Comments on: Xbox 360 Text Messenger Kit http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/ Reviews of Xbox 360 and PS 3 Video Games Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:12:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: R. Pastore http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-107 R. Pastore Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:11:09 +0000 http://xbox360ps3.com/?p=340#comment-107 This texting pad is very useful for me, because you can use both the texting pad and the headset at the same time. Once I got this, I loved to text messages to people instead of sending voice messages. The messages are so much clearer, and you can type them in only a few seconds. I have it on my controller at all times, and at first it is hard to get used to playing with it on, but you get used to it VERY quickly. Very good if you stay active with your friends and send them a lot of messages. Rating: 5 / 5 This texting pad is very useful for me, because you can use both the texting pad and the headset at the same time. Once I got this, I loved to text messages to people instead of sending voice messages. The messages are so much clearer, and you can type them in only a few seconds.

I have it on my controller at all times, and at first it is hard to get used to playing with it on, but you get used to it VERY quickly. Very good if you stay active with your friends and send them a lot of messages.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Tarun Nagpal http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Tarun Nagpal Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:55:21 +0000 http://xbox360ps3.com/?p=340#comment-106 This keyboard has a myriad of problems and could have been much better if they had just spent a bit more time thinking about it. <br /> <br />Problems if you are used to thumbboards: <br /> <br />1. The keyboard layout doesn't match any other thumb-board out there. They have Windows Mobile 6 devices with thumbboards, and their layout is much more logical than the one on this keyboard. Or they could use the blackberry keyboard layout which a lot of people already have a lot of familiarity with. Plus there is no reason, since there is a ton of space on the keyboard. <br /> <br />2. the keys are really far apart. Really far apart. If you have huge hands, it is okay, but why not just use standard spacing of other mobile devices? It makes it harder to touch type. <br /> <br />Poor design decisions. These affect everyone, not just people used to thumbboards. <br /> <br />1. The snapping onto the bottom of the controller makes it unwieldy. It adds a decent amount of bulk and it is not like you are going to play a game and type at the same time, so why do it this way? <br /> <br />2. The fact that they didn't even mold the bottom to use the same headset means you have another piece of equipment just lying around which seems unnecessary. <br /> <br />If they had done these things correctly, it would be worth four stars. <br /> <br />The final issue and the fifth star? <br /> <br />1. They should have made it its own wireless device. I would have paid $15 more to have it just work wirelessly as a controller on its own. And it would be worth a final fifth star. Rating: 3 / 5 This keyboard has a myriad of problems and could have been much better if they had just spent a bit more time thinking about it.

Problems if you are used to thumbboards:

1. The keyboard layout doesn’t match any other thumb-board out there. They have Windows Mobile 6 devices with thumbboards, and their layout is much more logical than the one on this keyboard. Or they could use the blackberry keyboard layout which a lot of people already have a lot of familiarity with. Plus there is no reason, since there is a ton of space on the keyboard.

2. the keys are really far apart. Really far apart. If you have huge hands, it is okay, but why not just use standard spacing of other mobile devices? It makes it harder to touch type.

Poor design decisions. These affect everyone, not just people used to thumbboards.

1. The snapping onto the bottom of the controller makes it unwieldy. It adds a decent amount of bulk and it is not like you are going to play a game and type at the same time, so why do it this way?

2. The fact that they didn’t even mold the bottom to use the same headset means you have another piece of equipment just lying around which seems unnecessary.

If they had done these things correctly, it would be worth four stars.

The final issue and the fifth star?

1. They should have made it its own wireless device. I would have paid $15 more to have it just work wirelessly as a controller on its own. And it would be worth a final fifth star.
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Giraffe Hunter http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Giraffe Hunter Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:21:15 +0000 http://xbox360ps3.com/?p=340#comment-105 PROS - Back lit Keyboard for typing in the dark - Click feedback on keys - Very very light adds almost no weight to the controller - comfortable - solid construction CONS - you almost have to force it on the controller - only has 1/8 jack for headset it removes the power pins. I have a Turtle Beach Earforce X3 headset that requires the 3 connections and I cannot use it with this device attached. This would have gotten 5 stars IF they included all connectors on the back end of this device. Rating: 4 / 5 PROS
- Back lit Keyboard for typing in the dark
- Click feedback on keys
- Very very light adds almost no weight to the controller
- comfortable
- solid construction

CONS
- you almost have to force it on the controller
- only has 1/8 jack for headset it removes the power pins. I have a Turtle Beach Earforce X3 headset that requires the 3 connections and I cannot use it with this device attached. This would have gotten 5 stars IF they included all connectors on the back end of this device.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: R. Thomas http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-104 R. Thomas Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:13:25 +0000 http://xbox360ps3.com/?p=340#comment-104 I love the tactile feel and backlighting on this keypad and recommend it heartily. The only problem I have with it is if you are wanting to use a different headset (I have the turtle beach 5.1 surround with mic) the connection is not the standard one you'll find on the controllers... so they won't just plug in. I ended up having to splice the new (included) headset's cable onto my old headsets' cable. A hack job - but it worked. But really, this should have been taken care of in the initial design. Rating: 4 / 5 I love the tactile feel and backlighting on this keypad and recommend it heartily. The only problem I have with it is if you are wanting to use a different headset (I have the turtle beach 5.1 surround with mic) the connection is not the standard one you’ll find on the controllers… so they won’t just plug in. I ended up having to splice the new (included) headset’s cable onto my old headsets’ cable. A hack job – but it worked. But really, this should have been taken care of in the initial design.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: E. VONROTHKIRCH http://xbox360ps3.com/2009/11/13/xbox-360-text-messenger-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-103 E. VONROTHKIRCH Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:16:13 +0000 http://xbox360ps3.com/?p=340#comment-103 The 360 chatpad is a much-needed relief from the thumbstick method of typing messages on Xbox Live. I have larger hands, so leaving it attached to the controller doesn't bother me while I play games. If you have smaller hands or the chat pad bothers you while playing, you can simply detach or leave detached until you need it to type. Since it takes up the space on the controller normally allocated to the Xbox Live headset, MS has included a new headset that works with the chatpad. I found it very easy to type with the chatpad, and overall I think it is a must-have accessory for anyone with a friends list! The keys light up for easy use in the dark, and there is a one-press MSN button for those that want to chat in between gaming sessions. MS has really outdone themselves on this one. The 360 chatpad is an exceptional accessory for less than the price of a new game! Rating: 5 / 5 The 360 chatpad is a much-needed relief from the thumbstick method of typing messages on Xbox Live.

I have larger hands, so leaving it attached to the controller doesn’t bother me while I play games. If you have smaller hands or the chat pad bothers you while playing, you can simply detach or leave detached until you need it to type.

Since it takes up the space on the controller normally allocated to the Xbox Live headset, MS has included a new headset that works with the chatpad.

I found it very easy to type with the chatpad, and overall I think it is a must-have accessory for anyone with a friends list!

The keys light up for easy use in the dark, and there is a one-press MSN button for those that want to chat in between gaming sessions. MS has really outdone themselves on this one. The 360 chatpad is an exceptional accessory for less than the price of a new game!
Rating: 5 / 5

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