Does anybody else prefer standard controllers over the Pro/Elite options? (Elite/Edge/etc)

hououinkyouma00

hououinkyouma00

Member
I made a one off comment about this in the DualSense trigger thread and it made me think. I've owned/played most of the "Pro" controller options out there and I've found that I not only prefer the standard controllers but actually find myself playing better in certain games with the standard controllers.

I own all of the current 1st party Pro options and find myself always just grabbing the standard edition despite having spent much more money on the Pro versions and was curious if others felt the same way.

To clarify on the "playing better" comment above. A recent example was the Battlefield 6 beta. I jumped in on everything I had (MKB, Xbox, Elite S2, DualSense, Edge) and I actually found that I played better on the standard controllers (best on standard DualSense overall followed by Xbox Series). I even went in and set the Edge to a default profile with no adjustments to the sticks, no paddles, no stick caps and while it was slightly better (I'll post why I think that is in a moment) I couldn't quite get to the same level.

I think some of it comes down to the way I have to change my grip on these controllers due to the paddles and why when I owned the 8bitdo Pro I didn't really have any issues because the "paddles" aren't really paddles and are buttons built into the grips and don't make you change the way you hold the controller.

I've put maybe like 15 hours on my Midnight Black Edge so I thought about throwing it up on eBay since they still fetch some money but Elite Series 2 go for less then $50 sometimes on eBay which doesn't seem worth the hassle.
 
Prefer elite/pro controllers over standard ones. Because those pro controllers are adding features to the standard ones, the usage logic is exactly the same. I can't think anything detrimental.
Only gripe is the Dualsense Edge's laughable battery.
 
I have two Elite Series 2 I use on my PC.
I use them as my main controllers.
I like the slightly more heavy weight, smooth sticks and the less clicky dpad. I use at least one of the back buttons on many games.
They do have one tiny issue, sometimes the shoulder buttons stick. I think it's a design flaw as I have read many complaints.
 
Only reason I buy "pro" controllers is for the back buttons. Those should really just be standard at this point, especially when we see sub $50 controllers on Amazon that have them.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
Do you prefer the paddle type (Elite/Edge style) or the Switch 2/8bitdo style?
Click to expand...

I'm more used to the paddles of the Edge and my Razer, but when I use the Switch 2 pro controller, it is fine. The paddles are probably more expensive to make though
 
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no man GIF
I think it's all in your head because there is no world where not having back paddles/buttons makes you worse at games, only the opposite.
 
RafterXL said:
no man GIF
I think it's all in your head because there is no world where not having back paddles/buttons makes you worse at games, only the opposite.
Click to expand...
As I stated in my post I think it's the change in grip. I have to change the way I hold the controller when there are paddles in order to not accidentally hit them. A change in grip can absolutely make someone worse in something like a shooter.

I'm sure I could force myself to get used to it but I also just like the way the regular ones feel more (lighter, less grippy") so I tend to default back to what I like more.
 
I largely buy the pro controllers for the back paddles (I did replace the vanilla Xbox ones with better shaped ones though) and better grip material that handles sweating (summer gets hot here).

Really do wish the Xbox Elite went back to what the vanilla controllers still have: AA battery support, because eneloop pros are better than any lame random lithium-ion pack they throw into gamepads.
 
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I got the ps4 back button attachment, 8bitdo ultimate 2 with back buttons and the steam deck with back buttons, haven't used a back button yet.

Think I'll use it for revive in BF6. If I can.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
I made a one off comment about this in the DualSense trigger thread and it made me think. I've owned/played most of the "Pro" controller options out there and I've found that I not only prefer the standard controllers but actually find myself playing better in certain games with the standard controllers.

I own all of the current 1st party Pro options and find myself always just grabbing the standard edition despite having spent much more money on the Pro versions and was curious if others felt the same way.

To clarify on the "playing better" comment above. A recent example was the Battlefield 6 beta. I jumped in on everything I had (MKB, Xbox, Elite S2, DualSense, Edge) and I actually found that I played better on the standard controllers (best on standard DualSense overall followed by Xbox Series). I even went in and set the Edge to a default profile with no adjustments to the sticks, no paddles, no stick caps and while it was slightly better (I'll post why I think that is in a moment) I couldn't quite get to the same level.

I think some of it comes down to the way I have to change my grip on these controllers due to the paddles and why when I owned the 8bitdo Pro I didn't really have any issues because the "paddles" aren't really paddles and are buttons built into the grips and don't make you change the way you hold the controller.

