GamingOnTheSpectrum: GameSir Kaleid Review
As an autistic gamer and a dedicated PvP player, I’m VERY picky about my controllers and peripherals. I’ve been rocking the (unfortunately now discontinued) Xbox One model controller for the past ten years, which has become my gold standard for feel.
After researching, buying, and returning multiple different pro controllers from a variety of companies, the Gamesir Kaleid (pronounced “collide”) might just be my new daily driver.
And it isn’t just because I can set the RGB to pulse the Bi Pride flag colors.
TLDR:
Pros - affordable ($50) wired Xbox controller with Hall Effect sticks to minimize the chance of stick drift, mechanical ABXY face buttons, two programmable rear buttons, good hand feel, and cool RGB options
Cons - no wireless option, only two back buttons, no mechanical trigger stops, and the faceplate is a soft plastic that can scratch easily
Mechanicals:
- Sticks: magnetic Hall Effect units with standard tensioned sticks that are compatible with PlayStation-sized KontrolFreek toppers.
- Face Buttons: super responsive mechanical switches rather than the cushy membrane switches that fail as soon as the membrane wears out.
- Triggers: normal triggers with some added texturing & no mechanical trigger stops, though hair trigger mode is an option
Customization:
Via gamesir app:
- Remap any button, with up to 3 saved button profiles
- Adjust stick deadzones & responsiveness
- Hair trigger setting
- Adjust or turn off trigger and handle rumbles
- Customize full-spectrum RGB lights
- Overclocking to 1000Hz (future update, matching the G7se capability), unfortunately disables the headset port
Physical (via “M” multi-function button)
- Remap buttons on the fly
- Adjust audio levels/balancing
- Swap between RGB profiles
Ergonomics:
Very similar to the Xbox One shell design but with the addition of some stippling in the rear plastic for grip, similar to the Xbox Series controller. Personally the stippling is much less offensive to my texture sensitivity than the Series controller, but could be an understandable non-negotiable for some. Weight is comparable to a stock controller.
Overall:
8.75/10 an affordable pro controller that has replaced my old reliable Xbox One model and feels better than many more expensive pro variants.
Now if only Gamesir would come out with a high-end version that had the same feel and some additional customization options like trigger stops and 4 back buttons.