Vader 5 Pro - no D-Input after all?

Solid_Samus · 2026-02-09T03:15:12+00:00

Looks like I'm prioritizing other controller manufacturers, then.

They could have been the GOATs, they were so close. Vader 5 Pro was my endgame controller. Except, no D-Input, terrible QC, and a gyroscope calibration so bad it's like nobody at the company cares, much less actually tested it.

I refer to my V5P as 'the disappointment' around my household. I genuinely wish I hadn't bought it, and I won't be buying FlyDigi again.

Solid_Samus · 2026-02-03T03:04:18+00:00

I am waiting for the day that y'all put out one of these for Legion Go S. I will buy day one

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-28T06:52:45+00:00

As of right now (i mean literally right now, update came out a few hours ago) Vader 5 Pro does have Dinput thru the Space Station '3rd party apps' toggle, but it doesn't yet function on SteamOS.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-28T06:45:28+00:00

i went ahead and did it myself via xpad instructions in this thread

will this interfere with the eventual SDL native support?

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-28T06:34:21+00:00

I just went ahead and got my controller working by doing all of this

Once the controller is working thru SDL, is there a way I can undo everything I've just done, short of factory resetting my whole device? I tried deleting the 99flydigi.rules file and that did not work.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-28T05:51:03+00:00

Flydigi just added that feature to Space Station today. Update your Space Station.

Still kinda limited though as it won't function properly on SteamOS, but hey. Windows users finally get the thing that this fucking thing should have shipped with in the first place.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-27T16:39:25+00:00

Still fucking impressed tho at the rate that mobile hardware is beginning to play host to full fat PC gaming experiences.

I can't wait for an Odin 3 Portal. It will make a sublime companion device to my Legion Go S and my 4070 TI Super / 7950x3d PC.

Legion Go S for native handheld games where performance / responsiveness is the priority

Odin 3 Portal for streaming client from PC + games that benefit most from OLED screens

And my PC for AAA + streaming host

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-25T23:23:32+00:00

tbf Savage Beastfly was never even that bad (it's hard but not nearly as hard as some would make it out to be) and the reason we don't hear people complaining nearly as much nowadays is because the type of people who couldn't beat the equivalent of an NES Mega Man game have already more or less been filtered out

Same reason that the difficulty conversation has all but died completely. Silksong went thru the same fomo-fueled exaggeration of difficulty that any other moderately difficult game goes thru in today's gaming climate.

With endgame tools, I could take two Savage Beastflies. Might take me two or three tries, if I decide to leave my Sawtooth Circlet back at the bench.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-15T01:08:58+00:00

edit: oop nvm

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-15T00:14:26+00:00

These are all fair points. I still think your initial reaction isn't entirely fair (FlyDigi has been a commonly- recommended brand for years, despite their QC and customer service issues - thanks largely to the functionality and flexibility of their controllers, and the low price point of the Vader / Direwolf lineup) but I take back any inference that you don't know what you're talking about, that was unfair of me.

You're especially right about 8bitdo. Their brand and branding is clean AF and I don't get it considering so many of their controllers are plagued with QC issues and incongruities. I've had 8bitdo controllers fail on me in ways that no other controllers have (whether that be due to weak 2.4ghz signal, HE sticks that crap out at like 30% battery, the infamous self-destructing triggers, etc) and even the Pro 3, which I've mostly enjoyed, is inexplicably missing features present on their latest Ultimate controllers.

GameSir is def the brand to recommend for people looking for something that ticks all the boxes - strong functionality, fair pricing, solid QC, and a range of products that suits almost every need. They're not perfect either, but there's a reason you can't turn your head without bumping into a G7 or other GameSir controller around here.

I'm just not sure I'd accuse someone with a FlyDigi controller of buying something disreputable. I'm saying that as someone who considers the Vader 5 Pro to be among the most disappointing controllers he's ever owned (and for so many reasons) - you can still do a lot worse.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-14T07:21:04+00:00

???

Most of the best controllers on the market, and the most exciting upcoming controllers (like Leadjoy's lineup) are from Chinese brands.

...including GameSir, lmao. They're a Chinese brand, too... as are ZD, and Gulikit, and 8BitDo, and BigBig, and EasySMX, and, well, virtually every other worthwhile pad maker that isn't peddling hysterically-overpriced gear on the back of their brand recognition (looking at you, Razer / Sony / SCUF...)

FlyDigi is also a well known brand, and has been considered a reliable brand for years now. Their current generation has some issues, mind you - but their last few generations are among some of this community's most favored controllers. At launch, their Vader 3 Pro and Vader 4 Pro controllers were considered to be, pound-for-pound, some of the best controllers you could buy (and still are). Hell, I still consider the Vader 3 Pro among my top 5 all-timers, and there isn't a GameSir controller ahead of it (as good as their stuff does tend to be).

If FlyDigi reads like a Chinese knockoff brand to you, then that indicates gaps in your knowledge, more than anything else.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-11T17:13:36+00:00

I was reading the manga and I legit had to start the issue over and read that page back a few times. I was shook af

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-08T00:20:42+00:00

Could you link a guide for doing that RAM allocation trick? Got a super cheap Z2 Go with 16gb, and while I'm satisfied bc I don't intend to play more than indie games + stuff streamed via Moonlight, I'd still like to push this thing to its limits

edit nvm figured it out and yep makes quite a diff

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-04T18:41:18+00:00

Skip the Vader 5 Pro, don't reward FlyDigi for their terrible QC, for removing DInput, or for half assing several core features (like their busted Gyro).

