Saitek J20S SP550 USB Stick & Pad Fusion (USB)

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, for a starter
Review: After years of using keyboard and mouse for games I picked this joystick/pad combination. It's easy to install in Windows XP - plug it into your USB port and it autodetects and installs, then seperate the two halves and it will install a second time as just the pad. Response is fairly good, and you've got two buttons ont he stick, six on the base, along with a throttle sliders, and you can use the pad's directional controller as a 8 way hat switch. The only thing is really lacks is 'twist' controller on the joystick. All in all I'm happy with it, and it's a great deal for the low price.

Rating:
Summary: Multipurpose controller works well in both modes
Review: This guy is Unique.
It works BOTH as a pad and as a stick.
Leave them plugged together and you have stick with trigger, 6 buttons, D-pad and smooooth slider throttle. Oh, and the 2 joypad triggers on the side too. Nicely sculptured comfort to the stick. Left-hand controls for the 6 buttons and D-pad. These you can reconfigure with Saitek's downloadable programming software.
Pull out the pad and you have a regular 2-trigger, 6-button + D-pad pad. A bit angular in its Starwars shape, it sits well in bigger hands.
What happened in the guts when you pulled out the pad? It told the PC that the stick signed out and the pad signed in, and a second later you're ready to go. From then on the stick is an orphan: no cable, no function.
That is, until you want to use the stick again. Plug them together again (one quick push and snap), and the check-in / check-out is reversed.
Clever concept: saves space, wires and a USB port on the desk; gives you more controls for your money; works fast, responsive and trouble-free.