So many buttons…
Controller saturation is upon us. I have so many controllers I sometimes forget I have them. Today I am taking a look at something a little different for me. The SCUF Envision Pro has been around for a while, but I had yet to take a look. This one is designed with PC in mind and takes advantage of ultimate customization with an abundance of buttons, perhaps too many. This wireless controller is in the popular SCUF line, which means quality is not the issue and it just might be the most customizable controller I have ever used.
Right out of the gate the design is familiar on the surface. It has symmetrical thumbsticks and a large block at the top that looks like a touchpad, even though it is not. The most stand-out feature of this controller is the amount of buttons it has that can be customized. The standard stuff is here alongside the traditional four back buttons, but in addition to that we also get two side buttons as well as five more along the bottom of the controller for an extra seven customizable buttons. That is over 20 buttons on this controller, which is nuts.
MSRP: $179.99
Price I’d Pay: $179.99
Surprisingly when I first picked it up I expected it to be uncomfortable, but it is quite the opposite. The rubber build actually feels good to hold, and the extra buttons are hard to press by accident, but still easily pressed if you want. The bottom buttons are certainly best used for macros or such, as they are not easily accessible in standard holding position. Much like other SCUF controllers, the faceplate is removable and the thumbsticks are interchangeable, and the back paddles can be customized as well. They should have named this one the kitchen sink.
It supports two types of connections for wireless as well as a fallback for wired, and from my tests the dongle is the best way to go. Bluetooth is always a crapshoot when it comes to these controllers. It works most of the time, but there are certainly times where it can drop. The latency is very low, even in wireless and I never had any issues with it registering my inputs. I also want to mention that I love microswitch buttons. The subtle clicking is very satisfying with each input.
The battery life is decent and will handle most gaming sessions, but make sure you shut it off fully when powering down, otherwise it can drain the battery over time without even noticing. As mentioned the extra buttons are nice and never get in the way. This controller also has the ability to swap the triggers with pulls or quick action, which is always nice for shooters. The Envision Pro really does offer an answer for everything, making it one of the more robust PC controllers on the market.
This brings me to my biggest pain point, the software for customization. This is done through iCUE which is clunky and plagued with issues. I was unable to log into profiles, had issues with crashing, and it is not intuitive at all. It takes a long time to acclimate to the software, but once I did, it was extremely powerful. There is another caveat though, in order for the macros and customizations to stick, it has to be running the entire time you use the controller. This isn’t an issue for some, but if you are like me, you try to shut down all extraneous programs when gaming. This one is required if you want to use all of its features.
While most PC gamers will balk at the idea of using a controller for things such as shooters, the Envision Pro works extremely well. Yes, if you are a mouse and keyboard warrior, this isn’t going to change your mind, but for those of us who mostly game on console, this is an outstanding option. As for other genres, it is stellar. Something like a fighting game works incredibly well with this controller. The tactile buttons make for easy inputs, and the d-pad feels amazing. I was pulling off combos and special moves with ease. This controller is really well-designed and feels good with so many game types.
The Envision Pro is my new go-to controller for PC. The sheer amount of customization is unmatched and the build is outstanding. Sure, it has an excess of buttons that I don’t feel are necessary and the software is not as reliable as I would like, but I could get past those for its performance. I love having the macros available for PC functions and the tactile buttons are unmatched. I want these on all my controllers now. If you are in the market for a premium PC controller, this should be your first stop.
Review sample provided by publisher.
