I find the Elite Series 2 controller to be mostly ass, tbh. My main problem with that controller is that the bumpers can be pressed but not actually trigger an action. It is like the buttons have two zones, outside edge and inside edge, the inside works fine, but the outside pisses me off. I also find its weight ever so slightly annoying. Therefore, I use my DualSense most of the time. And given that I feel I wasted ~$150+ on a controller most everyone lauds, I doubt I will be trying any other controllers when I like my PS5 one plenty.
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What is the best PC controller? *Not including default M&K
- Thread starter TrebleShot
- Start date
A.Romero
Member
My favourites are Xbox controllers with the dongle. I've started using them since the 360 days and now my daily driver is an Elite controller. I got them for cheap from a friend, wouldn't spend that much on a controller otherwise.
Bluetooth wasn't an option on my previous set up (a concrete wall between my PC and my TV/Theater) and just carried it over to my new (more modest) set up. The dongle works well and just like the build quality of the controller. I've had it for quite a few years and my only complaint is that the material it is made off is prone to scratching (some kind of soft plastic).
I've tried DS3 before and it was a pain with Bluetooth. DualSense works pretty well while plugged.
Overall I just like how seamlessly Xbox controllers work on Windows. Not a huge fan of the ergonomics or the basic features (I think DualSense is better overall) but I just don't feel like wasting time setting up controllers or finding out why some game doesn't work well with some controllers.
This weekend I downloaded FC 2024 from Gamepass to check it out. Grew frustrated quickly as it seemed it was registering movements on the menus twice (moving 2 steps instead of one) with both the pad and the stick. Also, whenever I accidentally pressed L3 the virtual keyboard would appear and the window would lose focus. I dropped it and tried again on Sunday and decided to google the issue. It was due to Steam taking over the controller. I didn't have the patience to fix it so just closed Steam and everything was well. It's been a while since I had a controller issue.
Just sharing in case it's useful for someone.
Bluetooth wasn't an option on my previous set up (a concrete wall between my PC and my TV/Theater) and just carried it over to my new (more modest) set up. The dongle works well and just like the build quality of the controller. I've had it for quite a few years and my only complaint is that the material it is made off is prone to scratching (some kind of soft plastic).
I've tried DS3 before and it was a pain with Bluetooth. DualSense works pretty well while plugged.
Overall I just like how seamlessly Xbox controllers work on Windows. Not a huge fan of the ergonomics or the basic features (I think DualSense is better overall) but I just don't feel like wasting time setting up controllers or finding out why some game doesn't work well with some controllers.
This weekend I downloaded FC 2024 from Gamepass to check it out. Grew frustrated quickly as it seemed it was registering movements on the menus twice (moving 2 steps instead of one) with both the pad and the stick. Also, whenever I accidentally pressed L3 the virtual keyboard would appear and the window would lose focus. I dropped it and tried again on Sunday and decided to google the issue. It was due to Steam taking over the controller. I didn't have the patience to fix it so just closed Steam and everything was well. It's been a while since I had a controller issue.
Just sharing in case it's useful for someone.
If you like the Xbox controllers then the 8bitdo ones are like a tier up, especially the ones with the high polling rate and hall effect sticks and triggers, just feels slightly more precise and accurate, even more so at high frame rates and they usually have a toggle for XInput and DInput so you don't lose out on the "ease" of PC plug and play with games.
CS Lurker
Member
8bitDo has a new budget controller coming out (wired or wireless) with 2 more buttons on the top next to the shoulder buttons. I'm very curios because it claims the extra buttons can be programmed without software. Does this mean every button can be re-programmed without software. Comes out in 8 days, can't find any previews or a manual. I prefer button customization on the controller. Not sure if buttons on the top can ever replace paddles but my need for more buttons are more casual.
For any info anybody has or can point me to, Thanx in advance!!!
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller | 8BitDo
The Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller is redesigned from the Ultimate C with a 1000Hz polling rate, extra bumpers, Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, and refined D-pad.www.8bitdo.com
That's a very weird decision. Trade the back paddles for those L4/R4? Because by the descriptions, it seems it doesn't have back paddles. It's ok to have those L4/R4 for macros for example, but it doesn't replace the back buttons.
