We’ve already reviewed several gamepads, but the devices falling into our hands have turned out to be pretty expensive. Today, though, we’ll get to know an entry-level gamepad – SVEN Scout.

This inexpensive model has a lot to offer: a D-pad, 12 buttons, Turbo mode for continuous firing or other actions. And all this costs about $10. Agree: today one bill featuring a portrait of Alexander Hamilton is hardly enough to buy a decent gamepad, moreover – it’s virtually impossible. However, such offers do exist and we start our story about one of them.

The pack is absolutely simple – it’s a sealed plastic blister with a white-blue carton insert for background. Besides the gamepad itself, the blister contains an operation manual and a warranty card. The device is a traditionally shaped gamepad of black plastic with two handles.

All the control elements are performed in grey. On the left there is an eight-position joystick, and opposite there is a pad with 4 buttons. Between them, there are two more buttons numbered 9 and 10 to provide shortcuts to certain options in the game. Below, there are Turbo and Clear buttons. In Turbo mode, you need to press a button and hold it down for multiple repeating of a corresponding action. Clear button switches off Turbo mode.

Power LED is between buttons 9 and 10, and above, there SVEN logo. On the rear side of the gamepad there are four more buttons to be pressed with index fingers. The upper ones are bigger, the lower ones smaller.

The USB cable for PC connection is also attached to the rear side. The keystroke is pretty tough, with audible click.

SVEN Scout is connected in the same way as most gamepads and input devices are. The cable is connected to a PC USB port, operating system recognizes the gamepad, no drivers are needed, setup is made right in the game, and the device is ready to operate. Certainly, you need to do some magic to control settings in the game, program or reprogram buttons at your convenience to make them do what you need: scan the map, switch on the headlights, change the weapon, etc.

In the game, SVEN Scout makes a good performance. There are enough buttons to do without a keyboard or a mouse. Turbo mode functions the way it should, but note that it’s only required in some games.

Let’s sum it up. SVEN Scout is a simple entry level gamepad. The materials both feel and look inexpensive, but assembly quality is quite good.

SVEN Scout will satisfy weekend gamers who see no sense in getting an expensive device for a couple of games. Other possible users are novice gamers who can get such a gamepad as a gift.