Smooth-control Dual Analog joysticks are complemented by an 8-way D-Pad, 6 conveniently positioned buttons and 2 easy reach rapid-fire shoulder triggers for total control. The P880 features an ?on-board? shift key, allowing each button to be programmed for 2 functions via Saitek's Smart Technology software. Ergonomic styling allows every game to be played in comfort and in style.
| | Reviews | | Low Price but Great Quality |
| | I stumbled across these game pads, while trying to find an inexpensive controller for a couple of systems I was building for my sister and brother. At first I didn't expect much, and figured this would get them started then they could upgrade to a more [costly] rumble pad later. I plugged it in and Windows XP picked it up and set it up. (DON'T LOAD THE DRIVERS DISK ON XP). So I popped in F1 2002 and it worked pretty well, then I went on and played Madden 2002, NASCAR Racing 3 and 4, and NHL 2002, and it was great. Turned to my system, which has a Logitech Rumble Pad and get this... was disappointed in the Logitech performance compared to the Saitek. Who would have figured, an [inexpensive] controller (price wise) would play better then a [costly] big boy. Well between you and me, I kept one of these for myself, and gave the Logitech to my sister's kids. Often you get what you pay for, but sometimes you get more then you expected! Trust me with this game pad you are getting way more then you are paying for. Who says [more costly] = better?
| | i had purchased a gravis controller to use for emulators on my laptop. it just didn't cut it. i read some reviews and did my research online and settled on this gamepad. it works perfectly, is comfortable to use and installed easily. i have no complaints. it works really well with my NES emulator. i am now able to enjoy playing ninendo games on my laptop. i would definitely recommend this product.
| | Definitely the best gamepad I've had to date |
| I've been playing pc games for many years, as I'm sure most of you have, and I've run the gammut of game controllers. I happened to purchase the Saitek p880 on-line last year, and it has been the best pad I've ever used. Not only is the performance smooth, but the software doesn't take a genius to figure out... Also, being able to shift in games like Hitman where there are more than 10 buttons makes a big difference. Only one thing, though... if you are running Windows XP SP2, DO NOT INSTALL THE CD! Windows will recognize the pad and allow you to do basic configurations through the control panel, but if you need the advanced drivers and profiling, you should download them from saitek's website.
| | The best controller I ever bought. |
| I had been without a good PC game controller for quite a while. I have my Sidewinder Dual Strike laying around and I still use it to play car games like Knight Rider and Need For Speed, but since the hat switch (which I had set up as a D-pad) broke off, I haven't had much use for it in anything else. I finally got around to stopping by Comp USA and browsed their selection of pads. There were some more expensive models in the $30 and up range but I didn't really like the design of most of them.
Some of the PC controllers out there are going for the Playstation look and that's a great idea because just about everyone has had a PS controller in their hands and knows the layout of it. I don't understand why some of the pads I saw boasted "rumble-pak" vibration, name ONE pc game out there that utilizes this technology. Or perhaps its for the emu-gamers who run Bleem and want the whole Playstation experience or something.
So after 10 minutes I narrowed my choices down to two $19 controllers.
It was either going to be the Logitech Action Pad (which didn't have analog only a very stiff and square D-pad and 6 buttons) or it would be the Saitek P880 which had two Analog Sticks, 8 buttons (10 if you count the tops of the joysticks that press in, great for Sniper view in Halo) a "Shift" button to let each button have a second function and BRILLIANT software that not only lets you map buttons to Keyboard and Mouse but also allows you to set up Macro's as well as Turbo (if you know what you're doing.)
Its alot like my Sidewinder Dual Strike's software, except it's actually made to run in Windows XP. DS's software wouldn't load in XP, but it would in Win 98 so when I do use my DS I have to rely on the drivers XP auto-finds for it when I plug it in... so the awesome key-mapping software that I loved about it was no longer usable after my OS change. You may ask "Why do you need key-mapping when most PC games support gamepads directly anyway?"
Right.. those are new PC games though. I mostly play old-school emulated console and arcade stuff like ZSNES, Genecyst, MAME, Turbo Grfx16, Visual Boy Advance and some of those program's don't support a controller directly, so in this case key-mapping is a very useful feature because that means I can play with a gamepad I can hold in my hands instead of using the clunky keyboard.
And the ability to use the analog sticks for a mouse pointer is a really smart innovation (Dual Strike could double for mouse as well). Can you imagine playing Quake or Counterstrike entirely with a controller instead of the mouse and keyboard? You could just kick back in your chair and play, instead of having to be hunched over your computer desk for long periods of time.
The only gripes I have is that...
1: The L and R shoulder button's are a little too flush with the rest of the unit, they should stick out more and give a good springy resistence like the rest of the buttons on the P880.
2: Pushing the D-pad up, down, or right makes a tick noise because its edges are hitting against the plastic surrounding it. It doesn't do this when you press Left, there's just a nice rubbery springiness. ALL of the directions on the pad should feel this way. And why a hard plastic D-pad anyway? A softer plastic one would've been nicer and probably last longer.
Actually I had an idea... anyone remember Turbo Touch 360? It was like this little magic d-pad that sensed the heat of your thumb and kept you from getting blisters, now those were kewel. How come they don't make a PC gamepad with something like that?
This thing has a 2 YEAR WARRANTY. So in the unlikely event that the controller breaks before then, if you still have your proof of purchase (reciept) you can get a new one sent to you or pick it up at the store you bought it from.
All that awesome functionality, compatibility with Windows XP, and a 2 year warranty? For $19 you're getting BEYOND your money's worth. I love you Saitek!!! *stares at the pretty blue LED*
-BlazeFoxKitsune =^.^=
| | Best PC Gamepad Out There |
| I have been looking for a gamepad like this. It feels like your playing a real console with this gamepad. I am a big PC gamer, and there are just some games that a gamepad works much better for, and a lot of people don't play PC games just because of the controllers on console systems. Well this controller brings a new world to PC gaming. I can now play titles that were great for consoles on my PC just like it's on a Playstation 2 or Gamecube. This controller feels wonderful, has PLENTY of buttons, very programmable (including making your own scripts on buttons), and 2 analog sticks. Me and a friend both got one and now we're playing Nintendo 64 games on his laptop and having a BLAST. This gamepad is THE BEST PC GAMEPAD EVER, and for only $20 why even think twice about it? Get it.. you won't be sorry.
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