When it comes to PC gaming, keyboard and mouse have ruled the roost for decades. The wind is changing. As more games are developed for consoles first and later ported to PC, many UI/UX experiences are designed with controllers in mind. It’s time for this old dog to learn new tricks, and Scuf Gaming has thrown me a couple of bones in the Envision Pro Wireless and Valor Pro Wireless controllers. Let’s take a look and see if either (or both) controller will end up Living In My GameSpace.
Specifications
Envision Pro Wireless
- Dimensions: 165 x 107.5 x 63.5mm
- Weight: 285g
- Compatibility: PC
- Thumbstick Layout: Symmetrical
- Connectivity: USB Dongle, Wired
- Wireless Range: 45ft
- Battery Life: 17 hours
- Warranty: 12 months
Valor Pro Wireless
- Dimensions: 153 x 107 x 64mm
- Weight: 260g
- Compatibility: Xbox, PC, Bluetooth
- Thumbstick Layout: Asymmetrical
- Connectivity: USB Dongle, Bluetooth, Wired
- Wireless Range: 45ft
- Battery Life: 17 hours
- Warranty: 12 months
It’s not that I hate controllers, but I generally find them unwieldy. I’m in my 50s, and that means that my fingers and thumbs aren’t as nimble as they once were. Although I can navigate a keyboard blindfolded, managing a joystick and multiple buttons with a single thumb quickly goes awry. I often find myself mashing multiple buttons at once, and I am back on keyboard and mouse in a matter of hours.
With the Valor Pro Wireless and Envision Pro Wireless, I hope to find a controller that gives me, well, more control. Extra buttons, better thumbsticks, more precision and accuracy. I want it all. Let’s see how Scuf’s controllers stack up.
The Valor Pro Wireless – A Quick Look
Opening up the box, the Valor Pro Wireless controller rests in a contoured insert. Also included in the box are the USB-C dongle, a 6ft USB-A to USB-C braided charging cable, and a small box containing the back button blockoff plates and two extra thumbsticks – one short and one long, both with convex tops. The warranty booklet is also included in the box, but you’ll have to go to the Scuf website to download the user manual.
Targeted as Xbox first, everything else second, the overall dimensions are very close to those of an official Xbox controller: 153 x 107 x 64mm, giving it a slightly taller, thicker design. The faceplate has a thin anti-slip coating, and the grips have a contoured rubber covering. With its enlarged grips and rubber coatings, the Valor Pro Wireless has a better feel and a more secure fit than a regular Xbox Controller.
Looking at the front of the Valor Pro Wireless, you’ll quickly recognize the same asymmetrical stick layout as the official Xbox controller, with the menu and view buttons aligned with the Nexus button rather than slightly below, and the oval share button is replaced with a round button. Three LEDs above the Nexus button indicate audio, controller, and profile status. The ABXY buttons are slightly smaller, and the enlarged right stick bezel gives the illusion of closer placement, but they feel the same during actual use.
Moving from the face of the controller is where you’ll notice the real differences between the Valor Pro Wireless and a standard Xbox controller. On the top of the controller, you will find elongated bumpers that curve around the edge of the controller. This design allows you to keep your fingertips on the analog triggers while activating the bumpers with the middle of your finger.
Along the bottom of the controller is a 3.5mm audio jack and two scroll wheels. The left scroll wheel handles in-game volume with click-to-mute/unmute, while the right wheel controls chat volume and mute.
Moving to the back of the controller, you’ll find a lot going on. The analog triggers have a feel similar to that of an official Xbox controller. The triggers have regular analog pull and instant-click modes, which are individually set by a toggle switch below each trigger. In analog mode, the triggers provide precise throttle and other variable controls, while insta-click mode gives the same quick clicks you get with a mouse.
Rounding out the control surfaces, four paddle buttons are midway down the grips, two on each side. The outer paddles are contoured to fit in the grips, while the inner paddles are shaped in a way that allows you to activate them by pressing either side or on the tip. Most users will probably activate the inner and outer buttons with a single finger, but after some practice, I found I could comfortably use my ring finger to activate the outer button and my middle finger to activate the inner button – after years of mouse use, this style feels more natural to me. And just in case you don’t like the feel and don’t plan to use the inner paddles, they can be switched out with the included flat blank plates.
Also on the back of the controller are a tri-mode connectivity switch and a mode button. Pressing the mode button switches between three default back paddle configurations: sports, racing, and shooter. Further button customization options are available in the Scuf Companion App, which lets you remap every button, trigger, and paddle, and save it as one of your preset modes.
The connectivity switch toggles the controller between low-latency Xbox and PC modes via the USB-C dongle and Bluetooth for other devices. Of course, the controller can also be used in wired mode, with the added benefit of a 1000Hz polling rate when plugged into a PC.
