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The Genius MaxFire Pandora Pro is a perfect partner for your notebook; just plug it in and start having fun!
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- Device Type: Gamepad
While looking for a miniature dpad-like USB controller to bring around with my laptop, I found this.
The PSP-style moveable nub does pretty well, in some cases arguably better for control, so no complaints there.
There's a nice assortment of buttons placed as well as can be on such a small pad, and overall it's just surprising well-built and comfortable given it's size.
It's about half the size or less of your average cell phone, and when it opens, it locks into the open position.
The retractable cables another convenience, though I'd kill for a bluetooth version of this controller.
The sole downside, for me, is a minor one. I find myself occasionally closing it a bit, unlocking from it's open position during use, sometimes. Maybe it's just me pushing it using it for Street Fighter 4 on my Playstation 3. That has gone away with me changing how I hold the pad a bit, and when it did occasionally occur, it didn't hinder the actual control of the game one bit. Even if partially folded in half, the small nub and buttons are easily manipulated.......
For a while I was looking for a good game controller that I could use with my laptop and just keep in my backpack for short breaks from studying. As I don't have space for a full-sized controller, the pandora genius pad really caught my eye because of its fold up design, small size, and retractable cable. You don't realize how ridiculously small it is until you hold it in your hands for yourself. For a 23 year old male, I consider myself to have average sized hands. The controller is almost too small for me, but I got used to the size pretty quickly and it works for half hour gaming sessions.
Setup is really easy, just plug and play and it works perfectly (for a Vista user, at least). It comes with a CD containing drivers if you want to use the force-feedback function. I didn't use it, though I'm kind of curious how strong the rumble feature is considering how incredibly light the controller is.
As for playing games, the controller far exceeded my expectations. The PSP-style control knob actually works well for both 2-D side scrolling games and also 3D platforming games and racing games. The shoulder buttons are somewhat hard to use since there are four of them all cramped up on the top, but if you only need to use one or two of them at a time it works out ok.
Lastly, the controller does feel a little cheap. I'm not sure how long it's going to last, but after 3 months of regular use, the controller still works as good as day 1. Considering the controller is only about $20 (or cheaper) in the first place, its a really good value.
PROS:
Ultra-portable, packs up REALLY small,
Control knob works well
CONS:
Buttons are really tiny
Iffy durability......
I bought a pair of these to use with my EEEPC. . . who needs a DS when you can play TONS of Games w/ emulators on your own fully functional laptop? FRIGGIN SWEET!......
This product is about what you would expect. It's a small and portable gamepad for your laptop - it works well with emulators and is plug and play with microsoft operatings systems.
I do agree with some other reviewers that the analog stick could use some more work. It's not a smooth slide from left to right, there is definately some friction due to mechanical griding. Directly under the stick (the top of which can be popped off) there is a paper disc that keeps dust from getting inside the gamepad. I removed it and it appeared to help with the motion of the analog nub.
Overall I cant complain, it does exactly what I want it to and was very inexpensive.......
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. Not the greatest, but not a waste of money either. Very, Very small. My 5yr old loves it.......
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Buy Genius MaxFire Pandora Pro, mini USB PC gamepad, retractable cable. Now
