Options for PC Gaming Controllers

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  Diji1 on 25/08/2018 - 11:44

  +1

  According to me the best controller is the Xbox One Elite but it has no gyro although you can add it via third party accessories eg Brook X Wireless is a battery, gyro and Bluetooth transmitter so XB1 Elite can be used on PS4 and Switch and you can avoid buying a Windows 10 dongle if you're happy with Bluetooth connection.

  Other than that I own/have owned:

  PS4 Dualshock v2 which has gyro and touchpad and is a very nice controller,

  Switch Pro (no analogue triggers),

  Nvidia Shield controller (OG) which can only be used wired with an Nvidia graphics card because Nvidia. It's my favourite controller as far as comfort, it's about XB1 size but thicker, feels solid and it's extremely light, surprisingly light when you first pick it up. It has Dualshock 4 arrangment for thumb sticks and very long analogue triggers (good for car games). It doesn't feel like a high quality controller like DS4 or XB1 Elite though.

  As far as using a gyro I don't think it works very well but YMMV … with finicky stuff eg apparatus where you roll balls in mazes inside Zelda BOTW shrines I find it easier to hold the controller rigid and lean my whole body with the controller.

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  Peace Horse on 25/08/2018 - 13:40

  I use an Xbox One controller (2016 version) and it ticks all the boxes you ask for. I use eneloops in them which doesn't charge by plugging in via. USB so not sure if other batteries do. Everything can be remapped in Windows 10 and has excellent compatibility with all games being that Xbox is the 'standard' controller for PC games.

  I have a Steam Controller too and compatibility has been a bit iffy for me.

  • 

    AlienC on 25/08/2018 - 22:32

    Is there an xbox one controller variant with more keybindings like programmable macros or something just buttons.. I play a lot of games with extra buttons needed for bindings for example fps games with building hotkeys so an extra button or two might actually help maybe not sure will have to see when i try out a steam controller on the way but yeah more buttons for me have always been an awesome extra even one or two for improved gameplay functionality.

    • 

      Peace Horse on 26/08/2018 - 08:02

      That's a no. Not even the Elite gives extra buttons or Macros, and I don't think that any "Xbox" controller would because it needs to maintain compatibility with Xbox… and Macros would be considered cheating (There are devices like CronusMAX PLUS though, but that's overkill for PC gaming). There is probably software which can fill in the gaps as far as Macros go triggered by Controller input. AHK for example.

      • 

        AlienC on 26/08/2018 - 18:15

        Sorry macros was bad wording I'm just looking for extra buttons does not need to be programmable or cheating like macros but say an extra button to bring up another window or perform another action would be great.

        Does not have to be Xbox just Xbox like or what I mean is good quality like Xbox but honestly if the buttons are not as good it doesn't matter..functionality over anything else..

        Trying to find the equivalent of a mouse or keyboard with extra buttons but on a controller or handheld device because resting my keyboard on my lap while controller gaming would be my only option then to access the full spectrum and benefit of a proper keyboard and mouse setup.. instead it would be keyboard sand controller which syphilis get clunky imho.

        I play lots of games with extra buttons than what a basic standard controller can offer so need the next step up also so I don't waste time buying more stuff and now having to sell off the excess when I don't need the others.

        My biggest current example is my headset and speaker setup, I have like 2 headphones, 1 headset, countless wired and cheap Bluetooth earbuds that I am now trying to get to just one all round multi purpose over ear head phones with high quality detachable or usable mic, wired and wireless functionality, extreme comfort levels for very long usage both in bed and at my desk while also maybe foldable or portable to carry in a bag for long public transport bus and train trips etc, budget is trying to be below a QC 35 but honestly at this point anything that can meet all those standards is a near instant buy from me at this point, warranty doesn't matter because I have honestly never had to use warranty or tried so it is an alien service product peace of mind feature to me but in saying that I did buy few years warranty shoppers buyer protection for my $27 AUD Sades gaming plastic headset because why not.. I am kind of expecting something to go wrong with those sub $25 AUD headsets but honestly I might replace them first.

        I feel like I might be forgetting or missing something here like surround sound or active mouse canceling which might be nice features but too be honest still waiting on those features and products to be more perfected before they become a more important feature set to be considered when I buy.. leakage would probably be more important and the fact it can be charged via usb or cables instead of batteries maybe.

        Even toying with the idea of a joystick but I think I told myself a long time ago that I would not revisit that notion because while fun it is still quite gimmicky to me and would probably just go for VR at this point if I were to even consider it but that is another product that I can a couple more generations while the current early stage generations get fixed.

    • 

      Diji1 on 26/08/2018 - 19:40

      I use Fragpedal Quad foot switches which is 4 adjustable foot switches with IDI controller box.

      The IDI box allows any key, mouse input or a large variety of macros to be bound to the switches. It allows huge amounts of different input just using 4 switches after you get used to it. It stores profiles for different games and the macros on the box.

      https://www.gamingmouse.com/gaming/fragpedal/quad/

      You can buy much cheaper USB foot switches (sometimes called pedals) and use other software to bind macros to them as well.

      • 

        AlienC on 27/08/2018 - 01:07

        Might pass on the quad foot switches unless I decide to build a car sim setup.. Even then this would be lol but I can see it's uses.

        What do you use it for Diji1?

        Dance dance revolution 69 - arm chair lazy man's edition? Haha lol

    • 

      Diji1 on 26/08/2018 - 22:03

      Ping.

• 

  Illian on 25/08/2018 - 17:43

  +1

  Xbox controllers have always been the best, and it's still true. I use a 360 controller because current games all the way back to quite old games all support it natively.

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  [Deactivated] on 25/08/2018 - 19:37

  I upgraded from the xbox 360 controller to the xbox one wired/wireless controller and am pleased with the upgrade. My model has a removable usb cord that it can play and charge at the same time, so never a moment when I cannot play.

  This is the one I bought but it was during the proxy sale, so may not be the current best price (may need bluetooth to be wireless) - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Microsoft-Xbox-One-S-Wireless-Bl…

  • 

    Oz8argain on 25/08/2018 - 22:20

    is any bluetooth receiver ok or does it have to be the xbox receiver like the 360 controller

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 26/08/2018 - 15:18

      any bluetooth reciever is good. Apparently you can use it to play games on your mobile, havent tried it.