Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller: A rewarding barter deal?

When buying a new controller, the layout of the analog sticks is a decisive criterion for many. Some prefer to have them side by side, others prefer an asymmetrical distribution. With the eSwap Pro controller, you don't have to make a decision, because the Thrustmaster pad allows several variants.

With the 170 Euro Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller, the elements for both analog sticks and the digital cross can be exchanged. You can do this by simply pulling out, since each component is provided with magnetic contacts. You can even switch while the game is running: as soon as everything is in the right place, you can continue playing. Neither an installation nor a restart are required, everything works via plug & play. A removable, three-meter-long micro USB cable gives you enough freedom.

With a weight of about 294 grams, the eSwap is slightly heavier than a DualShock 4. The higher weight together with the longer handles ensure a good feeling when playing. Rubberized surfaces on the sides additionally improve the hold. These rubbers, both sticks, the digital cross and the triggers can be exchanged for separately available elements on request.

Thrustmaster offers special mod kits that can be bought in the in-house shop. In addition to a round digital cross, two additional buttons can be installed instead of a stick. Extended triggers are also available. The price of the complete sets is around 30 euros.

It clicks!

At the beginning, the buttons and the digital cross take some getting used to. You reach the anchor point very early and click audibly, just like the buttons on a PC. This does not bother the buttons, only the cross appears less flexible in its range of motion than that of the DualShock 4, which is particularly noticeable in fighting games.

The analog sticks in turn do their job perfectly. Their contact surfaces are curved inwards and convince with slightly rough rubber, so that the thumbs do not slip even during violent maneuvers. With a height of eight millimeters, they offer more freedom of movement than the standard pad. The shoulder buttons and triggers, which are pleasantly large and have a pleasant resistance, also work precisely and with a clear pressure point.

Other standards such as touchpad, share and PS button as well as jack connection for headphones or headsets are also on board. Thrustmaster accommodated two separate buttons for chat control to the right and left of it. Another addition are the four buttons on the bottom. These can be freely assigned using a free PC app, for example with the function of the trigger. The app enables further settings, among other things for the sensitivity of the sticks or the strength of the rumble motors. You save two different setups on the controller, between which you can switch back and forth during operation.

The four extra buttons are theoretically a good idea, but in practice they turn out to be of little use. In addition to the small size, their positioning, which is too far inward, ensures that the buttons cannot be reached intuitively in the heat of the moment. Only particularly long and accurate fingers are successful here, everyone else should simply not use the extras.

Conclusion

by Sascha Göddenhoff

Too big price restrictions

I am half satisfied with the eSwap Pro controller. The workmanship went well, the sticks allow precise entries and the successful handling invites you to play for a long time. The PC software for individual configuration is also clearly structured and allows some useful settings. I find the exchange of sticks and digital cross good, but in the end I use only one arrangement. The concept is more interesting for households in which people with different preferences play a PS4 or a computer.

On the other hand, I am not satisfied with the digital cross, which does not give me clear feedback about the entries made due to the early attack. In fact, I find the buttons below unnecessary because I simply cannot use them cleverly. Instead, I finger around and either hit no button or hit the wrong button. Against the background of the high price, this is a severe limitation, because I can get comparable models with more accessible additional buttons for around 100 euros.