I've put maybe like 15 hours on my Midnight Black Edge so I thought about throwing it up on eBay since they still fetch some money but Elite Series 2 go for less then $50 sometimes on eBay which doesn't seem worth the hassle.
Click to expand...
Disagree Donald Trump GIF by CBS News


Dual Sense Edge every time. I have one for my Pro and one for my PC.
 
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No I don't but I can understand why someone would prefer the standard Xbox controller over the Elite 2. The standard controller has a different stick feel - different tensioning in the sticks I think - compared to the Elite 2. So I can understand how someone would prefer that.
 
Zuzu said:
No I don't but I can understand why someone would prefer the standard Xbox controller over the Elite 2. The standard controller has a different stick feel - different tensioning in the sticks I think - compared to the Elite 2. So I can understand how someone would prefer that.
Click to expand...
You can change the tension on the Elite to be as loose as the regular version. I preferred them cranked up though when I had one.
 
I love the back pedals, I dont think I can go back. Currently using an Edge, but I'm fine with going for the cheaper range controllers with back pedals. The Edge I think is a bit on the heavier side that it becomes uncomfortable after some time using it.
 
I thought about buying an Edge. But then I kept seeing photos from players saying the rubber surface peeled off with regular use. No way I'm dropping that much money on a controller with such a clear defect.
 
The response curve on the DualSense Edge is just a touch slower than the regular DualSense, so aiming always feels a little different for me. Honestly, both are fine though.
 
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Omnipunctual Godot said:
I thought about buying an Edge. But then I kept seeing photos from players saying the rubber surface peeled off with regular use. No way I'm dropping that much money on a controller with such a clear defect.
Click to expand...

Had mine since day one, near daily use, no issues yet in that area.

I did however get stick drift on the right stick, but props to Sony for selling those interchangeable modules on this. Was able to swap it out in 30 seconds, worked perfect.
 
No, the build quality of these controllers is abominable. Especially the Elites. It's crazy they are 2-3x more expensive but somehow more poorly built and flimsier.
 
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i do, but not about quality, it's about the cost, play FF14 alot does make controller wear off quickly, i need to change to 6 controllers during my PS4 gen, and currently stop at 3 in PS5 gen, so if i use dualsense it will be alot of money for controller alone
 
clarky said:
You can change the tension on the Elite to be as loose as the regular version. I preferred them cranked up though when I had one.
Click to expand...

Yeah true, I just went and tried the Elite stick with the loosest tension and it feels almost the same (if not exactly the same) as the stick on the stock gamepad. So yeah, there's not really any reason to prefer the stock gamepad over the Elite unless you just like the lighter weight of the stock pad.
 
TexMex said:
Had mine since day one, near daily use, no issues yet in that area.

I did however get stick drift on the right stick, but props to Sony for selling those interchangeable modules on this. Was able to swap it out in 30 seconds, worked perfect.
Click to expand...
It's good that they're easily replaceable, but it's crazy to me that they didn't go with Hall Effect or TMR for what's supposed to be a premium controller.
 
I still have the Xbox Elite V2 but the build quality of it is absolute shit. Had the grips coming off and broken bumpers in the first year. I hate that the paddles use these like very flimsy magnets to attach them. The modular nature of it means that you gotta be super careful with it.

I don't throw my controllers or anything but I like my controllers to be more sturdy.
 
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Xbox Elite any day over the loud, plasticky original. Feels miles better in every single way. Don't care about the back paddles, though.
 
Topher said:
Only reason I buy "pro" controllers is for the back buttons. Those should really just be standard at this point, especially when we see sub $50 controllers on Amazon that have them.
Click to expand...
Do you think they're paying Ironburg / Scuf licensing for them though?

Microsoft paid $6m to them to be license for the Elite.
 
i don't care to be a pro player or to prove something ... useless for me ... i think useless for games like tlou ghost silent hill visual novels...
 
I prefer the edge, but mostly because I had 3 or 4 regular ones get stick drift, and you can just swap out the sticks on the edge.
 
nikolino840 said:
i don't care to be a pro player or to prove something ... useless for me ... i think useless for games like tlou ghost silent hill visual novels...
Click to expand...

Useful, to me, for any game that uses R3/L3. I hate using thumbsticks as buttons so I map them to back buttons.
 
I have an Elite Series 2 for my PC, but I almost always use my Dualsense. The Elite is usable, but I don't really like it (especially the bumpers, they just flat out suck), and given the costs, I find myself hesitating to buy other premium controllers. I would rather buy several more games I won't play for a few years (or more). I am tempted to try one of those 8bitdo controllers, since they are reasonable priced, though for me they are kind of ugly, but I can live with that, I guess.
 
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