Controllers and D-Pads

[tjsnh]

A question for those more traveled in the turbo/PCE world than I am;

Are all NEC controllers made equal?
The reason i ask is that I've only ever used regular TG-16 turbopads, have used 3 of them over the years, and all have had very clunky D-pads which sometimes feel like they stick/click in one direction or another.

Anyone have experience with any of the various Japanese PCE/Duo grey/white/etc NEC pads? Any of them have a different feel to them? They look identical, except for the colors, but sometimes looks can be deceiving.

[Necromancer]

Here's the ones I have:

TurboPad / US DuoPad / wireless PCE pad / Avenue Pad 3 / CG pad - they all feel about the same to me in terms of d-pads and button responsiveness, though the wireless and 3 button pad are obviously a little different in shape.

RX pad / PC-FX pad - comparatively soft and squishy buttons and d-pad.

Avenue Pad 6 - the buttons feel okay and the d-pad is responsive enough, but something about the d-pad makes my thumb sore after prolonged playing.

Pachinko Pad - very firm buttons and d-pad.

IllustBooster / Mouse - too damn weird to really compare but mentioned for lulz.

[SignOfZeta]

The TG16 pads are bigger than PCE ones. I didn't realize this until like...five years ago.

Of the other "OEM" pads, the pack-ins, the 3 and the 6, IMO they are all pretty much the same with the greatest factor being age and wear. They'll never be tight again once the tolerances are all slopped out but dish soap and contact cleaner help a lot when it comes to getting your inputs to register.

[esteban]

A question for those more traveled in the turbo/PCE world than I am;

Are all NEC controllers made equal?
The reason i ask is that I've only ever used regular TG-16 turbopads, have used 3 of them over the years, and all have had very clunky D-pads which sometimes feel like they stick/click in one direction or another.

Anyone have experience with any of the various Japanese PCE/Duo grey/white/etc NEC pads? Any of them have a different feel to them? They look identical, except for the colors, but sometimes looks can be deceiving.

I've never had a d-pad stick/click... (TG-16 or PCE) and I am not gentle with my controllers.

I hope things improve...

[Keith Courage]

The older style TG16 pads can stick with the D pad. There were two types made for the US TG16. The older ones which used different Din Cables vs the newer that had DIN cables that were hot swap-able with the pc engine game pads.  The older type can stick very badly. As a solution I find that putting two pieces of electrical tape in between the plastic part of the controller and the rubber pads of the D pad fix the issue. It's almost like the plastic casing on those older controllers were not made the correct size.

All the JP pc engines pads feel the same to me except for the DUO-RX pad. Stay away from that one. Beside looking cool it sucks. Never came across any JP controller with sticking d pad issues.

[tjsnh]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm strongly leaning towards buying a late-model Duo controller (and adapter cable) and seeing how it works out.

[Bonknuts]

The Ave 6 I have might have slightly sharp edges on the d-pad like the original Turbo controllers, but it's offset by the lightness of the direction press involved. My Hori 6button pad is stiffer, but the d-pad is easier on the thumb (softer d-pad edges). Both feel better on my thumb than the original TG pads for long bouts of game playing.

[blueraven]

I really like the Ave 6, but I have been chastised by many who claim the Hori Commander has no equal. I'm planning on getting one soon to see the difference.

[Phase]

Here is the old thread as well, it has some pictures of the differences that Keith Courage is talking about.
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19741.15

[Bonknuts]

I really like the Ave 6, but I have been chastised by many who claim the Hori Commander has no equal. I'm planning on getting one soon to see the difference.

 I like them both! And they have a different feel to them.

[blueraven]

I really like the Ave 6, but I have been chastised by many who claim the Hori Commander has no equal. I'm planning on getting one soon to see the difference.

 I like them both! And they have a different feel to them.

I've heard that, and that there are different games that play better on each, although I don't recall the thread where this was discussed.

[GoldenWheels]

The Blaster is my favorite, though I've never used some pads, namely any six button which isn't an Ave 6.

Blaster has the d pad at just this TINY slight diagonal angle, and the buttons as well....love it. Very comfortable.

[Arkhan]

The RX pad sucks dick.

everything else is OK.

[SignOfZeta]

I agree. The important thing to keep in mind is that all NEC pads (except maybe the RX, I haven't used one in forever) are actually pretty good for OEM pads. It's all I use, and I'm no cheapskate when it comes to controllers. If there was something better I'd be using it but I think the standard Core Grafx pad is just dandy.

Obviously a real stick would be better for fighting games but honestly the PCE isn't exactly the ultimate fighting machine so I didn't build one for it.

[Bonknuts]

I think the standard Core Grafx pad is just dandy.

You might be missing some of the benefits that 3 buttons has to offer.