Customer Reviews

Logitech ChillStream Gamepad for PC

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

So this controller looked pretty sweet to me so I bought it over a rumble pad. I liked the idea of fans for wicking away sweat, as I tend to get pretty white knuckled on my controllers. I bought this controller specifically for Star Wars Battlefront 2 on PC, and it works like a dream. I also like the X-Box controller layout (offset anolog sticks and more ergonomic) than the PS2 style controller that is the Logitech Rumble pad. It also has better grips than a PS2 controller.

The only things I think are bad about it are the following:
1. It is not modeled on the large XBox controller, but rather the regular one, which is ok for most people, but I have big hands and I get a bit cramped up if I play for way too long.
2. I was slightly dissapointed with the lack of custimization software available with this pad. I have a Saitek Cyborg EVO joystick that you can create custom profiles for every game you want to use it with then set that profile before launching the game. This isn't an issue with Battlefront 2 since it has a very excellent in game control configurator, but I could see where if a game didn't have as good an interface (or maybe older games) this pad could suffer in this regard.
3. This isn't so much an issue for me, but I would assume that with a lot of game play and turning on and off of the fan, that the fan motor will likely die sooner than the pad will wear out. I don't care too much, because the fan is more a novelty to me than anything. I will still use it even if it does die.

Overall, a great controller, I actually would give it a 4.5 rating, but that isn't an option here.

I was playing Super Mario emulated on my laptop a few months back when my wife (then fiancée) came in and exclaimed, "Super Mario! I want to play!" I needed a new controller and, needless to say, my wife needed one as well. I started looking around for something that'd do the job and last us a while. To my surprise, I found that the quality on game pads is lacking. For a while, the best reviewed game pad I could find was another Logitech and the left analog stick commonly had "floating" issues (the stick would cause you to drift down) after pretty light use. This is apparently pretty common for all Logitech controllers.

I then found this controller and felt like the fan was a bit of a joke, but since it is a bit more expensive and so clearly geared toward XBOX gamers, I felt like it aught to be at least a little more resilient and ready for someone who knows what a decent controller aught to feel like.

So, when I purchased two of these, my primary concerns were that the left analog stick would begin to float and that the airflow would be pointless and maybe a little annoying if it accidentally got turned on. After about 3 months of average use, the analog stick is fine and, very much to my surprise, I absolutely love the airflow on my palms. Over the summer I actually wished I could get a little more airflow out of it, but I expect that over the winter, the low setting will be just right.

The only disappointing thing I've found with the controller so far is this: In Mario 3 there's a particular level (one of my favorites, actually) in which you must fly while holding shell. To do this, you have to use what I call the B, A+ move which involves pressing and holding the B button with the tip of your thumb while repeatedly hitting the A button with the meat of your thumb. I have no problems doing this on a classic NES controller, my old (terrible) Saitek P150 and I've also done the same with the GameBoy where the buttons are angled the wrong way. I can't, however, do this on the ChillStream using the X and A buttons as B and A respectively. I have to change hand positions to use the tips of my index and middle finger to do it well enough to pass the level.

The Logitech ChillStream Gamepad for PC is a very excellent gamepad controller. It is designed to look, and function, like an X-Box or X-Box 360 controller for one's PC. It also features two (2) fans in each hand grip to help with the sweat palm issue one incurs while playing video games for hours on end. There are two (2) speeds for these fans, which is nice.

Dont leave it plugged in! I bought 2 and left one
plugged in my spare computer,the fan motor ran for a
while and now the fan makes noise like the blades are out
of ballance, a funny "BURR" sound. All in all a realy nice
product from Logitech, albeit is made for child size hands.

It generally works, however you are stuck with the standard Windows drivers which are not re-mappable. I've been using it to play some gametap games and it has worked for all. Some keys can't be mapped in various windows games which is disappointing. The back "trigger" buttons are axis controls, so you can't use them as normal keys. Sometimes the keys act screwey in the some of the emulated Gametap keys B becomes A or A becomes B. It could be a Gametap problem though and is easily correctable. The two triggers can be depressed for more available keys.

