Thrustmaster ESWAP Pro Controller: The ultra modular PS4 controller - Comparison: 34 handle / gamepads on trial, for consoles or PC

While PlayStation 4 completes its fifth year of marketing and many brands have, for a while now, launched their scales of peripherals, Thrustmaster arrives late on the market with a controller dedicated to the current console of Sony.On the program, modularity, extensions and specialization, for a controller who did not fail to surprise us.

If we readily lend a strong expertise to Thrustmaster when it comes to creating devices for space flight or racing simulators (you just have to see how the manufacturer dominates our comparison of the steering wheel), his presence on the controller sector has been much more modest in recent years, and particularly on consoles where, for this generation, we could squarely talk about absence.However, here we are faced with a controller who, far from copying what competition does, seems to be out of several years of reflection and development.At a time when the war is raging, with the defenders of a Dualshock 4 on one side offering symmetry to its analog sticks and opposite the lovers of the controllers for Xbox One or other asymmetrical models, the ESWAP seems to openA third more progressive path, giving the object some advantages still unsuspected.Because of its modularity, of its elements which can intervert, Thrustmaster does not simply make it an argument to reconcile the pros or the anti anti.The ESWAP certainly proposes to exchange directional cross and left analog stick at will, but its manufacturer goes much further in design to transform its controller with more or less specialized alternative modules, make it more reactive with its dry contactors andfast, more malleable thanks to a complete software support.All this to improve our performances in play, as we have so often promised it before.Except that this time, it seems that it really works.

At the end of its box, the ESWAP is apparently a traditional on-can-ne-plus controller, whose materials and finish indicate a fairly high level of range.The textures are thin, mostly matt, with all the same large shiny surfaces that Thrustmaster had the good taste to put just under the fingers, just to quickly harvest your most beautiful fingerprints.In its basic version, the ESWAP regularly goes from one black to another, from one gray to another, offering a fairly loaded visual but not devoid of elegance, that only the screen printing of the PlayStation buttons comes to brighten upa few colors.And if we guess the presence of half a dozen screws under the controller for effective hull support, without creaking under the twist, they have the good taste to hide under a rubber piece.Finally, while the adjustments of the different modules create some gentle additional reliefs, the finish and the assembly seem to us to suffer from any defect.

The ESWAP may offer a protected connector in a relevance to the exclusive form, just to ensure the good solidity of the connection, the space left around the socket is particularly wide.Thus, where most controllers with this type of connector require that we use the original cable, with the consequences that we imagine in case of breakage or loss, we have the possibility of using herealmost any micro-USB cable.Finally, the controller limited to a wired use, we appreciate having a thick, braided cable and three meters long.However, it does not replace a wireless connection, if only for the comfort of play when you play at home.

ESWAP is a large controller.As wide at the cutting edge of handles as a nacon revolution ultimate, too high too, it exceeds it by almost one centimeter in depth.This is currently the largest controller of our comparison, except for the atypical Hori Dragon Quest.For our adult palms, the result is a good grip, very comfortable.On the sides, removable hats in hard rubber offer a grid texture, not unpleasant to the touch and non -slip enough for the controller to remain in place whatever the level of sweating.Inside the handle, it is a little more questionable, the surface being more slippery and unfortunately non-replaceable.Here, a more marked texture would not have hurt to hang the ring finger and the little finger on each side.As for the small hands, they surprisingly find their way to different buttons without forcing, thanks in particular to a curvature of the handles less marked than in the competition, and obviously with the advantage of offering the left thumb the choice of its toolpredilection.

In any case, whether we prefer to put it outside or inside, the directional cross presents itself as an atypical model.A prominent form to allow the thumb to find it easily, a central hollow large enough for it to place it durably, and especially directions marked by a dry and shallow click which clearly reminds us of the alternative cross of the Razer RaijuUltimate.It takes a time of adaptation to find an advantage, but on the precision side is indeed formidable.Fans of platforms, shoot’em up or combat games should find a tool up to the task to put their reflexes in the spotlight and prove their dexterity.The parts of Super Meat Boy or Celeste gain flavor, the fights of Tekken 7 see their combos in Triple Direction coming out more easily than in the Arcade stick, and even the piloting in Wipeout Omega Collection is more precise in the turnsfastest.

