Verdict
The Astro C40 is an undeniably costly luxurious, however its stellar customisation choices, ergonomic design and top-notch wi-fi efficiency justify its hefty price ticket.
Pros
Superb ranges of customisation
Comfortable, ergonomic design
Stable wi-fi connectivity
Great battery life
Cons
Software might be buggy
Very, very, very costly
Key Specifications
Review Price: £189.99
RF Transmitter: 2.4Ghz Wireless
Latency: 5ms
Battery Type: Lithium Ion Rechargeable
Audio: 3.5mm Jack
Data/Power – Micro USB
Weight: 310g
Dimensions L:168 mm W:108 mm H: 53mm
PS4/PC compatibility
The Astro C40 is the newest in a rising wave of professional-grade controllers focusing on the rising esports market.
It goals to tackle prime canine competitors such because the Razer Raiju and Xbox Elite Controller by providing players unprecedented ranges of {hardware} and software program customisability.
While the software program is a bit temperamental on PC and its price ticket is eye wateringly excessive, these after a best-in-class pad to assist take your aggressive gaming to the following stage will battle to do higher than the Astro C40.
Related: Best PS4 video games
Design – An reply to the Xbox Elite controller
The Astro C40 is designed to work with PC and PS4. As a outcome, its button structure is tailor-made to Sony’s console, not Microsoft’s out of the field. But that doesn’t cease it having a unique feel and look to competing controllers with the identical structure, just like the Razer Raiju Ultimate Edition.
For starters the controller’s barely smaller, that includes 168 x 108 x 53mm dimensions. This makes it really feel far more just like the common DualShock 4 than its Razer competitors.
But, like all esports pads, the controller options further set off inputs on its again. You’ll additionally see neat crimson switches, which can be utilized to regulate the actuation level of the pad’s triggers – like those seen on the Razer Wolverine and Raiju Ultimate.
If the characteristic set sounds acquainted, it ought to. Pretty a lot each esports controller has an analogous characteristic set. And in the event you’re simply going to make use of it as it’s out of the field, there’s little to justify why you’d pay a lot, particularly when the Xbox Elite 2 and Razer Raiju Tournament are each noticeably cheaper, retailing at £169.99 and £149.99 respectively.
However, in the event you’re an influence consumer, or plan to apply it to PC, there are a variety of key perks that assist justify the Astro C40’s elevated asking value. The greatest from a design perspective is its extra elegant and sturdy customisation system. Pretty a lot each esports controller helps you to swap out issues just like the controller’s joysticks and d-pad, and the Astro is not any exception.
Out of the field you’ll be handled to a selection of two normal domed caps, plus one tall concave and one tall domed cap. Online you may also buy a disk module to switch the d-pad. These choices are normal, however what makes them stand above their Razer competitors, is the usage of a screw, not magnetic swap out mechanism.
The Razer Raiju’s magnetic customisation system – which helps you to change which caps you employ simply by pulling the previous ones off and slotting the brand new ones in – is nice for velocity and comfort. But with long-term use, the mechanism has some shortcomings. The docking mechanism can loosen over time, resulting in inaccuracies.
Which is why I want the C40’s, Elite-like, screw system. Here you must manually take away a plate from the entrance of the controller. This might be performed with most appropriately sized screwdrivers, although the controller contains an “upgrade” software out of the field. From there, you must take away and change the elements you need to tweak and re-attach the plate. The system is extra fiddly, however it results in improved construct high quality and makes the controller really feel considerably extra sturdy and barely extra correct than its magnetic competitors.
The system additionally has one wonderful characteristic you received’t discover on competing pads – you may swap the areas of the joysticks and D-pad. This means the Astro C40 is likely one of the solely pads round that may be customised to have the identical joystick/d-pad association as each the Xbox One and Playstation controllers.
My solely minor quibble is that the left entrance button inputs switches aren’t fairly as tactile and responsive as those seen on the Razer Raiju Ultimate. Though they’re nonetheless a minimize above the marginally spongy inputs you’ll get on common Dualshocks, so that is hardly a deal-breaker.
Related: Best gaming headset
Software – nice when it really works
The improved tweakability extends to the C40’s button mapping. Using the controller on PC, you’ll be requested to obtain Astro’s controller configuration software program, which does just about precisely what it says on the tin.
It helps you to remap and modify important issues like sensitivity on just about each one of many controller’s inputs. As an added perk the controller can retailer two configurations domestically, so that you received’t have to start out from scratch in the event you join it to a second PC.
The software program options a fantastic UI that makes remapping a trivial matter and is the very best expertise I’ve had for the reason that Steam Controller – although that comes with its personal efficiency points I received’t focus on right here.
The solely draw back is that the software program doesn’t work with the PS4 and at instances might be extremely buggy. For causes I nonetheless can’t clarify, the software program wouldn’t recognise the C40 on a few of the PCs I examined it on.
On quite a lot of events, it might merely begin and say no controller was linked, even when the C40 was linked to a USB 2.0 port, utilizing the included micro-USB cable. The challenge is especially annoying because it means the PC received’t recognise the controller in any respect when gaming.
The solely workaround I discovered was to enter the PC’s system settings and manually pressure the machine to view the C40 as an Xbox 360 distant. This meant it might work for gaming, however the configuration software program nonetheless wouldn’t recognise it, eradicating one of many key causes you’d need it.
Connectivity and battery – dependable wi-fi and match stamina
Thankfully that was just about the one challenge I had with the C40. The controller options the identical wired and wi-fi connectivity because the Razer Raiju and Xbox Elite 2. But the inclusion of a 2.4GHz dongle for PC makes connection stability noticeably higher than Razer’s Bluetooth connectivity. To date, I’m but to expertise any latency utilizing the controller, even when gaming wirelessly.
I additionally discovered Astro’s quoted 12-hour battery life is, for essentially the most half, correct, which implies even essentially the most avid of players ought to have the ability to get a full day’s use out of it earlier than having to recharge.
Related: Best PC video games
Should you purchase the Astro C40?
If you’re an off-the-cuff PS4 gamer, then no. You mustn’t purchase the Astro C40, even in case you have the money to burn. With pricing set at practically £200, the Astro C40 is full overkill for anybody however essentially the most aggressive and hardcore of players.
But, in the event you’re a budding esports athlete or a hardcore gamer searching for a brand new gamepad, you’ll battle to do higher than the Astro C40. The controller gives unparalleled customisability and is likely one of the finest constructed pads I’ve examined, even within the prime finish peripherals market. This, plus its stellar wi-fi connectivity and cozy, ergonomic design make it among the finest gamepads available on the market.