SteelSeries Stratus XL - Review 2022

SteelSeries tries to solve two problems with a single gamepad in the Stratus XL. The $59.99 wireless controller tackles mobile gaming capably, pairing with Android phones, tablets, and some media streaming devices. It also works with any PC running Windows 7 or above that can pair with Bluetooth devices, and uses a software engine that lets it control far more PC games than a generic gamepad. Information technology's a capable dual-purpose controller that can make full a unique niche for some gamers.

Design

The Stratus XL looks and feels like a habitation console controller, measuring four.four by 5.nine by one.7 inches (HWD) and weighing a solid ten.two ounces with 2 AA batteries. The controls are arranged in a PlayStation configuration, with concave analog sticks parallel with each other below a plus-shaped direction pad and four face buttons (A/B/X/Y, laid out in Xbox style). Start, Back, and Bill of fare buttons sit between the analog sticks, and there'southward a four-LED indicator light strip above information technology. The gamepad features left and correct triggers and buttons on the top, with pairing and bombardment status buttons positioned between them and out of the way of your index fingers. The ability switch sits below the battery compartment on the dorsum, which holds two AA batteries and a micro USB port for updating the gamepad'south firmware.

According to SteelSeries, the Stratus Xl can concluding for up to 40 hours of gameplay on two batteries. If you want to see a result that long, be sure to plow the controller off when not in employ. It doesn't have a noticeable automatic sleep function, and accidentally leaving the switch on cut play time significantly in our tests.

Android and Windows

Out of the box, the Stratus Twoscore behaves like a standard Bluetooth gamepad, which will work well for Android devices like the Nvidia Shield Tv set. Yous tin can also pair it with your Windows PC like a standard Bluetooth device by holding the pairing button down until the light bar flashes. In one case it's paired, nevertheless, you need to take a few extra steps to get the gamepad to work with your PC games.

Most Windows PC games work best with Xbox One wireless controllers continued as XInput devices, using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (or older Xbox 360 wireless controllers and their corresponding adapter). To use other gamepads, specially ones continued wirelessly without a dedicated adapter, you need to translate their inputs to XInput. Without that footstep, gamepad support on Windows games will be inconsistent at all-time.

Fortunately, SteelSeries does all of the piece of work for you. All you demand to practise is download the SteelSeries Engine software and install it. Once it's running in the background, it will automatically detect when the Stratus Xl is connected and translate all of its inputs into XInput, making it appear to your PC as an Xbox gamepad instead of a generic Bluetooth input device. The procedure sounds daunting, just in one case SteelSeries Engine is installed and your reckoner properly loads the corresponding driver the next time you connect the Stratus XL by powering it on, it will work equally needed without any other input on your function.

Gaming Performance

I played Bayonetta and Dark Souls III on my PC using the Stratus Xl. Both are very skill-oriented games that require precise timing, and are very good for giving any controller a conditioning. Both games worked perfectly with the Stratus Twoscore later Steelseries Engine was installed, and I could perform all the functions I needed to navigate menus and start playing.

In Dark Souls III, I started a new character and fought through the Untended Graves hands, chirapsia Iudex Gundyr on my offset effort and making it into Firelink Shrine without any issue. My dodges and shield parries worked precisely as I needed.

I also started a new game in Bayonetta and played through the start few chapters. While my skills in the game are rusty, I accomplished Platinum and Pure Platinum ranks in several sections. The gamepad read my inputs precisely and I consistently dodged to actuate Witch Time and maintained long combos easily.

For Android gaming, I played Doom 3: BFG Edition, Geometry Wars 3, and Hotline Miami two on an Nvidia Shield Tablet K1. All three games worked perfectly with the Stratus Twoscore, though I experienced a issues in Doom that kept firing my gun without me pressing anything. This problem was solved by unpairing the controller and pairing it again, and after that information technology worked without issue.

Gamepad Feel

The Stratus 40 feels very solid and sturdy, but how it will treat your thumbs is a matter of gustatory modality. I constitute the flat face buttons quite responsive, simply with a slightly deeper and spongier-feeling actuation than I like, and it made mashing to max out my torture attacks in Bayonetta slightly uncomfortable. On the other hand, the generous concave indentation and smooth activity of the analog sticks felt just right for maneuvering. Of course, other players might prefer the deeper press, or find the sticks to move just a little bit as well loosely for their tastes.

Regardless, the Stratus XL sits in the aforementioned area as the Xbox Ane wireless controller, the DualShock iv, and other major console gamepads in terms of feel and build quality. Information technology's no Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, but it likewise costs about a third of the cost.

A Versatile Gamepad

The SteelSeries Stratus XL is a functional, solid controller that can piece of work both equally your PC gamepad and your Android device controller. It feels good in the hand and performs as advertised with both platforms, and its build quality puts it in line with the Xbox One and DualShock iv gamepads. Android back up is appealing to anyone looking to game on their tablet, smartphone, or Android-powered media streamer, but the mobile gaming experience, even with a controller, tends to be inferior to a dedicated dwelling console or handheld game organisation. The Stratus XL is worth because based on your preferred gaming platforms, but every bit a pure PC controller, it doesn't distinguish itself or fall behind its competitors in any significant way. If Android gaming isn't a huge priority for you, try out the unlike PC gamepads bachelor and decide which feels best in your hands.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/controllers-accessories-products/15462/steelseries-stratus-xl

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