Side analog sticks, the surprise is less important.If the gum hat is quite different from that of the Sony controller, the movements seem quite similar.We are therefore faced with flexible, fast models, with an angle and a height at the balance between speed and precision.At the level of grip, it is a little better than what the Ultimate Revolution, comparable to the DS4, offers, but not quite at the level of the controllers for Xbox One, Elite or S, which remain on this point our references.Too bad all the same that the hat of these sticks is not interchangeable, this function being reserved for models of the optional packs on which we will return.

The PlayStation of the Façade keys clearly recall those found in Razer, but without the disadvantage of the reduced size of the buttons.We are therefore in the presence of standard size keys, in width as in height, but with a contact and a spring much higher than those of the Dualshock 4.We can therefore more easily appreciate high cadence shots, without here there being the slightest impact on comfort during prolonged support.Above all, we can clearly feel the point of contact under the thumb, which prevents us from pressing with force without reason, as we can do with more flexible and less marked buttons.It is therefore advantageous at all levels.

We find, to a lesser extent, this type of sensation for the L1 and R1 slice buttons which also offer a reduced race, a dry contact and a quick return.We appreciate that they start with a low threshold, with the possibility of adjusting the distance according to the point of support of the index.Just be careful not to go too far inward, where the force requested is too important.These keys also have the advantage of being very differentiated in terms of form, so that they can be easily found, without ever confusing them with triggers.

The triggers are very pleasant to use.Their race is slightly lower than that of the DS4s and Xbox One controllers, but their higher spring leaves time to precision.In fact, we even gain on both plans.Support until the stop certainly requires a little more force at the level of the finger but is ultimately faster in clocked shooting, when the resistance facilitates slow movements.Whether on shooting or racing games, to choose the two extremes, we prefer the triggers of this ESWAP to those of the official manufacturers of the manufacturers.Just a shame that they do not offer half -running stops as we find at Razer, Scuf or Microsoft.

In addition to the Share, Option, Home touches and the touchpad, the ESWAP offers 4 buttons under the controller.Like the pallets of an Xbox One Elite, they allow you to activate certain functions without having to lift the thumbs.The idea is laudable and the realization rather correct, even if these buttons are much less effective than those of the high-end controller of Microsoft.A little too much inside and ultimately too fine, they impose an uncomfortable hand position and sow doubt when you press it since we can confuse them.We are not at the level of the failure of those of the Revolution Unlimited, but we are far from the potential of this kind of elements.

Now that we have done the turn of the action buttons of the controller, it's time to take advantage of its modularity.Because it must be admitted, there is a certain enjoyment to be able to pass, on the fly, from an ergonomics highlighting the cross to another favoring the analog stick.Five small seconds are enough for the inversion to be physically effective, without tools, with an immediate consideration on the side of the controller and a magnetic "fixing" to any test.Whether for a question of personal taste, or because you change the type of game, the effect is actually effective and the grip completely consistent in all cases.Clearly, with asymmetrical sticks the controller easily supports the comparison with a controller for Xbox One, when the symmetrical mode is largely worth that of a Dualshock 4.We didn't expect it so much.But then comes the fateful question: why make it possible to remove the right analog stick, knowing that it will rarely be intervened with the directional cross (although it is possible).And well to accommodate additional buttons for example.

This is in any case what the optional fighting pack offers which, as its name suggests, dedicates above all to fighting games.On the left, a module with circular tray replaces that of the stick or the cross on the right we see two additional touches appear, creating two lines of three buttons, like what we meet on the Arcade sticks.This changes in depth the type of controller that we have in your hands, now putting it in front of a Fighting Commander of Hori.Except that the Japanese controller does not hold the comparison for a long time, the ESWAP having, in this configuration, all the advantages in terms of comfort, speed, as of precision.

But if there is no particular defect in the circular tray, there is a point of detail at the level of additional buttons: their gap with the cross and square buttons differs from that between them and the round/triangle torque.Suddenly, it takes a time of adaptation so that we succeed in pressing it without hesitation.And in the heat of the action, after several hours of play in this configuration, we have still missed a few fists or weak feet, which never arrives with an arcade stick or with a conventional controller configuration.Note also that this module is the only one in the facade to require the use of the tool provided by Thrustmaster to be removed.Has one notch, it's a shame, even if the operation only loses a few seconds.

To accompany the release of his controller, Thrustmaster also released two additional color packs, identical in functions but differentiated in terms of colors, and which we were able to integrate into this test.Each of the two contains two analog stick modules, with unscrewable stick to go from a concave model to convex.An option which certainly adds at least a millimeter at the point of contact of the thumb, changing the ergonomics a little to the advantage of the big hands, but which one would still have preferred to have from the basic pack.We also note that here the head does not stick by magnet but is screwed, which offers a slight gain in rigidity compared to the Nacon or Razer controllers.

