Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller Review – A Worthy Elite Series 2 Rival

Xbox homeowners have not had many wi-fi controller choices within the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One eras. Microsoft’s wi-fi protocol has largely been restricted to plain first-party controller and high-end Elite Series 2. Great third-party wired controllers exist for Xbox, however we’re solely now beginning to see formally licensed wi-fi controllers from producers outdoors of Microsoft. PowerA launched a stable mid-range Xbox controller earlier this 12 months, and now Turtle Beach has joined the celebration with the formally licensed Stealth Ultra, a premium different to the Elite Series 2. Turtle Beach’s Stealth Ultra is expensive at $200, nevertheless it’s an unbelievable controller that is price your consideration.The Stealth Ultra retains the standard Xbox controller structure. Though it would not have the identical heft to it because the Elite Series 2, it has excellent ergonomics with textured grips and a premium end. As far as inputs go, I truly choose the Stealth Ultra to the Elite Series 2, which was a shock because the Elite Series 2 has lengthy been my favourite controller. Buttons, triggers, and sticks are a lower above their Elite Series 2 counterparts (and most controllers basically).Face, shoulder, and rear buttons, in addition to the D-pad, are all activated by way of microswitches. This reduces actuation distance, supplies near-instant suggestions, and produces a satisfying click on corresponding to urgent a gaming mouse. In addition to providing the next stage of precision, the microswitch buttons merely really feel nice. Turtle Beach isn’t the primary producer to implement microswitches into its controller; Razer’s Wolverine line for Xbox and PS5 provides microswitch inputs, too. If you’ve got ever tried the Wolverine, the Stealth Ultra feels fairly related. If you are new to microswitch inputs, you are in for a deal with.There are 4 remappable again buttons constructed into the controller. These textured motion buttons are situated the place your fingers are likely to naturally relaxation, making them simply accessible. Back buttons and paddles are usually the primary characteristic you count on with a aggressive controller, and so they do not disappoint right here. Microswitches are as soon as once more utilized to scale back enter response time.The one-piece, stable design of the Stealth Ultra’s D-pad appears to be like peculiar at first look, however my skepticism disappeared after spending a while with it. The recessed middle is intelligent, permitting you to shortly pivot your thumb in any path to register actions. Up, down, left, and proper inputs are raised greater than diagonal instructions that require urgent in two instructions. It’s pretty much like the default D-pad that comes with the Elite Series 2, with the primary distinction being the microswitches that provide elevated pace.We’ve seen an uptick of controller producers combatting stick drift by utilizing Hall Effect sensors. Unlike regular analog sticks, Hall Effect sticks do not depend on elements rubbing towards one another to register actions. Instead, Hall Effect sticks use magnets to perform the identical process. This makes the controller, in concept, proof against pesky stick drift. I can not converse on the longevity of the Stealth Ultra’s sticks but, however they really feel glorious, and Turtle Beach is clearly fairly assured in them–the phrase “antidrift” is emblazoned below every stick. Like different Turtle Beach merchandise, the Stealth Ultra comes with a one-year producer’s guarantee.Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra and charging dockUnlike many different premium controllers, the Stealth Ultra would not have swappable elements. Physical customization options are restricted to set off locks and two pairs of rubber caps that wrap across the default sticks. There’s a pair of concave caps and textured dome caps. The primary profit of those is that they successfully make the sticks bigger, so that they might be helpful for these with bigger fingers (the default analog stick toppers are the identical measurement because the first-party Xbox controller). But you will not discover assist for swappable D-pads or modules right here. Considering all the controls are exemplary already, the shortage of swappable elements would not really feel like a significant loss–especially when there’s a lot to like with the inner customization.I saved this half for final as a result of if the core expertise with a $200 controller is something wanting wonderful, it would not actually matter that it has a built-in show that can be utilized to tinker with all types of settings. But the Stealth Ultra, as a pure controller, is certainly superb, so its novel characteristic solely enhances an already nice gadget.You can consider the small show as built-in customization software program. Whereas the Elite Series 2, 8BitDo Ultimate, Razer Wolverine V2, and different pro-style controllers require a proprietary app to make in-depth changes, the Stealth Ultra allows you to customise your expertise on the fly. With the press of the “+” button, you may change from controlling the motion in your TV to tinkering with settings on the small coloration display screen, dubbed the Connected Command Display.Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra again buttonsGallery Turtle Beach gave gamers rather a lot to work with right here. For starters, you may cycle by way of 10 completely different profiles–a lot greater than the standard three for these types of controllers. Within every profile, you may remap the 4 again buttons on the fly, create useless zones for sticks and triggers, alter vibration depth on left and/or proper sides, and modify lighting coloration and results. You can remap the again buttons to most inputs, with one notable omission being RS and LS clicks. Since many video games use a stick press to provoke a run, it is at all times good to map a again button to that motion as an alternative.The Stealth Ultra has RGB gentle strips on the handles. My fingers blocked a portion of the sunshine strip whereas taking part in, however the lights have been seen subsequent to the face buttons and left stick. Along with a large assortment of hues, the sunshine strips can pulsate, cycle by way of a number of colours, breathe, and so forth. Plus, you may alter the depth of the consequences. Gradient coloration settings did not seem to work generally on my controller, however general the lighting options are fairly cool. Don’t fear, though–you can flip the lights off altogether, if you happen to so select.Many of the cool options present in Turtle Beach’s different Xbox controllers are current right here, too. The non-compulsory Pro-Aim Focus Mode will be activated by mapping it to one of many again buttons. When on, Pro-Aim briefly alters thumbstick sensitivity, which you need to use for issues like long-range pictures. With a wired headset related to the 3.5mm audio jack, you may improve and blend your audio with onboard presets and sliders. What’s cool right here is that Turtle Beach’s presets, although constructed into the producer’s headsets, work with any wired headset. The marquee one, Signature Sound, truly does produce crisper, cleaner audio–however, if in case you have a DAC, you may nonetheless need to use that as an alternative. Other presets alter bass and treble, and the final of the 4 enhances voices (chat and in-game audio). You also can combine your audio and mic settings with sliders.The Connected Command Display also can show your notifications if you happen to sync your cellphone to your Stealth Ultra. It’s a unusual characteristic that I suppose stops you from your cellphone whereas taking part in (although you are still trying away from the display screen and may’t reply on the controller). Personally, receiving texts or social media notifications whereas gaming sounds hellish to me, however it will most likely be of curiosity to some. Plus, it has some gaming utility if you happen to use Discord whereas taking part in on-line.Connected Command DisplayHaving the ability to handle settings on the controller itself is a really handy and helpful characteristic. However, if you wish to tinker with settings on a bigger show, Turtle Beach has launched Control Center 2, a brand new PC and Xbox app that syncs to the Stealth Ultra. Both variations of the app work pretty nicely and have easy-to-use layouts. The primary problem I skilled is the app detected the improper side ratio for a number of of my screens, so I needed to tinker with it to see all the fields. The cellular model of the app is especially for notifications, however you may cycle by way of profiles on it.Though I centered on Xbox on this evaluate, the Stealth Ultra is each bit nearly as good on PC. In addition to supporting the two.4GHz dongle used for the wi-fi connection on Xbox, you may sync the Stealth Ultra by way of Bluetooth on PC (in addition to Android). Alternatively, you need to use the prolonged USB-C to USB-A cable offered within the field for a wired connection. I did not discover any enter latency with the dongle connection–it works in addition to official Xbox controllers.I used to be capable of get 25-30 hours of battery life on a full cost with the LED lights turned off. Your mileage right here will definitely differ primarily based on lighting results in addition to screen-brightness settings. But if you happen to run out of juice whereas taking part in, the Stealth Ultra’s docking station–which shares its type with the Elite Series 2–will absolutely cost the battery in two hours. The controller, dock, and cable will be saved in the primary compartment of the included hardshell case. A small zippered pocket has sufficient room for the thumbstick caps and dongle.The backside lineThe Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is a worthy competitor to the Elite Series 2. At $200, it is pricier, particularly when you think about how typically Microsoft’s pro-style controller is on sale, however the characteristic set provided right here makes it stand out in a giant approach. Premium construct high quality, well-designed controls, and the onboard suite of customization options make the Stealth Ultra a controller that is laborious to knock in any significant approach. Unlike some third-party options for competing platforms, you are not dropping out on any main options by choosing Turtle Beach over Microsoft (besides having the ability to flip your console on with the Xbox button). While I nonetheless assume the Elite Series 2’s weighty really feel is unmatched, all the pieces else on the Stealth Ultra is a notch above. The large query mark with the Stealth Ultra is how all the inner tech, particularly the display screen, will maintain up over time. If different producers launch Elite Series 2 rivals, the Stealth Ultra can be laborious to beat. The bar has been set very excessive.Disclosure: Turtle Beach offered a pattern of the Stealth Ultra to check for this evaluate.