Comparison GameSir Super Nova vs GameSir Cyclone 2

The length of the cable provided in the design or delivery set of the wired or combined controller (see "Connection").

In general, the meaning of this parameter is obvious: a longer cable gives more freedom of movement, but can create inconvenience at short distances. In fact, the length of the wire is important mainly in cases where a wired connection is used to play on a large screen: for comfortable viewing, it is desirable to be at a fairly large distance from such a screen. However, even in this case, a relatively short cable can be compensated for by the length of the wires going from the console (or other gaming device) to the screen, or even by connecting the set-top box to the screen wirelessly (many modern models have this capability). If the controller is used for a computer, this parameter can be ignored: the system unit or laptop is usually located in close proximity to the user, and even a fairly short wire is enough to connect.

The range of the wireless connection provided by the gamepad.

Almost all modern wireless models work confidently at a distance of at least 2 – 3 metres. So you need to pay attention to this parameter mainly when the device is planned to be used at a greater distance from the computer. At the same time, when evaluating the range, note that it is indicated for perfect conditions: the absence of interference and obstacles in the signal path, the battery is fully charged, etc. In fact, the communication range may be somewhat less, so when choosing, it is worth taking a certain margin. Nevertheless, according to the claimed range, it is quite possible to evaluate the practical capabilities of different models and compare them with each other.

The number and location of analogue sticks provided in the design of the manipulator.

The analogue lever can be described as a "miniature joystick" — it is a protruding lever that can be deflected in any direction. Its purpose is generally similar to the D-Pad (see above), but the stick does not have fixed positions; this provides more "fine" control, which is very important in modern games. In addition, tilting it is often more convenient than pressing the D-Pad.

Separately, it is worth mentioning sticks on Hall sensors. The design of such levers is more reliable due to the absence of rubbing and contacting parts, and the position of the stick is determined by changes in the fluctuations of the magnetic field, which are monitored by appropriate sensors. Sticks on Hall sensors do not have “dead zones”, are devoid of the drift effect (misalignment), and wear out an order of magnitude slower. However, such solutions are not cheap.

This feature is most widely used in gamepads (see "Device type") — most of these controllers have at least one lever, models without sticks are already considered rare. In addition, such equipment, by definition, is installed in all arcade controllers; and analogue levers are also found in virtual reality weapons and motion controllers — it is very convenient to control the movement of the character through them.

...As for the location, it is indicated mainly for traditional design gamepads with a full set of controls, including 2 sticks. The most common options here are the left lever on top, the right one on the bottom ( like Xbox) or both levers on the bottom (like PlayStation). Much less common are devices where both analogue sticks are installed on top — this is, in particular, a regular gamepad for Wii U, as well as many models for mobile gadgets. And in some manipulators, a customizable (adjustable) arrangement of levers is provided: usually, the right stick in such models is fixed, and the left one can be installed from above or below, changing the format of the gamepad to suit your preferences.

The battery capacity in a controller impacts its operation duration without recharging and determines how often the device needs to be charged. Although manufacturers usually specify the operating time, the capacity helps assess the battery's lifespan under intensive use or when additional features are activated.

Backlight gives the controller a unique and stylish appearance, highlighting its belonging to the gaming device segment. The simplest variations are single-color options. Specific colors can vary: red, turquoise, green, etc. The most advanced options are multicolor and RGB lighting. Multicolor systems are those that offer more than three color options, sometimes with intermediate shades. RGB lighting allows the user to choose virtually any shade based on preference and mood.

The presence of a headphone output in the design of the manipulator.

The purpose of this connector is obvious from the name: it allows you to connect wired headphones or a headset directly to the controller. This is especially convenient in light of the fact that the controller is in the hands of the user, while the gaming device itself (PC, console) can be located at a very significant distance. Also note that this function is very popular in wireless models (see “Connection”), which makes it even more convenient when working with headphones / headsets.

The presence of a gyroscope in the design of the controller.

A gyroscope is a device designed to track the rotation of the manipulator along one axis or another. Such a device is most often combined with an accelerometer — this device determines the position in space (in a stationary state), as well as accelerations, shocks and shocks acting on the controller. Such equipment allows you to very accurately track the movement of the manipulator in space.

The gyroscope significantly expands the possibilities of control: it allows you to give commands not only with the help of buttons, levers, etc., but also due to tilts and turns of the controller itself in space. Specific features of the implementation of such control depend on platforms and specific games. Note, however, that motion controllers (see "Device Type") are almost by definition equipped with gyroscopes; therefore, the presence of this function is specifically specified only for other types of gaming accessories, primarily gamepads.