Gamepad controller for AH-64 Apache gunner TEDAC control

[bies]

I've seen many guys are using various gamepads like xbox for Apache gunner grips. I have some ~20$ cheap gamepad but its analog ministicks are awful.

What particular controller you think would be good (with good quality analog ministicks, modifier, plug-and-play and not unnecessarily pricy)?

cheers

Edited March 21, 2022 by bies

[LucShep]

In my opinion you have three good options for PC (plug and play, no drivers required), selling around 30,00 EUR/USD (also on Amazon and other mainstream online markets):

https://www.easysmx.com/collections/game-controllers/products/easysmx-esm-9101-wireless-gaming-controller

https://www.msi.com/Gaming-Gear/Force-GC20/

https://www.powera.com/p/xbox/xbox-series-xs/controllers/wired-controller-for-xbox-black-1519265-01/


I've used all three for general gaming purposes and found them just as good as the original stuff, for more or less a third of the price.
Do note that while the EasySMX one is wireless, the MSI and PowerA ones I listed are wired.

Edited March 21, 2022 by LucShep

[bies]

Thanks for the answer.

Which one of two wired types, MSI and PowerA, had better quality/precision analog ministicks?

[LucShep]

3 hours ago, bies said:

Thanks for the answer.

Which one of two wired types, MSI and PowerA, had better quality/precision analog ministicks?

I can't say which one is better quality/precision wise, as I'm not "hardcore" on gamepads, but it's been decades that I use them for casual AAA PC games that are better played with gamepad. 
TBH I found all three I listed fairly similar in feel when in use, also when compared to the original XboX One gamepad that I also used for a while. If you know that one (good quality gamepad, but costs three times more) take that as reference. The ones I list are certainly far better than the tipical el-cheapo garbage you find around.

Other than the wired vs wireless aspect, what slightly differs all of them is overall size, different format (for hands), position and "feel" of shoulder buttons, though it's all really similar between them.

The EasySMX feels (to me) the most robust, but it's just a little smaller than the MSI and PowerA wired ones I listed, enough to detract anyone with big hands (though I don't think it matters for the purpose you intend to use it?). That said, I find it the best wireless PC gamepad you can get for its (low) price.

The PowerA is (IMO) physically and feeling wise the closest to the original XboXOne gamepad (which I think was their intention), and maybe why it's among the most popular 3rd party gamepads for the XboX and PC. Like a more affordable, wired version of the original, if you will.

The MSI GC20 is in-between the two previous mentioned gamepads format/size wise, and just as good as them, quality and reliability wise, for similar (low) price. I ended up getting so used to it that I bought the wireless version (GC30), which has almost four years of utter reliable use.

Edited March 22, 2022 by LucShep