Wireless Playstation (PS2 compatible) controller FREE after rebate

donssword

donssword

CAGiversary!
Feedback
6 (100%)
The RadioWave RF Wireless controller is licensed "only" for the PS1, but with full analog compatibility for the PS2, and supports up to 8 controllers via multi-tap on the PS2 and PS1. While it is fully compatible with the PS2, it is not licensed as such. The offer, until May 31st, is that you can buy two, and they are free after a mail-in rebate - u only pay about $9.40 econo shipping.

They were designed for Godirect Gaming (a label of Sylvania), and distributed and supported by a company called Unical Enterprises. They are no longer being manufactured, and apparently did not see wide distribution.

The offer (orig found on http://www.freeafterrebate.info/ ):
http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?sku=5578611&SourceID=k40208

Reviews:
http://www.teamps2.com/teamps2/Hard_Rev.php/151
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdegm/is_200412/ai_n7180885

Godirect has been selling them on ebay, and their rating is good for user "godirectintl":
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=godirectintl&items=-1&item=-1&de=off

The original supporting web site is dead, but you can examine its content using the Internet Wayback Machine: http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

I picked up two, and am pretty happy with them. Since they run at 915 Mhz, they do not encounter the same level of interferance the 900 Mhz wireless controlelrs do.

My own review of the controllers is in messages #22 & 24 below -- I am happy with my purchase and put away my Sony and my AirStyle controllers. Here is a running list of games I have tested it with so far (I will continue to update this message as I test new games):

-- TimeSplitters: Future Perfect -- worked great
-- Call of Duty: Finest Hour -- worked great
-- DOA2 Hardcore -- worked great
-- Secret Weapons Over Normandy -- worked great (this was an important one for me, as I always had probs with 900 Mhz controllers at certain times late in the evening)
-- WipeOut Fusion -- worked great

Other CAG reviews (I will try and validate if I can get the games):
Trocar on SOCOM II -- dissappointed
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Looks like a shaky deal to me . . .

First off, I'd have doubts about the controller.

Secondly, over $40 with shipping.

Thirdly, I wouldn't be that confident about getting the rebate.
 
Ok, rebate master here. First off, those sylvania ones were only Sony approved for the PS1. No sylvania model was sony approved for the Ps2 if memory serves. Doesnt mean its crap, just a heads up.
Secondly, I dont know of any of the large rebate houses in White Bear Lake MN. The only one I know of is notorious for trouble

White Bear Lake Rebates = Trouble

Just a heads up fellas. Go for it if you wish but Im staying away.

*Edit* Yes I know this is one p.oed persons account. I will say I have seen many more complain about "White Bear" but Im too lazy to track down any more. Feel free to google in my sted.

*Edit #2* Anybody actually been to the rebate website listed on the form? "Rebate-zone" Um, that looks like it was thrown together by a bunch of drunken apes. Totally unprofessional. ONLY BIG RISK TAKERS NEED APPLY!
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']Ok, rebate master here. First off, those sylvania ones were only Sony approved for the PS1. No sylvania model was sony approved for the Ps2 if memory serves. Doesnt mean its crap, just a heads up.
Secondly, I dont know of any of the large rebate houses in White Bear Lake MN. The only one I know of is notorious for trouble

White Bear Lake Rebates = Trouble

Just a heads up fellas. Go for it if you wish but Im staying away.

*Edit* Yes I know this is one p.oed persons account. I will say I have seen many more complain about "White Bear" but Im too lazy to track down any more. Feel free to google in my sted.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, rebate master!
 
So if it was approved for the PS1, does that mean this controller only has the same functions of a regular dual analog controller and not that of the functions of a Dual Analog Controller 2?
Just making sure because a lot of PS2 games require a Dual Analog 2 controller and the original Dual analog controllers mostly don't work for these games and don't want to end up buying a wireless controller that I can't use for most of my PS2 games :D

Most of the reviews state that it's a Playstation* controller and say it's compatible with the PS2 and PS1 but doesnt state if it has Dual Analog 2 functions or not.
 
