[commodoredl]

Using the joysticks on a PS2 controller is nice because they are symmetrical, which feels a little more intuitive in a tank drive setup. I prefer the feel of the xbox 360 controller, but the joystick placement kind of hurts that setup. If students prefer using joysticks for two different things, like strafing vs. normal driving and turning, then I prefer a controller definitely.
I really like Joysticks for general control of a robot, but I have always been a little bugged by the KoP beige joysticks we get. Just the fact that we have to spend ten minutes turning the little dial to calibrate when we are about to do a demo is a big pain, and their bulky feel isn't too great. But if our team was to modify those things a bit I would love to use them in a different casing.
Joysticks definitely have more fine control but it can depend on your drive code too. Our programmers are notorious for making the controls really jumpy in build season practice, and then you have to practically use thumb and pointer just to move the joystick.