Summary
GameSir made a splash in the industry in 2023 when they released the first Xbox controller with hall effect sensors for their triggers and joysticks. The only things holding back the G7 SE controller are the noisy rumble feature andthe fact that it is wired, which is simply a no-go for many gamers. In all other respects, the simple controller seemed tooutpace even Microsoft’s Xbox Elite 2, which is one of the most expensive controllers available right now.
Regardless, GameSir has pushed on, rallying their best tech to create the newly released T4 Cyclone Pro, which cuts the cord to court gamers whostrongly prefer wireless controllers. This controller follows in its predecessor’s footsteps to offer players hall effect sticks and triggers on a device built for a variety of gaming platforms.
The T4 Cyclone Pro is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android devices. For this review, the controller was tested on the Switch and PC. The games used for testing included extended holds on buttons and joysticks, while also demanding rapid, accurate responses.
Design & Ergonomics
As with many PC controllers, the Cyclone Pro employs an Xbox-style button layout. This is a bit odd, considering that the controller is incompatible with Xbox consoles and is compatible with the button-swapped Switch, but veteran players will forget about the specific button labels within a few minutes of playing.
Otherwise, there are few surprises with the buttons, which include two back buttons and an “M” button for customization of those two extras. The most noticeable difference between the Cyclone Pro andother Xbox-style controllersis how low the buttons sit. This helps their responsiveness, but it can feel a bit weird at first. The D-pad is an outlier in that respect, sitting higher than average and giving significant resistance to pushes.
The triggers and joysticks are snappier than with most other controllers, no doubt thanks to the hall effect sensors replacing physical attachments. These inputs feature decent texture, especially around the joysticks, though the design seems to be catering to players who like texture less than others. For instance, the triggers and bumpers only have texture right where a player’s fingers should go, rather than over most of those buttons. Similarly, the texture around the joysticks is shaped to keep thumbs from sliding up or down, and it doesn’t do much to prevent sideways slips.
The rest of the controller (namely the handles) is very well textured, with a dotted pattern creating a stable grip and excellent airflow. However, this is where the good ergonomic design ends with the Cyclone Pro. The controller body is slightly smaller than average, which will be very apparent to most players, especially in games where long button holds are necessary, such as inMario Kart 8.
Along with the smaller size, the grip is a bit uncomfortable in general due to the slightly altered shape of the controller. Where most other controllers have somewhat sculpted handles and a significant taper towards the top, the Cyclone Pro has a boxier shape. The handles don’t have as steep of a curve as they reach up to the center of the controller, and the top half doesn’t narrow as much as other controllers.
While this is very obvious after just a few minutes of using the controller, it is a unique offering that is likely to be appreciated by some gamers. Given the fact that controllers with muted contouring are becoming rarer, having a less-sculpted controller option is a boon to some. On the other hand, the reason for increased contouring on controllers is that it makes them more comfortable for long sessions. At the end of the day, the design of the Cyclone Pro does not promote lasting comfort, even if it does do a good job of providing a breathable grip.
Software & Customization
The T4 Cyclone Pro has two programmable buttons, though the controller is fully customizable through a phone app. This is somewhat unusual, considering that GameSir has a PC app for customizing their controllers. The T4 Cyclone Pro is simply incompatible with it for some reason. While the controller pretty seamlessly connects with phones, the app is a different story.
In order for it to even recognize the controller, users are required to give full access to their camera, phone, contacts, and files to the app, which loosely promises not to use the wholly unnecessary information. The app itself appears to have been outsourced by GameSir and is filled with bad reviews that point out issues with remapping staying customized once the app is closed. Some of the controller’s settings, such as the vibration strength and hair-trigger activation, can be done using a combination of the M button and another button, but this is a far cry from full customization.
It should also be noted that the app is unnecessary if players want to game on their phones. The controller will connect to mobile devices even without the app. As it stands, the app is essentially unusable. At best, it supports customization, with the huge caveat of giving up almost all personal data from a user’s mobile device.