I hope it's just a mistake in the description
bender
What time is it?
The Microsoft Sidewinder Dual Strike
I owned one of these as it was touted for first person shooters. What a miserable experience using it was.
Pegasus Actual
Member
I use a DualShock 4 with back button attachment. Always preferred the Xbox form factor. But the quality control is so laughable, especially on the Elite controller that I had to try something different and I'm glad I did. Never tried a Dual Sense. Looks less comfy to me, but not opposed to it. Of course it's almost exclusively for Rocket League. I've considered 8bitdo, but I don't imagine the controller would hold up long to the abuse. Not that a DS4 lasts that long either.
I do have a couple of retro style 8bitdo, the one that's like the old smaller Sega Saturn controller, and then one with that SNES form factor and those have been nice for various indies and emulators.
I like CH Products for flight sim stuff.
I know this isn't about m+k but the latest Finalmouse wireless is somehow worth every penny of its asking price for me. Can't believe I used to roll with mouses over triple the weight. And then just about any tenkeyless kb with red switches is probably good enough but bonus points if it has dedicated volume buttons.
I do have a couple of retro style 8bitdo, the one that's like the old smaller Sega Saturn controller, and then one with that SNES form factor and those have been nice for various indies and emulators.
I like CH Products for flight sim stuff.
I know this isn't about m+k but the latest Finalmouse wireless is somehow worth every penny of its asking price for me. Can't believe I used to roll with mouses over triple the weight. And then just about any tenkeyless kb with red switches is probably good enough but bonus points if it has dedicated volume buttons.
Sorcerer
Member
I don't think there are back paddles or they would have made a point of it. Usually 8Bitdo does software button customization, this one is on board, that may have something to do with it along with the fact that it is marketed as a more budget controller.
TrebleShot
Member
Can you link to it? Is it wireless? The ergonomics of the BT ultimate is baffling to me.
CS Lurker
Member
Isn't software customization cheaper than having a controller capable of doing it on board?
This controller would have everything I want if it had the back paddles. I don't need the charging base, and for me they could remove the BT too, as it already has the 2.4G dongle (and BT doesn't offer 1kHz). If they wanted to go as cheap as possible, they should have done that. They even included the hall effect triggers. I think it's a weird balance in terms of cost x features for a budget product.
Sorcerer
Member
I wish they let someone preview it. I guess we will know more the day it comes out. Maybe it has a tremendous fault they want to hide LOL!!!
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
The last controller that I bought for the PC was also my favorite. The steam controller. I absolutely loved everything about it. I still think it might be the best controller ever made. And the ability to create profiles for each game, or try others was a synch too.
TrebleShot
Member
Why did they abandon it?The last controller that I bought for the PC was also my favorite. The steam controller. I absolutely loved everything about it. I still think it might be the best controller ever made. And the ability to create profiles for each game, or try others was a synch too.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
Because I stopped being a PC gamer. Word on the street is that Steam is selling to Microsoft. So they’re that upset I left.
CS Lurker
Member
Yeah, going by these two images, they really traded the back paddles for those L4/R4. I'll wait for a cheaper option that have the features I want
2C
Older Ultimate
Older Ultimate
BossLackey
Gold Member
I have quite large hands. Have had absolutely zero issue with the BT Ultimate.
TrebleShot
Member
Just can't get used to the bloody handles but I like to the look of the new one with extra buttons.
Topher
Identifies as young
Same here. BT Ultimate fits my hands like a glove.
Solarstrike
Gold Member
I've been using Microsoft brand XBOX controllers for years. From corded to wireless, they've always held up for me for PC gaming. Lately though, my gamepad has had some nasty drift in the right analog stick. Specifically, the camera pans up when I'm in a game like Destiny 2. Does anyone know a simple way to fix or is it toast? It's a Microsoft XBOX One X gamepad, just bought it brand new last year.
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