Peripherals
Lightning Review: Caps4Stix Thumstick Covers
Posted by Mark Wilson at 7:00 AM on July 24, 2008
The Gadget: Caps4Stix rubber thumbstick covers for Xbox 360 and PS3. They're meant to add more grip for better precision and control.
The Price: About $2 per pair.
The Verdict: Pretty good! I usually hate this rubbery add-on stuff that fattens up a sleekly designed gadget, but I have to admit, playing both the PS3 and Xbox 360 felt better with the caps than without. The texture isn't just more sticky, it also has a few nubs that support your thumbs as they push the sticks farther off centre. (In picture above, left stick is capped, right is normal.) And the covers don't add too much bulk, either, even though the first few minutes of testing were definitely a strange sensation.
So do I play better with the Caps4Stix? No clue. But they aren't just a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. They are more like a subtle improvement on something that you'd never have realised was broken. Like a fix to a carbon monoxide leak if carbon monoxide just burned off a few brain cells instead of killing you.
Now if only you could buy them in a colour other than black to match the 360 controller... [Caps4Stix]

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Red T-Rex
Posted July 24, 2008 7:52 PM
Surely any time spent on R&D of these would have been better spent on something like, I dunno, lets say cancer! I'd hate to say on my deathbed that my life's achievement was these thumbstick covers.
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 9:18 AM 24/7/08
@ninjagin: So you make an off topic comment about off topic comments because you despise off topic comments so much? Talk about fucking annoying...
Oh, and to answer your question: Yes, you are the only one.
Mr.SithNinja
reckless_inoz
Posted 9:18 AM 24/7/08
@ninjagin: You're not alone. You can put my name on your list mate.
reckless_inoz
Cordfucious
Posted 9:18 AM 24/7/08
@ninjagin: I will pray for your speedy recovery....
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. After all, one knows one's weak points so well, that it's rather bewildering to have the critics overlook them and invent others.
Cordfucious
Cordfucious
nutbastard
Posted 9:17 AM 24/7/08
@ninjagin:
no, im sure others find it annoying as well. on the other hand, I don't really give a rats ass.
nutbastard
ninjagin
Posted 9:04 AM 24/7/08
Am I the only one that's getting tired of the Gizmodo-comments-as-the-nutbastard-carmen-offtopic-chat-client? Not cute. Fucking annoying.
ninjagin
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 8:47 AM 24/7/08
@Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!: @nutbastard:
(in best singing voice) Carmen and nutbastard sitting in a tree....
Aww you guys are so cute! ;-)
Mr.SithNinja
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Posted 8:25 AM 24/7/08
@nutbastard: I don't know, you don't pay me very much attention in the first place so shit... probably playing with your butt.
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
nutbastard
Posted 8:22 AM 24/7/08
@Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!:
if i have no life, then wtf am i doing when im not paying attention to you? pwnd.
nutbastard
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Posted 8:20 AM 24/7/08
@Mrbungleface: He has no life and neglects his girlfriend...that's why :)
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
notwhoyouthink
Posted 8:19 AM 24/7/08
It would be nice if they came out with some for the psp.
notwhoyouthink
nutbastard
Posted 8:17 AM 24/7/08
@Mrbungleface:
damn straight.
nutbastard
Mrbungleface
Posted 8:07 AM 24/7/08
@nutbastard:
no joke.... nutbastard knows everything and it doesnt even take him any effort at all to just figure shit out if he dont lol...... whats up with that... hes like that in real life too
Mrbungleface
nutbastard
Posted 7:57 AM 24/7/08
@dannydutton:
"it would take some one longer to move from center to the edge"
no it just takes more distance - and having some nice software here (and some spare time) i can tell you that the additional distance for a 1mm height increase from center to edge is on the order of .3mm. i highly doubt any measurable decrease in speed can be observed due to the addition of a millimeter or two of height.
nutbastard
tek_nic
Posted 7:48 AM 24/7/08
@dannydutton: Seriously? That's the best flaw you can find? What about the FACT that this uses no USB power or LED lights?!? Now THATS a deal breaker.
