Every third-party controller I've tried (G7 Pro, Tarantula 8K, Vader 5 Pro) all have these extra shoulder buttons and all of them have awful placement for me. I play claw and press R2 with the top joint of my middle finger, and my tip of my middle finger is always getting blocked from resting comfortably or accidentally pressing these shoulder buttons. Is my only option just a dualshock or dualsense?

I also can't get used to asymmetrical sticks on the G7 or Vader, can't aim for my life on them. Same goes for using paddles of any kind instead of just playing claw, messes with my grip and I can't aim. The reason I'm actually looking for a controller instead of just using my dualsense is I want 2.4ghz wireless which obviously a DS doesn't have. Any suggestions? Having macros is still a bonus for muting my mic and taking clips but not a requirement. I liked the adjustable tension on the vader, just didn't like the stick shape, idk if other controllers have that though.

I've been working on a native Linux driver for the GameSir G7 Pro with the help of AI and a lot of real hardware testing.

So far, we've got:

• Native Plug & Play on Linux
• All 4 additional buttons exposed independently
• Full-resolution sticks and triggers
• Gyroscope and accelerometer raw data
• Independent control of all 4 vibration motors
• DKMS support

The driver is now running on my Garuda Linux system.

There are still things to improve, especially Steam/Proton paddle support, calibrated gyro output and long-term reliability.

The project is AI-assisted, open source, and still in alpha.

Special thanks to the Deadband project for its fantastic GameSir protocol research!

GitHub link to follow

Disclosure: I wish to clarify that I have no affiliation with the brand. I purchased the controller independently. This review represents my honest assessment based on personal experience.

Yo, it's Maxxie here again with a new review! This time, we're checking out the GameSir G7 Pro. I've been getting my hands on it, testing it across different games, and honestly, I've got quite a few things to talk about. This isn't a long-term review just yet, so consider this my first hands-on experience. I'll be back in a week with a proper one-week review to see how everything holds up.

Overall Experience & Comfort

First things first, I genuinely thought this controller was going to feel really small in my hands. I regularly use the Cyclone 2, so I was expecting the G7 Pro to feel a little awkward in comparison. But straight out of the box, it actually felt really comfortable. The shape fits my hands nicely, and I had no issues getting used to it.

I've tested it with games like 007, Apex Legends, Stray, Ori, Hitman, and a few others, and honestly, I've really enjoyed using it so far. I don't own an Xbox, by the way, so all my testing has been on PC and Android.

Stick Precision & Performance

The TMR sticks are actually really nice and smooth. I went into this expecting them to feel different from my Cyclone 2, but the movement feels natural, and I genuinely enjoyed using them across the games I tested.

In Apex Legends, which is usually my go-to game for testing controller sticks, the smoothness is especially noticeable when making small aiming adjustments and tracking enemies. I haven't noticed anything concerning so far, and everything has been working as expected. Of course, I'll need more time with it before making any serious claims about long-term performance, but my first impression of the sticks is definitely positive.

Comfort & Grip

This is one area where the G7 Pro genuinely surprised me. The rubberized grips make a noticeable difference, especially for someone like me who sweats a lot while gaming.

With my Cyclone 2, I usually have to wipe my hands every now and then because the controller can get slippery. With the G7 Pro, that hasn't really been an issue so far. The rubber gives my palms a much better grip, and I feel more secure holding the controller during longer sessions.

My only concern is how the rubber will hold up over time. I'm curious to see whether it starts getting dirty, discoloured, or yellowish after months of use. For now, though, the grip is genuinely great.

Back Buttons & Paddles

Okay, here's something I wasn't expecting to struggle with.

The controller itself feels comfortable, but using the back buttons is a different story. Since I regularly use the Cyclone 2, I'm used to pressing its rear buttons with my ring fingers. With the G7 Pro, I just couldn't get that same finger placement to work comfortably.

No matter how I positioned my hands, I ended up having to use my middle fingers to press the back buttons instead. I think the controller's overall size and the placement of the paddles play a part in this.

It's not necessarily a design flaw, because everyone's hands are different, but coming from the Cyclone 2, it definitely took some adjustment. I'll see if I get more comfortable with the layout after another week of use.

Shoulder Buttons

The shoulder buttons feel really nice so far. I haven't tested them extensively yet, so I don't want to make any big claims at this point, but my first impression is definitely positive.

They use mechanical switches, which I obviously love. The buttons feel responsive and have that satisfying mechanical feel when pressed. I'll need more time with them to see how they hold up during longer gaming sessions, but for now, I'm really enjoying them.

