When it comes to premium controllers, I’ve been to the highest of the mountain many instances. I do know these first-party ranges effectively, having twice hiked the Elite path Microsoft blazed again in 2015, proper up to the Fringe of not too way back (DualSense, that’s).
Clearly, I’m a person of effective style and poor impulse management, so I’m all the time eager to deal with my mitts slightly extra if a third-party peripheral maker can level me towards some new peak of luxurious. Even when stated supplier is comparatively new to this class of product and thus looks like an unlikely competitor.
As a result of that’s the factor, isn’t it? When one hears the phrases Turtle Beach, ideas flip to eardrums, fairly priced aural pleasures, or some type of tropical getaway overrun by amphibians. That title being linked to a premium Xbox controller out to rival the legendary Elite Sequence 2? It sounds inconceivable, although the React-R and Recon ranges have been turtley stable beachheads for higher mid-range controller designs.
In a minute, I’m going to dive into the options of the surprisingly glorious Turtle Beach Stealth Elite. That stated, when you’re an impulse purchaser who’s already made their thoughts up, let’s type you out rapidly with the present finest costs. Anyone else who’d desire to do some homework earlier than a significant buying choice can click to skip past the window purchasing and proceed.
Desk of Contents
Present Aussie costs
As you might need guessed from one thing that appears like a two-handed Swiss Military knife crossed with a DJ set, there’s fairly a options record to get by way of. So, let’s get began with what I feel issues most with any wi-fi peripheral—connection reliability and efficiency underneath fireplace. I’m blissful to affirm that the two.4 GHz USB transmitter delivered a flawless, high-performance connection to my XSX and PC battlestation throughout just a few marathon play periods. A check jaunt on my Galaxy Fold 4, by way of Bluetooth, delivered a zero-issues expertise too.
Additional kudos to Turtle Beach right here for offering some versatility with the transmitter connection as effectively. Clearly, you possibly can direct-connect the dongle to your system of alternative, however when it comes time to cost ‘n’ play, you possibly can keep away from hogging two USB ports by fusing all the things into the dock for a singular hyperlink/recharge answer. As any person with method too many exterior SSDs competing for I/O love, I dig this.
And it’s not like every of that piggybacking has to occur for lengthy. Not solely is the aforementioned dock svelte and trendy, it earns that Speedy Cost moniker. Cramming in a full tank of candy, nourishing electrical energy into the Stealth Ultra took me barely lower than two hours. Thoughts you, the marketed 30 hours cost life appears unrealisitc—I had to flip off a ton of accoutrements to obtain 12-15 hours. (Recreation alternative will massively range the mileage right here, clearly.)
Transferring again to the subject of intelligent internals, I’d finest spotlight the extremely responsive and lovely-feeling Corridor Impact analogue sticks. TL;DR: Turtle Beach markets them as anti-drift, which, if the unexplainable miracle of magnets is to be trusted, will forestall your exy funding from going the way in which of a V1 Pleasure-Con.
As I’m not a Chronomancer who can shift life ahead lots of of play-hours, I can solely guess as to how correct that declare of reliance is. The science of this “contactless-ness” concept seems to be stable, nonetheless, and not residing with the creeping dread of fallible potentiometers is reassuring. Typically, normally within the wee hours of the night, I can really feel the spectre of stick obsolescence approaching my warranty-less Elite 2…
One other massive promoting level for me are the beautiful microswitch buttons current on this factor (even when their barely clickier-than-usual nature is something however ”Stealth Ultra”). The primary use buttons right here—face, shoulder, and the additional, all-important quadruplets on the again—really feel tactile and super-responsive. I’d be remiss, although, if I didn’t point out that the (completely serviceable) concave D-pad isn’t one of the best I’ve ever used. Chalk it up to nitpicky private desire—one thing didn’t click on fully throughout that hadouken check.
Premium purchasing newcomers ought to pay attention to the advantages of the aforementioned reprogrammable again buttons. Basically, having the ability to wholly dedicate your opposables to circle-strafing targets with the sticks (as you deal with face buttons along with your third and fourth fingers) will maintain you alive longer. It’s roughly the identical cope with Stealth Ultra’s means to lock your LT/RTs into quicker-responding hair triggers.
Mainly, I need you to know that the “base expertise” of the Stealth Ultra is that of a great-feeling, top-performing controller even earlier than we begin to contemplate its extra nice-to-have options. Specifically, the mammoth within the room—that display and the on-the-fly delights it supplies.
Formally named the “Command Show,” the Stealth Ultra provides a full-colour, VMU-esque window into the data you want to know. As anticipated, a ton of game-changing tweakables reside in right here—like, button remaps, lifeless zones & axis response modes, RGB lighting, audio enhancements, and so forth. They’re all saveable to 10 quick-select profiles, and switching mid-match to (hopefully) wrong-foot your enemies is a cinch with the additional ‘+’ button offered.
Issues of specific notice embody vibration depth and social notifications. Vibration is fascinating as a result of the Stealth Ultra has suggestions a contact beefier than I anticipated and really wanted to be turned down a smidge. And as for maintaining linked with the world, you possibly can view some Android app notifications when you’ve set them up beforehand within the accompanying Management Middle 2 app. That record contains Discord, Fb, Instagram, Outlook, Threads, Twitch, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and the Xbox app.
Did I discover myself utilizing the Command Show for such issues? No, not likely. However I did discover it fairly invaluable for shifting by way of the 4 EQ sound enhancements for my linked headphones. And even when you’re not into the varied “Superhuman Listening to” settings obtainable, simply having the ability to successfully use 3.5mm headphones like wi-fi ones away from a Xbox or PC is all the time appreciated.
As for downsides or minor issues, I can’t degree many at this. I suppose the largest omission is the Stealth Ultra not having extra replaceable elements, like different premium controller choices. As an alternative of swappable stick modules and magnetically removable stick ideas, one of the best you’re getting listed below are two pairs of swimming cap-esque rubber tops (textured convex or concave).
Past that niggle, it’s clear that Turtle Beach’s Stealth Ultra delivers the sure-fire efficiency, attractive seems to be, and beneficiant further options wanted to justify its deep-end RRP. From a sexiness and stick tech standpoint, on the very least, this can be a greater than worthy competitor to my outdated devoted (however on no account good) Elite Sequence 2. In virtually each method, RGB color me extremely impressed with this.
Adam Mathew is a connoisseur of effective controllers. He as soon as paid method too many pesetas for a Resi 4 chainsaw controller.