Best wired game controller?

[mclaren85]

Go for MSI GC 20. It is the only cable connected and vibrating game pad afaik.
It also has a very good quality and most definitely way better than Logitech.

I used both Logitech and MSI and I can definitely say that Logitech is very very uncomfortable.

 

[Luke357]

Go for MSI GC 20. It is the only cable connected and vibrating game pad afaik.
It also has a very good quality and most definitely way better than Logitech.

I used both Logitech and MSI and I can definitely say that Logitech is very very uncomfortable.

That MSI pfp doesn't agree with me for some reason... Ignoring that the Logitech F510 (which they no longer make unfortunately) was also a wired gamepad with rumble. It probably isn't the only one (plus the GC 20) either.

 

[Space Lynx]

Go for MSI GC 20. It is the only cable connected and vibrating game pad afaik.
It also has a very good quality and most definitely way better than Logitech.

I used both Logitech and MSI and I can definitely say that Logitech is very very uncomfortable.

Not sure what you are on about, but this one I showed earlier has rumble. Says it right there in the description and I can confirm as I use this as my daily driver controller. Also, shout out to the anti-slip texture it has all over the controller, its very very comfortable to hold because of this texture. I haven't tried the turbo function yet, but nice that its there. For $20 I am happy I got it.

 

[Pictus]

I do not know what is the best wired controller, but the Gamesir G7 SE version sticks
are magnetic(hall effect) and do not drift. 8BitDo plans to make a model with the hall effect too.

 

[cvaldes]

Like Space Lynx, I also have an 8Bitdo Ultimate wired gamepad, specifically this one:

Amazon.com

which I bought for $30 on sale. As an Xbox Certified device, it behaves very politely on my Windows PCs.

I also have the Logitech F310 which is a fine value despite its light weight and lack of rumble. The F310 is a last resort backup since there are others in the house (PS5 DualSense, Switch Pro, Google Stadia controller).

Some of the other gamepads have incompatibilities with some titles, etc. The Logitech F310 seems to work with anything I can plug it into.

The PS5 DualSense is my preferred gamepad if it is compatible with the game I'm playing. For certain titles it has additional benefits of haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and gyroscopic control that the other gamepads don't have. More developers are adding these extra capabilities with each passing month so the DualSense's value has increased over time.

 

[Shrek]

I like Hall effect sensors; however it was not the variable resistors that wore out for me, but the motion shaft, probably because it was similar metal against metal.

Perhaps what we need is something like the Apple magic mouse that has no moving parts.

 

[LabRat 891]

I like Hall effect sensors; however it was not the variable resistors that wore out for me, but the motion shaft, probably because it was similar metal against metal.View attachment 307181
Perhaps what we need is something like the Apple magic mouse that has no moving parts.

Strain Gauge derived input devices like the TrackPoint/Pointing Stick, are about the closest I've seen.
IIRC, there are Flightsticks that use this technology, but in multi-million$ fighter aircraft.

What is the motivation behind designing a control stick that does not move?

According to Wikipedia (and various other online sources), the control stick on the F-16 does not move. The input values are determined by the amount of force acting on the stick, rather than the

aviation.stackexchange.com

Tiny problem, that gamers and Viper pilots seem to share, though:

When the sticks were fixed, F16s kept getting back with bent sticks. During chasing another plane and pulling, pulling on the stick, they pulled excessively hard while the fly-by-wire was already generating the deflection for maximum load factor. With the stick now moving a little bit, the pilot can feel that the limit is reached when hitting the travel stop at 25 lbs. At this force the acceleration is 9G and pulling harder has no additional effect. (As explained during the course of Human Factors at uni.)

I'm no pilot, but that's 100% me. I've broken at least 1 Joy Stick from trying to 'pull harder'.

 

[Shrek]

My thought was a surface sensor; one can only move ones thumb so far before leaving the surface.

 

[GreiverBlade]

Try Razer Wolverine V2. Never used a controller, so don't take my word for it.
Controller For Xbox Series X|S Consoles - Razer Wolverine V2 | Razer Europe
But... somewhat expensive? 120 $/Euros...

nah, nope, no, never.... unless sponsored (Steamer/e-sport athlete because you'd get a cherry picked one that would last beyond warranty ) it's overpriced and made by Razer
well it might be personal, albeit quite a shared sentiment from what i see/hear, but i rarely had a Razer product that did not need at least 2 RMA per warranty period or stopped working after warranty period aside a Razer Tartarus V2 and that since the Boomslang (the Tartarus V2 was the last chance i gave them ... but i doubt i will get or recommend anything else from Razer )

So far I have used Logitech F310 game controllers, but the joystick potentiometers are wearing out and I can't find replacement parts.

Any recommendation on a wired replacement? (best would be replacement parts)

i'd recommend the https://www.turtlebeach.com/products/recon-xbox-controller 50-44$ usually (got mine for 35$ can't beat that ) but as i see your old controller has the dualshock layout (i can't handle that one, it feel so anti ergonomic to me and actually hurt when i have no other options ) i can't really recommend any like that, and if you are "ergonomy agnostic" ... well that one is one of the best gamepad i ever had.

I happened to have an obsolete steelseries 3GC game controller and took the joystick potentiometers from that which were pin compatible with the Logitech F310, but the stalk was shorter. By using the tops from the obsolete controller, things fit nicely in the Logitech F310. The nice thing was that the shafts were plastic.

I still have 2 new F310 units on the way for my Son as I did not expect to succeed with the transplant experiment (which was just for fun).
View attachment 307035

interesting... and nice at the same time

 

[Gmr_Chick]

My first Logi F310 I bought in 2007. Save for my dad having to repair the wire via a quick solder job, the thing was build like a tank and only started dying about a year ago. So I bought another one! It's been my go-to controller for emulator games. The D-pad is amazing, the feel is great for my hands. No complaints, really. If I had to give one knock against it, it would have to be the kinky rubber cord.

I use a Razer Wolverine V2 for newer games (owned it for about 3 years now. Took the rubber grips off it because I hated them) and a Gamecube USB controller for Dolphin.

 

[Shrek]

Hopefully a minor review?!

The new Logitech F310 units still have a metal shaft running in metal for the joystick potentiometers, so I went ahead and lubricated the new units with silicone oil.

 

[Steve-007UK]

I loved F310 Pads had a few over the years and never had issues with them but due to having to many wires i decided to get 3 of the Logitech F710 wireless pads

 

[nomdeplume]

The new Logitech F310 units still have a metal shaft running in metal for the joystick potentiometers, so I went ahead and lubricated the new units with silicone oil.

I'm going to try this with both mine, creaky. For games that intentionally make you thrash the joysticks and button mash. Like Trials Rising which I specifically trace to a drastic decline.

 

[Shrek]

Be warned that if the oil is too thick, things may need a little running in; probably not an issue for you as things are already worn. Stick with silicone oil or the plastic will swell (with carbon based oils).

 

[sLowEnd]

It's possible to look at specs all day, but there is no substitute for physically trying out the controller, IMO.