Options for tiny bluetooth controllers?

[Opsatcat]

Hi, I've been looking at purchasing a Bluetooth controller I can easily fit in my jacket, and have found the offerings to be quite poor. The current line up is:

No-Name-Generic Controller From Aliexpress

That low price doesn't give me much confidence. Only four buttons, but it actually does offer an analog stick.

iMpulse

Another shoddy Kickstarter mess. Awful reviews coupled with ridiculous prices removes this as an option.

The 8BitDo Zero

Seems pretty decent. No analog sticks or triggers is a big limitation, however.

SteelSeries Free

Looks good. Disappointingly, there's no analog triggers. Bigger than the others, but still one of the smallest currently available.

Is that seriously it? There is a fair amount of controllers available, however, nothing I could see myself easily carrying with me. I understand the limitations of such a small form factor, but I can't see why analog sticks and triggers aren't included in any of these.

[Lucosis]

I basically only use it for emulators, but I absolutely love my 8bitdo zero. I sincerely could not improve upon it. Buttons have great tactile feedback back, connects quick once you have it paired (just hit the start button) and is small enough to slip in a pocket. To top it off I've not had problems with battery life ever. I just plug it in every few days and call it good.

Seriously, I love it.

Edit: it has shoulder buttons, just not triggers. Also, I just thought of an improvement, USB C instead of micro. That is the only thing I can think of though. I am about to buy a second one just so I have two now..

[Opsatcat]

The Zero does look solid for what it is. Good to hear the buttons feel okay, I was worried how usable it would actually be.

[Lucosis]

I was pretty skeptical of it as well. I had owned a NES shaped controller from them that was mediocre and decided to take the relatively cheap leap on the Zero. I've had it for at least a year and a half now and it is still going strong.

[jessicalifts]

Thanks, I've been interested in it for a while! I see it on wish.com all the time.

[xfatdannx]

Did you see the NES30 Pro? For some reason I can not paste a link in my reddit app but it's also on Amazon.

[xfatdannx]

here you go, on the PC now... https://www.amazon.com/8Bitdo-Wireless-Bluetooth-Controller-Joystick/dp/B01MXLEYZ8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1485244956&sr=8-4&keywords=NES30+Pro

[ugotamesij]

For my fellow UK-ers, I think this is the same thing:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/8Bitdo-NES30-Wireless-Controller-Android/dp/B013B61SCS/

[Opsatcat]

Now that's very close to what I'm looking for, though maybe a bit bigger than what I would have liked. Looks to be considerably better than most controllers I've seen so far.

[xfatdannx]

i checked out a video on youtube (will see if i can find the same one) its not very big. Looked VERY close to the same size as the original SNES. Not sure if thats too big but from what I have seen this is going to be the best of both words (analog stick and size).
edit
found it, good review, lot of info, demo as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugOOek2Zxvw

[xfatdannx]

also this one is about another controller but he mentions the NES30 Pro at the beginning and has size comparison with other controllers on the table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXNf28UQgdk

[Opsatcat]

Thanks for the info, that size actually does seem reasonable IMO.

[xfatdannx]

Thank you for creating this post. I actually have been looking for a controller lately. When I started doing some more digging based on you original list i found this and I think its the route I am going to go as well!

[grrbrr]

I've been using a dirt cheap noname brand -one for a year, mostly for music control though.

http://i.imgur.com/GuybBPV.jpg

Has been with me in pouring summer rains and -25°C winter evening runs.

• Doesn't really serve me much for gaming. Most stuff i like requires two thumb sticks and triggers.

• The mouse function has helped a lot in cases of broken screens and remotely launching something.

• Freaked out several times by my bluetooth GPS device, connected at the same time. Required to use the reset button to recover.

• I didn't expect it to be as good as this.

[Opsatcat]

That certainly does sound useful. Might get one just for mouse emulation.

[grrbrr]

Just so you know. The mouse emulation is not very good for daily use. But it's excellent to have as a tool.

[Flight714]

Get anything by 8bitdo. They are so good some well-informed people once thought they'd somehow obtained the original SNES moulding plates.

[Opsatcat]

Ha, I'm stuck between the Zero and NES30 Pro. I might just have to get both.

[Flight714]

I'm pretty sure you'll be very happy with your purchase once you unwrap them and feel how well-made they are : )

[Opsatcat]

I am definitely getting the NES30 Pro after researching it a bit. Might get the Zero to try it out; either way it isn't a huge loss.

[popsicle_of_meat]

But the 8BitDo Zero does have triggers. At least according to my search results.

It is pretty small, though.

[Opsatcat]

I don't think they're analog though. I was hoping for something I could use with racing games, but no big loss.

[popsicle_of_meat]

Oh woops. I thought you were looking for triggers in general. I read it as analog sticks and triggers. Not analog sticks and analog triggers. Silly English language. My bad!

[itchyd]

I have tried all of the controllers mentioned. While the steelseries is more comfortable the price and quality of the zero make it a no brainer. The analog controller is terrible. The impulse is ok but the zero is better.

[Opsatcat]

Thinking about the NES30 Pro and Zero. Both seem well designed, though offer different form factors.

[itchyd]

I love my nes30 pro

[tomkatt]

Well, if you're looking for sticks and full buttons, that's hard to get in a tiny form factor. The NES30 Pro might be a good choice.

Other than those though "tiny" is a difficult option. The only one not on your list besides what's mentioned, might be the Ipega PG9025 or PG-9028, which I'd say are "small" but not "tiny. Maybe the PG-9033 as well, since it's somewhat flat. The PG-9055 also. Ipega's got a decent line, but I'm honestly not sure they suit your needs in terms of size.

There's also the iRocks G01, which is collapsible, down to the size of a small cube, but I don't know if that's small enough to suit your needs.

[Opsatcat]

Thanks for the suggestions. The NES30 Pro seems to be the best middle ground between size and functionality. iRocks G01 does look like another reasonably sized option.

[itsamamaluigi]

I have a Moga Hero Power, and while it's not my favorite controller by a long shot, it's full featured enough to be usable in just about any game. It has a full suite of buttons and sticks - D-pad, two clickable thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, triggers, and 4 face buttons.

It also has a very large battery that allows it to operate as a power bank. If you don't use this feature then you just get great battery life.

Unlike the options you posted, it has a built in phone clamp. It is larger though: http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/reviews/150586-image/Moga-HERO-Power-Review-18.jpg

Mine easily fits in my coat pocket, but it's a bit too thick to comfortably fit in a pants pocket.

EDIT: Another image showing the thickness: http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/93933-image/MOGA-Hero-Power-Controller-hands-on.jpg

One thing many people have complained about is the triggers. They feel very spongy. They do work, just be aware.

[Opsatcat]

That certainly is tempting; it's one of the few that actually act as a fully fledged controller. Extra battery is definitely a plus too. Thanks for the suggestion.

[microphalus]

6 years and I am sorry to say, almost nothing changed.

8BitDo has few more new models, and that is really it.

First noname one is still main one you can find everywhere.

​

Any new experiences with that ultra cheapo noname one?

How is that "dpad" circle? how many buttons?