Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro Controller – Hardware Review
It’s been quite some time since we last featured a Thrustmaster product on the site. While the company is well-known for its racing peripherals and its flight-sticks, they also make very nice headsets and impressive third-party controllers. We have taken a look at many of these controllers in the past, but none seems to be as high-tiered as the newly released eSwap X Pro Controller that is now out for the Xbox Series X and S, as well as Windows 10. As the next generation of consoles is still quite elusive to get your hands on, this one might also be an interesting pro controller when gaming on PC.
Design
Upon opening the sleek-looking box, we were greeted by a somewhat standard Xbox controller design. We have read that this controller is getting remarks for its appearance not being pretty, but we have do disagree. This controller looks nice, has a proper design, while also having subtle features such as the logo and the button icons. It can also be said that this device looks a lot sturdier than other aftermarket controllers. We like the removable faceplate, and even the triggers and sides can be changed with other designs. These are for aesthetic purposes only, and thus do not really contribute to the functionality of the controller.
For our review, we were also given the Green Color Pack, which has a shiny metallic green D-Pad, sticks with a small green circle round the sticks’ base, green triggers and camo side-plates. While a set like this will set you back a pretty penny, it also gives you spare parts in a scenario where after a long and healthy life one modular piece breaks down.
Overall, we liked the design a lot, as it stays true to the original Xbox controller design, while bringing something completely new to the table. We can compliment the design team that has shaped this project.
We only noticed that superficial scratch marks easily show up on the removable front plate. While this is not a big issue for those looking for a functional device, it was sad that this already happened when just barely touching said front plate.
Comfort
Comfort-wise the modular part speaks for itself. You can swap sticks and the D-Pad around to your liking, which is certainly a great comfort factor. Prefer the Xbox layout? Keep it in its original state. Want the PlayStation format? Go nuts. Want to have a double stick on the left side for shits and giggles? No one is stopping you. You can also opt for convex-shaped sticks or concave-shaped sticks. These are also easily interchangeable.
Other than that, the swapping itself is quite an easy task to do, except the D-Pad needs the back of the included screwdriver to do so, and the triggers need to be unscrewed for them to be replaced. Overall, it’s quite simple swapping all parts around, and the controller itself also feels very solid and sturdy. The eSwap X Pro Controller is a bit heavier than the standard controller however, but it doesn’t get straining during longer playing sessions.
Specs
- Physical locking for triggers
- Instant remapping
- Modular ecosystem
- ThrustmapperX software included
Overview
Thrustmaster’s eSwap X Pro Controller is a plug and play device that has you playing your favorite games in mere seconds. As explained above, this is a modular device, thus certain parts are interchangeable. This makes it so you can change the layout of the controller if it is a shared device, or simply because you have different preferences for different games. We have to mention though that swapping parts, when the game is running, while more than often not register properly. We advise doing your setup before actually booting the game you want to play.
It’s hard to explain, but you can feel that this is a premium device. The buttons have a certain ‘mechanical keyboard’ feel to them, as they also make that satisfying clicking sound. Also, the actuation force for these buttons feels a lot lighter, making it a lot more responsive than many normal devices. Some may see this as a disadvantage, but the eSwap X Pro is a wired device. Sadly this limits certain gaming setups, but it does cause the least amount of input lag, which is great for competitive players.
If you’re fine with the basic functions of this controller, you’re basically good to go from this point onwards. Those who want to explore more functions can install the ThrustmapperX software, which allows you to remap buttons, create different profiles, adjust dead zones, play with the trigger sensitivity and other smaller features. This makes it a very impressive package when you are more into games that require the best response time or even participate in online events and tournaments. The controller does not only sport the normal buttons, but also has several extra buttons in the back, which are fully customizable, creating some welcome shortcuts for every possible gamer.
Conclusion
Even though the ‘next’ generation has not blown our socks off, this controller is actually an amazing piece of hardware. While you’ll have to pay a pretty penny to claim ownership of this device, it is a premium controller, that works on both your Series X or S, or your PC. The software that goes with the eSwap X Pro is easy to use and allows you to find the settings you like. The buttons have a nice click to them and the solidness of the controller also shows that this is not a cheap trinket. If you’re looking for a premium controller, this one is worth checking out.
Related Items
1 Comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
[…] has nearly been a year since we reviewed Thrustmaster’s impressive eSwap X Pro Controller for Xbox Series X/S and PC. We concluded that the controller was a premium device with […]