Putting together my list for Santa
1. The Xbox elite controller core - is the core lacking features, it’s a fair bit cheaper?
If you're dead set on the Elite, grab the full kit for the sake of an extra purple beer token - it's worth it for the wireless charging dock* & case alone, plus spares if you drop/knock/ping or otherwise magically disappear a thumbstick or rear lever...
But.do seriously consider some of the Xbox-style controllers mentioned:
Gulikit KK3 MAX (£76) - nails all the features of the Elite, but half the price and with the added bonus of HE/Maglev Triggers & Thumbsticks, rearrangeable & tactile ABXY buttons, faster polling...
EasySMX X10**/X-15/X-20 (£32ish, unless you don't mind ordering from Shein/AliX to save 30%)
(**There's quite a few X10 colour choices, but weirdly you receive the Purple/Black version, which comes with a set of white magnetic face & palm plates to mix'n'match). X-15 just adds RGB...
Gamesir Kaleid (£60ish) - hard to justify this one, compared to the others, but if you need a PC controller that can also be used with an Xbox, it's well regarded.
(*son's Elite V2 has a dead USB-C port, but still usable as the dock still charges the controller fine)
2. Do we still need a dongle these days? I think my MB has Bluetooth?
BT is fine, although the 2.4Ghz dongle that comes with some controllers gets you faster polling, if you're able to notice the difference...
3. Thrustmaster Hotas One as a casual flight sim player, is it decent?
Pass - I've not used a joystick since Windows 95.
4. If I get a USB 3 data hub and plug it into the PC, can I use it to plug devices directly into?
Absolutely - Ugreen make some very decent hubs for under a tenner. I have a basic USB-3 to 6 port dongle that hangs off my motherboard and a slightly dearer 10cm USB-C to 4x USB3, with HDMI & Ethernet (for my phone/tablet when away).
Anything else Santa should be getting me to improve my gaming experience?
Thanks
Decent headset & ergonomnomnomic (a supportive chair you can game/snack from) can make a big difference.
Biggest difference I made to my gaming experience was running 30m fibre optic HDMI 2.1 & USB3 cables from my pc, through the wall to our lounge TV (75" TCL C845K) - with sound through my Mordant Short Alumni 5.2 setup (E-ARC). Getting comfy on the recliners, playing in 4k 120hz on a spectacular MiniLED panel, makes a game so much more enjoyable...
