1 controller I've had all these years. It's not in perfect shape anymore, but it gets things done without any centering problems, phantom inputs, or disconnects.

I had a Mad Catz 360 pad that I carried in a bag quite a bit for a long one, and it eventually developed a problem. Just the luck of the draw, but of course not carrying things around in bags and generally treating them nicely helps too.

[Specineff]

I have a Logitech Cordless Action pad which is a more comfortable version of the Dual Shock 2. It needs batteries of course, but the D-pad is nice, and the handles feel quite comfortable. It's served me well for years now.

[KAI]

Sounds like one of the cables is fucked up, be careful, you can damage the PSX controller port if you mess with the joystick (I ruined 2 consoles because of that)
Check this
The best choice is a DS2 with a removable membrane.