Just recently, I took a look at the Flydigi Vader 5S, a wired controller that featured Xbox compatibility. Towards the end of the review, I noted this was one controller that I really wish I had gotten the wireless version for as well, since I’m primarily a PC gamer at this point.
Well, Flydigi had listened and sent over not just the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro, but also the charging dock for it, so I can take a look at it. But since this is mostly the same as the Vader 5S, I wanted to take some time to see how it compares, and if it can replace my current HTPC daily, the GameSir Cyclone 2. So I guess now’s the best time to really find out.
Flydigi Vader 5 Pro vs GameSir Cyclone 2: Specs
Starting off with specs so you can really see the difference, the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro is an $80 controller, but has gone on sale for as low as $64 in recent Amazon sales. The dock, though, is a separate add-on for $25-$30, depending on where you find it. By comparison, the Cyclone 2 is a $56 controller with the dock, and has gone as low as $45 on Amazon sales. So how do the specs stack up?
| Spec | Flydigi Vader 5 Pro | GameSir Cylcone 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks | Adjustable Tension Hall Effect (40-100 grams of force) | TMR |
| Triggers | Dual Mode Forceswitch Hall Effect Analog + Micro Switch Digital | Dual Mode Hall Effect Analog + Micro Switch Digital |
| Face Buttons and D-Pad | Mechanical | Micro Switch and Tactile Switch |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Wired USB-C, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
| Battery | 1000mAh | 860mAh |
| Additional Features | Adjustable Tension Sticks, Dual Mode Triggers, 6 Remappable Buttons (M1+M2, C+Z, LM+RM), Quick Profile Switch | Dual Mode Triggers, L4/R4 Buttons, 3.5mm Jack |
| Software | Flydigi Space Station | GameSir Connect |
| Compatibility | Switch, Android, iOS, x86 | Switch, Android, iOS, x86 |
| Weight | 288 grams | 230 grams |
Build Quality & Ergonomics
Probably the closest thing on either controller is how they’re built and how they feel. Both controllers are made out of well-constructed plastics that don’t creak or groan if you were to try to torque the controller in your hands. The Flydigi Vader 5 is around 20% heavier than the GameSir Cyclone 2, and while you feel it, it helps with the feeling of quality more than being a detriment to ergonomics.
Speaking of ergonomics, they’re both nearly identical! From the Xbox-style design to the angle of the grips and even the distance between them. Both controllers manage ergonomics exactly how you’d expect them, but there is one difference.
The Flydigi features slightly rubberized grips, which help with grip today, but could become sticky in the long run. The GameSir is just straight plastic, and that’s kind of how I like it.
Controls
The Face
Both controllers use mechanical face buttons, with the difference being travel. The Cyclone 2 has a bit of mush to press through before clicking, while the Vader 5 Pro clicks through almost immediately. This feeling transfers over to the dpad as well, but while the Cyclone has a traditional plus, the Vader 5 Pro utilizes a dish-style D-pad. The face buttons on both controllers are good; it’s just a matter of how much mush you can tolerate along the way.
Now, just a mention for the sticks. The Cyclone 2 uses TMR sticks, which are similar to Hall Effect, but take in less power. They’re light to move, accurate, and I’ve gotten really used to them over the last year. The Vader 5 Pro, on the other hand, uses adjustable tension hall effect sticks.
You can take them from as low as 40 grams of force up to 100 grams just by spinning the tactile wheel around the sticks. Personally, I kept the left stick to one-third tension level, and the right stick to two-thirds. Both controllers have really lovely sticks, but if you want more adjustment, the Vader 5 is it.
The Triggers
Why did I make the triggers their own section? Because the top of the controller is its own section too. The Flydigi Vader 5 Pro features additional function buttons that add more usability to the controller if you want it, but are out of the way if you don’t.
The Cyclone 2 just has nice empty space. The L1/R1 shoulders on both controllers are strikingly similar. Light, Clicky, and not too terribly loud. They’re completely usable and nicely sized for their size.
The triggers maintain this similarity, though the Flydigi manages a lot more functionality thanks to its trigger adjustments in the Space software. Both controllers manage well in my recent binge of Parking Garage Rally Circuit, but also throughout Forza Horizon 4 and 5, all in anticipation of Horizon 6.
The big thing is the trigger locks, both do my favorite bits of using a micro switch for their short throw. Both are clicky, obviously, but the Cyclone 2 is just a bit louder by comparison. I don’t think you can go wrong with either here, but it’s still worth noting how similar they are despite the $20-$30 difference.
Additional Features
When it comes to additional features, the GameSir Cyclone 2 doesn’t have a lot. It has your back paddles in the form of L4 and R4, and it has the aforementioned dual-mode triggers. But overall, this is a very bog-standard controller. Contrast that with the Vader 5 Pro that pulls the “throw everything at the wall” schtick. From C+Z buttons to M1+M2 and ML+MR.
You can find vibration settings, dual mode triggers, quick profile switches, and the sick adjustable tension sticks on the rings of the controller. If you’re looking for features, it even extends to the dock, which I will talk about in the next section.
The Dock
The one thing that I essentially require at this point for an HTPC controller is going to be a dock. I love the idea of just being able to toss my controller down when I’m done with it and come back to it fully charged whenever I have time in the next month afterwards. At my desk, I don’t mind as I can easily plug in, but I don’t want to have to worry about charging my controller on my couch.
The Cyclone 2 Dock is included in the box and is incredibly barebones. It has a USB slot for the dongle and a place to rest your controller. That’s all I really need, and despite the awkward looks, it’s gotten easy to just toss my controller into place and move on. By comparison, the Flydigi dock comes with features. 3 USB A ports in total, this is essentially a USB hub in a dock.
Paired with a customizable display via the Space software, you can really have a custom dock even for your TV. That being said, I don’t quite have the muscle memory for docking my controller, and I found myself having to regularly adjust the controller to make sure it’s charging on the pins. It’s not a dealbreaker; it will just take time.
Software
When it comes to software, I’m going to be blunt. I won’t use it past talking about it here. Both controllers are vying for a spot at my HTPC, and that means Bazzite and the Steam Controller settings that come with it. Because of that, any of the changes I want to make are going to get done once, and then left alone forever.
The Flydigi Vader 5 Pro uses the Flydigi Space software, which gives you full customization of everything from the tension in your triggers to the uses for all 6 of your programmable buttons. It’s really robust as software, and this time mine seems to work fine.
On the other hand, the Cyclone 2 utilizes GameSir Connect, which again allows full customization of the controller but definitely feels like it has less to it overall. So if you’re looking for simplicity, that would be the way to go, but if you’re looking for more features and dials to change, Space is going to be your way forward alongside a Flydigi controller.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one simple sentence to describe these two controllers, it’s “Functionality versus Customization.” The Cyclone 2 shows all of its cards when you take it out of the box, but the Vader 5 Pro has so many features that you’ll be finding out about well after receipt of the controller.
Both have great build quality, the Vader 5 Pro especially as of recent, due to Flydigi making adjustments to the strength of its triggers, thanks to community feedback. And overall, depending on your budget, I think you’ll get a good controller regardless.
What about me? I think I’ll need a little bit more time with both controllers to make up my mind. I’ve been using the Cyclone 2 at my TV for just about a year at this point, and it’s built into my muscle memory. But the Vader 5 Pro is a hell of a lot of controller.
Premium features, premium feeling, but an $80 price tag on average. If I had to guess, I’d probably fully come over to the Vader 5, but if you only have $50 in your wallet, the Cyclone 2 is more than worth it as well.
