Scuf Envision Pro controller review: A new favorite for fighters

Price When Reviewed

$179.99

Best Prices Today: Scuf Envision Pro PC controller

Despite being an even bigger gaming market than all three main sport consoles mixed, PC gaming all the time appears to be chasing behind them by way of controllers. Maybe it’s the truth that the controller is so customary for consoles, however PC avid gamers nearly by no means get one which’s only for us, particularly amongst high-end designs. Scuf, and its new proprietor Corsair, is making an attempt to treatment that state of affairs with the Envision. 

This is a controller made for the PC from the bottom up, with extra superior media controls baked in and a ton of extras and customizable choices. It’s additionally decidedly premium: At $180 for the wi-fi “Pro” model, it’s competing instantly with the de facto premium customary, Microsoft’s personal Xbox Elite controller. 

Is it higher? That relatively is dependent upon what you need. While the Envision demonstrates cautious design and in some methods extra flexibility than the Elite, it’s additionally made some divergent design selections that gained’t be everybody’s cup of tea. I’d say that the Envision is a better option if you happen to worth fast, twitchy enter, whereas the Elite remains to be my go-to for all-around gaming from a single controller. 

Design 

You might need anticipated Scuf to recycle one in every of its current high-end controller designs for this unique PC outing. Not so: The Envision is a wholly new product and form, fusing a few of the components of controllers for each the Xbox and PlayStation. Most notably, and most distinctly from its PC-focused competitors, it makes use of parallel analog sticks within the PlayStation type, with the D-pad closest at hand (if you happen to’ll pardon the pun) to your left thumb. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Otherwise the controller is acquainted to anybody who’s tried out the current crop of “elite” controllers, with customary ABXY face buttons, easy-to-reach modifiers for Start and Select (or no matter Microsoft is asking these buttons now), and triggers and shoulder buttons to your index finger. You additionally get 4 rear-mounted “paddles,” although they’re far much less paddle-like than on the Xbox Elite, being molded instantly into the plastic. I tended to hit them with my ring fingers, rocking both up or down, as an alternative of retaining each ring and pinky on the person buttons. 

The Elite additionally boasts a third pair of additional programmable buttons, these resting on the facet of the handles simply lateral to the L1 and R1 shoulder buttons. These default to easily replicating the shoulder button performance. They’re a novel addition that I wasn’t very keen on — extra on that later. 

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Finally, beneath the facility and wi-fi pairing buttons, you get 5 further “G-keys.” These default to, from left to proper: Mic mute, quantity down, quantity up, mute, and “eco mode” which disables vibration and lighting. Oh sure, there are RGB lights on the controller, although solely on these 5 buttons and in a strip proper under them. In phrases of pure performance, they remind me of the Xbox One headset adapter, although that isn’t wanted for this since there’s a ⅛ headphone jack down there, too. 

Also within the field 

Like the Xbox Elite Wireless, the Scuff Envision Pro features a few extras within the field. You get two different thumbsticks, each with convex (outward-bubble) curves, one in every of which is somewhat longer than the opposite. Pop the controller’s old-school Nokia-style faceplate off, and you’ll place both one in both place. You additionally get blanks for the facet buttons and the highest or inner-most rear paddles (together with a elimination device), if you happen to’d favor to not interact with them. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

On prime of that you just get a USB-C charging cable with a Type A adapter, and naturally, the wi-fi dongle, Type A solely. It’s value noting that the usual, wired-only Envision doesn’t get the additional thumbsticks. 

Comparing the Envision Pro to the Xbox Elite by way of add-ons for the $180 package deal leaves the Scuf package deal a bit wanting. The Xbox’s top-end configuration additionally contains detachable rear paddles and alternative thumbsticks, however its alternate options really feel extra stable being made out of metallic. The Xbox’s sticks may also have their bodily pressure adjusted.

Michael Crider/Foundry

The Scuf controller’s D-pad isn’t detachable or replaceable just like the Xbox’s, which looks like an enormous miss, contemplating how contentious avid gamers could be in preferences for conventional cross- or circle-shaped pads. And lastly, Microsoft features a very good carrying case at this worth, whereas Corsair asks you to cough up an extra $15 for the privilege. 

Using the Envision 

The greatest adjustment for switching to the Envision was shifting to the PlayStation-style parallel thumb sticks. But at this level, the additional little attain for my thumb is one thing I’m used to, so I wouldn’t say it’s an enormous deal. It’ll be a deal-breaker for some, I’m certain, they usually may wish to look into the Thrustmaster Eswap, or simply search for a extra customary Xbox-style structure. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The different massive change was the ABXY face buttons. These include brief and stiff Omron switches, and urgent them was a lot nearer to clicking a mouse than urgent a regular controller button. It’s a bit uncomfortable if you happen to are likely to mash your buttons like me, however they’re completely quicker and extra responsive than something I’ve tried earlier than. They’re a lot better for fast mixture inputs in motion and combating video games. Once I discovered to ease again on the stress, I used to be impressed at how a lot quicker I may rapidly repeat actions. 

