Big changes and improvements.
There was a time in which if we wanted to access certain extra controls, we had to use custom controls by some brands, such as Scuf, specialists for adding some rear levers to be able to have greater control in certain genres, such as SPF . Microsoft took note of this and launched the Elite market, a command that in addition to many other virtues, had those four extra buttons in the form of levers. The finishes of the command, customization via app and its possibilities did the rest. During these years we have seen how many other brands have drawn tremendously interesting controls: Razer, Nacon and Scuf itself has solvent bets. But now comes Elite Series 2, the review of the command that Microsoft launched for Xbox One and PC and that comes out at the end of the month for 180 euros. And we can say it: it is the best possible command today.
The command comes with a large number of accessories and elements that complete the already interesting offer that the original Elite had. We have the two types of crosshead we already knew, the rear levers, somewhat more compact, and different types of analog sticks: shorter, longer, with the widest or rounded mushroom out. Ideal – in the case of the right stick, the longest is a guarantee – to adapt to all types of players. There is more: a small piece that allows us to tighten the analog sticks more or less.
This point is interesting, because in addition to the comfort and route that we want to have according to the tension that we provide on a physical level, then we have the different types of pieces to better adapt to the control of LS and RS and, in addition, the customization by software of the trajectory of the strokes in question. We have been playing for hours with several games -Gears 5 in the lead- and the feeling of being able to leave the command with a radically different touch according to our needs is very satisfactory.
In the part of the controls, the bet again for two differentiated crossheads makes us feel comfortable playing with the round d-pad in platform games and beat'em up in 2D, while in fighting games like FighterZ the traditional crosshead responds perfectly, nothing that did not happen to us with the first Elite, by the way.
To all this, we must add a battery that allows you to connect the remote from the same case with USB-C connection. Because yes, one of the great virtues of this new device is that it finally abandons the batteries and passes to the rechargeable batteries . When you have just played, you leave it on top of the small loading platform and you don't need to think about it anymore. To all this, and following the structure of the command, the presence of three trigger locking systems is added to reduce its travel. The whole, the middle and the immediate. Something that the lovers of the shooters will appreciate and that takes a step forward with respect to the previous command, which had two positions. Continuing with the options evident in the control itself, we now have three different profiles to be able to choose between the 250 that we can save in the application that is needed to configure the control in both Windows 10 and Xbox One.
They have also changed the handgrips or grips of the control with respect to the original, and now the entire rough part covers both in front and behind the extremities. One of the failures found in the first Elite was how these tires wear out after tens of hours. Naturally we have not been able to play enough with this one to see if the endurance is different, although the sensation during our long sessions is of absolute solidity and the fact of collecting the entire structure of the limbs has been done thinking that they do not take off as in previous. We will see.
Once we enter the bowels of the new Elite Series 2, we see that the capacities have also increased in this regard. We can customize the stroke and type of movement of the analog sticks, with different sensitivities and responses. Also change the travel and pressure of the triggers beyond the physical locks of the controller itself, as well as, of course, assign all kinds of buttons differently to the rear levers.
In this sense, in Xbox One we can also assign commands related to the console. From going to the main menu to raising and lowering the volume, capture a specific action with the classic “Xbox records that” but at the press of a button and other features. The most interesting is that of the “mayus” concept, which allows us to go beyond the four extra buttons.
In each of the buttons we can assign a mayus key, which basically means using it as if it were the shift button of a keyboard. If we press and hold the corresponding button, that opens the option that other buttons may have different functions. For example: the RB button serves as RB, but if we press and hold the shift lever, that same RB becomes B (changing its first use, throwing a grenade, for a second use, reloading a weapon). It is a function that provides much more depth and options to customize the control to our liking.
conclusion
The Elite remote is and remains one of the best controls made, and Elite 2 improves everything we saw in its first version. More compact and solid, with more customization options both physical and software, with additives that allow us to have greater control of our actions in a simple way (the Mayus system and have three profiles make it even more complete) and with add-ons that claimed to heaven: the rechargeable battery makes us forget, finally, the changes of constant batteries. Only time will tell us if the grip is better and more resistant than those of the first Elite, something that at least seems first, and for missing something, some system to assign buttons without going through the app would be the icing. If you want a premium remote, there is no better option. Another case is if you have an Elite and want to make the jump and know if it's worth it. There you will have to decide if the battery, finishes, profiles and extra commands and other additions are enough reason for the change.
THE BEST
- More options than the previous one: three profiles, three trigger lock positions, to be able to tighten the analog sticks …
- … And maintains the virtues of the first Elite (four levers, two crossheads, compact design …)
- New button assignment options: voice commands, the use of the mayus button to expand actions …
- Endless customization elements via the app, with the possibility of saving 250 different profiles
- Finally, with rechargeable battery instead of batteries
WORST
- It does not have a suitable price for all audiences
- To be able to assign change of buttons without going through app would be the icing
