How ergonomic is the 360 controller?

You see, I work at a library and we're downright obsessive over preventing things like Repetitive Motion Injuries and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, etc. Now I plan on getting a 360 sometime within the next year or two, and while the controller definitly seems more ergonomic than anything made by Sony, I'm a little worried about the position of the right analog stick and the trigger buttons.

It just seems to me that extensive FPS play with my right thumb stretched considerably farther than my left while reaching the triggers with my index/middle fingers could not possibly be very comfortable. The right analog just seems too close to the middle. Also, it seems this configuration is completely reversed with fighting games, given the ackward postions of the d-pad and face buttons.

So my question is, about how much/little fatigue or discomfort do you all experience after a few hours of play? Of course, this won't actually affect my decision to get a 360, but its still good to have heads-up.

You see, I work at a library and we're downright obsessive over preventing things like Repetitive Motion Injuries and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, etc. Now I plan on getting a 360 sometime within the next year or two, and while the controller definitly seems more ergonomic than anything made by Sony, I'm a little worried about the position of the right analog stick and the trigger buttons.

It just seems to me that extensive FPS play with my right thumb stretched considerably farther than my left while reaching the triggers with my index/middle fingers could not possibly be very comfortable. The right analog just seems too close to the middle. Also, it seems this configuration is completely reversed with fighting games, given the ackward postions of the d-pad and face buttons.

So my question is, about how much/little fatigue or discomfort do you all experience after a few hours of play? Of course, this won't actually affect my decision to get a 360, but its still good to have heads-up.

creepy_mike

None at all, heck my 7 year old nephew plays with mine for hours on end he doesnt complain.

By using the space bar you stress out your thumb more than the xbox contoller.

*did anyone else kinda find this thread a little funny though?! really getting paranoid it seems!

What in the hell does that mean...

Im not stupid but damn, I have no clue what that word means.

i was reading something like this a while ago..

microsoft invested alot of money to make it comfortable..it almost seems like this controller was designed for fps's i cant play and fps on a ps2 or ps3 and the only thing that might hurt your hand is the guitar hero controller but whatever..the 360 controller is the best yet..

In general the ergos are great & I love my 360 but the right analog stick is terribly placed for the average man's hands. After 1-2hrs of RS:Vegas my right hand is aching.

this almost sounds like a joke lol

but to answer your question, no, the controller causes no discomfort, itsa perfect controller (besides crappy d-pad but thats not used much)

I was worried about that, too, since my PCs are giving me wrist trouble now matter how many cushions, wrist guards, and trackballs I use. The 360 controller isn't bad at all. If you sit there for five hours straight shooting at aliens, you might experience some discomfort, so get up and stretch! Seriously, not bad. Plus, I got little gel pads for the sticks and for the sides, so my controller is extra cushiony for my big hands. Plus, if your hands sweat, you can still hang on and survive the level! I got mine at GameCrazy, but I found links for you to look at.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802320

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Accessories-VAPCN-708056536244-Xbox/dp/B000BCEJP4

This is the most ergonomic controller I've played with over the years. Definately beats the PS2/3 ones, the only one that came close to how nice it feels was the Dreamcast controller, and obviously the Xbox one (small).

What in the hell does that mean...

Im not stupid but damn, I have no clue what that word means.

Shade-Blade

You're on the internet right now aren't you? Google it.

I don't think the d-pad is all that bad, really. But I've never had to use it for more than a minute in a game (since hardly any use it). For extended periods of time, the d-pad might be a problem.

Odd, having had a 360 for a year and a half, I've never thought about how comfortable the controller is. You really don't need to think about it--it's nearly perfect. At first I found it odd that one of the analog sticks is more toward the front of the controller, and thought it might be uncomfortable, but then realized it makes perfect sense and works wonderfully. I've never liked the small Sony controllers, since my hands are pretty big.

I mean, be sensible about how much time you play at any one stretch, and take breaks every once in a while. Even the most comfortable controller will hurt your hands after six or eight hours :)

And as someone else mentioned: guitar hero is more likely to give you problems after extended use (I just finished a stint as I sat down to read this thread, and I can feel it in my left wrist).

The Xbox 260 controller is the most comfortable one I've ever held. The only complaint i have it about it is that the D-Pad is garbage which is mostly only used in menus anyway.mrxb0x360

I had no idea that microsoft made an Xbox 260! I guess it just got lost in the mix of all of the 360s...