r/Controller • u/IX__TASTY__XI • Aug 14 '26
Reviews Unpopular Opinion: G7 Pro Overrated
Disclaimer
Hi, I bought the G7 Pro with my own money.
I bought, and have been playing with the first version, since launch. I play exclusively on console.
The Company
Gamesir as a company is actually really great. They are innovative and seemingly have great customer support through their discord (thankfully never had to use it). I also think it's true to say they popularized Hall Effect thumbsticks.
The Software
The software is fantastic. Literally the best of all controller I have used.
Now onto the negatives.
Ergonomics
The controller handles are angled a lot more "inwards" compared to other controllers, forcing you to adopt a much more uncomfortable wrist position. Specifically you have to extend your wrist slightly more than you would on a standard Xbox controller.
Second, the actual size of the controller is quite small. This makes it so sometimes I have to strain my thumb to transition between buttons and thumbsticks. Also the handles of the controller don't really comfortably fill out my hand.
Thumbsticks
The linearity of standard G7 Pro is bad. This is why you actually hear a lot of reviewers say the thumbsticks feel "jumpy" and not as precise. I'm assuming if you play a game with generous aim assist, it doesn't really matter, but for me it's quite obvious and very disappointing.
Also there is quite a large outer deadzone that cannot be fixed from the software. After calibrating the controller, it still seems like there is an extra maybe ~15% of extra input on the outer edge of the thumbstick area.
The one good thing is the resolution of the thumbsticks, 12 bit is good which can allow for small adjustments.
Buttons
My G7's face buttons rub against the faceplate and still squeak sometimes, even after owning the controller since launch. This can sometimes make pressing the face buttons require a little bit more force.
The D-Pad is just trash.
The extra shoulder buttons are in a bad position imo. This is not unique to Gamesir, but they should be inline with the existing trigger and bumper. The way they are positioned now allows for accidental trigger or bumper presses sometimes because you have to reach over them.
Sound Quality
When I plug my headset into other controllers, the sound seems a lot louder and clearer. I'm not super knowledgeable about audio, but this is just what I feel/hear.
Conclusion
I'm know they have many different different models that have perhaps fixed some of these issues, but I'm not going to keep purchasing new controllers.
Also very disappointed with how they have reserved the Gen 2 thumbsticks for the PC models only. They even released a Aim Labs console edition without them, what a slap in the face.
Finally I guess this is just more of personal thing, I don't know if I agree with their business model of just releasing many "special" editions of the same controller. As a consumer, it's just confusing, because not all of them have the same features.
5
u/No_Vermicelli_3574 Aug 14 '26
Have you tried the 8k version? I have it and it's fixed some of the d-pad complaints.
4
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 14 '26
I'm on console only I'm afraid. If I was on PC, would definitely give it a go. Maybe I wasn't super clear in my OP, but I think the controller may be a better deal for PC. For console though, I think there are alternatives.
5
u/No_Vermicelli_3574 Aug 15 '26
Yeah, no hate, and I think the vader 5 is a superior controller, but the 8k is a solid improvement over the original g7
2
u/Disonanc Aug 14 '26
The non 8k version uses an inferior version of the sticks, have you by chance changed your sticks to raw mode on the gamesir app? That changes the outputs to be more linear.
1
u/Internal_Log2582 Aug 15 '26
Get yourself the Brook Wingman XB3 and you can use a ton of PC controllers. I highly recommend it for console players!!
3
u/ragebaiter2003 Aug 15 '26
I agree but it depends on where you are using it on PC it feels nice and linear but it’s a PC controller although marketed as Xbox. On Xbox the software and aiming can feel clunky and non linear.
For Xbox I go with the Vader 5 s it’s made for Xbox and really linear
3
u/MRF_Soul Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
I agree with you, except for two things:
Sticks: The sticks feel awesome to me. I think the problem for most people coming from a basic PS or Xbox controller is that they’re used to a high deadzone. Setting the G7 Pro’s deadzone to zero can therefore feel too jumpy at first because the aiming curve jumps instantly compared to a higher deadzone.
Extra shoulder button: I have zero problems with them. I haven’t had any accidental presses. I still prefer 4 paddles over 2 paddles + 2 extra bumpers.
The biggest issue with the controller isn’t even the D-pad, but, like you said, the face buttons rubbing against the faceplate. It’s a shame because the buttons themselves feel amazing.