The fan is actually quieter on high, mine kind of rattles on low so I just leave it on high. Being hot-blooded it doesn't keep my palms completely dry but its way better than my razor diamondback!

I'm giving this a 3/5, mostly due to the lame windows drivers they used and because they only included a 6ft cable. Also, the big Vista key can't be used for anything. I've read that you have to buy a "Game for Vista" to even be able to map it to a function, all the manual says is consult Vista/Game documentation. If I could map it to Gametap, I would be much happier with this product. If the XBOX360 controller was more competitively priced, I would have bought it instead. $65+$20 receiver for a rechargeable wireless XBOX360 controller? No thanks, this controller works just fine!

So I purchased this controller to replace my old Logitech Dual Action thinking okay its a nice upgrade and the fans will be a nice touch. I was wrong, I'm still using the Logitech Dual Action for the simple reason of I need to be able to use the RT and LT. Those two are only recognized as a Z-Axis control, and its impossible to program them to anything else. Really was a waste. I now have this controller collecting dust, because it will never get used. No point in returning since, by all rights, its not defective. It just doesn't work as I expected it to. My opinion if you don't want a headache DO NOT buy this controller. Get the Playstation style since the R2 and L2 buttons work perfectly on them.

The Logitech ChillStream gamepad is by far one of the best gaming controllers I've used in my long gaming history. One of the biggest pros for me is the style of the controller. Based heavily off of the Xbox 360 controllers, it's very easy to map and get used to, especially if you own or have owned a 360 as I have. The feel is almost exact to the 360 controllers as well, so there is nothing to really get used to aside from the fan vents. Now, the controller has 2 fan options, one being a kind of subtle fan that hardly cools the hands or prevents sweating. In that sense, it's kind of useless, but much quieter so it may be optimal for those needing to use it in a quiet environment or for those who casually game and/or have seldom sweating in the palms. The second fan option, however, is much faster and, in turn, louder. It does a magnificent job keeping my hands cool even during intense gaming sessions which prevents the controller from slipping and provides for precision gaming. If your hands are prone to sweating during those intense gaming sessions, and are familiar with the Xbox 360 controller, then I would heavily recommend this controller. For the price, this unit is definitely worth it. If you are a casual gamer, however, or tend to play games that don't use a controller (FPS, RTS) then I'd suggest something cheaper for the sake of price vs. usage.

I got this because i bought a awesome gaming computer and needed a good controller. I was going to get a regular 360 controller but i always buy logitech cause there stuff usually lasts over 5 years for me =].

This controller is a xbox-360 controller down to the drivers/software. I got a vista 64 bit system and pluged it in and it worked right away saying it installed the xbox-360 controller, Only xp systems have to use the install disc.
I Love it, because a lot of games design there controller thingys (idk) specifically for 360 controllers so this fit the bill. It's also pretty comfortable, little small but it somehow fits my hands perfectly, and my hands are little bit bigger then average. The fan is nice to.
Logitech is always the best for me XD buy it!!!! it works great.

The Logitech ChillStream Gamepad looks very similar to an XBox 360 controller in button and control placement. It feels a bit hollow, but that is because it has fans that blow air on your hands while you play. This air flow does help nicely when engaging in a long gaming session.

I use this controller on a Windows 7 (RC) machine, and I did not have to do anything special - plugged it in and it worked.

The size is a tad smaller than an XBox controller, and as an XBox owner, I could feel the difference, but it wasn't enough to cause any problems - just noticeable.

PROS: Works well, gives all the controls that one would find on a console controller. Fan does help cool the hands.

CONS: Feels a bit hollow due to the fans. USB cable instead of wireless.

OVERALL: I'd recommend this controller to anyone looking for a good "XBox style" controller for the PC.

The cooling fan feature is not really for me but this is a very serviceable gamepad. I have an XBOX 360 and this is a decent imitation of that system's controller. It's much lighter and smaller, so it feels cheaper/shoddier in general than the XBOX 360 controller, but the button layout and dual analogs are close enough to trick my thumbs into thinking I'm using my XBOX. I've only used this to play NBA2K12 on my PC.