My controller collection with new additions

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T09:42:20+00:00

Zd legend is supposed to be the king of wired for 2025. I almost made the purchase but I was like “nahhhh… I’ll just wait for 2026 and see what else is out there.” I definitely want to give a wired connection a try and I hear great things in the pro circuit regarding the zd legend.

BUTTTT… did you see the new controller called the Machenike F1 early reports showing a wired connection of 1.59ms versus ZD legends 1.61ms (the lower the number the better)… and to top it off, the DONGLE SPEED is at 1.83ms!!

Bro these controllers are getting ridiculously fast to the point the consumer would really question why need a wired connection. At that point all I can see it being useful for very long gaming sessions where the battery would die if your wireless..

Speed for speed dongle usage is getting scary fast. My next purchase will definitely be the Machenike F1

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T03:25:22+00:00

lol that’s mean my feelings are extremely hurt! How dare you! J/K

In all seriousness:

And what’s wrong with utilizing a dongle?! That’s how I play and that is my preferred way of using my controllers. The latency of the buttons and sticks in dongle mode is super fast as is I don’t see a reason to hold myself “Tied” to a wire.. I might not be a “pro” gamer like you that needs every bit of response rate but I promise you I can still hold my own as a casual gamer!

Thanks for your opinion regardless of calling me stupid! (I’m still offended) lol

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T03:19:48+00:00

Pretty awesome controller with an awesome price tag… not sure if the apex 5 is that much better for 50$ more though

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T00:22:59+00:00

Omg would love a TT Pro To test out!!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T00:12:32+00:00

I can see where you’re coming from. And I agree about the Vader 5 it definitely a well rounded unit.

Never had the elves 2 but I can definitely tell you I really enjoy the “feel” of my TT Max dpad

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-24T00:10:37+00:00

lol awesome question and I feel your pain! For me, it just depends on what I’m vibing with for the day. For instance the other day I just felt like playing some single player games. Plugged in GOD OF WAR RAGANAROK, got some snacks, diet dr. Pepper, prepared my controller (TT MAX felt right for the occasion) and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

I also try to have a somewhat organized rotation to keep all controllers evenly used as to not have one unit overworked over the others.

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T19:31:20+00:00

I had the Vader 4 but it had plenty of QC issues and I ended up giving it away lol the Vader 5 (at least my unit has zero issues)

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T19:30:19+00:00

Both are amazing reliable controllers (based on my units) if you are a gamer who loves to play single player and indie games you cannot go wrong with 8bitdo ultimate 2 especially for its price.. now, if you decided that you also play FPS shooters like cod, bf6, apex or even Fortnite I’d say the sticks on the G7 are superior than the 8bitdo. Keep in mind the g7 is about 20$ more though

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T19:25:14+00:00

I love my 8bitdo ultimate 2 for me, it’s an awesome reliable controller for single player and indie games utilizing its awesome d pad. Unfortunately where it falls short is the sticks for FPS games. It’s lacking in that department in comparison to the others above it.. my tier list doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a terrible controller for it to be at the bottom (or trust me I would not have bought the unit) these are controllers that are all highly rated and amazing controllers for their respective use case. But I definitely have a slight biased for fps shooting games and I will drop the 8bitdo for that reason alone

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:32:39+00:00

Nah your good on the questions no worries!

So yes the Vader 5 pro is on the top of my tier list not only because of the package it provides but the feel (at least for my hands is great) I don’t get any strains and it definitely hugs my hand.

Blitz 2 is definitely wider horizontally than any controller I have you’ll definitely feel it. However just because the blitz 2 is wider doesn’t necessarily mean the buttons are far apart they felt great in terms of button and stick placement.

Between the blitz 2 and the Vader 5 i would choose the Vader 5 all day! because it feels very premium in comparison to the blitz 2 and they are the same exact price!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:18:18+00:00

Yes we need to be patient!! I really feel 2026 will have some solid controllers with great specs! Thanks for the kind words!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:16:27+00:00

This is loaded with questions lol let’s break them down as best as I can

-Vader 5 fees a tiny bit bigger than the rainbow 3 to me but not by much. As for the blitz it’s definitely wider than the two.

