Comparison Esperanza Steering Wheel High Octane PS Edition vs Tracer Zonda

The total number of buttons provided in the design of the manipulator.

The more buttons — the more additional features you can "tie" to the manipulator, the lower the likelihood that during the game you will have to turn to other controls (for example, a PC keyboard). However, many game consoles (see "Platform Compatibility") provide a certain minimum number of buttons for a compatible gamepad — a smaller number simply would not allow full use of all the functions of the console. For example, the original PlayStation 4 controller has 11 buttons.

Note that the D-Pad (see below) is not included in this calculation: it is considered a specific control, although it is based on buttons.

The type of feedback provided in the design of the manipulator (if any).

Feedback is the reaction of the manipulator to certain events occurring in the game. This reaction enhances the "immersion effect", giving the player the impression that he is holding on to a real airplane handle, car steering wheel, etc. It can be like this:

— Vibration. Feedback in the form of vibration allows you to simulate, for example, shaking from off-road driving, aircraft trembling when firing from airborne weapons or entering a turbulence zone, etc.

— Power. Force feedback controllers are able to create some resistance to the efforts of the player — for example, to simulate the difficulty in turning the steering wheel when the wheels are stuck in the mud.

— Vibration / power. Controllers that support both types of feedback described above. This option is the most advanced and at the same time the most expensive.

The presence of the D-Pad manipulator in the controller design; the type of such a manipulator can also be specified here.

D-Pad is used to move the character, cursor, etc. in strictly defined, standard directions. In some cases, this can be more convenient than using analogue levers that tilt to either side (see below). As for the varieties, nowadays there are such options:

— 4-position. The classic D-Pad, which appeared at the dawn of game consoles and does not lose popularity nowadays. Available as a set of 4 buttons in a distinctive cross-shaped layout, or as a single solid "multi-sided" button. Anyway, such a device provides 4 fixed directions: up, down, right, left. But to move diagonally, you need to select 2 corresponding directions at once; this is not always convenient, so in this regard, 4-way D-Pads are considered somewhat less practical than the 8-way ones described below. On the other hand, they are also quite functional, while being simpler in design, reliable and inexpensive; and strictly diagonal movements are not required as often as horizontal and vertical ones. So this type of D-Pads can be found even in accessories for the latest generations of game consoles.

— 8-position. A variation of the D-Pad, in which 4 standard directions (2 horizontal, 2 vertical) are supplemented by 4 intermediate — diagonal. In this case, we are usually talking about full-fledge...d fixed positions of the manipulator; in other words, to move diagonally, you need to click not on two standard directions, but on one intermediate one. The classic design of this type of D-Pad is a multi-sided button, which is the most suitable option in this case. However, this variety also includes some solutions for 4 separate buttons — provided that these buttons are placed very close, and pressing two at once with one finger is not difficult. Anyway, 8-position manipulators are somewhat more expensive, but more convenient than 4-position ones.

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.
...r> 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 angle of rotation of the steering wheel in the manipulator-steering wheel (see "Device type"). This parameter is measured over a general range — from one extreme point to another; accordingly, the angle of rotation from the middle position will be half the total. For example, a figure of 180° means that the steering wheel is capable of turning to the right and left by 90°.

Both the general level and the purpose of the steering wheel directly depend on this parameter. Models with a rotation angle of up to 270° are predominantly entry-level and are intended mainly for fans of arcade racing without much emphasis on realism, as well as for children and novice gamers. In more advanced rudders, the steering angle is already 900 °, or even 1080 °. These numbers are taken for a reason — they correspond to the steering wheel ranges in most production cars (900 °), as well as some sports supercars (1080 °). Thus, such characteristics make the use of the steering wheel as realistic as possible — on the other hand, they significantly affect the cost.

The steering wheel rotation range can be adjusted by the steering wheel angle adjustment function (if such a feature is implemented in the game controller). The option is configured either directly in the game, or through the software that controls the operation of the steering wheel.