[quote name='MeGaWC27']So if it was approved for the PS1, does that mean this controller only has the same functions of a regular dual analog controller and not that of the functions of a Dual Analog Controller 2?
Just making sure because a lot of PS2 games require a Dual Analog 2 controller and the original Dual analog controllers mostly don't work for these games and don't want to end up buying a wireless controller that I can't use for most of my PS2 games :D

Most of the reviews state that it's a Playstation* controller and say it's compatible with the PS2 and PS1 but doesnt state if it has Dual Analog 2 functions or not.[/QUOTE]

No, even though Ps1 and Ps2 have roughly the same functionalty, they ARENT the same. I tried to use a brand new Ps1 blue dual shock on my Ps2 and it went bonkers. The sticks and buttons were ok (just ok, Analog was iffy) but FORGET about the triggers. Nightmarish.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']No, even though Ps1 and Ps2 have roughly the same functionalty, they ARENT the same. I tried to use a brand new Ps1 blue dual shock on my Ps2 and it went bonkers. The sticks and buttons were ok (just ok, Analog was iffy) but FORGET about the triggers. Nightmarish.[/QUOTE]

umm I'm not saying that PS1 and PS2 have the same functionality. I'm asking if this controller has the same functionality as a PS2 Dual Analog 2 Controller.
 
[quote name='MeGaWC27']umm I'm not saying that PS1 and PS2 have the same functionality. I'm asking if this controller has the same functionality as a PS2 Dual Analog 2 Controller.[/QUOTE]

Nobody can know, thats the point. There was a Sony certified Ps1 Sylvania wireless controller. It came in a red box with huge white lettering. Had Sony seals plastered on it.

This *could* be that product (they look identical) or it could be a brand new version. (Sylvania made an agreement to produce Ps2 controllers in 2003. See this article)

Sylvania makes controllers

There is no way to know which controller you will get. If its the Ps2 version, its a GREAT deal IF you get the rebates (iffy IMHO) If its the Ps1 version, even free is a rip due to shipping costs.

Another question, isnt the PsTwo not able to use some Wireless controllers due to a change in the controller ports? Even if this is the Ps2 version controller, its surely not the PsTWO version. Not saying it wont work, just giving you guys something to check on.

Also, the websites by sylvania for the controller are now dead. "http://www.radiowavecontrol.com/"

Might be my browser but Im not sure.
 
Guess we'll have to wait till the people who ordered to get their controllers and try it out =P
hmm didn't know that the PsTwo is said to be unable ot support Wireless controller, hope its not true.
 
[quote name='MeGaWC27']Guess we'll have to wait till the people who ordered to get their controllers and try it out =P
hmm didn't know that the PsTwo is said to be unable ot support Wireless controller, hope its not true.[/QUOTE]

Some of the darn things dont "sit" right. Thats the only way I can describe it. The RF unit is top heavy and doesnt have anything to press up against (since the PsTwo is so slim) so it can pop it loose. Usually its generics that muck up though. I know the logitechs are fine.
 
Then Logitech Wireless Controllers is what I'm mostly gonna end up getting then =D
Thx for the info supadupacheap
 
[quote name='BIG5']Once again, I never trust anything that claims to be "free".[/QUOTE]

I do. Ive gotten many great deals and lots free or nearly free. $1200 Dell for $499, $80 scanner for $10, all sorts of free software, drives, etc. Not all deals are bad, you just have to do your homework. This one looks fishy due to the vagueness of the product and the very sketchy rebate house. I wont go for it but those who do may end up making me regret that.
 
Damn - this is not sounding good -- I will edit the first post.

I just tried calling PCConnection and they closed Customer Serv at 9 PM EST (it is now 10 PM and it opens back up at 8 AM). I called the order entry folks and they have it listed as PS2, but the also say the copy says Playstation.
 
[quote name='donssword']Damn - this is not sounding good -- I will edit the first post.

I just tried calling PCConnection and they closed Customer Serv at 9 PM EST (it is now 10 PM and it opens back up at 8 AM). I called the order entry folks and they have it listed as PS2, but the also say the copy says Playstation.[/QUOTE]

Sorry man. Dont sweat it too much, we've all been burned before. (and I assure you I far more and far worse than you)
 
Wow - just got an email this Friday 8:45 AM saying it shipped.

