Well, I think that is what he means haha. We might never know for sure unless he comes back and agrees. Shrugs
I’m a recent convert to the Elite. And it seems I’m the only paddle-shifter here. There’s not much I can add to what has already been said. It’s double the price of a standard controller, but it’s 10 times as good in my opinion. It feels more solid, smoother action in the triggers and sticks, and the ability to customise it both physically and its reactions, vibration and more. I’ve never been a bad driver, but I’ve definitely improved since using the Elite; the added smoothness aids car control especially with steering, and I enjoy playing more because the paddles make me feel more immersed. Also I can now play on the hardcore leaderboards because the trigger lock allows me to switch off ABS, which I couldn’t do before as I have sensitivity issues with my left index finger, but now the lock activates just before the brake lock-up point on most cars, and all with a bit of brake tuning.
In case you’re wondering, I have the right paddles set to clutch and upshift, and the left paddles as clutch and downshift, which allows me to keep the e-brake on A in case I fancy drifting instead of hotlapping once I’m in front of the AI in career races! 
2 Likes
Don’t forget the rubber grips and how much they feel better when playing for extended periods of time.
1 Like
I purchased an open box elite controller last black Friday from Best Buy for $115.
At this point, I am really happy with my purchase, and have no regrets. For Forza, I do not use the paddles, but have for other games.
What I like about the controller:
- Really heavy, substantial feel
- Rubber grips
- Shortened pull on RT/LT for shooters
- Paddles for certain games (i.e. I use the paddles instead of pushing in the sticks on many games)
Is it “worth the money”? Absolutely not, but it is definitely a step up from the stock controller.
No problems. It works well for other games as well. I use it for all games from Destiny 2, Battlefield One, FIFA, Rocket League, ect. It changes the aspect of pretty much all games because of the design and customization.
I love it, but i am also interested in upgrading to a thrust master wheel in the future…
I was using one heavily in FH3, but then it developed a drift issue which I couldn’t fix (even after watching several vids). I have a new/refurbished one now, but a bit hesitant to wear out the left stick in Forza as it’s in constant use.
Just know that the warranty is the same as the regular controller, 30 days, even though it is a much more expensive piece of equipment.
Just know that in many instance it also suffer from trigger button becoming limp and/or sticky. The limp part you may get used to it over time since it happen progressively, but when trigger start to stick at full depression for racing it could be disastrous. Just think what it does to your racing if it stuck even for an extra 100ms at full throttle or braking. Granted this can happen to the regular controller as well, but it is disappointing that it also happen to the more expansive piece of equipment AND in either case you would be out of warranty and have to fix it yourself.
Zak
I love it worth every penny, feels more robust and smooth in addition to all the extra customization…just be careful not to drop it on hard floor, it can break it’s not invulnerable.
The Elite has a 90 day warranty in the US. I know cause I have exchanged it over and over at the MS Store. They never give me a problem. Stick problem too every single time. If you have a MS store near you good chance they will replace it even out of warranty.
Something else to consider is that the joysticks are made of metal, not plastic. The sticks on a normal controller degrade from use, and after about 6 months there will be very noticeable vibrations from the jagged plastic, and tiny shaved plastic particles all over the stick. I had to replace 3 normal controllers because of that. I’ve had my elite for over a year and it hasn’t degraded at all.
I never would’ve learned how to drive manual w/clutch if it weren’t for the paddles. They’ve helped me in other games too.
1 Like
Depends how rough you are in the controllers. My controllers for Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One have never done that.
-k
Well in my case I would say I am as ‘rough’ as I was on my Xbox360 controller. Of which I have 2 white from a Gen1 console, 2 black from another console and a Grey (https://www.themarysue.com/new-xbox-360-controller/) that is my favorite, all still very much intact with no limp or sticky trigger. Used hours upon hours on both X360 and PC from me, my spouse, guest and whatnot. I won’t even talk about original xbox duke controller stick fine as well.
I have replaced 3 XB1 contoller thus far and none where they honored any kind of warranty as they all developed issue after about 6-8 months. Oh, and I have an XB1 for about 18 months.
For me, considered how many X360 contoller I have still rocking, even played all my FH3 time on PC with that Grey one, then I would attribute that to a decrease in construction quality and not my gameplay style.
Zak
Hours and hours of sprinting in Destiny will do it, lol.
This is the main reason why I have considered buying an elite. I currently play with abs and semi-auto but wish to go total hardcore.
I’ve gone full hardcore since buying the Elite, with not much more - if any at all - effort or skill required.
The elite controller exudes quality and is worth every penny of the asking price. The interchangeable thumbsticks have really helped me with Forza – I use the extra long one for the left stick as it allows for more granular movements when steering.
The 360 controller had an after market plastic template insert for the left stick that only allowed left and right movement, not up or down. I think there was also a Forza Edition prototype (not available to the public) that had the same insert. I would like to see that option for the elite.
2 Likes
That one, thank you Sir!