Advice needed to hone input consistency

[marurun]

Fighter experts, I need help. I cannot, right now, afford a nice joystick, so I'm stuck playing my PC fighters with 360 pads. But my problem isn't new to 360 pads. I've always had trouble with input consistency. I have fireballs and dragon punches down, but charge moves, especially down to up, are a real problem for me. Double fireballs are also a real problem. I tend to get DPs instead. I have never been able to get a 360 grab to work without just spamming on the pad and buttons.

The amount of trouble I have seems to vary from game to game. It's really bad in USFIV. It's not quite as bad in KOF13.

Any guidance that can be offered, given that I'm stuck with the pads I have, or possibly a new, but affordable, option?

[strangenova]

The best way isn't affordable, the best way to get clear inputs is to get an arcade stick controller. The 360 controller just isn't reliable or quick enough.

A suggestion for your double QC though, maybe try hitting forward followed by the two QCs it'll probably buffer into the proper input.

[theclaw]

It's a lost cause. The 360 pad has no tactile feedback indicating diagonals.
About as accurate as tilting an M&M on the end of a lollipop stick.

[noiseredux]

if you can afford an Xbox One controller, the dpad is much nicer.

[marurun]

I could probably spot up to about $40 without too much trouble. Is there a good fighting pad? I know I can't get a worthwhile joystick for that.

[noiseredux]

The SF4 pads were pretty decent. Dont know what they go for now.

[bmoc]

I'd look at a Hori Fighting Commander, Hori Fighting Commander 4, or Sega Saturn pad with Mayflash adapter.

[TSTR]

I'd look at a Hori Fighting Commander, Hori Fighting Commander 4, or Sega Saturn pad with Mayflash adapter.

This, if you want pads.

I highly recommend learning stick though, so much more natural feeling. Just keep an eye out for bargains and deals, you can find stuff at a good price sometimes.