XBOX controller d-pad mod is a MUST!

If you get rid of the plastic lip around the d-pad it becomes MUCH more sensitive. There are certain moves, especially with Akira, that I could not pull off easily with the d-pad. It's not sensitive enough to detect quick, light presses because the plastic lip around it blocks the d-pad from moving easily unless you do the d-pad mod.
I didn't even take the controller apart, I just shaved the plastic off with a razor blade. I cut myself a few times but it was well worth it. The moves come out way easier now that the plastic rim doesn't block the pad from moving. The d-pad is actually really good once you get rid of that lip. It really improved my game instantly, the moves come out really well now. I say it's a MUST to get that plastic off. Whether you cut it off with a razor or take it apart and sand it down like the YouTube video shows, you gotta do it...

 

Getting your blood involved in a repair (stick mod, car mod, fence mod, etc.) is the true sign of dedication. Your controller will serve you well. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbs_up.gif

 

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If money isn't an issue then you might want to try the xcm xfps 360 and use the psx adapter.

 

What's the xcm?

 

i believe xcm is just the name of the company.

 

Oh yeah! Those double palms are coming out like crazy now! Watch out. It was mainly the lack of sensitivity in the fwd-bck directions that was killing me. It wouldn't sense the light back taps before going forward so I was missing double palms all the time. Once I got the plastic off they come out super easy now. A little extra sensitivity goes a long way in Virtua Fighter...

 

Well anyone who has used the XFPS will attest to its uslessness.

"The Dead Zone" accompanies each of their products, and it is not useable for precise gaming.

 

i could really careless about the "deadzone" problem cause i didn't buy the device for the keyboard and mouse feature. That is what the "deadzone" referring to. The mouse will have "deadzone" issues. I stated about the psx adapter on the device. I have not experience any problems with mine. In fact I prefer it a thousand times over the crappy 360 d-pad.

 

I'll agree with the mod. I used a pocket knife to shave away the plastic (no cuts for me ) and it is notably better. Still not as easy as the PS2 D-pad was.. But eh..

 

The dead zone applies to the use of a PS2 Dual analog pad as well. When inputting commands, occasionally button presses will not register.

If you haven't had problems with yours, then you're the first one who hasn't.

 

BTW, from what I've been reading...the newest XFPS (the sniper) seems to have fixed the problems that were plaguing the earlier versions.

 

Unfortunately, the sniper version doesn't fix the problem. When pressing the directional pad that corresponds with the face buttons(ex. hitting right+X,hitting left+O) it wont register properly

 

So, Denkai_84, what kind of pad are you using in the X Box version ?

 

I have experienced that once in a while when pressing the inputs together. I love the PS controller so much that I just compensate by not pressing them together but in succession.

 

is there a nice idiot's-walkthrough of said mod online or on this forum somewhere? i'm still exploring . . .

i'm much more likely to learn to adjust to this pad than i am to buy a stick. i never, ever thought i'd adjust to a PS pad after falling so head over heels for the saturn one <span style='font-size: 8pt'>(still my alltime fav for controllers, especially for fighters)</span>

 

Yeah, there's a video on YouTube that shows how to do the mod by taking the controller apart and sanding the plastic down neatly. I just cut it off with a razor blade (some other guy said he used a knife a didn't cut himself so that might be a better way to go.)
Mine doesn't look very neat but it works like a charm. Once you get the plastic off you can see how it was blocking the d-pad from moving all the way over to any give side. The sensitivity of it skyrockets once you get rid of the lip because the pad can actually move all the way over and you don't have to press down hard to make sure it registers. It really helps with quick taps because they register much easier. Your moves will come out a lot better once you've completed the mod (however you choose to do it.)

 

Yeah, the mod is dead simple. I did it on one of my free wireless controllers from club live to be able to play SF2T and FFS (and other games) better, the difference was noticeable right away. You can even navigate menus easier with the mod.

Granted, I use a stick for VF, but still.

 

I used a pocket knife.

I had to hold the controller a bit awkward but basically.


I'd press up an the D-pad.. So that the gap between Down, and the edge of the Plastic was bigger.. And then put the tip of the knife in there.. and scrape it along the edge of the plastic.. Shaving off little strips of plastic.. ,, Then i'd press right.. and shave the left. edge.. And so forth around the whole d-pad. Once i was done.. i no longer heard / felt the click of the d-pad hitting the plastic edge.

You have to have a small enough knife / X-acto blade to get in the gap, but its much easier than taking apart the whole controller. And your basically just shaving the inside down.

But yes be careful of cutting yourself. I can see how you could easily cut yourself.

 

davidd, or gernburgs, or anyone else who has done the knife-mod, can you maybe post a pic so i know where i wanna end up?