SCUF Envision Pro vs Xbox Controller: Is the Premium PC Controller Worth It?

Look what came in today: the SCUF Envision Pro I custom built. I unboxed it, compared it to the design I ordered, and put it side by side with my regular Xbox controller.

Unboxing

The box is premium, with hexagons all over it. The first thing you see inside says to download the software first, so I did that before anything else.

The controller feels heavy and premium, and the orange around the thumbsticks and the orange buttons came out exactly like I designed it.

In the box:

• A USB receiver. This is a big one for me. My wireless Xbox controller had a lot of latency, where I'd push a button and nothing would happen. The receiver should make it feel like it's plugged in.
• Extra buttons to replace the side and back buttons, if you'd rather have a more standard feel. I don't think I'll use those.
• A charger, and it's a premium-looking one.

SCUF vs Xbox

• Weight and grip: the SCUF is so much heavier and feels so much better. The Xbox controller has a plasticky texture. The SCUF has more of a rubbery feel with really good grip on the back.
• Triggers: the recoil on the SCUF triggers is crazy, so much better. There's an adjustment on the back for FPS games. Flip it and the trigger stops short and clicks like a mouse button.
• Face buttons: so much better, almost like a tactile switch on a keyboard.
• D-pad: a huge difference. It feels like clicking a keyboard key with really good switches.
• Thumbsticks: about the same sound, but they feel tighter and move smoother.
• Bumpers and top buttons: a big improvement.
• Battery: I have to replace the batteries in my Xbox controller all the time. The SCUF charges over USB-C, and you can plug it in and keep playing.
• Extra buttons: five programmable buttons along the bottom that can do anything your computer can, like mute and unmute, plus back buttons and side buttons.

What I liked

• Heavy, premium feel with a grippy back
• Trigger stops for FPS games
• Clicky buttons and d-pad
• USB-C charging instead of batteries
• The custom build matched my design exactly

Heads up

• It's PC only.
• You need to install SCUF's software before you set it up.
• It costs a lot more than a standard Xbox controller.

Key specs

From what I show in the video:

• Wireless with a USB receiver, or wired over USB-C
• Rechargeable battery with a charger in the box
• Adjustable trigger stops
• Five programmable G-keys, plus back and side buttons
• Replacement covers for the side and back buttons

Who it's for

PC players who are tired of latency and batteries and want extra buttons. If you play casually, the standard Xbox controller still does the job for a lot less.

My take

This thing is amazing. They did a great job matching my design, and every button feels better than my Xbox controller. I'll come back with how it plays once I've put real game time into it.