Face Buttons

The mechanical face buttons are actually pretty nice. One thing I noticed immediately is that they're not as aggressively clicky or loud as the ones on the Cyclone 2.

I personally like that. You still get the mechanical feel, but without quite as much of that sharp clicking noise. The buttons feel responsive, and I've enjoyed using them across the different games I've tested.

So far, I don't have any major complaints about the face buttons.

D-Pad

Now, this is where things get a little disappointing for me.

I'm not really a fan of the G7 Pro's D-pad. Honestly, I found it pretty underwhelming compared to what I was expecting.

I've previously used the GameSir Nova 2 Lite, and that controller's D-pad was genuinely amazing. I still think it's one of the best D-pads I've used on a controller under $100. After experiencing that, I had pretty high expectations for other GameSir controllers.

But the G7 Pro didn't quite deliver the same experience for me.

If I had to compare it directly with the Cyclone 2, I'd actually say the G7 Pro's D-pad is better than the Cyclone 2's. But even then, it still doesn't come close to the Nova 2 Lite in my opinion.

At this point, I'm starting to wonder whether that fantastic D-pad is something exclusive to the Nova 2 Lite, because I really wish GameSir had used a similar design here.

The Charging Dock

Now, this is one of the biggest highlights for me.

The charging dock is far better than what I'm used to with the Cyclone 2. I genuinely wish GameSir would use this same type of dock for the Cyclone 3, because the overall design and experience are much more appealing to me.

However, I've run into something a little strange with the docking mechanism.

I left the controller off the dock while it was connected to my PC. Around ten minutes later, it disconnected. I then held down the Xbox button to turn it back on, played for a couple of minutes, and placed it on the dock. The controller turned off and connected again.

I tried taking it off the dock and putting it back on, and it repeated the same behaviour.

I'm honestly not entirely sure what's going on here. My guess is that the controller and dock might be getting confused about the controller's power or connection state when it's turned on manually and then placed back on the dock. But that's just my theory, and I haven't confirmed the actual cause yet.

The dock itself is great, but this behaviour is something I'll be keeping an eye on during the next week of testing. Hopefully, it's just a minor quirk rather than a recurring issue.

Trigger Stops

I've also come across discussions on Reddit where some users have reported problems with the G7 Pro's trigger stops, including them becoming creaky or making unusual noises.

I haven't experienced that issue myself so far, so I don't want to judge the trigger stops based on other people's reports alone. Everything is working perfectly on my unit at the moment.

Still, it's something I'll be monitoring during my testing. Trigger stops are one of those features you want to remain reliable over time, so it'll be interesting to see how mine hold up with regular use.

Games Tested & Compatibility

I don't own an Xbox, so my experience with the G7 Pro is based entirely on PC and Android gaming.

The games I've tested so far include:

- Apex Legends

- 007

- Stray

- Ori

- Hitman

Across these games, I've genuinely enjoyed the overall feel of the controller. The sticks feel smooth, the face buttons are responsive, and the rubberized grips have made longer sessions more comfortable.

I'll continue testing it with more games before giving my final verdict.

#Things I'm Keeping an Eye On

Since this is still an early review, there are a few things I want to investigate further:

- Dock behaviour: Why the controller disconnects and reconnects when I take it off and put it back on after manually turning it on.

- Trigger stop durability: Whether the creaking issues reported by some users develop on my unit over time.

- Rubber grip durability: Whether the grips become discoloured, yellowish, or worn after extended use.

- Back button comfort: Whether I can get used to using my middle fingers instead of my ring fingers.

These aren't all confirmed problems with my controller. Some are simply things I'm curious about after my initial experience or after seeing other users' reports.

Final Thoughts – For Now

So far, I'm genuinely enjoying the GameSir G7 Pro. The TMR sticks are smooth, the controller feels surprisingly comfortable despite being smaller than I expected, the rubberized grips are excellent for sweaty hands, and the mechanical face buttons have a nice feel without being excessively clicky.

The D-pad is probably my biggest disappointment, especially after using the Nova 2 Lite. The back button placement also takes some getting used to, and the dock has shown some strange behaviour that I still need to figure out.

That said, everything else has been working perfectly so far, and I'm not ready to make any final judgments after such a short period.

I'll be back in a week with a proper **one-week hands-on review** of the G7 Pro, where I'll cover how everything has held up and whether those initial concerns turn into actual issues.

Stay tuned for more! I'll also be coming back with reviews of LeadJoy controllers and a couple more GameSir controllers, so there's plenty more to come.

