Squarespace

Now, if you don't know what SquareSpace is, you are technically looking at it right now. SquareSpace is a nice little web-host / tool that not only hosts the finished product, but also helps you maintain and update your website with ease. Everything on this site (with exception of hosting the videos) comes using their tools directly. It's a pretty diverse set, but I should elaborate that they are also a busy group of workers who are constantly trying to improve their services and make it better and easier. Take this review as an "at the moment of writing" review, particularly with the pros and cons list, as things certainly change. As a matter of fact, I'll even leave in some of the stuff they changed with a note next to it to show you the kind of drive these fine people have.

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Afterglow Universal Wireless Headset

After the loss of my previous surround sound headset (the band broke), I found myself needing a replacement. Considering the fact that my PC for which the replacement would need to be bought is in near vicinity of my Xbox, I thought that I might as well follow through on a thought I had some time ago (that lead to my purchase of the older wired version). I've had a good deal of time to use these guys, so I think it's only fair that I finally put up what I think and my experiences on these for anyone else thinking about a pair.

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Afterglow Universal Wired Headset

Sometimes, we have to get a cheaper product because we don't have enough for the one we aimed for. In this case, I refer only to the aspect that is being WIRED. And let me tell you, there are a lot of wires on this bad boy.

Pros: 

  • Good quality audio - Stereo 50mm
  • Normal / Bass Boost audio modes
  • Inline controls (chat/game balance as well as headphone volume toggle) 
  • LED lighting (not as obtrusively bright as older model) 
  • Flexible, extending microphone
  • Overall pretty flexible headband - makes for a good tight fit
  • Useable with Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U, and PC
  • Microphone pics up very nicely
  • Ridiculously long cables  (Don't know for exact, but certainly double-digits feet)

Cons

  • A bit uncomfortable for those with glasses (tight fit will squish the ear-ends, causing a bit of float whenever the headphones move) 
  • A lot of cables (inline audio to speakers, USB to system/pc, cable from inline controls box to Xbox 360 controller mic jack). 
  • Ridiculously long cables (can get messy real fast)  
  • Charging cables and wired controllers will cause some mic feedback to anyone you talk to (odd "buzzing" sound) on Xbox 360 controller
  • This one may be the actual Xbox service, as I've had issues like this with other wired microphones, but occasionally mic become unintelligible for party members (fixed with a simple flick of the mute/unmute on the inline controls
  • Bass boost can cause some audio garble - Similar to most older-type Bass Boost settings (like old CD players). 

 Some may consider the lack of surround sound a con - to me, I honestly find it easier to hear everything without it, as with surround sound I find that there are always moments when something (such as dialogue) comes in to quiet/softly and then the music comes in so strong/loud it ends up being painful when compensated for the dialogue. Also, some may find the light's constant on state to be annoying, although outside of the mic "audio indicator" LED (blue for normal, red for bass boost) is relatively not noticeable while wearing the headset (comes in blue and green LED versions, by the way). I got these on sale at Target, and still hope to eventually try out the wireless versions in the future, but in a change of pace I will actually supply you with an Amazon link so you can see the price and have a spot to get it (previous Tron Controller reviews had me constantly assailed with "where do I get one?").
Purchase from PDP on Amazon

Afterglow AX.4 Wired Communicator

You know me, and you know I love my items that glow!

Pros

  • Relatively cheap
  • LED lighting (variety of colors) 
  • Works with Xbox 360 controllers
  • Ear cushion makes it pretty comfortable to wear. 
  • Large mute button on side of headset (where the mic is) 
  • Mic rotates 180 degrees
  • Inline headset volume

Cons

  • Very short microphone, requires the user to talk louder to be picked up
  • May have something to do with above, but mic also seems to put out quieter audio to party members
  • LED's are bright enough to noticeably illuminate half the room on the side that the LED is situated  
  • May be a problem with Xbox Live (as it has happened to me with various makes of wired headsets), but occasionally party members will receive unintelligible noise instead of what you are actually saying

Honestly, as much as I love the items that glow, I would say that it would be more worthwhile to pass this one up in exchange for a better quality headset. Inbound audio works fine on this guy, but that short microphone has a lot of issues picking someone up, especially a quiet guy like me. The LED's, while fun, are also a bit too bright for my liking (being that I use a projector over a TV, it can actually cause wash-out on my 'screen' making it harder to see). That being said, I will post a link for purchase in case anyone desires on none-the-less.
Purchase from PDP on Amazon

Nyko Xbox 360 Charging Dock (Xbox 360)

A step in the right direction!

Pros

  • Comes with two NiMH (rechargeable)  battery packs advertised as 25 hours of playtime (I have not tested for more than 6 hours as of yet)
  • Base station accepts both controllers at once, with a front-mounted easy to see LED display that shows if/when they are charging
  • Has a USB port hidden in the front
  • Power cable keeps it separate from the Xbox 360 system itself
  • Cheaper than buying to battery + charger combo packs

Cons

  • Requires specific batteries (Nyko NiMH like the ones that come with it) to charge

Overall, this guy saves me a lot of time. I own an Xbox that just wants to keep turning itself on from power-down state, so I often leave it unplugged (meaning my batteries can't charge while I'm not playing). This charger, being independant from the Xbox, will charge both my controllers without any issue, and the USB in the front also lets me charge my wireless headset while I'm not gaming as well. So far, I have had no issues with it at tall (one controller has been on there charging since I got it, no smells of burning or anything like that).

Purchase Link from Amazon 

Tron Controller

File this sexy beauty under AWESOME.

Really though, the video file on this says it all. Rubberized grips on the hand portion, 4 way dpad (as opposed to dpad with directionals). The overall feel is the same as most wired controllers - button sensitivy, stick rotation/sensitivity, button spacing all with no noticeable differances (at least by me). The rubber grips are comfortable, but can attribute to some hand sweating, and I haven't noticed it with any of my other controllers before, but this one has actually rumbled itself off the table during a cutscene before.

The only real negative on this bad boy is (to some) that its wired, and to more of us, that it does not work with generation 1 headsets (the bad boys with the huge plug part that contains also the mute switch on it). This, of course, is no problem to anyone with the newer headsets (either wireless, or containing just the plug at the end), but for those of us who've been around for a while, its troublesome.

Addendum: It's been brought to my attention that thanks to the g2 style mic jack, the controller will probably not work with the controller-plugged keypad either (I don't have one, so I can neither confirm or deny this).