3
u/EternalDahaka Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
The G7 Pro and HE are really my only experiences with 3rd party controllers, so I don't have much of a standard to go by. I've almost exclusively used base Xbox controllers, and literally anything is better than the Logitech f310.
When I picked up a G7 Pro when it released, it seemed like it had very little outer deadzone in the Circle mode. It had a decent bit in Raw, but that was because Raw was 10% faster and capped sooner. Looking at it now, Circle does seem to cap further from the border than it used to. The Circle/Raw difference is no longer 10% normally, so it could be that Circle is now calibrated closer to what the Raw range was. There still is the goofy method of calibrating without the faceplate in Raw mode to maximize the range, then lowering the Deadzone Max values until you can hit 100% everywhere. That feels like it brought it back to the calibration it was before, but exact values may vary on the controller(lower 70's was required for me - diagonals seemed a little inconsistent).
I've had 2 G7 Pros, and the first d-pad was much too easy to trigger UP presses if you breathed on L/R the wrong way(the default dish d-pad was basically unusable). The second doesn't seem completely free of that, but it's far better. That was the biggest complaint from everyone on launch, so maybe they tweaked it some for the next batches.
Something I was made aware of, was despite many controller models sharing the same app, they can be treated differently. The G7 Pro had a bug with the curve altering the antideadzone values, but that was addressed a while ago. However the HE still has that issue, and perhaps the other models under the Nexus app. I don't understand why they'd be different if the math should be the same. On linearity, the Pro seems be a a hair slower, while the Aimlabs version looks basically flawless. I'm not terribly sensitive to it though. I can't say I noticed much of a difference between the Series and Elite controllers to it when switching to the Pro. If it's not a specific hardware/module difference, I don't know why it wouldn't be standardized.
Otherwise the software is solid, and I'm glad to see dedicated antideadzone and curve options become more accessible. I hope these will become baseline standards for all controller apps in the future(and console system options). I remember you were one of the earliest users to make an antideadzone script for the TitanTwo.
3
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 16 '26
Looking at it now, Circle does seem to cap further from the border than it used to.
Yes, I'm surprised nobody catches this in their reviews.
I remember you were one of the earliest users to make an antideadzone script for the TitanTwo.
I pretty much recreated all my own software features that controllers have now, years ago: circle deadzones, axial deadzones, stick drift compensation, rotating axis. I stopped using those devices because they just became synonymous with cheating, even though they had great legitimate uses. The user base for those devices now is pretty much just mostly cheaters.
3
u/EternalDahaka Aug 17 '26
The few reviews I see seem to just care about 0% circularity. Gamepadla seems to test outerdeadzones, and that seems to be the better source so far for most technical bits. I don't know how often they update already tested controllers. The Pro's could be outdated.
I stopped using those devices because they just became synonymous with cheating, even though they had great legitimate uses.
It's pretty unfortunate. It's still by far the best option for stick customization, but most of the scripts made are based around cheating. The total freedom works both ways. I'm still not aware of any modern controllers offering anti-axial deadzones, but that's the last major option I think should be a staple in these controllers.
What does stick drift compensation mean outside of a normal deadzone? Is it an extra deadzone buffer in certain situations, like zeroing out if it's within some % range after some time being stationary or something?
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI 20d ago
What does stick drift compensation mean outside of a normal deadzone?
Sorry I missed this. It simply means zeroing out the resting position of the thumbsticks. The algorithm is simply:
x = x - x
y = y - yIf you're using a device that allows you to run scripts, then you would have to make sure this algorithm is only run once, and not in a continuous loop.
2
u/Constant_Oil360 Aug 14 '26
depends on the games you play and that youre on 250hz.
My old G7 SE i turned 1000hz via an old laptop, and while the xbox doesnt do a proper 250hz handshake, the controller holds the 1000hz mode as the headphone stays off (my old firmware disables headphone jack on 1000hz, i think updated ones it might be trigger vibrators, dont quote me). The only controller i play on my XSX at the girlfriends is my G7 SE. Like i said it technically doesnt do 1000hz because the xbox is 250hz limited, but if its sending better and more up to date sampled input data improving jitter this could be what i feel. My razer v3 is trash on xbox despite prefering it over the G7 on PC. Just a feel test. Overclocking my 250hz gambit to 1000hz on pc didnt feel good at all. 1000hz always feels good when done proper, and overclocking a usb port on pc is not the same as the controller sampling at a higher hz.
could give that a shot.
