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GameSir Cyclone 2: two-minute overview
The GameSir Cyclone 2 is a wi-fi gamepad appropriate with PC, Nintendo Change, and cell, due to its varied connectivity choices.
Its design hardly pushes the boat out, with a near-identical type and structure to the Xbox controller. Nevertheless, the translucent panels and RGB lighting at the least add some vibrancy.
It’s additionally exhausting to fault the Cyclone 2 for construct high quality. It’s mild but solidly constructed, whereas the plastics are refined for essentially the most half; nevertheless, in some areas – notably the grips – the Cyclone 2 fails to match the premium really feel of among the best PC controllers round.
The buttons, then again, are engineered to a better normal. I personally favored their mouse-click-esque actuation, which eschews the closely damped method of extra conventional gamepads – though I’m positive there shall be players who gained’t discover this as fascinating. Fortunately, the sticks ought to show much less divisive, as I can’t think about any who wouldn’t admire their easy operation and premium really feel.
One facet of the Cyclone 2 that’s much less spectacular, nevertheless, is the charging dock. In contrast to the superb dock included with the GameSir Tremendous Nova, the one right here is much less steady, takes up extra actual property, and is simply too tough when aligning the charging pins, which might simply consequence within the Cyclone 2 failing to cost even when seated.
GameSir Join can be utilized to customise the capabilities and options of the Cyclone 2, with a wealth of choices obtainable – extra so than I’ve seen in different gamepad software program, in reality. There are a number of curve profiles and deadzone settings for the sticks and triggers, in addition to loads of rebinding choices; you may even substitute movement controls for mouse and joystick inputs.
The Cyclone 2 can be spectacular in relation to efficiency. These clicky buttons are actually responsive, whereas the D-pad provides barely extra dampening however nonetheless supplies loads of suggestions – a mix that leads to correct and straightforward actuation.
The TMR sticks additionally reside as much as their promise with their ultra-precise and easy inputs, whereas the triggers supply loads of management regardless of having much less journey and resistance than your typical gamepad.
I didn’t expertise any connectivity points with the Cyclone 2: it linked simply to my PC, Nintendo Change, and Android smartphone. Nevertheless, switching between gadgets on the fly isn’t essentially the most seamless and requires you to memorize varied button mixtures to realize this.
I wasn’t in a position to check the battery life to its limits throughout my time with the Cyclone 2, however I can say that after a few days of various use, it remained inexperienced. Sadly, I can’t be extra correct than this, as no proportion is given for battery life in Join, which is an oversight. GameSir does declare it may possibly final round 10 hours, although, which is on the decrease finish of the spectrum.
In keeping with GameSir’s different choices, the Cyclone 2 is well-priced in comparison with a few of its rivals. It prices the identical because the GameSir Super Nova, which makes use of the technically inferior Corridor impact stick expertise fairly than TMR, however barely lower than the GameSir Tarantula Pro, which has the latter.
GameSir Cyclone 2 overview: Value and availability
- $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79
- Out there now in two colorways
- Properly-priced in comparison with rivals
The Cyclone 2 prices $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79 and is accessible now in two colorways: Phantom White and Shadow Black. The version that features the charging stand is simply barely extra at $55.99 / £55.99 / AU$89. All editions include a 2.4GHz USB-A dongle and a USB-A-to-C cable.
It’s the identical worth because the Tremendous Nova, one other gamepad from GameSir with the same design and have set. This makes use of Corridor impact joystick expertise, although, which isn’t thought of fairly as correct or as vitality environment friendly as TMR.
In case you’re after one other TMR controller, then GameSir has one other providing within the type of the Tarantula Professional. That is dearer than the Cyclone 2, however not by a lot, and it has extra buttons to mess around with. Nevertheless, it adopts a structure akin to the best PS5 controllers (regardless of not being appropriate with the console), with its symmetrical sticks and lengthy grips, which some players might balk at.
GameSir Cyclone 2 overview: specs
|
Value |
$49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79 |
|
Dimensions |
6.1 x 4.1 x 2.5in / 156 x 103 x 63mm |
|
Weight |
8.1oz / 229g |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Nintendo Change, Android and iOS |
|
Connection kind |
Wi-fi (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), wired (USB-C) |
|
Battery life |
About 10 hours |
|
Software program |
GameSir Join |
GameSir Cyclone 2 overview: design and options
- Acquainted design
- Good construct high quality
- Many customizations obtainable
The Cyclone 2 has a well-known look and structure, following the style of the best Xbox controllers (regardless of not being appropriate with the platform), with its asymmetrical joysticks and thick physique.
Two colorways can be found to select from, though I personally want the white choice with its crimson and gold accents, which seems extra slick than its black counterpart. Each variants characteristic a translucent entrance plate and underlying RGB strips, which add extra curiosity to proceedings.
Construct high quality is spectacular too, contemplating the worth of the Cyclone 2. The sunshine but strong chassis feels good within the hand, as does its easy texture. There’s some pitting on the handles to help grip, however this doesn’t really feel as luxurious because the rubberized and silicone supplies utilized by extra premium gamepads.
The buttons and sticks are all generously spaced aside but nonetheless simple to entry, and really feel strong with little wobble. The sticks comply with swimsuit, and their thumb pads supply ample ranges of grip and luxury whereas feeling sturdy on the similar time.
The 2 again buttons are equally well-designed, and so they completely align with my pure finger placement. Mixed with their giant measurement and ergonomic form, they’re extra sensible than different again buttons I’ve skilled.
