Logitech's Cordless Precision Controller For the PS3: Not This Time

I was a fan of Logitech's Precision Controller for the PS2. But in a world where wireless game play isn't a new phenomenon, Logitech is now a step behind. Let me explain.

What I enjoy about the Logitech controller is that it's made to sit comfortably in the hands of adults. It is actually shaped more like an XBOX 360 controller, though the analog sticks aren't off centered. The Sony style controller I feel is a bit small, fitting better in either the hands of children, or those with small hands. I actually enjoy less glossy feel as well. It's not as slippery, like the Sony's Sixaxis (six degrees of freedom) controller. The control pad feels like the old Sega Genesis control pad and the analog sticks feel very much like those on the Sixaxis. The controller uses two AA batteries (300 hours of play according to Logitech) and features the new PS button that basically allows you to quit the game or shut off the PS3 whenever you want. It utilizes 2.4 GHz technology, features the ever popular rumbling, and goes into sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity. And from a performance perspective, it does it's job. It's responsive and you don't have to worry about having to recharge it because you can just switch out the batteries if you need to. Lastly, it's also the cheaper alternative, costing anywhere from $34.99 to $39.99.

All of that is fine and dandy, but the controller also doesn't do a lot of things. And those things it doesn't do well, might be more important to gamers. First off, it doesn't feature Bluetooth technology like Sony's controller does. It uses a 2.4 GHz USB mini-receiver to provide the wireless game play. For PS3 users who own the system with only two USB ports (the 40 gig version), this could provide a challenge if you enjoy the Logitech controller more so than the Sixaxis controller. You can technically only get two of them to work together at the same time. With the Sixaxis controller, because of the Bluetooth, you can get 8 controllers working at the same time if you want. I thought that maybe you could get more than one controller to work with the same USB mini-receiver, but that's not the case.

Also, there's no motion control like with the Sixaxis. While the motion control isn't as impressive as it is with Nintendo's Wii remote, it still adds another dimension for game play. With NBA 2K8, you actually shoot free throws by lining the controller up and rotating your wrists upward and then downward, sort of simulating shooting. With Logitech's controller, you can only use the analog stick upwards and downwards. There's less interactiveness in doing it that way. Because the controller is bigger, it's also heavier, and with the AA batteries, it only makes it fatter. But they do a good job at making it as lean as possible. The R2 and L2 buttons don't have the same trigger feel that the Sixaxis controller does, but I'm not sure if that's good or not. I haven't really figured out if I like Sony's new way better.

If the Logitech controller had all of the same features as the Sixaxis did, I'd like the Logitech controller better. It sits in my hand better and has a more natural feel. However, because of the lack of features to take advantage of the features of the PS3, I'd have to say that it's the worst of the two. It's still a solid controller, but it's also not as advanced and feels a little left behind.