Sorry - but I just don't think the extra mm of space there is going to make a difference. Or at least, a real difference.
tek_nic
SuperCollider
Posted 7:28 AM 24/7/08
I saw some fluorescent green ones with some funky design on 'em for sale at the GameStop down in my town. Wouldn't exactly match anything but hey, it's not black.
SuperCollider
Liltrix
Posted 7:28 AM 24/7/08
i cant wait to get one for zuma....
Liltrix
urbanturban666
Posted 7:19 AM 24/7/08
not bad at all... great for tiger woods golf.
urbanturban666
dannydutton
Posted 7:17 AM 24/7/08
I guess these are good for grip but what about reaction time. it would take some one longer to move from center to the edge as the arc from the thumbstick end in the center to the edge would be longer also.
imo, this is crap
dannydutton
ps61318
Posted 7:16 AM 24/7/08
...all about the nubbs, dude...
ps61318
Cordfucious
Posted 7:12 AM 24/7/08
@ps61318: turn em inside out and its nubbs for your pleasure...
Cordfucious
TheAdAgency
Posted 7:11 AM 24/7/08
Clearly the markers of the French tickler will be filing for breach of patent.
TheAdAgency
dashexpress
Posted 7:09 AM 24/7/08
These would be good for the stupid Beijing Olympics 2008 game. Man I hate that game.
dashexpress
daftrok
Posted 7:07 AM 24/7/08
Aren't the analog sticks for the 360 dark gray? Frankly I think this would be a nice touch to the controller.
daftrok
ps61318
Posted 7:07 AM 24/7/08
Aw, little joystick condoms! With nubbins for her pleasure! Very nice.
ps61318
Valicious
Posted 9:59 AM 24/7/08
@shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog:
Take it all on chair
Get yourself together
Mothers in a lawn chair
Electric come to get in
Verbal litigation
Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks
Punishment in higher places
People they are weird
And people they act strange
Get yourself together
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE
Valicious
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 9:58 AM 24/7/08
@shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog: HOLY CRAP I THINK I JUST PEED A LITTLE! Hilariously off topic! You sir are an artist!
Mr.SithNinja
Valicious
Posted 9:58 AM 24/7/08
@Mr.SithNinja: why are you nutbastard sitting in a tree? In a trunk with a bong I envision.
Less liked thee the grip on my Dreamcast than the grip on my Cube but they're temporary illegal to sell.
Valicious
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Posted 9:56 AM 24/7/08
@shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog: oh hells yes!
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
Posted 9:54 AM 24/7/08
I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung
Wanna pull up tough
Cuz you notice that butt was stuffed
Deep in the jeans she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring
Oh, baby I wanna get with ya
And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But that butt you got
Make Me so horney
Ooh, rump of smooth skin
You say you wanna get in my benz
Well use me use me cuz you aint that average groupy
I've seen them dancin'
To hell with romancin'
She's Sweat,Wet, got it goin like a turbo vette
I'm tired of magazines
Saying flat butts are the thing
Take the average black man and ask him that
She gotta pack much back
So Fellas (yeah) Fellas(yeah)
Has your girlfriend got the butt (hell yeah)
Well shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake that healthy butt
Baby got back
(LA face with Oakland booty)
I like'em round and big
And when I'm throwin a gig
I just can't help myself
I'm actin like an animal
Now here's my scandal
I wanna get you home
And UH, double up UH UH
I aint talkin bout playboy
Cuz silicone parts were made for toys
I wannem real thick and juicy
So find that juicy double
Mixalot's in trouble
Beggin for a piece of that bubble
So I'm lookin' at rock videos
Knockin these bimbos walkin like hoes
You can have them bimbos
I'll keep my women like Flo Jo
A word to the thick soul sistas
I wanna get with ya
I won't cus or hit ya
But I gotta be straight when I say I wanna --
Til the break of dawn
Baby Got it goin on