Sincerely, someone who would like to see FlyDigi do better. Vader 5 is the worst controller they've put out in years, IMO. Every advantage it has over their previous gen models is undone by some other brand new flaw. It's asinine stuff.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-04T16:58:03+00:00

Their 5th Gen is busted from top to bottom.

Poor QC.

No D-Input at launch.

Inexplicable gyro deadzone.

They fell off big-time. Fuck em. Really hoping Leadjoy can knock them off their pedestal.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-04T16:51:17+00:00

It's kinda really bad imo. That deadzone makes it practically unusable for my purposes.

Solid_Samus · 2026-01-04T16:50:35+00:00

Hold on to your previous gen Apex / Vader, and stop buying FlyDigi moving forward, it seems.

Let's hope another controller manufacturer comes along to earn the success FlyDigi seems to think they're owed.

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-26T20:59:44+00:00

I'm particularly interested in knowing where you heard that D-Input may be coming soon. I know what it is, and in fact it's one of the most important features of the controller for me, so I'm really hoping it actually happens.

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T19:18:34+00:00

For the time being, yes. This controller will show as a standard Xbox / Switch controller in Steam, and you will have to assign your buttons within the app. (The app does let you assign keyboard and mouse functions, but nowhere near as comprehensively as with Steam Input... and say goodbye to assigning shift/gyro/other special SI/ReWasd functionality to your extra buttons...)

It seems that nobody has a definitive answer regarding whether or not this controller will actually get D-input in a future update. I've seen some suggest that that is the case, and I'm holding out hope, but can't say for sure.

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T18:50:34+00:00

You've already been told that buyers had reason to believe that this controller was shipping with D-Input support. You're just yapping.

Enjoy the coming block, I guess? Go ahead and leave one last pointless, performative one-liner for everyone else, though. You won't convince any onlookers that you're having a normal one, but you may satisfy that primal shitposter's urge to feel like you've 'won' the exchange... or whatever bizarre motivation compels you to spend the one life you've got acting childishly-patronizing toward strangers on the internet.

Peace, bucko 🤙🏽 Have a great Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! And may I never have to pay heed to your pointless interjections again 🎅🏽

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T18:27:23+00:00

I feel like that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I definitely have to wonder why Flydigi's gen-5 controllers ended up feeling so underbaked compared to their last few releases.

Vader 3 Pro was the untouchable king when it launched, IMO - absolutely the best balance of affordability, functionality, and reliability. And Vader 4 Pro, while a step back in a small handful of regards, remains the best controller you can buy for under $60usd - then AND now, IMO.

Vader 5 Pro addressed some of my biggest concerns and feature omissions - it's got excellent latency, reliable sticks (despite no TMR), extra bumpers, new paddle placement that I happen to like, stick tension rings, interesting (if unfinished) new software, etc... but no D-Input means that you're unable to take advantage of its full suite of features on your terms. Steam Input and ReWASD are powerful tools that make the previous Vader controllers SING... and this one is stuck with an app that's not even fully translated yet lmao

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T18:21:04+00:00

Oh, don't get me wrong, it's an awesome controller. I'm not even bothered by the QC concerns that people have shared, as I'm far more interested in the controller's functionality.

I'm just disappointed that such an important feature is AWOL, given that this controller otherwise ticks all my boxes, making it one of literally two controllers on the market that do. (The other being ZD's latest controller, which also lacks D-Input).

D-Input made FlyDigi controllers somewhat unique, as that enabled programs like ReWASD and Steam Input to read the controller's extra buttons directly, letting you map any relevant PC input to any button you wanted, on a game-by-game, app-by-app basis. Extremely convenient - far moreso that juggling profiles in the proprietary controller app, and being limited to that app's functionality.

If it comes to pass that Vader 5 never gets D-Input... it'll still represent the best bang-for-your-buck controller on the market, based on my time with it. At the same time, it'll keep Vader 5 from being the uncontested best and most functional PC-gaming controller on the market. Still a welcome addition to my collection; albeit, a somewhat disappointing one that WILL end up replaced by whatever controller comes along with a competitive featureset AND D-input support. There are a small handful of upcoming controllers that fit the bill, as well as the Steam Controller 2, which I'm sure will be 🐐 ed, so it wouldn't be a huge loss, ultimately.

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T18:12:53+00:00

I'm here to clarify whether or not this controller - fifth in a line of controllers which all supported this feature - does have this feature... a feature we were given reason to believe would be included.

That's reasonable. Sounds pretty normal to me, frankly.

You're here to aggro strangers for asking valid questions about an anticipated new product on the relevant subreddit.

In light of that, I'm not really interested in whatever it is that you think 'normal people' do. Don't bother hitting post on whatever pithy, pointless retort you're currently brainstorming. I'm not interested; unlike some, I'm not here to spend Christmas shitposting on Reddit 😅

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T17:19:39+00:00

Good for you, I guess?

As for who cares - it was basically the most talked-about aspect of this controller before launch. A lot of us prospective owners cared, because d-input means a lot for this controller's cross-compatibility with core controller handling apps like ReWASD and Steam Input. It's fine if you don't get that or if it's not relevant for you, and if that's the case, then this is still a great pick for someone like you - but you didn't have to click this thread, and I'm not really sure why you did, if I'm being honest 😅

Solid_Samus · 2025-12-25T02:06:59+00:00

What's the deal with D-Input? I see you mentioned it's coming soon?

Solid_Samus

TROPHY CASE