The Envision Pro Wireless – A Quick Look
Even though the Envision Pro Wireless is priced lower than the Valor Pro Wireless, the packaging received a premium treatment. Removing the outer sleeve reveals a sturdy storage box adorned with the same subtle hexagon pattern found on the controller’s triggers. It’s not quite a display box, but it will still look better on a shelf than a regular box covered in marketing visuals.
Opening the box, the controller and USB-C Dongle rest in a contoured insert, with the remaining contents – one long and one short convex thumbstick, alternate side buttons, and blank back buttons if you don’t want to use the inner paddles. There’s also a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and wired play, and a USB-A to USB-C adapter if needed. And like the Vision Pro Wireless, only a warranty card is included – head to Scuf’s site to download the manual.
If you are a PS5 fan, you’ll be pleased to know the Envision Pro Wireless shares a similar shape and size to a DualSense controller. It is a bit wider (165mm vs 160mm) and taller (107.5mm vs 106mm), but slightly thinner (63.5mm vs 66mm); the differences are almost unnoticeable. However, you will notice the improved feel of the rubbery anti-slip face and textured rubber grips.
Continuing with the DualSense theme, the Envision Pro Wireless uses a symmetrical thumbstick layout, with the D-pad in the top left and action buttons in the top right. The rest of the buttons – View, Menu, and Start – are all in the standard DualSense spots, with a small Profile button added below the Start button.
The bumper buttons on the Envision Pro Wireless are more standard in design than those on the Valor Pro Wireless. Instead of extending the bumpers, Scuf added an extra button on each side of the controller. These small buttons sit in line with your finger, and a quick squeeze on the button activates it, adding additional functionality to the controller – something every PC gamer can appreciate.
Continuing with the functionality upgrades, the Envision Pro Wireless receives similar dual-mode triggers and quad back paddles as the Valor Pro Wireless. Instead of toggle switches on the back of the controller, Scuf has integrated the insta/full-throw switch into the bottom of the triggers. This yields a cleaner design, but I found it impossible to switch between the two modes during gameplay.
The inner and outer paddles are also smaller on the Envision Pro Wireless. Additionally, the tighter curvature of the handles makes single-finger activation of both paddles easier, but using two fingers doesn’t feel as comfortable as it does with the Valor Pro Wireless.
In true PC style, Scuff has added five G-buttons to the bottom of the controller, bringing the total to eleven additional inputs beyond a standard controller. The buttons default to audio and mic controls, but I know most gamers will be remapping these to something else. The bottom of the controller also houses a 3.5mm audio jack port, with an RGB light strip rounding out the gamer styling.
I’ve always felt that the DualSense looked like a sterile instrument that belonged in a doctor’s office instead of a game room. Scuf must’ve felt the same way and gave the Envision Pro Wireless a more “gamer” look. I received the Steel Gray model with orange accent rings around the thumbsticks. Regardless of color, all of the designs include the Scuf name and logo on the left handle and a subtle hexagon texture on some control surfaces. There’s also a hexagon print where the touch pad button would be on a DualSense. Going all-in on the gamer aesthetic, there’s even an RGB light strip running below the G-buttons on the bottom of the controller.
While the Valor Pro Wireless is a multi-platform controller, the Envision Pro Wireless is PC only. PC gamers are fortunate enough to have rigs brimming with USB ports, so the controller supports both wired and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity to provide low-latency input – there’s no need for Bluetooth and its increased latency here.
The Hardware – Get Your Upgrades Here
On the hardware front, both controllers bring more than just extra buttons to the table. As I already mentioned, both have a thin rubbery anti-slip faceplate and rubber grips for improved comfort and control, and both come equipped with dual-mode triggers. The Envision Pro Wireless also uses mechanical switches on the D-Pad and action buttons, giving them a more tactile and responsive feel.
Both controllers eliminate stick drift with improved sensors, although the implementation differs: the Valor Pro Wireless uses TMR sensors, whereas the Envision Pro runs on Hall Effect sensors. Without getting deep into some sciency stuff, both replace the mechanical parts that wear down over time – causing the dreaded stick drift we all hate – with zero-touch magnets.
As you move the controller, the sensors use science to accurately track the stick’s movements. Hall Effect sensors have been around for a while and are tried and tested, while TMR sensors are a newer (and more expensive) implementation of magnet tech that offer better precision and lower power consumption.
In practical use, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two, but ultra-competitive players may find that the Valor Pro Wireless’ improved resolution gives a slight advantage. Casual gamers will find the thumbsticks on both controllers provide smooth movement, and the option to swap between thumbstick styles lets you choose the one that gives you the most comfort and a confident feel.
