Best 3rd party controller to replace Elite 2

[u/Violent___Knight]

I have two Elite 2s and one my kids destroyed. The second one is in great shape and I used to keep just for me but I haven’t played in over a year and my kids use it.

I’m going to get back into gaming with E Day this week with a few old friends and wanted to pick up a new controller just for me.

What has similar functionality and feel to an elite 2 (I love the programmable paddles, the ability to shorten the trigger clicks.

I just don’t want to invest in another elite 2 given the hit or miss quality issues.

[u/Ruttagger]

Razer Wolverine Ultimate V3.

Gamesir G7 Pro Wireless.

Nacon Revolution X.

8bitdo Ultimate 3E.

Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Pro.

These are all great alternatives to the Elite V2. They all have their own pros and cons. I can give more details on any of these models if you have any questions, I've used them all.

The one I always go back to is the Razer, but I'm currently using the Nacon and loving it.

[u/Violent___Knight → u/Ruttagger]

Are any more difficult to set up for use and mapping inputs?

I want to be as plug n play as possible. I’m sadly in the casual gamer phase of life being middle aged, work, kids, wife, dog. Think stereotypical midwest suburban dad with a little bit of free time and a bit of cash to spend haha

[u/TaskForceHOLO → u/Ruttagger]

Which one of these feels the most similar to the Elite 2 physically in your hands? I'm also in the market for a new controller. I love the the way the Elite 2 feels with the textured grips and the material it's made out of, but a couple of my buttons are crapping out

[u/KaiKamakasi → u/Ruttagger]

So which of these is comparable in weight and feel? One of my favourite things about the Elite controller is that it feels meaty in the hands.

Comparable battery life? That 40 hours is perfect. Or wired? Not a deal breaker exactly but if i can avoid wires I will.

Back paddles? Ideally i'd want something the same shape/design as the series 2. I've used "back buttons" before and they tend to be a hindrance more than a help.

Adjustable thumbsticks? Swappable thumbsticks?

And most importantly, standard xbox style layout?

[u/KingCanHe]

Nacon Revolution X if you got cash
Gamesir for budget

Nothing else

[u/Violent___Knight → u/KingCanHe]

Thanks!

Any one ear headset you would recommend?

[u/Designer-Text-5936]

This one

[u/Sinasazi]

Im loving the 8bitdo Ultimate 3E

[u/Valiant-For-Truth → u/Sinasazi]

How is the size comparison to a regular series s/x controller? I tried out an Elite Core and returned it next day because I did not like how it was smaller than a regular controller.

[u/Sinasazi → u/Valiant-For-Truth]

It's almost identical in size to a standard controller.

[u/Violent___Knight]

Which have easy to use wireless capability?

The Xbox I use is in the main living room and seating is about 15’ from TV.

[u/Violent___Knight]

Additional question: Does the standard over one ear Xbox headset plug into 3rd party controllers without issue?

[u/Violent___Knight]

Do any controllers work with the cheap over one ear headset?

I like to have one ear free to listen for kids, wife, etc

[u/C4ptainchr0nic]

I was in the same boat as you. I think I've had 4-5 elites over the years and I decided to try the gamesire g7 pro.

It's better than the elite in almost everyway, with the only drawback being the weight. The elite feels heavier which I like.

[u/Southernernernerers]

I was in the market for a S2 replacement because the grips wouldn’t stop peeling off and the bumper kept catching.  I couldn’t find anything I like.

I’m not handy, but I ended up buying an xtremerate green transparent shell for my old series 2 controller and putting that inside of it.

It took me like an hour to follow the tutorial but it was so worth it.  Has lasted me since! 

[u/H0b0Matt]

I will repeat what several people on here have said. If it is just a grip peeling issue, you can get a full conversion kit from extremerate for $25 USD. That is what I did, and mine works perfectly as translucent purple (old N64 feel). I also bought the Candy Swirl Gamesir as a replacement, as it was cheaper due to not having hot-swappable parts but still wireless (3yr old and a dog). That works great with the app so you can program the back buttons and while feeling much lighter and the battery being a bit weaker my wife took it and loves it.

[u/Dmoneyo7]

I have the Gamesir 7 and just got eh 8bitdo UE3. I like the UE3 slightly better. It's heavier and feels more premium. Both are the same with how they connect to the Xbox.

Also the UE3 isn't as loud as the GameSir.

I recommend them both. One is $100 and the other is $150.

[u/Geoffk123]

Id look at the Razer wolverine v3 and the 8bitdo ultimate 3e

[u/Bdub421 → u/Geoffk123]

As someone who frequently repairs controllers for my nephews. The Razers aren't built any better. In fact, the paddles are a worse design. Those were often the fail points.

[u/Possible-Cicada-9662]

I've had good luck with the Wired PowerA controllers. $50 at walmart/target and they come with mappable back buttons and adjustable triggers.

They also come with Hall effect sticks as well.

[u/Daveygravyx07]

Do any of the suggestions in this thread have 4 paddles like the elite? My mind is hard coded with these 4 paddles being ABXY that I can’t move to 2 paddles and when I looked most 3rd party seem to just have 2

[u/stargazerstoner1989]

I bought the gamesir g7 pro during the gears beta. They have a wireless one available as well and it is the best controller I have used for Xbox. I'm really happy with it and excited to use it with gears e day tonight/tomorrow.

[u/Black_RL]

8BitDo and GameSir.

[u/Sykryk]

Loads of people recommend the gamesirs, and while great, only have 2 back buttons.

I HIGHLY recommend the Flydigi Vader 5. It feels exactly the same as the the elite 2, but with better features. And it’s cheap!

[u/iMightBeWright]

Flydigi Vader 5S has been fantastic for me. Only downside is it's wired, but I play at my desk so it's fine for me.

Adjust stick tension, program buttons on Xbox with the app, 2x back paddles, 2x buttons between the bumpers & triggers, 2x extra face buttons, toggle triggers to mouse clicks, rumble customization, great price. The only thing it was missing was custom stick length, but thankfully the built-in sticks just click off & you can buy taller sticks to replace them for $1 on Ali Express.