The type of gearbox provided in the steering wheel (see "Device type").

— Gear lever. The switch is in the form of a classic lever, as on most serial cars. To work with such a lever, you need to remove your right hand from the steering wheel, but this is not a drawback, but a characteristic feature — this is how everything happens during real driving, and many users appreciate this option precisely for realism. At the same time, the device of the gearshift lever can be different: in the simplest steering wheels it moves back and forth, allowing only sequential gear changes, in more advanced ones it allows you to immediately engage any gear, like on a real manual gearbox.

— Paddle shifters. Switches in the form of petals located under the steering wheel (more precisely, behind the wheel, when viewed from the user's side). This method is used in premium passenger cars, as well as many racing cars. Gear shifting is carried out only sequentially; on the other hand, you do not need to remove your hand from the steering wheel, which increases the reaction speed and provides full control over the steering.

— Gearshift lever and paddle shifters. The presence at the steering wheel of the two methods of gear shifting described above. This allows the user to choose the option of their choice, depending on preferences and the situation: for example, in fast-paced racing, it is more con...venient to use the paddles, and in a leisurely truck simulator, the lever provides more realism.

The power source used by the gamepad.

This parameter directly depends on the type of connection (see "Connection"). So, power from a USB port or network (power supply) is provided mainly in wired models, and devices with wireless connectivity (both purely wireless and combined) are almost guaranteed to use a battery or batteries. Here is a more detailed description of each of these options:

— USB port. Powered by a USB port — usually the same one through which the controller directly interacts with the console, PC or other gaming device. This method of connection allows you to do without unnecessary wires. On the other hand, USB power is relatively low, which makes this option poorly suited for controllers with powerful feedback systems (in particular, advanced steering wheels) — you have to use separate PSUs with such accessories (see below).
Also note that this power supply method is also found in separate wireless models — usually controllers for mobile devices that interact with the gadget via Bluetooth, and are powered from the USB port of the same gadget. This format of operation allows you to do without batteries in the controller itself, however, it additionally consumes the charge of the main device.

— Network. Powered from a conventional outlet using a separate power supply unit (PSU). Mainly used...in high-end wired wheels (see Device Type) that require high power for feedback systems to work effectively. Theoretically, this option is not very convenient, as it requires the search for an additional outlet; however, in fact, this usually does not cause any particular difficulties (in extreme cases, you can use an extension cord).

— Accumulator. Powered by a built-in battery that does not belong to standard sizes (unlike batteries), and often also non-removable. This is the most popular way of powering wireless manipulators nowadays. Its main advantage over batteries is that this option does not require extra money and effort: the battery is initially included in the package, you do not need to buy it separately, and when the charge is exhausted, it is enough to charge the controller. However this procedure requires a certain time; however, the time for a full charge rarely exceeds a couple of hours, while the operating time can be measured for days (although there are also more modest figures). In addition, many controllers can be used without unplugging the charger; this somewhat limits mobility, but this moment is usually not critical.

— Batteries (AA, AAA). Powered by replaceable cells of a standard size — usually "finger" AA or "little" AAA. The number of elements used can be different; however, the general features of such a power supply are the same in all controllers. On the one hand, the batteries allow quick replacement, which allows you to play with a minimum of interruptions: when the charge is exhausted, it is enough to simply install fresh batteries instead of dead ones. At the same time, the user has a choice: either regularly buy disposable batteries, or invest in rechargeable batteries with an external charger. And if you purchase two sets of such batteries, you can keep one set on charge while the second is in use. On the other hand, the use of batteries is inevitably associated with additional costs: batteries are usually not included in the kit, and they must be purchased separately before the first use. As a result, this type of power is used much less frequently than batteries, although it can also be found in fairly advanced and well-known devices — in particular, regular gamepads for Xbox 360, Xbox One and even Xbox Series X|S.