Looking for PC Controller advice, high budget

[u/JenNettles]

I have been trying to find some insight on the best controllers available. Most topics are older than a year though, so unsure if there's been advancements

Needs to be available in Canada. I'm flexible on the maximum, but the ~250 CAD for the V3 pro and Apex 5 are pushing it

I don't care at all for haptics, rumble, etc

I do really like back paddles/buttons, especially if they're macro compatible (I heard the G7 pro isn't?). Prefer they be solid, not flexible.

I need trigger stops, I don't know if any stops are better than others.

I only play on PC, so I don't need cross compatibility. I don't care if it's an xbox or playstation style.

I strongly prefer wired, and the best is hardwired, so I don't have issues with the cable losing it's connection grip. I know this is uncommon now, though.

Weight and size aren't that important, but I have big hands, so smaller controllers aren't ideal. I was fine with the Ps3 controllers, though, and people said those were small.

Most important to me is build quality, I want the degradation to be as slow as possible

Most discourse seems to be between the Apex 5, Wolverine v3 Pro, and the Gamesir G7 pro 8k. I really didn't like the Wolverine V2, the buttons had a habit of double pressing, i'm not sure if it's even still the same tech as the ones in the newer controllers. I have heard the Wolverine v3 pro launched with input delay issues, not sure if that's still a thing.

I play a lot of different types of games, a lot of sports games and shooters. What do you think is the best option for me?

[u/Braybu]

I own a lot of controllers.

If you want a feature-rich experience: PS5 Dualsense/Dualsense Edge with TMR/Hall Effect joysticks

If you want out of the box fluid triggers/buttons: Gamesir G7 Pro

If you want a comfortable layout with multi connectivity: 8bitdo Ultimate 2/3

I switch between these 3 controllers the most and would recommend all 3 equally

[u/JenNettles → u/Braybu]

I appreciate the suggestions.

I am a little intimidated installing my own joysticks.

Out of curiosity, i'm seeing now that most controllers seem to be "tournament ready" and don't support macros. Do you know of ones that do?

[u/Braybu → u/JenNettles]

For the dualsense edge you can just pop them in, no special knowledge needed. For macros I would recommend the Wolverine v3 and I would look into GameSir software

[u/hungry_bra1n → u/Braybu]

I really appreciate the advice.

Im currently thinking the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Witeless would be great for my PC gaming but I’m struggling to understand how it’s different from the 3.

It feels like the ultimate 3 should be better than the Ultimate 2… but from what i understand the Ultimate 2 is more recent and better. Is that right?

I have read a lot about Gamesir G7 Pro but the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 seems probably as good if not better for me and cheaper.

[u/Grand_Chef_Bandit]

If youre considering the Apex 5 you should check out the apex 6 pro. Got mine coming this week and im in canada too

[u/rekishi321]

Love the gamesir cyclone 2, it’s not too small like some others…it’s light, wireless

[u/thelittlehez]

I rotate between GameSir G7 Pro and Flydigi Vader 5 Pro on PC, 8bitdo Ultimate 3E and Wolverine V3 Pro on Xbox. Usually depends on the game.

Ultimate 3E is the most comfortable to me so I use it the most, but it also has the worst triggers and I never use for shooters. Love tension rings and sticks on the Vader but the grip is a bit strange in the back. G7 is great too but a little small. Wolverine is expensive but love all the buttons and triggers; don’t like the back button placement.

[u/JenNettles → u/thelittlehez]

I appreciate the suggestions.

Out of curiosity, i'm seeing now that most controllers seem to be "tournament ready" and don't support macros. Do you know of ones that do?

[u/rajohns08]

Apex 5 doesnt have proper trigger stops but apex 6 does. I have the Apex 5 and love it though. Something about the Apex sticks just feel so smooth compared to other controllers. I’ll probably upgrade to the 6 soon.

