The elite controller was designed for customization.. so say he didn't like the D pad, it can be swapped for a different one. Same with the thumbsticks. Not sure what would be "better" in the $50 non-customizable controller. Since there was no specification on what wasn't liked... Maybe you could say w/ the non-elite you can swap out batteries, the elite has internal one instead. But for the size, shape of the controllers, they're identical. The underneath paddles can be removed on the elite, so he could basically convert it into a non-elite controller... although that kind of nullifies one of the biggest selling points in my opinion..