Modular controllers are noticeably underrated among controller enthusiasts. The main reason for this is the lack of decent quality and affordable options, because let’s be honest, Victrix Pro BFG and Thrustmaster eSwap never aimed at the average earning consumer or higher quality of workmanship, which, as everyone knows, is not exciting. However, some time ago a new, quite dangerous competitor appeared on the market, the ZD O+ Excellence. I had to wait a while to obtain a test copy, but in the end, here it is: a copy in a rather nice Starfield edition. The topic itself is quite broad, for this reason I decided to split the review into two parts, of which in this one I will focus on the controller itself, without additional modules.
Packaging
The O+ Excellence comes to us in a fairly large package, on the front cover of which we will find a print with a sketch of the controller inspired by Starfield, and on the back a slightly longer description of it. Inside we have a thick paper insert with a controller packed in a case, and underneath it we find additional D-Pads and a USB-C cable.
Specification
- Layout: Xbox
- Compatibility: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch
- Connectivity: Wired, 2.4G, BT
- Analogs: Ginfull RJ18
- Triggers: Hall Effect with clicky trigger lock
- Main switches: Mechanical under ABXY and D-Pad
- Additional switches: 6 remapable, 4 on the back + 2 on the top
- Gyroscope: Present
- Vibration motors: 2 asymmetric + 2 in triggers
- Battery: 900mAh
- Available color versions: Black, White, Blue, WuKong, Starfield, Aniversary
- Docking station: Sold separately
- Price: about 100$
Specification comes from the GadgetHyper store and my own observations
Initial impressions and observations
Let’s start with the case. Small, in the case of special versions thematically adapted to the version. It is equipped with a strap with a spring and a slider with two locks. Inside, apart from the controller, we will find additional analog sticks, a 2.4G receiver and an Allen key.
The cable included with the O+ Excellence is quite long, in a soft braid. Finally, something that is not the most average cable on the market. The 2.4G receiver is tiny, with a button for pairing and a diode indicating whether the controller is connected to the device.
The O+ Excellence itself is a controller with quite rounded shapes, very similar to the original Xbox. It is often joked about ZD that they blow the cases for their controllers into the molds themselves, because of how small the manufacturer is, but this does not prevent them from having really decent quality material. Additionally, the grips are lined with quite pleasant rubber, which should not cause sweaty hands or discomfort.
The analogs used in the O+ Excellence, the Ginfull RJ18, are a less popular design, theoretically competing with the K-Silver JH16. The same analog format means that they can theoretically be used interchangeably. In addition, the centering spring is slightly lighter. Unfortunately, the analog from the competing K-Silver is much worse due to the much higher clearance in the center, which is closer to the first versions of the JH16, which came out a year or two ago. The implementation itself is not bad, we have metal anti-friction rings, but we do not have POM rings. Instead, we have an RGB ring, which in its defense is quite well finished. As for the analog sticks themselves, we have several options for tops and sizes, including several downright comical ones that have already become the subject of jokes.
The ABXY switches in the O+ Excellence are a nice implementation of Mecha-tactile switches. The feel itself is quite comfortable, mass murdering opponents in Souls-like games was pure pleasure. The biggest complaint may be the relatively large wobble, but it’s hard to do anything about it. It’s also worth mentioning that we have a slight backlighting of the switches themselves.
The D-Pad is interesting, because we have 5 overlays, not the standard one or two. By default, a “disc” overlay is installed, but in the shape of a rhombus, not a circle. We also have a cross overlay and two disk (round) overlays, one slightly higher and concave, and the other flat. The last overlay allows you to attach analog sticks to the D-Pad, which allows for quite funny configurations.
Feeling-wise, the D-Pad in the O+ Excellence has a quite low pre-travel, but definitely higher than a BigBig Won Rainbow 2 Pro. It is also much lighter than them due to the use of switches like for ABXY. Personally, I liked the overlay installed by default the most, but of course, this is subjective. The joystick-shaped one worked brilliantly for me in RoadCraft, for example, where the D-Pad is used to operate a crane.
Moving on to the top, we have two triggers (unbelievable, but still). Their tuning is almost perfect, even better. The stroke, angles of attack and spring hardness are without a shadow of a doubt some of the best refined. In addition to what is already standard, we have all the benefits of using a Hall Effect sensor. A large gap between the trigger itself and the housing may look negative (visually), but in my opinion it is something that is quickly forgotten. It should also be mentioned that unfortunately in the case of this design there is slight interference between the left trigger and the analogue. However, it is not as strong as in the case of, for example, the PXN P5.
