>> From gear.ign.com: [QUOTE] Dubbed the FPS Freek, the new add-ons apply a similar concept of extending a standard control pad's analog sticks, though unlike the driving oriented speedfreek's "U" shaped sides, the FPS Freek goes vertical rather than horizontal. The concept immediately reminded us of one of the very first third-party controllers for the Xbox 360, the MadCatz GamePad Pro we reviewed in late 2005. The initial run of the controllers were equipped with analog sticks on extremely long and narrow stalks, a manufacturing error that was later corrected. In reviewing the initial run, however, we noticed that the long analog sticks had a pretty unique feel, in some ways more precise than standard stubby analog sticks. Depressing the MadCatz GamePad Pro's sticks for the R3 and L3 buttons was extremely difficult due to their narrow stalks however, so in the end we didn't keep them around very long.
kontrolfreek's FPS Freek, however, seems to succeed where the MadCatz controller failed. The prototype add-ons snap onto the standard 360 controller analog sticks, making them roughly half an inch taller. Because they still ride on the 360 controller's wide analog stalks however, depressing the sticks for R3 and L3 is easy and accurate. Immediately glad that the FPS Freeks didn't suffer the same big drawbacks as the GamePad Pro, we went to work to see if the longer analog sticks really did offer an advantage in FPS titles.
After a few rounds in CoD4 adapting to this new feel, we realized we rather enjoyed it. The biggest benefit, in our hands, was the ability to make very small aiming adjustments without overshooting the motion. Instead of spraying bullets at people back and forth, the precision of the longer analog sticks made it much easier to draw a bead on running players and input just enough on the analog sticks to keep it on them without leading increasingly too far ahead. Fighting barrel-rise in light machine guns was also easier, as we could maintain a constant down force on the stick at roughly 40% of its throw, just enough to stay on target without overshooting and aiming at the ground. [/QUOTE]