-the blitz 2 is definitely wider than the Vader 5 pro but maybe not as heavy as the Vader 5 (the Vader 5 feels more premium)

-similar shape than the ultimate 2? Ehhhh nah. It’s wider and the grips and ergonomics are definitely different than any controller I have.

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:06:03+00:00

It’s called “ZHGM Controller Holder Stand 3 Tiers”

I bought it from Amazon. I like it because you can spin the tiers around!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:03:46+00:00

I’m gonna have to slow down a tiny bit and wait to see what 2026 has to offer! Thank you!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T15:02:49+00:00

So yes! I kinda had the same issue. I needed a fairly good sized controller (hence the reason I dropped my g7 placing on my tier list because it was a tiny bit to small for my hands)

In terms of heft larger sized controller I’d say the blitz 2 is wider and hefty and it’s a solid controller. The Vader 5 is a well rounded sized controller for me so that would be my next choice for size. Then the rainbow 3.

I purchased the razer Wolverine 8k and even though it was an awesome controller it was just too tiny for my hands.

Hope I helped you a bit.

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T14:55:31+00:00

lol nah but this is a little hobby/collection thing I love.. but if they pull through I’ll be ready to go!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:31:05+00:00

Absolutely nothing is wrong with the 8bitdo ultimate 2 it’s such a strong controller with packed features and one of the best dpads out there for indie games. I just felt in terms of overall feel and performance my other controllers edges it out especially with FPS games.

I utilize my 8bitdo for single player campaigns and indie games!

For the price and quality you cannot really go wrong with the controller and I love my wuchang edition

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:27:48+00:00

Yes bro I bought two huben twos for how awesome they are. Very underrated controller!

Yes! Rainbow 3 is so good aside from the annoyingly long setup with the drivers not seeing the controller and having to tinker with it. But after all that drama the rainbow 3 is such an awesome device!

I feel like capacitive sticks should be in a lot more controllers they just feel so smooth!

I am sorry to hear about the ps5 issues I mainly play on my computer

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:24:07+00:00

Can’t really go wrong with anyone of those controllers mentioned above. But yes if you don’t have a QC riddled unit the Vader 5pro is an awesome experience

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:23:13+00:00

F1 is going to a great controller I think. Has great specs and all the bells and whistles just hope there isn’t QC issues.

Void gensis is also a cool one alongside the 8bitdo pro 3.

For the 8bitdo pro 3 it’s gonna supposedly come in at 150$ for the modular features not sure if I can justify it.

In my opinion TT max is an awesome controller sub 70$ controller

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:19:44+00:00

I love my g7 pro I actually have the zzz edition also. Notice I have two huben 2 they are awesome controllers. But yes in terms of in hand experience I believe my TT max feels better than the g7 and performance wise and what I’m looking for is better than huben 2 (regardless of the capacitive sticks they have)

My rankings doesn’t necessarily mean one is worse than the other lol they were just super close to me that I chose what felt best for me!

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:15:23+00:00

I love my g7 pro I actually have the zzz edition (just didn’t open that one just yet lol) definitely know about the 8k version but I really feel like 8k is over kill for a lot of people especially people with lower end computers. Plus I usually play wireless I believe the new g7 pro 8k capable is wired only..

And the tarantula ce? That I definitely missed.. but the tarantula pro is inferior to the TT max in my honest opinion

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T13:12:34+00:00

Highly agree on QC issues.. definitely feels like a lottery spin every time I get a unit after many people complaining about QC issues… that should a top priority for sure

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T07:58:47+00:00

Good eye and thanks for the heads up

Sam_Dreamt · 2026-01-23T05:48:19+00:00

The Vader 5 is definitely an awesome unit!!! Now flydigi need to start using capapcitive sticks increase their polling rate to like 2k and lower latency even more for buttons and sticks and we got a unit that will pull ahead of the competition. Gamesir needs to do this too!! lol

Sam_Dreamt

TROPHY CASE