The Software – Making Buttons Better
Both controllers store three onboard profiles, and switching between them is as easy as pressing the Mode Button on the controller. The three presets have minor button adjustment for the back paddles, and you can create and edit additional preset through software: the Valor Pro Wireless uses the Scuf Companion App, and the Envision Pro Wireless uses Corsair’s PC-based iCUE.
Through the software, users can adjust most of the physical properties of the buttons, triggers, and D-Pad. Along with remapping the button inputs, you can set deadzones, stick and trigger curves, and vibration power.
The Customization – Show Off Your Style, For A Price
Speaking of customization, both controllers offer a heavy dose of aesthetic flair. Both devices have removable faceplates, and Scuf offers multiple colorways and graphics to make the controller your own.
But why stop there? You can further customize your controller by changing the color of almost every component. Along with a different faceplate, you can choose between a black or light gray back, or go even further by changing the color on the following components:
- Button kit
- Left and right thumbstick style, length, and color
- Left and right accent rings
- D-Pad
- Bumpers
- Triggers
- Side Buttons (Envision Pro Wireless Only)
Customizing the controller’s color is a nice touch, but it does come at a cost. Ordering your controller with a premium faceplate will cost an extra $10 for the Valor and $20 for the Envision. Going full custom will increase the price of the Valor Pro Wireless to $209.99 ($229.99 with a premium faceplate). The Envision Pro Wireless is even more egregious, with each customized part increasing the price, which will max out at a whopping $260.89.
The base price of these controllers places them in the range of other premium wireless controllers, many of which come with stylish carry cases and extra add-ons. Add in the price of a customized controller and, wow, just wow.
Which One Is Right For You?
So the big question of the day: should you go with the Valor Pro Wireless or the Envision Pro Wireless? That, my friend, is a tough question to answer, and if the price hasn’t scared you away, the choice really depends on your own preferences. Let’s compare the differences side by side.
Both controllers offer a high level of customization, making them good choices for anyone looking to upgrade from a basic controller. Swappable sticks and back buttons enhance the controller’s physical feel. I’ve always had trouble with precision movement and aiming with thumbsticks, but I found that switching to the longer stick was a game-changer. I was able to execute small movements better and wasn’t slamming the stick from one side to the other.
Functionally, there are a few differences. If you are looking for a controller that can be used on a variety of devices, the Valor Pro Wireless is the way to go. Not only can it work with Xbox consoles and PCs, Bluetooth connectivity also allows its use with mobile devices. I used it with my Android phone and smart TV, and aside from the slight lag typical of Bluetooth devices, the Valor Pro Wireless worked flawlessly.
The Envision Pro Wireless just isn’t made with multiple devices in mind. If you only game on PC, it is a very compelling option. The absence of Bluetooth connectivity is a non-issue in my opinion. If you are willing to pay for a high end controller, you are going to use the 2.4GHz dongle for the reduced latency.
Similarly, the use of Hall Effect instead of TMR switches results in a negligible difference for anyone but the most competitive player. Both technologies eliminate what we really care about – stick drift – and the lower price of Hall Effect is an added bonus. Not to mention that the technology that really matters – mechanical switches used in the buttons on the Envision Pro Wireless – is noticeable to anyone who is used to keyboard and mouse control. And for any PC gamer who wants more inputs, the G-buttons could be the deciding factor that pushes them to the Envision Pro Wireless.
Honesty, though, the real decision between the two controllers boils down to size and layout. Are you a fan of Xbox or PS5 controllers? That is all you really need to know. If you prefer the asymmetrical stick layout of an Xbox controller? Go with the Valor Pro Wireless. If you like the symmetrical layout, go with the Envision Pro Wireless.
I really don’t mind using either layout, so my final decision comes down to size and feel. The Valor Pro Wireless is a smaller device, and I really like its thickness. It fits perfectly in my hand, but that is absolutely a personal feel, and it will not be the same for every gamer. Its design also allows me to activate the bumpers without moving my fingers off of the triggers. It also allows me to comfortably use separate fingers for each of the back buttons. As I mentioned way back at the beginning of the review, managing multiple buttons with a single finger or thumb is a significant issue.
Still, there are some positives to the Envision Pro Wireless layout. The side buttons balance out the bumper design of the Valor Pro Wireless, and the extra G-Buttons are more useful than two-finger back paddle use in some games.
So here I sit, still undecided about which controller is better, and my search for a one-size-fits-all controller isn’t over. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I use multiple mice depending on the game I am playing, so why wouldn’t it be the same with a controller?
The final verdict? It’s a tie. Both Scuf Pro controllers are worth consideration if you are looking for a premium device. You’ll have to decide which features are most important to you. More buttons, size, layout, and other features will sway you one way or the other.