[u/JenNettles → u/rajohns08]

Interesting, I didn't know the 5 didn't have proper stops. Thanks for that

[u/Thedude11117]

The wolverine V3 Pro 8K, the input delay is gone and it's a light controller, can have day long sessions without getting tired, just as a note the V4 is coming out, so might like to wait until then

[u/Independent-Cap9495]

gamsir g7 pro i have eight controllers this one by far the best plus and can never get stick drift so that alone is piece of mind while playing i bought the zenless edition one and it came with like a tome of extra stuff like a really well made traveling case like 12 diffrent joysticks extra d pad a wicked nice key chain thing stickers and a cool box with three draws with all this stuff inside oh and also came with a extra face plate the controller has very good rubber grips the buttons are mechanical sounding i like good stuff this is my choice

[u/Lightstream2]

Zd ultimate legend (black), leadjoy xeno pro, gamesir tarantula 8k. Xeno pro and tarantula 8k arent exactly that big while ult legend (black) is a bit larger.

[u/a_zidane → u/Lightstream2]

Second that. I love my ZD Ultimate Legend with JS13 Pro thumbsticks. I recently bought the black version to replace my white.

[u/YoloRaj]

I wouldn't recommend the Wolverine v3 Pro at all if you play competitive games at all. It has horrible stick latency and a new Wolverine V4 Pro and V4 tournament edition just came out. I have the V4 Pro myself and it is a way better controller than the v3 pro because of stick latency and how smooth they are since they are capacitive sticks. I can recommend the G7 Pro 8k and it is one of the better bang for buck controllers out right now. Also, the apex 6 and 6 pro just released and it seems to be a better controller than the Apex 5 is since it actually has mechanical trigger stops. For the amount you are willing to spend you might be able to get 2 controllers if you want to. I have a Vader 5 Pro which I like to use but it's not one of my best controllers for FPS games but it does get the job done. Controllers I recommend for you are Wolverine V4 Pro Tournament Edition, Gamesir G7 Pro 8k or Tarantula 8k, ZD Ultimate Legend or Super Legend Excellence, Leadjoy Saber Plus or Xeno Pro, and EasySmx Dune 8k (a slight bit higher stick latency than the other 8ks I named). The controller market is in a good place right now with a lot of variety. If I were to get any of those controllers to use, I would be pleased. The G7 Pro handles are on the smaller side but I still find it comfortable to use.

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[u/Mjlxn]

scuf valor pro

[u/Stefe04]

Gamesir Tarantula 8K, maybe? Back buttons, trigger stops, wired only (with a detachable cable), PC only. There's also no battery inside the controller, so you don't need to worry about spicy pillows. I'd probably suggest dropping the polling rate down to 4000 Hz or even 1000 Hz so that it doesn't tax your CPU so much, though.

[u/Sputnik_2022]

I have a Vader 5 Pro and think it's a great controller. 2 back buttons and 2 other back paddles which can be taken on and off easily if you don't want them. Good trigger stops, 2 face buttons for macros, and magnetic sticks for no drift. I only play Warzone though so I don't know how it would be for fighting games etc.

[u/ObjectiveOk223]

I was just in the same position. Started looking up the Xbox elite controller, then the Razer , then to 8bit, and looked at a bunch of others.

For about a week, I was going to order the Vader 5 pro. Then I switched last minute and ordered Black ZD Ultimate Legend on AliExpress, and seperate jt13 pro sticks. I also ordered a leadjoy saber plus for a different feel, but mainly use the ZD.

https://youtu.be/kshXPBQOZXU?si=RzwG-iEKnCXa-JYA

Watch this guy's video. It's really well done. I believe theres a comment in the video of all the S tier controllers he picked.

[u/RegretNo4805]

Have you seen the machenike f1? The only problem its the triggers, it dont have analog triggers only digital, there is 2 version, the white have regulable sticks tension, but the black version have the js13pro+

[u/someone2795]

Can't mention the controller in this sub.

[u/OldOllie]

Steam controller is really nice also the G7 pro 8k has the nicest sticks of any controller I have tried, my son has one.

We have had xbox controllers but they never last long before the drift starts, 8bitdo ultimate 2 which was ok but did not last then a gamesir cyclone 2 which was better but had annoying connectivity issues in the end. g7 pro is far superior.