Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver Review

Presentation of the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver

In this review we would like to present to you a Xbox 360 wireless receiver that we received from Chinabuye (SKU:23243). With this device, you can connect a Xbox 360 wireless controller on PC (Windows and Linux) and also on Android devices (smartphones and tablet). Note that this Xbox 360 gaming receiver is only required if you want to use a Xbox 360 wireless controller (not the wired controller).

The product package comes with the following items:

• Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver (160cm of USB cable).
• Driver CD (drivers for Windows 32/64 bits, PDF with installation instructions and the "Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories" software).

To use the Xbox 360 wireless receiver, the following tasks must be done:

• Step 1: Plug the PC wireless gaming receiver in a USB 2.0 port. (*)
• Step 2: Turn on the Xbox 360 controller (press and hold that GUIDE button in the center).
• Step 3: Press and hold the button on the receiver (its light will start blinking).
• Step 4: Press and hold the connect button on the top of the Xbox 360 controller.
• Step 5: Wait until the lights (controller and receiver) stay on - that means both are connected. (**)

How to connect a Xbox 360 Wireless Controller to Windows or Ubuntu

If it is the first time plugging it, it probably will be necessary to install the Xbox 360 wireless receiver driver. For Windows users, there is the CD included in the package with drivers for Windows 32 or 64 bits (XP, Vista or Seven). For new Ubuntu users (***), the receiver probably will work as soon as you connect it, but know that there are tools to ease the task.

Case you need installation instructions, check the proper tutorial link just below:

• How to connect a Xbox 360 controller to Windows (with video).
• How to connect a Xbox 360 controller to Ubuntu (with video).

Testing the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver

As usual, we prepared some tests to see the capabilities of the product. For this Xbox 360 wireless receiver, we tested if a gamer is able to use it in different OS's (Windows and Ubuntu), how far is the wireless range, which type of application it is compatible and if it is possible to use more than one Xbox 360 controller on the receiver.

Testing the connectivity in different OS's (Windows and Ubuntu)

We tested it and confirmed working on the following OS's:

• Windows XP SP3 - 32 bits.
• Windows 7 - 64 bits.
• Ubuntu 12.10 - 32 bits.

Testing the wireless range of the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver

For this test, we just connected one Xbox 360 controller to the PC wireless gaming receiver and move the controller away to see how far it works. It was able to keep working in a distance about 7.5 meters (batteries fully charged and with walls obstacles).

You probably will not use the Xbox 360 controller far away from the PC wireless gaming receiver, but we made this test and put it on this review just in case someone needs that info.

Testing the Xbox Gaming Receiver in different applications

Probably a gamer want to use this gaming receiver to play Steam games or emulators games on PC. So, we tested it in these two situations. Both worked fine (plug and play) without the need of extra configuration (emulators need mapping). However, case you encounter some game/emulator with Xbox 360 controller compatibility issue, know that there are softwares like Xpadder and MotionInJoy to try to fix some problems.

Testing if more than one Xbox 360 Controller can be used simultaneously

This one is for those who like to play games with friends. We managed to test 3 (three) Xbox 360 controllers with this Xbox 360 gaming receiver and all of them worked fine (simultaneously) on GoldenEye 007 (Mupen64 - Nintendo 64 emulator) and Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (Kawaks - arcade emulator).

Unfortunately, we were unable to test if this PC wireless gaming receiver works with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel and Xbox Wireless headset (we do not own them).

Where can I buy this Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver?

This Xbox gaming receiver is on sale for about $10 at Chinabuye, more specifically in this link.

Note 1: Pay attention if you are not plugging it in a USB 1.1 port (generally those front panel USB ports on older PC's).

Note 2: Under Linux, only the receiver light will stay on. The controller light will keep blinking, but you will be able to use the Xbox 360 controller anyway.

Note 3: Distros with kernel +2.6.26 (or newer) probably already come with the new xpad module.