Product face-offs
Logitech Cordless RumblePad 2
| Dimensions (L x H x P) | 145x100x55 mm |
| Poids | 290 grammes |
| Boutons | 4 buttons + 2 in the center |
| Gâchettes | 4 |
| Connexion | USB |
| Drivers nécessaires | Yes |
Past its best?
The first time we tested this pad three years ago, it got a perfect score for its wireless connectivity, great finishing and well-designed layout.
Times change, though, and, above all, the lack of analog triggers is now all too apparent. The handling of the whole pad, in fact, could easily have been reexamined, as reaching the central buttons is difficult and the sticks aren't too well placed either. The sticks also lack grip, and a slightly dent in the centre, as is found on other pads, would be a welcome addition.
The shape of the support for the sticks provoked debate amongst our team, because rather than the 'modern' round frame, their movement is bound by a square box. This older style is less subtle, definitely, but it makes finding a diagonal very easy which can be useful in certain games, and this same feature can be found on Saitek's pad, to which we awarded five stars …
Times change, though, and, above all, the lack of analog triggers is now all too apparent. The handling of the whole pad, in fact, could easily have been reexamined, as reaching the central buttons is difficult and the sticks aren't too well placed either. The sticks also lack grip, and a slightly dent in the centre, as is found on other pads, would be a welcome addition.
The shape of the support for the sticks provoked debate amongst our team, because rather than the 'modern' round frame, their movement is bound by a square box. This older style is less subtle, definitely, but it makes finding a diagonal very easy which can be useful in certain games, and this same feature can be found on Saitek's pad, to which we awarded five stars …
Pierre-Jean Alzieu
Test date: 2005-07-06
Test date: 2005-07-06
Logitech's high-end gamepad is wireless and comes equipped with the manufactuer's Dual Vibration Feedback Motors. The pad communicates with a small rectangular base that connects to your USB port via a 2.4 GHz wireless signal.
This gives a range of up to 9 meters, which is easily enough room to connect your PC to a projector and play comfortably from your sofa. Power is supplied by two AA batteries that slide straight into the middle of the pad. It's claimed that the battery life is 100 hours, which is well worth checking out at some point, but we didn't have the time (or the energy) to play for 100 hours straight!
Out of touch?
Nowadays, the fashion is for gamepads that hark after the looks of the Xbox 360, but the Cordless RumblePad 2 is definitely styled more like a Playstation accessory.
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Both analog sticks are in the center of the pad, with the directional pad out to the left.
For soccer games like Pro Evo, this layout doesn't pose too many problems, but for the racing game that we tested it was much easier having a stick on the left.
It's quite obvious that this isn't a new product, unfortunately, and amongst its four triggers, none are analog, making control very difficult. We realize it was a big hit when it was first released, but this gamepad is certainly showing its age.
Profile creating software
Logitech supplies a piece of software for programming the customizable buttons on the pad. It's easy to create automatic shortcuts, or even to reprogram the whole pad in a few minutes - minutes, that is, not seconds, because it can be quite a painstaking process.
This gives a range of up to 9 meters, which is easily enough room to connect your PC to a projector and play comfortably from your sofa. Power is supplied by two AA batteries that slide straight into the middle of the pad. It's claimed that the battery life is 100 hours, which is well worth checking out at some point, but we didn't have the time (or the energy) to play for 100 hours straight!
Out of touch?
Nowadays, the fashion is for gamepads that hark after the looks of the Xbox 360, but the Cordless RumblePad 2 is definitely styled more like a Playstation accessory.
Both analog sticks are in the center of the pad, with the directional pad out to the left.
For soccer games like Pro Evo, this layout doesn't pose too many problems, but for the racing game that we tested it was much easier having a stick on the left.
It's quite obvious that this isn't a new product, unfortunately, and amongst its four triggers, none are analog, making control very difficult. We realize it was a big hit when it was first released, but this gamepad is certainly showing its age.
Profile creating software
Logitech supplies a piece of software for programming the customizable buttons on the pad. It's easy to create automatic shortcuts, or even to reprogram the whole pad in a few minutes - minutes, that is, not seconds, because it can be quite a painstaking process.
- Wireless
- Vibrations
- Profile software
- No analog triggers
- Software doesn't have any built-in profiles
A few years back when it first came out, this was one of the best gamepads around. It's showing its age now, though, and is missing several of the new features its competitors have added.
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