Price When Reviewed

$179.99

Best Prices Today: Scuf Envision Pro PC controller

$179.99

Despite being an even bigger gaming market than all three main sport consoles mixed, PC gaming at all times 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 players virtually by no means get one which’s only for us, particularly amongst high-end designs. Scuf, and its new proprietor Corsair, is attempting to treatment that scenario 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 straight with the de facto premium customary, Microsoft’s personal Xbox Elite controller. 

Is it higher? That quite will depend on 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 received’t be everybody’s cup of tea. I’d say that the Envision is a better option in case you 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 all its current high-end controller designs for this unique PC outing. Not so: The Envision is a wholly new product and form, fusing a number of the parts 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 model, with the D-pad closest handy (in case you’ll pardon the pun) on your left thumb. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Otherwise the controller is acquainted to anybody who’s tried out the latest crop of “elite” controllers, with customary ABXY face buttons, easy-to-reach modifiers for Start and Select (or no matter Microsoft is looking these buttons now), and triggers and shoulder buttons on 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 straight into the plastic. I tended to hit them with my ring fingers, rocking both up or down, as a substitute of maintaining 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 singular addition that I wasn’t very keen on — extra on that later. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Finally, beneath the ability and wi-fi pairing buttons, you get 5 additional “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 all which is somewhat longer than the opposite. Pop the controller’s old-school Nokia-style faceplate off, and you may 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 removing instrument), in case you’d favor to not have interaction with them. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

On prime of that you simply 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 bundle leaves the Scuf bundle a bit wanting. The Xbox’s top-end configuration additionally consists of detachable rear paddles and substitute thumbsticks, however its options really feel extra stable being made out of steel. 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 as if an enormous miss, contemplating how contentious players will 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 largest adjustment for switching to the Envision was transferring 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 positive, and so they would possibly 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 in case you 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 preventing video games. Once I discovered to ease again on the strain, I used to be impressed at how a lot quicker I might shortly repeat actions. 

The D-pad has equally quick, clicky switches beneath every cardinal course. Again, I can see this being an enormous win for followers of old-school preventing video games and brawlers, the place extraordinarily exact and quick enter will 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 purposeful as their counterparts on the Elite, if somewhat shorter, the set off adjustment lever is recessed deep into the triggers themselves. This makes it unimaginable to regulate them on the fly — you might want to cease, flip the controller over, and hook a fingernail in there to really alter 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 additional paddles are likewise a combined bag. I actually just like the rear paddles, as my ring finger rests in a hole between them and you may hit them with a form of rocking movement up or down. They’re far simpler to differentiate than the Xbox Elite’s steel 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 by accident tapping them with the fleshy a part of my index finger between my first and second knuckles. After a number of days of testing, I made use of the included clean plastic to easily shut down their performance, and this labored positive. But it did affect the in any other case very comfy design of the Envision. I believe some professionals (once more, possibly preventing sport followers) might make use of those buttons, however they must be significantly extra dextrous than me. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The G-buttons I discovered I might take or depart. They’re good for shortly adjusting quantity, however frankly it could be simply as quick to achieve all the way down to my keyboard and make the identical adjustment, the place the capabilities are a lot simpler with massive keys. Maybe in case you 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 all the pieces 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 would additionally swap out the controller faceplate, because it’s solely held in (fairly snugly!) with magnets. But since there don’t look like any options like Scuf makes for different controllers, there’s actually no level. It solely serves as a approach to swap out these thumbsticks and maintain 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 nicely. Out of the field Corsair consists of pre-made profiles for shooters, battle royale, racing, sports activities, motion/journey, and preventing, 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 declaring that the Envision Pro will be wired or wi-fi, however in contrast to latest Xbox and PlayStation pads, it solely connects to its proprietary dongle. There’s no Bluetooth pairing possibility. 

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 stick to 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 positive don’t harm.  

That being stated, I believe there’s a particular section of the market that may gravitate in the direction of the Envision Pro. Its face buttons and D-pad are undeniably quicker and extra responsive because of these clicky switches. That’s one thing I believe followers of preventing video games and different twitchy experiences will see as an enormous plus, and so they may also 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 on 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 selections for the latter. 

Michael Crider/Foundry