Name:  - PX5000
Saitek Description:
Saitek Industries' new console gaming pad, the PX5000, lets PlayStation 2 gamers blow away the competition with a push of a button. Using the PX5000, a single press executes a super fakey grind in Tony Hawk 2, or another favorite move for games like Tekken or SSX. Thanks to a memory in the macro function, many combination moves can be stored for later use, without
reprogramming, and anybody can do trick moves.
The PX5000 is the only PlayStation 2 pad with LCD screen for easy setup. Saitek's PX5000 pad also features programmable turbo mode for quick action, DoubleShock 2 vibration, four analog action buttons, four analog and two digital triggers, 8-way analog D-pad, improved axis lock operation, and an additional three feet of cable for extra gaming freedom.
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11/25/2001 - Welcome back to Robsta's game room. This past week has been a video game dream. Two early Christmas gifts…Gran Tourismo 3 and Nascar Heat '02, and these couldn't have arrived at a better time because I also have a new controller up for testing. Today I will be checking out the PX5000, another controller from Saitek. Lets see how much fun a gamer can have with new games and a brand new controller…So, 'Let the games begin'.
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1st LCD Screen on a Gamepad
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88
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| First Impression |
The PX5000 comes in a sealed, clear plastic package, therefore letting us see all of the cool features this gamepad actually has. I knew I was in for a long session of gaming. 'The race tracks were calling out to me!' It would soon be time to bang some sheet metal, rub some fenders, and stay away from that concrete wall. Robsta gives an impressive 9 points for the PX5000. This is good enough for the outside pole. |
9.0
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| Game(s) Included |
The PX5000 does not come with a game, but I'm not sure what game you
could sell with a controller that does virtually everything. The maximum
points to be dished out here for a gamepad without a game is 5. Robsta
will remember the 5 point difference at the end of the test for the PX5000
dropping the total possible points to 95. |
5.0
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| Looks |
Saitek has done it again! This controller looks 'sweet'. It reminds me of the
PX4000 on steroids. Now I will have to spend more time looking at my
controller, since the PX5000 has an LCD display screen. As soon as I
installed Robsta as the user name, and it appeared on the controller screen I thought 'Bonus Points'. The silver axis lock dials around the joysticks add an extra touch to the appearance. Robsta looks at 9 points for the PX5000 on my way to do some serious gaming. |
9.0
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| Comfort |
The designers of the PX5000 must have had comfort on their minds. With
the addition of the macro buttons, there are fewer buttons to push. Don't get me wrong I love pushing buttons, but when you are doing moves like front flips, rail slides, methods or wall plant, it gets very intense at times, and I push the buttons harder than I need to. Saitek has really rounded the outer lines of this controller so I can game even longer. Robsta will ease back into his seat and comfortably hand the PX5000 nine points for this category. |
9.0
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| Construction |
This is a good test for us 'hardcore gamers' who are kind of rough on everything within seating distance! After a short season of NASCAR Heat '02 and feeling the DoubleShock 2 Vibration every time my car was tapped, scraped, or slammed along the outside wall I thought my hands would be numb!! The PX5000 handled it flawlessly. Robsta will put together 13 points for construction building an even taller tower 'kudos'. |
13.0
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| Playability |
Wow! Where do I begin. Let's start with the axis lock operation. This
feature is also available on the PX4000. I prefer to have a lot of movement
with the joysticks, and was not really interested in locking them into one
certain position. This was something that I have been working a lot with
recently, and have found that I am using it quite a bit. When Tiger Woods
PGA Tour '01 starts calling me, the (RH) joystick is locked in the horizontal
position. This helps my ball stay in the fairway, and not fading off into a
crowd of people! With the (LH) joystick locked in the vertical position, left
and right turns on ovals as well as road courses seem easier on the thumb
later into a race. Saitek did a good job incorporating the axis lock on the
PX4000 as well as the PX5000. Who knows what lurks in the
future…possibly a PX4500! Well, the time has come to talk about the
most advanced feature that I have seen on a controller the macro button.
The move Robsta performed with the push of a button was 'totally sick' Bar spin, to superman, to Backflip, this scored mega points on the riding
session playing Dave Mirra BMX as well as for the PX5000.
The LCD screen lets anyone be able to program whatever move, or
combinations of moves they can come up with. The possibilities seem
endless. The macro function also has a memory so the moves can be used after the PS2 has been shut off. I can't wait to take this controller to my friend's house for a grueling live or die session of Tekken. They had better be prepared for moves that the book doesn't have! The PX5000 also has a turbo button, four analog action buttons, and a 8-way D pad that is also analog. The 8-way D pad works well on some games, while I found it somewhat trickier when a precise move needs to be done. At times when I need to move forward for a long distance to line up for a jump or rail, the d-pad is very touchy and a slight wiggle of the thumb and the ramp is missed or a collision with the rail occurs. OUCH! Lining up behind a tree with enemy fire coming at you from three ways, I need a gamepad that will help protect my butt. Robsta will wall plant 14 huge points 30 feet up on the high school wall for the PX5000.
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14.0
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| Value (price for what you get) |
Saitek has put everything but the kitchen sink into this controller. I kept
looking for an exhaust pipe because all of this power has to escape
somehow. The PX5000 does a lot for very little the MSRP is under
$30.00. 'For that reason alone you should buy one today (CB)!' Robsta
will gladly spend 14 points on the PX5000, and welcoming this gamepad
permanently to Roster's game room. |
14.0
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| Recommend to Others |
Robsta will start out right away recommending 15 points for the PX5000.
It takes quite a bit for Robsta to throw down the maximum points in any
category, but there was no question that anyone I talk to with a PS2 will hear about the PX5000. A few close friends have had the privilege of checking out this controller from Saitek, and their response was fantastic! 'Let me tell you something, this game pad will pump…you up!' This turns out to be a total of 88 points for the PX5000. Robsta is very tough on each category, so any controller scoring almost 90 should seriously be considered when purchasing a new gamepad. |
15.0
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RECOMMENDATIONS to the Vendor
ROBSTA
While the PX5000 is loaded with features, maybe a neoprene like covering
on the handles or a wireless system would put it in a class by itself.
P.S.
I would like to send a special thanks to the Saitek Technical Department. Their assistance has been nothing short of SUPERB!
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