The
AFTERGLOW AP.1 for the PS3 is smaller than a standard OEM PS3 controller, which might make it more comfortable for some people with small hands. However, my wife, Psibabe, found that the action buttons were too close to the Right Analog Stick for her liking. I see her point, but it's unusual for a game to require heavy use of both the Right Analog Stick and the action buttons. However, their close proximity to each other could be bothersome to some players.
Completely out of the way, on the very bottom center of the AFTERGLOW AP.1, there is a button to control the AFTERGLOW lighting system. It can be turned off, if it is undesired, or can be set to turn the lights on when the vibration motors are active. I find that I can easily use this button while holding the controller upright by simply reaching underneath with my right index finger, but there is no way that I have encountered (nor that I can imagine) that I would accidentally hit this button, so the placement seems pretty good for this button.
One design feature that works out pretty nicely is the AFTERGLOW AP.1's contoured grip, which adds a raised area to the back of the controller's grips, making it easier to keep a good grip on the controller, much like the contoured areas on the back of some steering wheels intended to provide comfortable and stable locations for one's fingers.
I found that the concave rubberized Analog Sticks provided both an indention in which to rest the pads of your thumbs and a grippy rubber surface which was almost as grippy as the Grip-It Analog Stick Covers. (As a side note, the Grip-Its do fit the Analog Sticks on the AFTERGLOW AP.1 for PlayStation 3.)
Those of you who prefer the Analog Stick layout of the Xbox 360 to that of the PS3 may be interested in giving a AFTERGLOW AP.1 for PlayStation 3 a try. The Left Analog Stick and the D-pad are in the opposite positions as the OEM PlayStation 3 controllers, in a layout with which Xbox 360 gamers would be much more familiar.
