So I decided to try out another newer controller that I heard some good things about, and I'm gonna compare it to the other 2 third-party pads I've used, the GameSir G7 Pro & 8BitDo Ultimate 2.
BigBigWon Rainbow 3 Impressions
General Points & Comfort
I've seen their other controller, the Blitz 2, but my interest is low on a pad that only has digital triggers...when so many others offer analog triggers + locks with switches that behave like a digital trigger. Also I had heard some things about the Blitz 2 being less comfortable, and smaller than other pads, which was also a problem for the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 for me.
Rainbow 3 though solves both issues, as it is very much sized and shaped like a modern Xbox pad, and has analog triggers with locks. I'd put it right up there with the G7 Pro in feeling great to hold, and if you got really big hands probably a bit better than the G7. (Comparison shot below)
Sticks
So this controller's main difference is using capacitive sticks instead of TMR or Hall Effects. My understanding is they avoid the rubbing plastic of normal sticks through touch-sensors, but don't use magnets like TMR/Hall Effects. They're supposed to analyze capacitive input to recenter dynamically, applying anti-shake coefficients and zero-deadzone tweaks, giving you better tracking and less jitter when you're say aiming in a shooter. Not sure I play at a high enough level to really notice a
huge difference, but the out of the box settings did feel a little better than the GameSir & 8BitDo controllers, and the stick tension was a bit firmer (in a good way). Overall, might be my favorite sticks on any gamepad, but the 2000hz polling rate I frankly don't feel
much of a difference vs 1000hz on the other 2 pads...so diminished returns I guess.
Buttons
Buttons like the G7 Pro use mechanical switches, but have a silicone dome on top that gives them a bit more play, which I would say is more of a slight downgrade. Makes them feel a bit spongier like membranes because it dampens the switch, and I think that feedback is what I like for buttons with switches. Like a good mechanical keyboard, I want the tactile feeling, and it actually helps me count out button presses for combos in games like Ninja Gaiden 4 easier.
D-Pad
Again like the G7 Pro, they use mechanical switches for the d-pad too, but reversing course it actually has less play than on the G7 Pro, and I like it a bit better out of the box. Feels easier to do slide motions correctly on fighting games, but in platformers feels about the same as the G7 Pro. Still, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 d-pad reigns supreme for me, that thing just feels firmer and more controlled for me to use, and I don't really need switches on d-pads.
Triggers & Bumpers
Another strong point on the controller for me. The bumpers especially replicate what I liked from the Xbox One pads, where they are sloped so when your pointer finger rests on them, the center of your finger can easily tap the ends of them. Unlike the Xbox pad you can press pretty much anywhere else though without much resistance, so very comfortable.
The triggers themselves are decent enough, but not sure I like the shape of them vs the G7 Pro, but better than the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 since they're wider. When you lock the triggers, the digital switches take a bit more travel before it acctuates that's worse than the G7 Pro...but the actual feel of the switches when you do press down is
very satisfying. So the 2nd best I've used of the 3.
Extra Buttons
This pad has comparable rear buttons (M1 & M2) that are placed well, and have the right firmness to not accidentally press like the othe 2 pads.
Like the other 2 pads, there are also 2 additional buttons (M3 & M4) on the top next to the triggers. That placement is actually the
best of the 3, because when you have your pointer finger draped over the triggers, the end of your finger pretty naturally lands where those buttons are (as you can see below).
Extra Features
So the main attraction to this controller is the transparent RGB face-plate, which if you want you have. I did like however, the main button to turn the pad on will change colors based on being set in Xinput (green), Dinput/Playstation mode (Blue), or Switch 1&2 mode (Red). You can switch modes by hold down A, Y or B buttons + the main button to change when you turn on.
So you have 4 buttons on the bottom above the 3.5mm jack. One allows you to just switch profiles, another to remap buttons, a 3rd to take screenshots, and the last for turning on turbo. The 3.5mm jack similar to the G7 Pro seems good enough to power some serious headphones, like my Sennheiser HD 6XX. Also, the vibration motors on this pad are pretty good in terms of clarity, but the default strength I had to turn down, and their are no vibrating triggers like G7 Pro.
Steam Input & Gyro
So I'll get this out of the way, this pad has very little Steam Input support. Even if you set it into Dinput mode, it will just register as a generic PS5 controller, and the extra buttons it picks up won't let you actually remap the M1-M4...which sucks. You can at least remap with the shortcut button, or in the Rainbow 3 app let you even bind them to key shortcuts like Shift+F12 for my mic bind...but the app won't work in Linux so bummer there. Unlike GameSir, no sign at all that Steam Input or Linux support is gonna happen.
Gyro oddly works in Steam Input in Dinput mode, and this pad has a 1000hz polling rate Gyro...which is
the BEST I've ever used. Similar to a mouse or a VR headset, the higher polling rate really smooths out jitter and gives your more responsive control since any slight hand movement tilts your camera a bit. You can run the Gyro in xinput mode as well, and bind any button to activate/deactive it too.
Overall Impressions
This is a solid pad, and I really liked getting to try it. Probably the
closest to the G7 Pro in overall quality, and it's also $80. You do have to pay extra if you want a charging stand, but if you're a fan of RGB, want better Gyro, or want a pad that works for PC+Playstation+Switch you'll get some added value. For me though, not sure it's gonna edge out the G7 Pro. I don't really care about RGB, the face-plate lacks front grip to have RGB, I don't play much on console, and I prefer the aesthetics of the G7 Pro Wuchang more. The better Gyro is cool, but I'm 100% getting the new Steam Controller, where that Gyro will likely be comparable, and adjustable
per game in Steam Input. GameSir also mentioning they want to do Steam Input and Linux support also wins me over too, since Linux is likely my future.
BeardSpike and other Linux Bros with a Gamesir G7 Pro:
github.com
Poppinfresh