We also find in these packs a directional cross module, identical to the original in terms of sensations but colorful, as well as a pair of longer triggers, with two approach angles, the first to keep the sensation original and thesecond to gain more precision.An option which seems to us quite limited in terms of performance but which has its small effect in terms of comfort.Finally, each of the three packs adds its touch to the level of the handles, with a room to replace the original rough area with a slightly smoother surface, with colored border for color packs and with a katana effect for the fighting pack.Their magnetic fixation makes it possible to intervene quickly, without there being any fragility or instability in play.

We could have stopped there and be generally satisfied with the performance of this eswap.But it would have been to miss one of the essential advantages offered by the controller: its support software.The Thrustmapper is indeed a first quality companion when it comes to adjusting the parameters of its controller.Thus, it is possible to remove all the buttons.And when we say the whole, we talk about the whole panoply since the PlayStation keys, the slice buttons, the triggers, the 4 additional buttons (or 6 if we use the fighting pack), the sticks of sticks, but alsoThe four directions of the cross are all re-assigned.Only forgotten, but it is well logical, the touchpad, the home touches, option, share and analog sticks.

The latter nevertheless benefit from the best in terms of calibration since we can define for each a curve of values, a dead area in the center and another on the border.We have all the elements there to increase precision or responsiveness at the start as at the end of the race, with even extreme values (such as the use of sticks in "switches") which find their interest in play.Only lacks differentiation between horizontal and vertical curves, which, in the case of certain FPS or flight simulators, could be interesting.Note also that all these settings, between mapping and curves, do not depend on the location of the module but the type of module.Thus, the controller associates with the 2 profiles in memory the adjustment which suits the analog stick whatever its position, in symmetrical as in asymmetrical.Very practical if we change your mind during the game.

The triggers, in addition to being entitled to reward, also have access to a curve adjustment, with the same possibilities as for the sticks, but on a single axis.It is thus possible to make them models of sweetness or real on/off switches, from the smallest contact of the index.Formidable in shooting games.We also appreciate the possibility of adjusting the intensity of the vibrations, for each side, knowing that these are already largely differentiated by their frequency of vibration, those on the left being much slower than those on the.A strange detail but which absolutely does not interfere in play.

The Thrustmapper allows you to create your own profiles and store them in computer memory.This is enough for most uses, but we hope to see some developments in the near future, such as the possibility of sharing its profiles, or loading those of the community.Similarly, we expect the interface to gain clarity soon, with in particular the possibility of putting the settings page in full screen.Finally, we regret that we have to go through a Windows application to manage these settings, no Mac, Linux or simply PlayStation 4 solution being available.

The controller is totally compatible with PS4 if we agree to ignore movement detection and the light bar.It works on Windows 10 with or without Steam, enjoying a dedicated driver, and we were also able to use it on a few other systems, between Mac Osx, Linux and Android.The advantage of internal memories being that you can take mapping and other settings on any platform, whether or not they have access to the Thrustmapper.A little word finally on sound management, which offers to connect your micro-jack to mini-jack 4 poles with a mute management of the microphone directly on the controller.We appreciate that the function is available on PlayStation 4, but also on Windows 10, Mac OS, etc..

At the time of taking stock of this test, we can only prove Thrustmaster to have taken the way to innovation, to have tried this crazy bet of the modular.No, the controller is not perfect and it drags here and there a few small defects, between a slightly high weight, a few buttons with questionable placement, and even a transport cover too small to take everything with you.But what she has to offer in return, versatility, performance, adaptability and pleasure of use is without common measure with everything we have seen until then.Especially since the software part flies what competition offers and really propels the controller above the lot.Remains its price at 170 euros per basic controller.Really high, especially with regard to its limited connection to the wired and the compulsory purchase of customization packs at 30 euros to really take advantage of the accessory.The ESWAP is therefore not a "good deal", but it is clear in the best controllers that we have had in our hands, among the most efficient.A formidable weapon for versatile players.

Strong points

Weak points

The ESWAP plays the modularity card to gain versatility and offers the best in terms of comfort, contactors, triggers, sticks, directional cross and software support.Except that to take advantage of it, you have to agree to play in wired and pay the high price.

Writing note