Controller Mods

I was recently introduced to a crazy looking controller mod from a friend.  It's called the Avenger Controller and at first glance honestly looks ridiculous.  What is this thing and how in the world does it work?  

Looking it over a for a while just based on the images from the website, I came to figure out that this contraption is modifying both your left and right trigger buttons, but is also adding quick action levers to all your major buttons as well, X, Y, A, & B.   If you look up any reference videos from the site or navigate to youtube, you can get a better glance at how it all functions.   

Avenger Controller

It's a very intriguing design, and I'm sure there is a learning period where you have to retrain your fingers to make new movements, but I bet it makes for incredible reaction time in games once you master it.   As I considered if I would really want to buy one of things something pretty big came to mind.  Since Bad Company 2 is my preferred shooter and I've spent a good number of hours playing it online, I have noticed that there can be quite a bit of controller lag in game.  If there is an intense moment in the action, and I decided to flip among primary, secondary and power weapon, cycling through all the buttons may not actually show the reactions I desire on screen.   Does anyone know what I'm talking about?  

I am still intrigued by them and would like to consider picking up a set.  One thing I noticed though is you can only order through the manufacturers website and it seems like they have 2 month backlog or lead time.   That doesn't seem fair as a consumer to have to put up with that.   

One controller mod I currently use for all gaming are the Kontrol Freak thumb extensions called "FPS Freak."  These little bad boys are a simple pad extender you put on top of your standard controller thumb pads. This essentially helps the player get better leverage and can therefore create finer movements thus improving your accuracy.  They are a cheap add on at only $10-13.    Kontrol Freak also makes a product called "Speed Freak" which is used racing games.   These thumb pads create a cradle like cushion to help the user keep their thumbs contained and controlled.    

Kontrol Freak - FPS Freak

Kontrol Freak - Speed Freak

Controller mods like this are pretty cool to me b/c you're just enhancing the controller and players abilities, but it is all manual and at the control of the user.  If you go and buy 3rd party controllers w/ modifications built in such as slow motion or rapid fire are pretty cheap and don't work in all games.   

Are there any other cool and functional controller mods out there people know of that I can check out?   Any leg up on the competition is a good thing right?  Keep that K/D going strong.