Third party PS3 controller questions

[erbkaiser]

[small]Disclaimer at front: I know there were topics on this before, but those are all pretty old and do not address my questions.[/small]

I recently bought a PS3, and by now it's clear its controller and my hands really do not mix. The thing is just too uncomfortable to hold and the thumbstick placement causes my thumbs to continually hit eachother.
So I've been looking into third party PS3 controllers, mainly in the hope to find an Xbox360 clone for it (no luck yet other than custom built ones).

Anyway to the questions:
-Why are there (apparently) no third party Bluetooth PS3 controllers? All the ones I've seen are either wired, or require a USB dongle since they operate on wirelessB/G frequencies.
-Does an Xbox60-like controller exist, with thumbsticks not placed directly adjacent?
-If no to the above, what third party PS3 controller would your recommend (for someone with big hands) that is still comfortable, wireless (preferably Bluetooth), and has Sixaxis?

Note: I really am not interested in "get an Xbox instead"-like comments. I am really happy with my PS3, except for the controller. And I have an Xbox360 controller for my PC, so I am familiar enough with that one to know I am happy with it.

 

[sephiroth1991]

I'm the opposite to you i find the xbox controller uncomfortable. PS3 controllers are wireless but you need to recharge them, it's good to have two so when one is chargeing you use the other.

 

[Neonbob]

<url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RNOQLS/ref=s9_wishf_r4_t?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1FKIMIANQUVJK&colid=18S05L3HTNFEA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_r=1MWA9F2751HWPCYAREM4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=451859001&pf_rd_i=507846>Here you go
I looked into this myself when I got a PS3. But I wasn't too convinced on its construction, as I've had third party controllers before, and they always felt like cheap shit in my hands.

 

[Neonbob]

<url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RNOQLS/ref=s9_wishf_r4_t?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1FKIMIANQUVJK&colid=18S05L3HTNFEA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_r=1MWA9F2751HWPCYAREM4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=451859001&pf_rd_i=507846>Here you go
I looked into this myself when I got a PS3. But I wasn't too convinced on its construction, as I've had third party controllers before, and they always felt like cheap shit in my hands.

I like that, but it doesn't say anything about sixxaxis.

It doesn't seem to have that or bluetooth support.
That's from the user reviews of it.

 

[Gabanuka]

I've got small hands so I'm fine. Fnah fnah fnah.

 

[erbkaiser]

(@Neonbob) It's a good sign though, at least someone is making these. I knew I couldn't be the only one who wasn't a big fan of Sony's design...

 

[Neonbob]

I see, that's quite unfortunate. Thanks for the info though.

It is indeed. And you're quite welcome.

(@Neonbob) It's a good sign though, at least someone is making these. I knew I couldn't be the only one who wasn't a big fan of Sony's design...

That was part of what kept me from being that interested in the console for so long.
Thankfully, I'm starting to get used to it as I keep playing though.
I do hope some company makes a good 360-style controller for a PS3 soon.

 

[erbkaiser]

AjimboB: thanks to your earlier link, I think I found one: dreamGEAR DGPS3-1362 Shadow 6 Wireless Controller [http://www.nothingbutsoftware.com/catalog_type.asp?ProductCode=98808&ai=1550]

Should have everything I want except the Bluetooth... I'm going to see if I can find it in retail (so I can return it should it suck) anywhere here

 

[Tasachan]

Can't help you out.... but perhaps the reason the 3rd party controllers don't have sixxaxis or bluetooth is because of copyright issues?
Just a thought. Probably more likely the reason for the sixxaxis, not so much the bluetooth. Who knows?

 

[OmegaXzors]

Oddly enough, I prefer the PS3 controller especially when being used in a fighting game. The D-Pad is in such an inconvenient spot that it just pisses me off. I will agree that the 360 controller is prime for FPS but I still get along fine with the PS3 analog sticks.

I'm afraid you can't be too picky with what you're after. The suggestion above looks like one of your only choices. There might be some patented copyrighted issues as to why third party companies are unable to make a PS3/360-like controller.

EDIT: Someone already beat me to it. Didn't even notice. At least there's two people on the same page giving you an idea.

 

[erbkaiser]

So I've now had my Shadow 6 Wireless controller since monday (ended up buying through Amazon, no Dutch retailer carries these), and thought for the benefit of anyone else looking for an alternative controller I'd do a micro-review.

In short: I love it. It feels much better in my hands than the Dual Shock 3, with increased grip. With the thumbsticks in the Xbox360 locations, my thumbs no longer clash. The L2/R2 triggers are also much easier to hit. There also seems to be more grip on the four action keys, I haven't missed them once.

The only disadvantage is that it connects through a USB dongle, so the PS3 button cannot start a shut down console. And it takes up a USB port -- not an issue in my case since I have an aftermarket cooler/USB hub attached to the front of my PS3 slim, which gives four ports, but if you only have two this might cause problems if you also have a keyboard, PS3 Eyetoy, or other device attached.

The controller itself functions really well. Sixaxis works like a charm (tested with Flower), the analogue sticks are as sensitive as the Dualshock 3 original (tested in various games), and once charged battery life seems comparable to the DS3 as well.

I can only guess the many negative reviews I see for this product are actually for the older Shadow Wireless controller (no 6), which does NOT have Sixaxis and apparently less sensitive analogue sticks.

If you need another controller and dislike the DS3 design -- get this one. Just be really careful not to confuse it with the non-sixaxis version.