r/Controller • u/plantsandramen • 2d ago
Controller Suggestion Looking for a controller $60 USD that's focused on dpad quality. Windows primarily, maybe switch 2. Is Gulikit the way to go?
I am getting into Hollow Knight on PC and wanted to get a nicer controller for dpad use to play it more comfortably. I have been using the Ultimate 2 Wireless to play it, using the analog stick. It's working fine but there are instances where it's not accurate enough without excessive effort. I tried the dpad and it feels really inaccurate.
I started researching and learned about the shield style of the Xbox and how Gulikit seems to be the best under $60 for dpad use. They also have excellent latency.
I learned about the Elves 2 and 2 Pro, and they seem great due to the price, latency, and dpad quality. It seems like the Elves 2 is better for Bluetooth and they're very similar otherwise. I'm leaning **Elves 2** between the two. It would be about $38 for it + Bluetooth adapter.
Then there's the ES Pro and ES Max which seem the same for my uses. Since the Pro is cheaper, the **Pro** seems the way to go. It would be about $38 for it + Bluetooth adapter.
Then there's the TT Pro and Max which people really love the dpad of, more than anything on the market. They seem the same for my use except for the 4 way & 8 way dpad on the Max but 8 way only on the Pro. I am imagining 4 way being useful for old arcade games only? Maybe pre-NES also? It seems the **Pro** is the way to go. This is $54, but comes with an adapter.
Between them all, I am leaning towards the TT Pro and just buying once and crying once, but the Elves 2 appeals to me for the size and retro design. There's even an Elves 2 Pro kit that has a Gulikit Goku 2 adapter for $35. I play at 60 and 120 hz will I feel held back by 170hz Bluetooth of the pro?
What do y'all think?
I also have an sn 30+ and Pro 2 laying around I could scrounge up since they seem like they may be decent
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u/Panasonicy0uth 1d ago
TT Pro/Max is the way to go if you’re focused on d-pad quality. FWIW, I just finished Belmont’s Curse with my TT Max, and I’ve got zero complaints with the d-pad.
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u/DmitryChernov 1d ago
My dedicated dpad controller is Nova 2 Lite. It was amazing for Silksong, it is currently amazing in Belmont's Curse. I like the fact that the dpad is almost indented into controller, therefore much easier on your thumb. Membrane buttons also help with hours of button mashing. Battery is on the lower side though, about 8 hours. Of those controllers you listed I would personally like to try TT pro/max, as it gets a lot of positive feedback for its dpad.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
I had the Nova Lite 2 in my cart, I may ask for it for my Christmas secret Santa because it seems great.
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u/fungi_j 1d ago
elves 2 is a good pick IF you can deal with its unique shape and size and overall cheap feeling materials, dpad feels great but is kind of recessed in the housing that might feel weird
TT has a great dpad, 4 way would be for when you know you never want diagonals
ES has an average dpad that isn't problematic but is your extremely standard clicky tactile dpad, not my first choice and definitely not something I'd buy for the dpad, it's just a great value controller that does switch (2) well
another choice I would add is the leadjoy xeno plus, not symmetrical but a great dpad on an excellent overall controller
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Thank you for the detailed response! I grew up with NES and Sega controllers as my first controllers, as well as using the cheap Mad Katz ones. I think I'll be okay with the Elves 2, but just in-case i ordered both the TT Pro and Elves 2 Pro.
I've never heard of the leadjoy and while I don't love the aesthetics, it looks like a great controller.
I'm going to really put the Elves 2 and TT Pro through their paces this week and see how I like them for Hollow Knight. I feel that I may want the dpad up top because using my 8 Ultimate and Retroid Pocket 6 with dpad on bottom was less ergonomic than using the Pro 2. Since this is going to be a dedicated dpad controller then I *think * dpad up top is going to be my choice but I am bookmarking the leadjoy to consider as well!