I am felling optimistic -- esp since I pulled out my AirStyle last night and was reminded that the right d-pad tends to invoke the up d-pad button 40% of the time. Damn I wish my AirStyle was tighter, because I sure do like the physical feel of it.
 
Well, my controllers came in.

They are definitely the ones licensed for the PSOne, but they are Analog Pressure Sensitive Compatible for the PS2, so they support Analog button control. I tested them in WipeOut Fusion for the PS2 and the buttons did support variable pressure for acceleration. Unfortunately I don't have Gran Turismo 3, which would be the ultimate test as that game is only compatible with Dual Shock 2s.

Does anyone know of any other games that work only with Dual Shock 2 that I could test it with?

The receiver is maybe 1-2 mm thicker than the standard Sony Dual Shock 2, but with the same form factor. It is attached to 7 inches of cable which connects to a device for managing channels for multiple controllers about the size of a DreamCast memory card, with a sliding switch that moves from settings numbered 1-8. According to the directions, the receiver allows up to 8 RadioWave controllers to be connected -- each one needs to be set to its own number. This is in addition to the auto channel correction as found in most wireless controllers.

Overall the controller itself is 25% taller than a standard Dual Shock 2. It is also a lot noisier with very strong feedback -- I have not had a chance to test the range of feedback sensitivity though. The sticks feel a little looser than Sony's, but they do self center nicely, and they have a quarter inch diameter indentation on top so your thumb does not slip off, but not as large as the Logitech's.

The palm grips are larger than the Sony controller with rubber on the outside grip.

I tested the controller with WipeOut Fusion and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect for about 15 min each and gameplay felt fine. I hope to test it with Secret Weapons Over Normandy in the next couple of days -- that one was always a good indicator for picking up interference with the AirStyle -- while in a tight bank in my plane, all of a sudden my plane would straighten out, telling me my signal was getting interference on the AirStyle. I also plan on testing it with some of the PS1 rhythm games (Parappa, Um Jammer Lammy, and Skydiving Extreme) to get an idea of how it does with rapid digital input.

The plastic fits together well, no sounds when I try and twist the whole assembly which is always a good sign. The right buttons are more convex than Sony's, conveying a different feel, but still fine. The L2 and R2 buttons are smaller than Sony's but still larger than the L1 and R1. Overall It does feel a little boxy, and sitting on my desk it looks like a big purple Nintendo controller.

I prefer the heft of the AirStyle -- it feels better, but for me the selling point of the RadioWave is its 915Mhz channel so I am hoping it will pick up less interference.

For a non-branded Sony wireless controller, it seems to be pretty nice so far. If I can stay awake after putting my kids to bed, I will try and log some hours in Call of Duty and TimeSplitters: FP -- that should give me a good sense if they were worth the $9.40 investment in shipping (after rebate).
 
I received mine today too, and I'm pretty disappointed. I used it with Socom II, and found the analog sticks sluggish and nonresponsive at times, which is unacceptable when you've got terrorists firing at you from all angles. I w asn't sure if my wireless router was interfering with the signal, so I turned off my laptop, but that didn't help. Maybe I got a defective one, so I guess I can try the second one and see what happens. I just hope the rebates come through now, since if this is going to be the case, I'll only be able to use it with slow-playing games like golf.

Donssword, let me know how the other games turn out with the gamepad. I hope mine is the exception.
 
After some more playing, I found the RadioWave to be good after 2 hours of TimeSplitters: Future Perfect and 2 hours of Call of Duty: Finest Hour.

I believe you will find all wireless controllers are reported to be sluggish by someone somewhere, even the Logitech -- some claim there is a millisecond delay between input and execution due to the signal broadcast -- whether or not this can be scientifically proven, or if it is a issue of perception, or signal interference, may never be solved. I personally find the controller to be as responsive as my Sony controller -- I am a pretty average player with console FPS to begin with, and found that I was still pretty average with these new controllers, just more comfortable without the cables.

