Official Infrared Control Pad

[Nick1984]

Does anyone own one of these? What are your opinions on the controller and battery life?

[infernalcombustion]

I've got to admit these pads do look pretty sweet.

The modelling is virtually identical to the standard european Model 2 controllers, so I'd imagine that play-wise they're just as comfortable (at least if you like the Model 2 controllers!!).

Price-wise however, they do seem to be very expensive (on e-bay anyway).

I know some of the members here definitely have them, but regarding battery life I have no idea. Hopefully someone else here can give you some answers.

I think the site could do with a reveiw of all of the known types of controllers, especially third party ones (although I don't really have any interest in them myself).

[mick_aka]

I have a number of these, the feel of the pad is excellent, even superior to the standard model 2 pad as the battery compartments create really comfortable hand grips on the back.

Battery life, unlike many other 90's IR offerings is very good, i use rechargables in them nowadays and rarely need to swap them out.

You'reain't gripe with these will be the fact they're InfraRed and have a terrible receiver.
If as most people you tend to hold controllers angled at about fourty degrees, you'll need to position your Saturn around 8ft in the air with the IR receiver overhanging.

[zyrobs]

I wonder how that thing would work with the multitap.

[NeoGeoNinja]

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB...

IR vs RF = RF win

thus:

IR = fail

meaning:

IR '+' SEGA Saturn Pad Design x OBSCENE price ÷ physical usage > boxed collectors item = undiluted pain

... I reckon

[MIK]

Sega were the leading arcade machines specialists with everything hard wired and I played my machines with the same respect as Sega put in to them - Hardcore.

You can already guess I never needed to look twice at them as I was not going buy them.

First thing that came to mind back then was time delay from pad to machine and then what I would see on screen even if it was milliseconds, lol.
Battery life would of been another issue as I used to get the miles in on my Saturn daily.
Another factor was if the pad was not facing the machine you were screwed if you felt you needed to adjust your pants playing Quake or Res Evil haha!

So as an original Saturn user I see them as a beautiful luxury item that's more a novelty and of course for anyone who sits 6+ feet away from the screen.
My problem was/is I sat/sit arms length away from Saturn and Screen, always had my own space for gaming with no one else but me and the cat tripping up on them.

I would not put faith in a wireless pad until the XBOX 360 rolled out... Even then I had my doubts but I soon learned there was nothing to worry about.

[stephenr2001]

ive got these and they are just like playing with a normal controller. battery life is really good. i remember paying about £20-25 when they came out

[zyrobs]

I should buy one of those just to check what kind of havok it would play on my IR controller room light. The TV remote sometimes triggers that....

[mick_aka]

Sounds much like a wireless mouse I had that would randomly trip the remote power sockets in the front room.
More than a little inconvenient.

@srrphenr2001 you must have picked those up in some sort of sale, they were £49.99 originally, £59.99 in some of the rip off stores like Dixons.

[stephenr2001]

its was some sort of deal inside sega saturn magazine with a coupon from what i can remember

[captainkael]

ohh coupons how i love them the money you save can be spent on other games thats what i do with my savings anyway lol