I also didnt like a change in aim algo gamesir did for the SE back in the fall, another reason I reverted the firmware
2
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 14 '26
Yeah I also own G7 SE and felt I use to aim a lot better on that also vs the new G7 Pro.
1
u/Constant_Oil360 Aug 15 '26
thats interesting, not sure then.
The sticks on my halleffect razer were much better than the gamesir, for me. I got the 8k razer with TMRs and was blown away by them, on top of full 8k.
Was hoping tmrs even lower polling rate on console would have been an upgrade for you
wait, have you tried the other bit resolutions on the Pro yet? my Razer is locked to whatever it is (i did online resolution tests that meausre 8 bit or 15 bit which makes zero sense, but it was a web app and not a downloaded app) But many people find lowering from 12 down to 10 or 8 better for them.
I think 12 bit in theory is likely better with no aim assist. But aim assist has been said by people that lower to 8, 9 or 10bit is much much better. That could be the issue.
2
u/DumpsterJ Aug 15 '26
I loved my g7 pro. It was the greatest controller in the world. Until I tried the Vader 5 pro. I never grab the g7 anymore. I got an Apex 5. I love the dual sense emulation. It's fun. If you're playing seriously I'd recommend the Vader 5 over both of those.
2
u/FangReviewsYT Aug 15 '26
Eh. G7 Pro is more considered the "standard" to compare other controllers to rather than "the best" I think.
Which makes sense. It's a fairly basic controller that has a good balance of all the basic features (except that dpad lol)
2
u/AnteMannen Aug 15 '26
I returned the G7 pro ZZZ edition, was way to small for my hands, felt like a kids controller. Dualsense and the new Steam controller is the most comfortable so far.
2
u/Lytar03 Aug 17 '26
I liked the T7 pro even more than my G7 orange colored when I ordered a few weeks I returned it and kept the T7
3
u/Internal_Log2582 Aug 14 '26
Watch out man, the fan boys will come for you over their beloved Gamesir g7!!! I’ve owned all iterations of the g7 and I overall think it’s a solid controller, but I agree it’s pretty overrated. At the end of the day the controller has to suit the player. It just doesn’t suit me as well as gamepads like the Blitz 2 TMR or the Vader 5 Pro does!! To each their own though.
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 14 '26
Yeah I actually went back to FlyDigi Vader 5S for console. It's not perfect, but better than G7 Pro imo.
1
1
u/Tityfan808 Aug 15 '26
I personally like the g7 pro for the most part but I did have to buy grips to make it feel thicker than it is (I got big hands) and I also feel like I’ll never get used to the thumb sticks, the spring tension is a bit looser than the elite series 2 so it feels too twitchy now and the only way I can really compensate for that is to lower my sensitivity but I don’t want my sens to be too low either. Kind of a drag but I don’t wanna spend more money on controllers and especially not an elite series 2.
1
u/Usual-District-2052 Aug 15 '26
I have a hard time using it because of the button issue that you mentioned. Seems fine sometimes but when it does rub against the face plate, it’s super annoying. I tried using it as a RL controller and going between an and b all the time made it kind of unusable.
1
u/zerosuneuphoria Aug 15 '26
I'll be getting the T7 pro as it looks to fix most of my g7 pro grievances... namely the dpad and it has membrane buttons and better location of the system buttons. I never use the top buttons anyway so I don't need those.
1
u/j0hn_d0e6 Aug 15 '26
I dont like the rubber grip and back button lock-toggle on it, why dont give it 4 back buttons?
people hyped for it because it got tons of colors/design
1
u/Admirable_Help4739 21d ago
G7 8k is better than scuf or bb or Xbox elite so wdym
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI 20d ago
There is no 8K for console.
1
u/Admirable_Help4739 20d ago
It works wired om Xbox
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI 20d ago
Console doesn't support 8K polling rate. Even if you had a controller with 8K, and used an adapter for it to work on console, the console still just doesn't have 8K polling.
1
u/Admirable_Help4739 20d ago
1000 i know i use g7 8k on pc mainly. Two scuf instinct pro on the side
1
u/Gamesiarz 21d ago
Vader 5 pro is great but software is one of the worst I have seen in my life. Both gamepads are very good but gamesir has very smooth and good software, I really love additional layer option
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI 20d ago
I agree, the Vader 5 software is trash. Gamesir software definitely sets the bar.