The D-pad has equally quick, clicky switches beneath every cardinal route. Again, I can see this being an enormous win for followers of old-school combating video games and brawlers, the place extraordinarily exact and quick enter could be the distinction between win and a loss. If you want your buttons brief, loud, and super-responsive, you’ll love the Envision. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The shoulder buttons and triggers are one other matter. While I discovered them about as practical as their counterparts on the Elite, if somewhat shorter, the set off adjustment lever is recessed deep into the triggers themselves. This makes it inconceivable to regulate them on the fly — you’ll want to cease, flip the controller over, and hook a fingernail in there to really modify them. While I respect the additional adjustment choices, I favor with the ability to hit that adjustment with no need to pause my sport. 

The further paddles are likewise a blended bag. I actually just like the rear paddles, as my ring finger rests in a hole between them and you’ll hit them with a kind of rocking movement up or down. They’re far simpler to tell apart than the Xbox Elite’s metallic paddles, and I are likely to take away one set because of this. But The Scuf didn’t have this challenge. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The facet “bumpers” are one other matter. I discovered them superfluous, usually unintentionally tapping them with the fleshy a part of my index finger between my first and second knuckles. After a couple of days of testing, I made use of the included clean plastic to easily shut down their performance, and this labored fantastic. But it did influence the in any other case very snug design of the Envision. I feel some professionals (once more, possibly combating sport followers) may make use of those buttons, however they must be significantly extra dextrous than me. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The G-buttons I discovered I may take or depart. They’re good for rapidly adjusting quantity, however frankly it might be simply as quick to succeed in all the way down to my keyboard and make the identical adjustment, the place the capabilities are a lot simpler with massive keys. Maybe if you happen to want much more enter choices, like a keyboard or mouse button inside quick attain in your controller, you’ll discover them extra helpful. 

Customization choices 

Here’s every little thing you possibly can change bodily on the Envision Pro: 

• Trigger distance (technically on the fly, however very tough) 
• Block each facet buttons and two out of the 4 rear paddles with blanks 
• Swap between 4 thumbsticks in any of the 2 thumbstick positions 

Technically you possibly can additionally swap out the controller faceplate, because it’s solely held in (fairly snugly!) with magnets. But since there don’t seem like any alternate options like Scuf makes for different controllers, there’s actually no level. It solely serves as a option to swap out these thumbsticks and preserve them in place as soon as put in. Oh, and regardless of kinda sorta wanting like a PlayStation-style touchpad, that ornamental hexagonal sample is simply that, ornamental. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Corsair’s iCue software program serves as a hub for its numerous sub-brands, and that’s now true for Scuf as effectively. Out of the field Corsair contains pre-made profiles for shooters, battle royale, racing, sports activities, motion/journey, and combating, and naturally, you possibly can utterly customise each single button on the controller and swap between profiles to your coronary heart’s content material. 

Other customization choices embrace lighting results for the G buttons and lightweight strip, customized sensitivity curves for the triggers and thumbsticks, and customization for the dual vibration motors. It’s odd that we’ve gotten to the purpose the place these choices are customary, however they’re, certainly, fairly customary, and iCue’s interface is greater than serviceable for altering no matter you want. 

Corsair

It’s value mentioning that the Envision Pro could be wired or wi-fi, however in contrast to current Xbox and PlayStation pads, it solely connects to its proprietary dongle. There’s no Bluetooth pairing choice. 

Is it value it? 

$180 is a lot for a controller in anyone’s cash, and I say that as somebody who’s spent that a lot on one myself. And talking for myself, I’d in all probability keep on with the Xbox Elite over the Scuf Envision Pro. The Xbox-style structure is best suited to my tastes, and I respect the heavier thumbsticks, swappable D-pad, and fast adjustment for the triggers. The included carrying case and Bluetooth choices certain don’t damage.  

That being stated, I feel there’s a particular section of the market that can gravitate in direction of the Envision Pro. Its face buttons and D-pad are undeniably quicker and extra responsive due to these clicky switches. That’s one thing I feel followers of combating video games and different twitchy experiences will see as an enormous plus, they usually may additionally make higher use out of the rear paddles and facet buttons than I can. 

So if cash’s no object and also you merely will need to have the quickest, most responsive premium pad to your PC gaming, the Envision Pro may be up your alley. Others are inspired to stay to the Xbox pad, or one thing somewhat extra economical. There are actually loads of decisions for the latter. 

Michael Crider/Foundry