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Score:
7.5
/10
Company of Origin:
Pelican
Type of Device:
Controller
Function:
Whenever I recommend a third-party controller to one of my friends, the
reaction usually isn't all that good. Based on previous experiences,
third-party controllers have gained certain stigma that roughly translates
to 'third party controller equals crap'. Having reviewed my fair share of
controllers -- I half-heartedly agree with the general sentiment, but at the
same time also see a massive improvement taking place. One of the companies
that seems to be at the forefront of this movement is Pelican, who have
punched out at least two outstanding controllers, the Predator
Wireless (PS2) and Chameleon (PS2), in the past two months. This
new mark in quality is now finding its way over to the Xbox camp with the
release of the Eclipse.
Performance:
Overall, the Eclipse is a solid controller. It's far from perfect,
but does its job. The design of the control is clearly modeled after
Microsoft's own Controller-S, which is a very, very good thing. The
controller's layout is also very similar with only a few minor spacing
differences. One of the additions to the controller is a rubber grip on the
handles. I've never seen much of a use for them, but I guess if you have
wet-works for hands, it's helpful.
The actual handling of the controller is great. The D-Pad is responsive and
is one of the best areas of the controller. The action buttons also perform
well. One of the more interesting aspects of the layout is the inclusion of
extra Black and White buttons near the triggers. It's certainly something
that takes getting used to, but it really helps during some games, such as
Morrowind. The analog triggers are also very well done and are
probably the controller's best feature, behind the excellent D-pad.
Features:
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Additional Set of Black and White buttons
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Rubber Grip Handles
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10-foot Cord
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Controller-S Design
Drawbacks & Problems:
Chief among the Eclipse's problems is the rather cheap, flimsy feel
of the controller. The Xbox controller, like the system, has never had the
reputation of being the most svelte or lightweight in design. The Xbox is a
big, bulky piece of machinery and the controller matches it perfectly. The
Eclipse just doesn't feel like it has the same solid, sturdy feel. If
this were for the GameCube, the feel might be a little more acceptable
(since the system and its controllers are a tad light in the loafers), but
the Eclipse feels like a piece of molded plastic filled with air. The
previously mentioned additional shoulder buttons also feel like they were
tacked on as an afterthought rather than crafted into the model. Analog
control is all right, but lacks the good, stiff rebound of other
controllers. Trying to carefully navigate the jeep in Halo is a real
chore with the Eclipse.
When it comes to a recommendation, it's hard to call. Yes, the
Eclipse is a good controller - especially when you consider the usual
path of most third-party controllers. However, the flimsy quality of
craftsmanship the controller exhibits gives me a very uneasy feeling. Yes,
it's a rather inexpensive controller, but the price comes at a sacrifice.
The Eclipse is a good purchase if you just need an additional third
or fourth controller, or are on a budget. But if you can spare to drop the
extra change, then you may want to look at some of the other offerings
before settling on this one.
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