Alot of pimps won't like this song
Cuz them punks lie to hit it and quit it
But I'd rather stay and play
Cuz I'm long and I'm strong
And I'm down to get the friction on
So ladies (yeah), Ladies (yeah)
Do you wanna roll in my Mercedes (yeah)
Then turn around
Stick it out
Even white boys got to shout
Baby got back
(LA face with the Oakland booty)
Yeah baby
When it comes to females
Cosmo ain't got nothin to do with my selection
36-24-36
Only if she's 5'3"
So your girlfriend throws a Honda
Playin workout tapes by Fonda
But Fonda ain't got a motor in the back of her Honda
My anaconda don't want none unless you've got buns hun
You can do side bends or sit-ups, but please don't lose that butt
Some brothers wanna play that hard role
And tell you that the butt ain't gold
So they toss it and leave it
And I pull up quick to retrieve it
So cosmo says you're fat
Well I ain't down with that
Cuz your waste is small and your curves are kickin
And I'm thinkin bout stickin
To the beanpole dames in the magazines
You aint it miss thing
Give me a sista I can't resist her
Red beans and rice did miss her
Some knucklehead tried to dis
Cuz his girls were on my list
He had game but he chose to hit 'em
And pulled up quick to get with 'em
So ladies if the butt is round
And you wanna triple X throw down
Dial 1-900-MIXALOT and kick them nasty thoughts
Baby got back
Baby got back
Little in tha middle but she got much back x4
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Posted 10:25 AM 24/7/08
@Mr.SithNinja: SIR?! ITS A WOMAN
a very beautiful woman.
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Valicious
Posted 10:09 AM 24/7/08
Oh, sun drenched French girls wont relate to
A frozen girl from the northern state
Dreamin about happy babies kicking ladies in the metro now
And the mirrors wont sing back to..
Chopping your air or you're choppin the line
But you lap that up and laugh back up and smile
Whoo! Alright, lets fall apart and the clock starts here and now
Tick tick tick tick tick tick, ow!
She said your allegory is far too blunt
I said this aint no laboratory, you're the cunt
She said I'm punching the distance, it doesnt rhyme
Or resonate brilliance in its time
But is it lyrical genius or crap rock poetry?
I say the linear drums more sin Patti Smith than me
Maybe the reason we're so uninspired
Cos we're hours late and the bodies are tired,
I think everybody here can agree
That the party aint wank cos the booze is free
No, free spirits aint setting no one's spirit free
Yeah, uh huh, I'm fallin apart and the clock starts here and now
Tick tick tick tick, ow
Wind it up now!
I used to think life's a bitter pill but its a grand old time
Valicious
ithcy
Posted 1:35 PM 24/7/08
@ninjagin: it's definitely annoying and i wish gizmodo would pay more attention to what's going on in the comments. take it to IM, people.
ithcy
Nintenboy01
Posted 2:13 PM 24/7/08
Damn, if only this thing had been around in the N64 days... That stick really coulda used this.
Nintenboy01
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
Posted 2:14 PM 24/7/08
@ithcy: oh please cut the bullshit. It BARELY happens anymore. Even gizmodo has said it's okay as long as it's not a huge common issue. Get the fuck over yourself.
LONG LIVE VIDEO GAMES!
Carmen-I'M NOT ASIAN!
SomeoneUKno
Posted 2:44 PM 24/7/08
@Valicious: @Valicious: @shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog: Cool! Sing-along time!
SomeoneUKno
ithcy
Posted 2:59 PM 24/7/08
@Carmen turns 19 in 5 days!!!: Guess what? It becomes a "huge common issue" if people complain about it. Go the fuck back to the mall and take your internet lech with you.
ithcy
DaSmith
Posted 7:14 PM 24/7/08
"A strange sensaion" :D I guess it felt like a bunch of nipples! :D
DaSmith
Chef
Posted 8:00 PM 24/7/08
"Now if only you could buy them in a color other than black to match the 360 controller... "
Red rings would do fine.
Chef
lordargent
Posted 3:10 AM 25/7/08
Better than the last set of caps that were featured here on gizmodo. Those were $10 each!
lordargent
VSorceress
Posted 12:12 PM 28/7/08
@ps61318: Best Post Ever imo.
VSorceress