Decent game controller?

mrk said:
The Xbox layout controllers all follow similar sizing so if an normal Xbox pad is too small for you then none of the controllers mentioned in recent times will do that are Xbox layout, though the Tarantula Pro is PS4 styled and sized and that shape tends to be better for universal hand sizes so might be worth checking out?
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I had a hunch that would be the case, thanks for confirming. I'll take a proper look at the Tarantula, cheers.

Eddie99 said:
If you like the DualSense I'd suggest just getting another DualSense, they're on offer for £40 at the moment. They look and feel premium and they are ridiculously responsive/accurate when overclocked on PC. What I do is test the sticks with Gamepad Tester, moving them a tiny bit in each direction then letting go, and if they have stick drift over 0.05 out of the box then they get sent straight back. I've been through a few DualSense controllers and fortunately haven't had any issues with stick drift so far, I've only had to replace them when the left stick gets worn out and gets more difficult to press L3.
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Thanks for the info. I'd seen the price reduction recently and I am tempted to get another one but was curious to check if I was missing any options that would suit someone with large hands as even the Dualsense causes me issues after a while. That and the fact they don't last long enough before needing to be binned doesn't sit well. I suspect this maybe my only option though unfortunately.

Thanks both, for the responses, much appreciated.
 
Anything half-decent with a BT connection. I've used both official Xbox series controllers and Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro over BT to my Pi4 that I use in the living room as a streaming client, and the experience is much of a muchness.

Depends on which kind of controller you prefer but 3rd party controller quality has really come a long way.
 
I seldom use a controller but have been for some old school FPS games of late.
I'm using a wired 360 pad, though I've noticed that it's fickle about when it decides to connect to the port I plug it into.
It can take many attempts. It's not like I've used it much, but maybe it's a duff one on the way out.

So, with the possibility of adding one to the shopping list, is the EasySMX a good option to go for?
I know next to nothing about controllers, so any pointers appreciated. Thx.
 
UTmaniac said:
Anyone bought a Gamesir Nova Lite or Nova Pro?

Shame the latter doesn't appear to have anologue triggers.
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mrk said:
I've had both, the non Lite is geared specifically for Switch as ABXY are mapped for Nintendo layout, and no analogue as Switch doesn't have Analogue. Forget the Lite, get the EasySMX X05 instead as it's just better all round.
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Have both as recommended by MRK (4x Lite, 2x Nova), ordered from Shein.

The 4 Lites cost less than a single official Pro controller and are brilliant value, considering the included hardshell case & 2.4Ghz dongle. They're the Xbox ABXY layout, really light but comfy with decent rumble. We've used them with Android tablets, Firesticks, Google TV, PC & Switch.

The Novas are more like the Pro controller (ABXY in the right place for the Switch, with proper gyro, M1/M2 macro buttons on the back, RGBling), but don't include a hardshell case.

Can also highly recommend the EasySMX X-10 (£23 during the last Prime sale, which was cheaper than Shein/AliX) - feels a fair bit more premium than the Gamesir Nova/Lite: adjustable rumble, clicky ABXY switches, HE Triggers & Sticks and has an excellent adjustable phone dock (another £14) that attaches nicely to the grooves at the back (leaves access for USB-C port & folds forward over the front of the controller when transporting) - it fits my Pixel 9 Pro XL well.
 
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I've had various third party controllers and they either don't last (rubber literally rotted on the pads on one) and driver issues (company even posted they weren't releasing drivers for the new OS as they had to pay MS for drivers to be signed and they simply weren't going to) official pads are just built to higher standard

rich_h said:
Thanks for the info. I'd seen the price reduction recently and I am tempted to get another one but was curious to check if I was missing any options that would suit someone with large hands as even the Dualsense causes me issues after a while. That and the fact they don't last long enough before needing to be binned doesn't sit well. I suspect this maybe my only option though unfortunately.
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What are you doing to them? I've two and no problems with either
 
Any decent controller should not need any drivers for Windows as they use Xinput which is a universal standard and seen by Windows as an Xbox controller. All controllers mentioned in this thread work this way.
 
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Blackjack Davy said:
I've had various third party controllers and they either don't last (rubber literally rotted on the pads on one) and driver issues (company even posted they weren't releasing drivers for the new OS as they had to pay MS for drivers to be signed and they simply weren't going to) official pads are just built to higher standard



What are you doing to them? I've two and no problems with either
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I've only had one but my comment was more in relation to lots of reports around the web about stick drift in particular being a common problem with the Dualsense in quite short timeframes. As it happens, mine has lasted two years before showing the first signs of acting up so not too bad. What I didn't want to do was play a lottery in getting another one to find that it goes wrong quickly, plus it was an opportunity to try and find other options that are more comfortable for someone with large hands.
 
qbhatti said:
which controller to pair with an android tv to use with moonlight streaming?
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I've tried several third party units, but I've found the PS5 Dual Sense drops out the least (I'm usually on my bed, about 5m away from the TV). Steam will recognise and map the buttons properly.
 
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I feel like I'm being dumb here, but my replacement Defender crush the screenshot button doesn't work, nor does it actually show as a button available on the control panel test. I guess because it thinks it's an Xbox 360 controller in Windows.
I'm sure it worked on my last one though. I was messing around on a game and that button is to get into the settings but it doesn't recognise it.

Edit yeah it was me. The + is the burger menu button lol.
Not sure what the point of the screenshot button is then if it doesn't even recognise it in Windows
 
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On Windows 11 the screenshot button acts as the default Windows screen capture on some controllers like gamesir, on others it has no function but in certain games it is the share button. Steam does not recognise it properly using Steam Input, it has to be in Switch pro mode or DS4 mode I believe on those controllers, whereas the new GameSir controllers work with it out of the box without needing steam input or anything.

I have a new controller in today which does have a USP, and strangely actually has fast responding sticks with no obvious filtering being applied which is good to see. Just a shame the -10% inner deadzone being enforced means you have to move the stick for longer before the lowest movement is registered in game.

Nyxi Flexi, the USP is that you can flip the left stick and D-pad to get playstation layout, and you can swap around the ABXY buttons for Nintendo layout:

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Ok so that Flexi has great stick performance, best I've seen yet for hall effect, but it's let down by controller corner cutting and lack of features other than the layout swapping.
 
@mrk I've checked the manual but do you know of a way (other than I expect plugging in) to stop the defender from turning off when not in use? I wanted to use it for controlling a vehicle but that is as and when so whenever I get in to it my controller has turned off because I am using normal kb+m for fps controls.
 
There is no way to turn off the no activity timeout, hardly any controllers give that option even, some GameSirs do in the software which you can toggle though.
 
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