Logitech fills lightweight PS3 pad with air

by Christopher Grant { Oct 5th 2006 at 4:45PM }

Oh boy, where to start? Maybe it was just that their previous gamepads were selling wireless to a wired world, or perhaps the good folks at Logitech just felt weird about building a gamepad that felt so light; either way, they've decided to give their new ChillStream controller a little something extra to distinguish it from the me-toos in the third-party controller rat race.

Yup, they added fans into the controller, to keep your sweaty mitts cool. If this strikes you as an especially gimmicky move for one of the more reputable peripheral manufacturers, you're not alone dear reader. Maybe the extra weight and a potentially lower third-party cost will be enough to drive frugal gamers into the arms of the ChillStream ... or is that ChillStream into the arms of frugal gamers? The controller doesn't have rumble, it presumably has motion sensitivity, it doesn't appear to be wireless -- oh yeah, it has fans -- and it carries a suggested retail sticker price of $39.99. How much is that "affordable" first-party controller going to be?

[Via CrunchGear]

Tags: Logitech, Third Party, ThirdParty

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dave @ Oct 5th 2006 4:54PM

Obviously people who want a controller like this are going to buy it, even if it is 40 bucks. All you joystiq guys seam to do is wine about price, well nobody is putting a gun to your head to buy it.

Eric Von Shpeel @ Oct 5th 2006 4:56PM

the same company has the exact same thing in their 360 fan controller

Jarrod @ Oct 5th 2006 4:57PM

I still use one of the old Nyko AirFlo Wireless controllers for my PS2. I personally love it. And if this is as good as the Logitech PS2 wireless controller that I have, it'll sell like hotcakes. Or it should, anyways. I love hotcakes.

Cheers,
Jarrod

InvadErGII @ Oct 5th 2006 4:58PM

This isn't anything new...I had a PC controller a few years ago that did this. I will say, though, that the cooling fan is an AMAZING feature. It's gimmicky as hell, but it's quite a pleasant thing to have when you're hands are getting needlessly sweaty.

Pip @ Oct 5th 2006 5:04PM

I hope they put out a controller with rumble. Even thought Sony doesn't want to pony up for licenses, Logitech already has them and could make controllers for those of us who find rumble a must have. I loved their PS2 wireless controllers, great stuff.

Raynre @ Oct 5th 2006 5:10PM

Even if they put out a controller with rumble it wouldnt work, since it's not programmed into the game...

mountain_rage @ Oct 5th 2006 5:16PM

They probably didnt even need the fance, just putting vent holes in a controller to allow airflow should prevent sweaty palms.

kronholm @ Oct 5th 2006 5:23PM

I, for one, would love a controller with any kind of cooling in it. My hands tend to get pretty moist during longer gaming sessions, and it's annoying. And I know I'm not the only one with the same problem.

Next up; Microsoft releases 360 controller with perfume capsules.

Splinter @ Oct 5th 2006 5:26PM

The idea of an air conditioned controller has been around for years. I remember seeing this exact layout on an original playstation controller.

John @ Oct 5th 2006 5:28PM

This isn't new, Nyko has the "Airflo" gamepad for PCs. It works well.

Player1 @ Oct 5th 2006 5:42PM

I had an Airflo before, and the fan eventually ended up failing.

I think the Logitech wireless controllers are awesome except one major problem. The face buttons on them eventually fail. I've gone through a couple of them. I took one apart, and the buttons had actually punched through the rubber contact pad like a cookie cutter. They weren't even used that much, and I don't button mash.

Spartacus @ Oct 5th 2006 6:49PM

Yeah, I've had the Nyko Airflo and though hardly revolutionary, the concept isn't a total gimmick. So though Logitech's PS3 controller may not be heads and shoulders above the rest in features or price point, I will say that their design actually looks better and more next-gen than Sony's own 2 generation old recycled pad. Seriously.

Vince @ Oct 5th 2006 7:01PM

Ah yes, a fan controller. I have about 4 of those for assorted systems, this isn't that big of a story. So instead of talking about something which we all knew was going to happen anyways (although I was sure MadCatz was gonna do this first), lets brainstorm some awesome new controller ideas to pass the time.

*A sand-filled, flexible 360 controller would be nice. Since there isn't much tech inside the 360 controller, it would be relatively easy to cover the innards, replace most of the outer shell with a thick, flexible fabric, and fill it up with sand. Voila! A nice, comfortable 360 controller that conforms to the shape of your hands (to an extent, of course.)

*A controller with a mini LCD screen built-in. I've seen 'em before, but the screens for them are about the size of a Gameboy Color's screen. Hows about instead, you take a PS3/360 controller, extend it a little, relocate the middle face buttons, and plop on a nice little screen? Something around 4 inches, that would be win.

*A controller that simply translated deep bass sounds on the game into rumble. If you were there in real life, you'd feel the bass, wouldn't you?

Mike @ Oct 5th 2006 7:20PM

Yeah, I have a friend who swears by the things. Has them on at least a couple of the current systems.

He needs it though, the dude's hands get all sorts of sweaty. Not a pleasant guy to hold a controller after.

stevo @ Oct 5th 2006 8:02PM

A controller with fans built in????? WTF has this world come from. dont get me wrong, i love sony and logitech, they go together like cookies and milk, but built in fans??? most players need the sweat on their hands to play better. it puts them in a state of competition and once you take the sweat away, you take the players will to play away. for all you hardcore gamers out there who like owning your friend at a game youve had for years, dont get this controller, it may look kool but its going to go down like a puppet with its strings cut.

lordroba @ Oct 5th 2006 8:29PM

Come on you guys, those fans aren't for your sweaty hands! They're for your face! Since you won't be able to immerse yourself into a game with the rumble feature anymore, you will now feel the wind blowing on you instead. For example; when driving a convertible in Grand Turismo. :P