As for the trigger lock, as I mentioned in the specification, we have a clicky type construction here, i.e. the switch is responsible for activation. As for tuning, it is very good, but it is a bit short of ideal. The stroke is low and audible, but poorly felt under the finger. You can feel a slight feedback, but it is not the same as, for example, in GameSir Cyclone 2 (although the spring was also slightly lighter there). Despite these remarks, in my opinion it is exemplary. It is also worth mentioning that the triggers have been equipped with additional vibration motors, similar to 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode or Flydigi Vader 4 Pro (they operate closer to those in Vader).
We also have bumpers at the top. This is a design based on mouse switches, comparable to EasySMX X20, so they work very lightly and provide small, but pleasant tactile feedback. They are also easy to press at any point. There are also two additional remappable switches between the triggers. Their implementation is exemplary. Feel-wise, they are a bit like bumpers with a noticeably lower travel.
Moving on to the back of the O+ Excellence, apart from things like trigger lock switches, docking station contacts and gyroscope switch, backlights and the pairing button, we have not two, but 4 paddles. What’s more, removable paddles. Their arms are magnetically mounted to the controller. It is important that we have a small wobble here, but personally I did not notice it even once during the game. The feel of the switches is exemplary, with a medium-high jump, but also with strong tactile feedback. Unfortunately, we only have 4 paddles in the set, so customization is somewhat limited. Fortunately, the paddle system used is compatible with many dedicated Elite Series 2, which significantly reduces these limitations.
At the bottom of the controller we also have an audio jack, but as usual I was not able to verify its impact on the sound of the connected transducer due to the lack of measuring equipment.
Let’s take a look inside
Theoretically, there’s no point in taking apart the O+ Excellence, because we can simply dismantle the modules and take them apart, which I did. Their build quality is not bad, there’s nothing to dwell on. Going deeper, after unscrewing a few screws on the front and back, we can open the back of the case, where we won’t find the battery, because it’s under the cover on the back (which, by the way, can be replaced with other backs). But going back, by unscrewing a few screws holding the PCB, we can remove the main board. I honestly like the attention ZD has paid to its build quality, because it really is one of the better-looking boards I’ve seen recently.
Synthetic tests
Moving on to the delays offered by O+ Excellence, on switches in the GPDL benchmark it is about 9ms at 800Hz polling rate, about 15ms at 250Hz polling rate on 2.4G and 25ms on BT at 160Hz in Xinput mode. These are not perfect results, but they are acceptable and fully usable. The same goes for all other connection modes.
Analog delays, surprisingly, at least wired, are improving, because the average result drops to about 7ms. There is a slight regression after 2.4G, but it is worth noting that the controller is overclockable. Although I am not sure whether the first measurement is not a software error, because after disabling the overclock I was unable to repeat the result at the level of 25ms and I still had about 15ms. Bluetooth and other modes are bearable.
Unfortunately, we have to mention a big problem, which is the calibration of analogues, which is… tragic. Firstly, a large asymmetrical external dead zone, secondly, the terrible recentering of analogues, which the raw mode or lack thereof has no major impact on.
The good resolution of analogues deserves praise, about 256 positions in the axis. Similarly, linearity is quite good for a low profile Hall Effect, although somewhat irregular.
The battery life is pleasant, lasts about 10 hours.
Software
Many people mention that the O+ Excellence software is terrible, mainly due to the lack of translation, although an English version is available, although not officially (you can find it on the ZD Discord server). It is in the form of a mobile app, a bit like Keylinker, but I personally think it is better. Maybe not more than that doesn’t have much of an impact on the dead zone.
Summary of the ZD O+ Excellence
Is it a good controller? Yes, technically, apart from the terrible analogs, I don’t have much to complain about, everything is buttoned up. In addition, there are rumors that ZD is to release a new PCB, with a better working wireless connection, which will be possible to replace yourself. Nothing has been confirmed yet, so we’ll see.
Coming back, can the problems that plague this controller be fixed? Well, it can be, but more on that in the second part of the review.
The review was made possible thanks to the courtesy of the GadgetHyper store.