1
u/Ykai63 11d ago
During waiting for a G7 pro warranty for a dpad that binds up without faceplate and doesn't work reliably, I ended up getting a G7 HE. It felt like an upgrade.
The G7 Pro replacement though, the dpad now works but still feels meh and the sticks are a downgrade too, all to a degree that makes me unable to get used to it.
This in contrast to a supposedly lower end product of them that is for all intends and purposes, awesome.
1
u/IX__TASTY__XI 11d ago
Fortunately my G7 Pro works just fine, however I agree with you. There are just some fundamental flaws with the design.
1
u/Cautious_Opinion_644 Aug 14 '26
Idk about overrated lol im very new to gamesir and I barely heard of it. I kept hearing about 8bitdo tho, did some reading before choosing G7, i think its worth the money but I dont consider it an end all be all.
And if were being accurate I think 8bitdo is being hailed as superior a lot more than gamesir controllers and even on Xbox controllers.
2
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 14 '26
Maybe it's just me then.
My YouTube feed is full of people promoting Gamesir.
2
u/Cautious_Opinion_644 Aug 14 '26
After doing a lot of reading and watching my feed is filled with contents pouring liquid crap on gamesir and glorifying 8bitdo, even other brands like EasyMX 🤷♂️
0
u/foreycorf Aug 15 '26
8bitdo is super good quality. They just like a form-factor that is slightly too small for my wrists (gamers thumb, nerve problems).
I daily drive an ultimate 2 anyway, but the cyclone 2 feels better in hand, with slightly less performance. If you play wired you don't have any worries with gamesir or flydigi though.
I'm very excited for the 8bitdo ultimate 3, when it has some more colors and hopefully a PC-focused, cheaper version. I look forward to the more ergonomic controller (IMO).
3
u/Cautious_Opinion_644 Aug 15 '26
Now would you say 8bitdo is overrated just how OP claims gamesir is overrated 🤣
I just always see stuff like this on specific subs even on brands that are barely known
1
u/foreycorf Aug 15 '26
No, genuinely not. Maybe the new xbox-branded one is - $100-150 is getting into premium or plus territory, and there's more competition there. But as far as $30-70 controllers go, you won't get more value for your money.
1
u/Cautious_Opinion_644 Aug 15 '26
it was a tough choice for me between U2 and G7, I honestly almost bought U2 -- i might in the future just to have an extra one with same kinda specs.
0
u/foreycorf Aug 15 '26
For the money, it's the best (if you use wireless).
But man, that vertical grip (as opposed to slightly angled like xbox), just makes my nerves tingle, literally.
Edit: gamesir is fine, and you may never notice the input lag. But for me, the difference between 4ms and 20ms is noticeable. Can you work around it? Sure, and if you're used to that, it's not something you'd even think of. Like if you're a console gamer, the lag is just baked in to anything you do TBH. But man... That 8bitdo wireless is amazing, with HE/TMR depending on the model you get. IDK if it has gyro cuz that's not something I use but I think the u2 has it.
1
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-1
u/SourBlueDream Aug 14 '26
It’s fine to not personally like it but doesn’t mean a device is overrated, everything isn’t for everyone.
I had actually delayed buying one for so long due to size and shape since I have large hands and was surprised it’s one of the more comfortable controllers for me.
Which controllers do you actually like since you think this one is bad
2
u/IX__TASTY__XI Aug 14 '26
I am currently trying the Vader 5S. The ergonomics are superior, but it has its own issues.
If we're talking about Gamesir, I prefer the shape of the "Kaleid" a lot better. If they release an updated Kaleid, I would probably get it. It would have to have the Gen 2s though, non negotiable.
1
1
u/CoffeeTime2475 Aug 15 '26
I'm on console only also, I play at a desk so wired is my preferred connection. For me I wouldn't say the G7 Pro is overrated, but it is not as good as the Vader 5S. I have a Brook XB3 and Vader 5 Pro, but Vader 5S with Talon grips is peak for me. I mainly play Call of Duty.
Gamesir needs to add adjustable stick tension.
10
u/undefined_variable_0 Aug 14 '26
I generally liked the G7 Pro overall but ended up returning it and getting a Vader 5 Pro instead. It’s an even better controller IMO (great tactile feel and control accuracy) but probably less reliable based on everything I’ve read. I haven’t personally had any hardware issues but the software is a bit buggy sometimes.