One design disadvantage considerations the charging dock, which is included with sure editions. It tries to undertake a extra attention-grabbing type with its splayed legs, however this makes it impractical because it takes up an pointless quantity of area.
It additionally fails to supply a steady platform for the Cyclone 2, because it’s all too simple to knock the controller from it. What’s extra, the charging pins are awkward to align, and there have been quite a few events the place I’d did not seat the pad accurately to provoke charging. The dock included with GameSir Tremendous Nova is much superior, and I want the identical design had been used right here.
It’s additionally a little bit of a disgrace that the face buttons can’t be swapped round to match the platform you’re enjoying on, as you may with the Tremendous Nova, because the Cyclone 2 lacks the identical magnetic, detachable face plate.
The Cyclone 2 could be personalized utilizing GameSir Join, the model’s peripheral software program for PC. There are a powerful variety of tweaks obtainable right here, extra so than in different instruments I’ve tried. You may rebind the buttons to different controller inputs, or to mouse and keyboard inputs. There’s additionally a macro creator, and as much as three inputs could be assigned to a single button, with Steady Set off and Turbo modes obtainable.
There are curve and deadzone changes for the triggers and sticks as effectively, whereas movement controls have loads of parameters to tinker with, together with the power to substitute them for joystick inputs and even mouse actions. Nevertheless, this latter characteristic did not work with the primary overview unit I obtained, even after troubleshooting, so one other check unit was issued, which fortunately did work. Hopefully, this isn’t a pervasive concern, nevertheless it’s value mentioning given it’s a possible trigger for concern.
GameSir Cyclone 2 overview: efficiency
- Responsive inputs
- Tremendous easy joysticks
- Clicky buttons gained’t be for everybody
In the principle, the Cyclone 2 is a pleasure to recreation with. These clicky face buttons really feel very snappy and exact, though I’m positive there shall be players on the market who’ll lament the shortage of dampening and like the extra conventional really feel.
The D-pad, nevertheless, supplies barely extra dampening, however nonetheless retains the snappy, tactile really feel that gives loads of suggestions. It’s additionally very simple to make use of, with loads of accuracy to keep away from mispresses. When enjoying Tekken 8, it was very conducive to the fast succession of instructions, together with quarter-circle rolls, which have been comfy to carry out.
What’s extra, the TMR joysticks held true to their declare, as they felt smoother and extra exact than their Corridor impact counterparts – though the distinction isn’t large. This was an actual boon once I performed FPS video games similar to Goldeneye 64 on the Change.
The triggers on the Cyclone 2 are fairly mild and have much less journey than these on different controllers. Nevertheless, I didn’t have any points performing managed actions, similar to when modulating the throttle and braking whereas enjoying Artwork of Rally. The movement controls proved correct as effectively, as I discovered when aiming bows in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Connecting the Cyclone 2 to varied platforms was simple sufficient, even through Bluetooth, and was as amenable on this regard because the best Nintendo Switch controllers. Sizzling-swapping between platforms, nevertheless, is a bit more onerous, as you must bear in mind varied button mixtures for altering modes; at the least the House button LED supplies some indication on this entrance. It’s a disgrace the Cyclone 2 doesn’t embrace a useful flip change on the again to toggle between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes, because the Tremendous Nova does. However from a efficiency perspective, I discovered little unsuitable with its connectivity.
I didn’t handle to check the battery of the Cyclone 2 to exhaustion, and fairly annoyingly, Join depends on imprecise colour codes fairly than proportion factors for all times remaining.
I can say, although, that after just a few days of play, the Cyclone 2 remained inexperienced, which appears cheap. Nevertheless, having reached out to GameSir, it estimated that the Cyclone 2 can final about 10 hours, which is disappointingly low in comparison with many different wi-fi controllers – and shocking on condition that TMR expertise is meant to be extra vitality environment friendly.
Ought to I purchase the GameSir Cyclone 2?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
GameSir Cyclone 2 overview: Additionally think about
In case you’re after some nice options to the Cyclone 2, then check out these suggestions:
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
GameSir Cyclone 2 |
Xbox Wi-fi Controller |
GameSir Tarantula Professional |
|
Value |
$49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79 |
$59 / £54 / AU$74 |
$69.99 / £69.99 / AU$95 |
|
Dimensions |
6.1 x 4.1 x 2.5in / 156 x 103 x 63mm |
5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 150 x 105 x 60mm |
6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm |
|
Weight |
8.1oz / 229g |
8.5oz / 241g |
11.5oz / 325g |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Nintendo Change, cell |
Xbox, PC |
PC, Nintendo Change, Android and iOS |
|
Connection kind |
Wi-fi (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), wired (USB-C) |
Wi-fi (Bluetooth), wired (USB A-to-C) |
Wi-fi (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB Kind-C) |
|
Battery life |
10 hours |
40 hours |
12 hours |
|
Software program |
GameSir Join |
Xbox Equipment app |
GameSir Join |
How I examined the GameSir Cyclone 2
- Examined for a number of days
- Used on varied platforms
- Plentiful gaming expertise
I examined the Cyclone 2 for a number of days, throughout which period I used it on PC, Nintendo Change, and Android.
I performed a wide range of video games, together with Tekken 8, Artwork of Rally, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and GoldenEye 64, all of which give an intensive check for the assorted inputs of controllers.
I’ve been gaming for over twenty years, and through that point, I’ve skilled many various gamepads throughout many various platforms. I’ve additionally reviewed quite a lot of controllers beforehand, together with different GameSir fashions.