Review: PSP Rechargeable Grip

PSP Rechargeable Grip
Manufacturer: PEGA
Site: Buy from Brando
Price: $12.00

Overview : Rechargeable battery pack and grip for better comfort when holding the PSP.

Features :

• Adjustable grip
• More controlled and comfortable grip on your PSP
• Built-in Rechargeable Batteries (600mAh)

Quality/Usability : Upon opening the package and removing the grip, you can tell the grip is flimsy and felt like you can easily break it. The grips slide apart and are held by a thing plastic track. Once you snapped and attached the grip to the PSP, the grip is held snuggly.

When using the grip, it felt comfortable and prevented any hand cramping for those who have oversized mits (hands). It kind of felt like an oversized PlayStation Dual Shock control minus the rumble of course.

In addition to it being a grip, included is a built-in rechargeable battery pack that is located inside the grips. This is a great addition for those who want additional playing time when using the grip. Too bad there is no battery indicator to inform you if and when the battery is charged or dead. The battery should get you about 1.5-3 hours depending on if you're playing a game, watching a movie or using it continously.

Unfortunately, if you are using the grip and you're playing a game and want to switch to another game or want to watch a UMD movie, the grip prevents you from doing so. The grip blocks the UMD tray from opening. So inorder to swap discs, you'll have to detach the grip inorder to access the UMDs. Not only does this block the UMD tray, but the memory stick slot as well. For those who swap memory sticks often whether its for emulators or movies, you'll have to detach the grip inorder to access the memory stick slot.

Conclusion : This grip has its flaws especially the blocking of the UMD tray, the memory stick slot as well as the grip feeling a little flimsy. But the extra play time that the rechargeable battery provides kind of makes up for it. But having a rechargeable battery pack with no indicator defeats the purpose. How would one know whether or not the battery if fully charged or dead?

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