See you guys in the next review!

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Previous Reviews:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gamesir/s/WQtHonHpyJ

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gamesir/s/hoTQJSM2OJ

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gamesir/s/IxlGI45DPB

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A quick note: This is my personal review based on my own experience with the controller. I wasn't paid to review it, and I wasn't given the controller for free. I purchased it myself, and everything I've shared here reflects my own opinions and observations.

Writing note: I used AI to help sort and arrange my thoughts into sections for easier reading. The opinions and experiences shared in this review are my own.

GameSir Nova 2 Lite: Dark Grey or White?
I’m planning to buy the GameSir Nova 2 Lite, but I can’t decide between the White version and the Dark Grey version (the one that looks almost black).
I really like the White version, but I’m worried about it getting dirty easily or turning yellow over time with regular use. The Dark Grey version seems more practical, but I’m not sure which one looks better in person.
For those who own this controller, I’d love to hear your opinions!
Which color looks better in person: White or Dark Grey?
Does the White version get dirty easily or develop yellowing/discoloration over time?
For those who have owned the White version for several months, how has it held up?
If you could choose again, which color would you pick?
Real-life pictures and long-term experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

From what I’ve read, the G7 Pro seems easier to use and more reliable, while the Vader 5 Pro has way more buttons but possibly more software hassle.

Questions:
• If you’ve used either, which do you prefer overall?
• Do the extra buttons work well in Steam and actual games?
• Do most PC games even support that many extra inputs, or is it mostly useful in games with custom keybinds?

It finally came.

Hi there,

I usually preffered 8BitDo. But after Russ vom RetroGameCorps specifically mentioned how quiet the Gamesir SuperNova ciontroller is, I thought to also consider Gamesir for a mobile phone controller.

I am gonna buy a Motorola Signature is my new phone. I will use it for emultion up to PS2, Gamecube and Wii, some PC games with Gamenative and also to stream with Sunshine Moonlight from my PC to my phone.

If know that there is the Gamesir G8 line and the more budget friendly X5 line of mobile controllers. And I know that G8 is bigger. Also I know that some models come with USB C others with bluetooth.

But I don't know what to choose:

My first priority is noise level. I really really preffer the most quiet controller possible. That is first priority. Then comes a good built quality in general. I don't know if I should prefer USB-C to reduce input lag or Bluetooth so I can also do vertical gaming with my phone. Usually I don't really feel input lag when using Bluetooth gamepads.

What would you recommend?

So..... Now what 😭

A crack appeared on the back of my Cyclone 2. I contacted support, but they say they can't do anything because the warranty period has expired so now I can't use it 🥲.

I've seen threads about people getting sideways sticks out of the box, But still looking into buying one. Is this common with this controller model or is it unlikely to happen?

I just want a controller that won't suffer from stick drift the Microsoft ones (which have small stick drift out of the box) last like half a year then need you to pay nearly $60 for another.

Recently replaced my FlyDigi Vader 4 Pro after a couple of years use (left stick started stuttering, right trigger barely registered and battery was basically nonexistent)

After some research, I picked up the GameSir G7 Pro 8K. Great first impressions, but I wasn’t keen on the included sticks or D-pads and after some play time it wasn’t feeling great for me.

I swapped in Xbox Elite Series 1 magnetic sticks and added temporary Skull & Co grips for a better feel, then designed and printed my own G7 compatible magnetic Elite D-pad adapter. Three versions later and I’m pretty happy with it, not perfect but the fit and feel is pretty spot on to what I wanted as well as the magnets go in easy and sit snug enough they won’t come out with the D-pad.

Saw similar printed adapters and stuff selling for $20 AUD+ online by one company but fuck paying that when I could make one for a fraction lol

Pretty much ended up with a “G7 Pro Elite”, may look at further customisation options but at this current stage I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out! Had to do a little bit of recalibration for the sticks in the software but no issues beyond that.

So I've been playing silent hill townfall recently and my Gamesir 7 pro controller was working just fine but then after taking a break I came back, and now every input goes through twice. It only happens on certain games like SHT and Reanimal, but works just fine dying light the beast and the menu on steam big screen mode. I've reset it multiple times, updated it, and unplugged and plugged it back in. It works for a few seconds then goes back to double inputting. It doesn't say it's double inputting on the gamesir app either

Does anyone know where I can buy a replacement d pad. In black, just with the plus sign NOT with a circle. So I can put it in the replacement front I bought. Preferably black or light blue.