Manufacturer : Logitech

RRP : $139.95

Available : Electronics Boutique

The heated debates that rage between the “Duke” versus the “S” controllers clearly indicate one thing: not all controllers are made equal, and not every controller is the right one for any given person. Finding the right controller is a tough decision at the best of times, and with pricetags around $40-60 it has to last the distance. This is especially true when making the leap to cordless. The range of options drops sharply if you want a wireless controller, and conversely the prices skyrocket to $120-170, making a cordless controller a huge investment and an extremely tough decision.

Thankfully Logitech has released a wireless controller which goes a long way to making that decision easier. The 2.4ghz Cordless Freedom has everything you would expect from a great controller, in addition to being one of the best pieces of wireless technology I’ve ever used. Inside the box you will find the handset itself, the wireless receiver, some spartan documentation, and 4 AA batteries to get you started which is a nice plus. The manual is very brief, which isn’t a huge problem, but it would have been great to have a bit more information about what the indicator light on the handset means, and how it relates to the remaining juice in your batteries.

The controller design is identical to Logitech’s Precision range of corded Xbox controllers, the only difference being the lack of a cord and inclusion of a battery compartment. Size wise, the Logitech controller is slightly wider than the standard S-controller but very similar in length and height. This lends a certain familiarity to the handset, which is further reinforced by the S-controller style layout for the buttons. The only real complaint is that the “back” and “start” buttons are placed high up on either side of the Logitech logo, and are quite difficult to reach. With the 4 AA batteries inserted, the handset weighs only 300 grams. A standard corded controller weighs around 200 grams, so the increase is barely noticeable.

So how does it handle? The answer is very well! Having had some bad experiences with cordless phones of questionable functionality, I wasn’t expecting too much from the Logitech controller. I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by how well the controller performed. The 2.4ghz frequency puts the controller high above the range of most other wireless devices, meaning that your signal is never interrupted and a lag in response times is just not an issue. The logitech worked perfectly for me even with the radio on and my mobile phone operating.

Responsiveness is excellent, and the main buttons and thumbsticks are analog which allows for precise movement. I played over a dozen titles to get a feel for its performance including Alien vs Predator: Extinction, Unreal Championship, Midtown Madness 3 and Pro Cast Sports Fishing. The results were excellent no matter the style of game, and the Logitech controller was just as precise at steering as it was aiming a cross-hair or reeling in a fish. The thumbsticks feel a little looser than an official controller, but are not lacking as a result. The D-Pad is a little imprecise at times and it’s easy to slip and push the wrong direction occasionally, but everything else is spot on.

Unlike some other cordless controllers on the market, the wireless receiver in the Logitech model has two expansion slots built into it, allowing you to still use memory cards and other peripherals with your wireless setup. The receiver is on a 50cm cord, which allows you plenty of leeway in its positioning without having the cord itself being too long and getting in the way.

One of the strongest features of the Logitech controller is its terrific battery life. The product specifications claim that you will get 50 hours of play from 4 AA batteries, and that is pretty much spot on. The low power indicator came on after roughly forty hours of play, but continued to function fine for another 6-7 hours. It was only after around 48 hours that performance was affected, with the occasional lag and missed button press.