Gametel - Portable Games Controller for Mobile Phones and Tablets

Controllers for the iPhone basically only work when they are emulating the iCade, or the dodgy blutrol touchscreen emulator. The iCade has one digital joystick and 8 buttons. I got the iPega, which inexplicably only emulates 6 buttons in spite of the iPega having a d-pad, two joysticks and 8 buttons.The Gametel supports all 8 buttons, making it a step above the iPega in that regard. However, the iPega is more comfortable to hold. On the iPega, you can use either the d-pad or the left joystick, and they are both fairly comfortable. The Gametel's d-pad is very flat and resistant to motion. The shoulder buttons are also tricky to press when the phone is mounted. It's still infinitely better than a touchscreen.I tried both the Gametel and the iPega with a Gameboy Advance emulator. Either the emulator or the controllers have a problem with protecting against rapid button presses. When pressing a button on the iCade, the emulator would detect it as though I had rapidly pressed the button two or three times in the millisecond that I pushed it even though the button was not a turbo button. This problem was not nearly as bad on the Gametel, though it did exist.Speaking of phone mounts, the Gametel and iPega have the exact same phone mount mechanism. The Gametel uses a smoother, squishier material, unlike the iPega which uses plastic. The phone mount is great. You lift up the top part and then push the phone up against it. The bottom clamp then opens automatically, letting you slide the phone in without any fumbling. Then the top part closes back down once you let it go and the phone stays in place firmly. To take the phone out you just push up on the phone and slide it out from the bottom once it's away from the clamp, so getting it in and out is a quick and easy process.The controller and mount are also shaped to support the phone from the back for both the Gametel and iPega so it is not uncomfortable to hold the phone up. The iControlPad has the issue of requiring you to hold the bottom part of the phone because the iCP doesn't support the phone from the back at all and the shoulder buttons are on the lower back, making it really unpleasant to hold up when the phone is attached.Suffice to say both the iPega and Gametel are good options for different reasons. The iPega is the better option if you have an Android phone because it has two joysticks and is more comfortable. I have an iPhone, which means the controllers only work in iCade mode. The Gametel does that better due to using all 8 buttons instead of 6.

I was getting tired of using the touch screen buttons, so I decided to see if there was perhaps such a thing as a controller to use with smart phones. Thankfully there are people out there that are already thinking for me.I'm glad there were different choices to go with and based on reviews from others, I decided to go with the Gametel device because I read that it was the easiest and most simple one out there. I also chose this one because it works with many emulators and games that I would play with.The product was delivered quickly and the packaging was clean. The directions to set up the device was easy to understand and the set up alone went smoothly. Every time I turn the controller on, I have no problems. The buttons are firm and made well. I expect the controller to last a long time with proper care. I even use the plastic covering it came with as a case.I thought I was going to have a problem with the phone fitting in the clip because I have a case on it, but it fits in real snug, no problem. I do wish the clip would lock in place when pulling it up all the way because it can be sort of a struggle at first to get it in, but once you figure out a good method, you'll be fine then and get use to it. Also, I'm not sure how many other phones are set up, but my Droid Razr HD has it's volume buttons in the middle, so I have to have the phone sitting on either side a bit, otherwise it would be covering up the volume buttons. It may look a little funny, but the phone is still sitting in the clip nice and firm, so it's not that bad. Also,it doesn't come with a charger which was a bummer because of the price and I'd rather charge my phone and controller at the same time.So to break it down, here are my pros and cons -Pros:- easy set up- easy to use- can hold phone in clip with phone case on- delivery was fast and packaging was cleanCons:- clip doesn't lock for easy placement- covers volume buttons in the middle, have to set to the side a bit- does not come with chargerOver this is still a great product and I do recommend purchasing one.

The idea behind this little controller is great. It holds your phone, no matter the size, perfectly. The problem lies within the D pad and the other buttons. The triggers are nearly impossible to hit if you need them. The "D" Pad is completely useless. Luckily I had purchased some of those rubber sticky D-Pads that stick to your phone screen... so I glued that D-Pad right onto the stock D-Pad and I can throw Uppercuts in Street Fighter now. The 4 buttons on the right side are ok. They start to hurt your finger after a while of playing since they are hard plastic.On top of the button problems, the device has a little trouble syncing with bluetooth and you often have to tell your device to "forget" that it paired with the controller, then re-pair it. You also have to install a custom Keyboard application that tells your device what the controller is doing. You must switch to this "keyboard" whenever you want apps to use the controller.Even though there are so many down-sides to this controller, I still use it daily. After gluing a rubber D-Pad onto it, it's quite enjoyable and FAR better than using On-Screen controls. If this device is the only one in your budget, I'd still suggest it over playing with On-Screen controls.Note: you can pick up some sticky rubber nubs that are meant to go on photograph frames and stick them on the D-Pad as well. You can get them at hobby shops. That will also help alleviate the terrible D-Pad.