Regardless, remapping the two back buttons, arguably the most important customization factor, is as quick and easy as expected. The instructions are fairly clear, with the entire process taking just two button presses and a few seconds. The back buttons can be programmed to function like any of the other buttons and accidental button presses aren’t an issue. The controller could be improved with button locks on the back, but given the wider top, this would only be a minor enhancement.
Performance & Connectivity
The T4 Cyclone Pro and its sister controller, the T4 Cyclone, offer players fairly wide compatibility, being able to connect to PCs, mobile devices (both iOS and Android), and the Nintendo Switch. Getting the controller connected to each device is a bit over-complicated though. The first hurdle players must overcome is the instruction manual, which is approximately the size of an old-school road map and shows the instructions in a multitude of languages –verticallydown the paper. Trying to read the syncing instructions felt like being trapped in aMonty Pythonskit, with the best solution being to treat the nearly 3-foot-long paper as a medieval proclamation. In the end,the digital manualsaved a lot of frustration, though plenty had already been experienced.
Part of that frustration came not from the format but the content of the instructions. In total, there are five different ways to connect the Cyclone Pro to devices, with only one using the wireless dongle that costs extra for those who have the standard T4 Cyclone rather than the Pro. That USB receiver works with the PC and is extremely tiny, to the point that it is difficult to connect the controller to PCs for the first time.
Supposedly, the controller is paired to the receiver before leaving the warehouse, though that was not the case with the review unit. Instead, an incredibly small, nearly flush button on top of the tiny dongle must be pressed to initiate pairing. The rest of the syncing methods use the home button plus one of the ABXY buttons, though there’s no way for a player to know which to use without referencing the instructions. The USB cable can be usedto play on the Switch, but it’s only a bit longer than the instruction manual at 3.2 feet (1 meter), and it isn’t conducive to most console gaming setups. Despite the difficulties with syncing, the connectivity is fairly strong across platforms, and there were no latency issues while gaming.
Continuing with the performance end of things, the T4 Cyclone Pro fares much better. The ABXY buttons are very responsive, offering players a high actuation point, meaning each button doesn’t need much pressure before a quiet click is heard. This goes along with the previously mentioned D-pad, which is somewhat fool-proofed against accidental presses by design, while still managing to be very responsive with a high actuation point. Similarly, the triggers and bumpers offer top-notch responsiveness, especially when the hair-trigger function is active.
Naturally, what makes this controller stand out above the rest are the hall effect sensors. Supporting both the triggers and the joysticks, unlike any Xbox controller other than the G7 SE, these sensors rely on magnetic feedback instead of physical input to determine movement. Not only does this tech create faster and more accurate performance, but it also prevents common durability issues such as the widely disdained stick drift. There’s no doubt that hall effect sensors are truly superior and able to be implemented in even the most affordable gaming peripherals.
Overall Impression
On the surface, GameSir’s T4 Cyclone Pro seems to be the logical next step in their quest for dominance regarding their advanced hall effect sensors in affordable controllers. However, this controller also proves that it takes more than great specs to make a great product. The lack of PC customization support, the confusing, inconvenient, and inconsistent pairing methods, and the poor ergonomics of the Cyclone Pro are all fairly damning features that will make players think twice before purchasing one for themselves.
Still, given that the Cyclone Pro is listed at just $50, offers decent texture, and is compatible with a wide array of devices, more than a handful of players will find the controller somewhat competitive against other wireless options. However, it’s still difficult to honestly suggest this controller when GameSir’s G7 SE is basically perfect and costs about the same, though with a frequent $5 discount. Everything that makes the T4 Cyclone Pro a good controller is done better by the Xbox core controller, and players won’t save much by skirting the name-brand option.
For those who don’t like contoured controllers and don’t care about customization, the T4 Cyclone Pro is a good enough choice, though everyone else looking for a wireless controller with hall effect sticks may want to keep holding out for another new release.