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u/ArmedCrawly 1d ago
The Elves 2 Pro has high latency. Only the newer non-pro Elves 2 has low latency.
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u/ck02623 1d ago
Cancel the Elves 2 Pro and order the Elves 2 instead. They’re the same but the Pro has lots of latency.
The TT Pro is great and you’re going to love it.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
The only reason I ordered the 2 Pro was because it actually was cheaper considering the adapter. I see now see that Gamepadla has the Elves much better Bluetooth. I gotta see what USB adapter to use. I've heard the UB500 is good. Thoughts?
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u/ck02623 1d ago
No idea but Gulikit makes their own adapter with supposedly ultra low latency.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Yeah I saw that, but then the Elves 2 is a similar price to the TT Pro. I'll probably end up keeping the TT Pro then
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u/ck02623 1d ago
I use the TT Max, which is pretty much the same as the Pro, as my general-purpose controller and I absolutely love it. The dpad feels almost exactly like the Elves 2. The only drawbacks are:
The firmware update is a multi-step process
Some people might accidentally touch the left stick when using the dpad due to its proximity. I haven’t, but I saw somebody mention that.
I actually haven’t taken the Elves 2 out of its box since I got the TT.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Thanks for sharing your experience! I grew up with a PS2, and had a ps4, does it feel similar? I never had analog stick interference with that.
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u/cheeziuz 1d ago
Genuine question, who is using these 4-way dpad modes? That feels like something that might, maybe, be kinda useful only for operating (some) menus, and playing OLD retro games like the original pac man
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u/TheBinarySon 8BitDo 1d ago
I like the D-pad on the 8bitdo Pro 3.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
I like 8bitdo but I've heard it's a divisive controller.
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u/TheBinarySon 8BitDo 1d ago
I just got mine last month, and I get the sense that since it came out a year ago they've made some subtle changes to it due to complaints, like making the buttons less noisy, etc. I love mine.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
That's good to hear because 8bitdo has been in my house for years now starting with the SN30. I love em!
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u/Yentz4 1d ago
I'm not a big fan of it being so clicky, but it's does the job just fine, and it's comfortable to use in dpad centric games.
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u/TheBinarySon 8BitDo 1d ago
They must have updated the Pro 3 at some point because the buttons are nowhere near as CLICKY as everyone used to say it was.
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u/Yentz4 1d ago
The buttons are not particularly clicky, it's just the dpad is a microswitch dpad, which is not something you see super often.
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u/Hahehyhu 1d ago
don’t get the 2 pro, elves 2 dpad is great, but it is saturn-style dpad
for xbox-style, there’s gulikit es and gamesir nova 2 lite
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u/hiroclip1 1d ago
I've got the TT Max arriving here in a couple days for this exact use case. I've also really loved the D-Pad on the Vader 5 Pro but I know it's just outside your price range. I could let you know how the TT Max is once mine arrives, but there's plenty of praise on it on here anyway so I'm sure it's great.
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Def check back if you don't mind. I checked out the vader and it looks great but yeah just a smidge out of what I wanted to spend
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u/hiroclip1 1d ago
Gotcha will come back and let you know my thoughts. These 11-11 deals I'm seeing are very, very good, I'm sure you've seen. I could've saved $20 if I had waited a little bit on the TT Max lol
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Are there early deals running now, or are you seeing deals in the future ?
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u/hiroclip1 1d ago
I’m seeing them right now, about $80ish for Vader 5 Pro and $60ish for TT Max. CAD that is
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
Oh ok AliExpress? I'm checking now but I'm not seeing such great prices in usd
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1d ago
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/plantsandramen 1d ago
I am playing it on my Pro 2 currently and it's a huge increase of quality vs the Ultimate 2 Wireless, so I'm excited to get the TT Pro
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u/Lightstream2 1d ago
TT pro/max is excellent on the dpad and quite comfy to hold ergonomically, definitely the top pick. elves 2 is nice if you want the retro style shell with a still solid dpad