I'm happy with mine. I do wish it felt more heavy like the AirStyle (it is still heavier than Sony's), but at this point it is going to become my primary controller -- I may pop some kind of weight or clay into the case after the warranty expires to give it the amount of heft that I prefer. I still have not popped in Secret Weapons Over Normandy, or any rhythm games (Space Channel 5 or Um Jammer Lammy), and will report my results when I play them. I have found that the old PS1 digital controllers are best for the PS1 rhythm games, so I am interested in how the RadioWave can do, especially since I suck at rhythm games.
 
I tried the second controller, but still got the same sluggish results. I did try my friend's logitech, and found no problems whatsoever. Oh well...but after playing Socom II, I realized having a wireless controller doesn't make much sense if you use a wired headset, so I'll just stick to the wired controller with that game. Unfortunately, it's the only game I play right now...until Socom III comes out in November.
 
Bummer. I'll have to pick up a copy of SOCOM II sometime ans see what sort of results I get.

EDIT -- played some DOA2 Hardcore with the RadioWave, and everything seemed pretty responsive to me -- didn't notice any diff in how bad I already was ;)

Will try and look at Secret Weapons over Normandy next....
 
On Socom II, the sluggishness mainly occurs when I'm running towards the left and but want to turn and face to the right. Let me know if you have the same problem.
 
Still happy -- I'm totally used to the size and shape -- very comfortable with the weight now.

Mailing in my rebate via certified mail -- I have xeroxed all forms and UPC symbols -- hopefully it will make it thru to the Rebate Center.

BTW - SWON played great -- never lost a signal, never lost a bank... its a crime they never put online in this game.
 
I picked up two of these myself, though I've only used one so far. I've used it for both Guilty Gear X2 and Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, and it has been working just fine.
I"ve mailed in the rebates. I am new to the world of reabtes though. How long will be too long to wait? And what the heck should I do if it becomes too long?
 
My brother reported in on GT3, and said the RadioWave's work fine.

He felt they could not keep up with Victorious Boxers though, and we both agree the dual sticks are more sensative than the Sony controllers -- he sited TimeSplitters 2, but I play both TS2 and TS:FP with no problem.


EDIT - I definitely agree that they are too sensitive for TimeSplitters 2.
 
[quote name='SDC']I picked up two of these myself, though I've only used one so far. I've used it for both Guilty Gear X2 and Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, and it has been working just fine.
I"ve mailed in the rebates. I am new to the world of reabtes though. How long will be too long to wait? And what the heck should I do if it becomes too long?[/QUOTE]


4-6 weeks is standard. I'll update this thread whenever I get my rebate in the mail.
 
[quote name='donssword']My brother reported in on GT3, and said the RadioWave's work fine.

He felt they could not keep up with Victorious Boxers though, and we both agree the dual sticks are more sensative than the Sony controllers -- he sited TimeSplitters 2, but I play both TS2 and TS:FP with no problem.


EDIT - I definitely agree that they are too sensitive for TimeSplitters 2.[/QUOTE]

can't you just lower the sensitivity of the game to balance it out?
 
Unfortunately, not all games offer the ability to adjust sensitivity.

I cracked one of them open to see if there were any switches or adjustable screws/bushings, but no such luck.

I heard from someone today that some folks even regard the Logitechs as too sensitive, so I regard it as "6-of-1 half-a-dozen of the other." I figure I am done with buying wireless controllers for now.
 
I just got Killzone this week, and these work well with it. Killzone allows for sensitivity adjust of the right stick, and this helps compensate for some of the over-sensitivity.

While I have never used the Logitechs, these are pretty decent.
 
[quote name='schultzed']Looks like a shaky deal to me . . .

First off, I'd have doubts about the controller.

Secondly, over $40 with shipping.

Thirdly, I wouldn't be that confident about getting the rebate.[/QUOTE]


OK, First controller quality is good , compared to my logitech wireless one
Second, rebate only took about 8 weeks.

The thing I donot like is that it requires 4 aaa batteries.
 
It took awhile for me to get my rebates (maybe 10 weeks), but the controllers are good, if a little big in the hands. Quite responsive and have good battery life.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top