Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Controller Review

At a time when cloud gaming is becoming more and more interesting through the platforms that offer it, Like Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass Ultimatecontroller manufacturers definitely see a way to win over gamers in this new use. With the Recon Cloud controller, Turtle Beach is targeting this audience, but not only: the manufacturer wants console and PC gamers to find their accounts there as well.. Here’s our test of this controller that reminds me of another one.

Buy the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud controller at Amazon for €99.99

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud, evolution controller

The Recon Cloud is the evolution of the Turtle Beach Recon controller released in 2021 : this model is intended for use on PC and Microsoft Xbox consoles. This new controller takes the design : since the controller is Xbox certified, we find the logo of Microsoft machines and the traditional XYBA buttons. If you’re used to using this type of controller, you can tell right away, you won’t be disappointed.

Besides, It’s hard to tell the difference with the Recon when taking the controller out of the box. The supplied accessories give a small hint of its direction: there is a USB Type-C cable to charge it, but also to connect it to an Xbox console, as welladapter to attach to the controller to accommodate the smartphone.

Recon Cloud is therefore scalable : is used with With Xbox, PC or smartphone and this is where the screw accessory comes in really handy.

The Recon Cloud is versatile, but it has a downside

The Turtle Beach Recon Cloud looks like an Xbox controller, but it’s not an Xbox controller: there is always a little subtlety that makes the difference. The design is similar, but the availability rough grips on the sides (very pleasant to hold) and P1 and P2 are triggers on the back of the controller these are the two elements that model the controller.

It is obvious that, The settings buttons above the Xbox button are also very different. This allows you to enable and disable the microphone, adjust the volume or even switch from one game mode to another. Globally, It is intuitive to use and if necessary, a user manual is available in the joystick box.

If you want to use Recon Cloud on your computer, you can choose between a wireless connection via Bluetooth 4.2 or a wired connection via a USB-C cable. On the contrary, Only available wired for use on Xbox. That’s a bit of a shame, and it confirms that there’s ultimately very little difference between the Recon and the Recon Cloud. Otherwise, Although the 3-meter cable supplied with the controller may seem long, depending on your setup, it may not be enough. Play on Xbox.

For smartphone use, on the other hand, don’t worry, Bluetooth 4.2 is in the game.. On the other hand, you need to have at least one equipped terminalAndroid 8.0 using the joystick and the latter Not compatible with iOS.

Good controller for playing on Xbox and PC

If we ignore the fact that you need to connect it to play on Xbox One or Xbox Series S / X, Recon Cloud is convenient to play on this media. The textured triggers are especially nice and the buttons are comfortable to use. It’s enough to give you a great feeling.

The triggers on the back of the controller are quick action buttons that can be reconfigured as needed. Pro-Aim Focus modealready available on the Recon controller released last year, allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the sticks to play games that involve shooting. Even if it is an interesting proposition does not change the situation in practice.

The wireless Recon Cloud weighs around 250 grams. He does it Lighter than an Xbox One controller it weighs about 280 grams when equipped with rechargeable batteries. However, if you use it with a smartphone connected to the accessory, the situation changes.

Finally, it is possible to connect the headset directly to the controller : this is useful if you have headphones or earphones3.5 mm jack. The controller includes various automatic settings “Superhuman Hearing” technology that offers to hear the “important details” of the parties. This can be useful if you play multiplayer games and want maximum immersion, however From there, it’s a step we won’t skip to say the account has changed.

The Turtle Beach Recon Cloud lives up to its name

However, if you’re interested in this controller, it’s not primarily for use with a PC or Xbox. So we come to the crux of the matter: its use with a smartphone. First of all, we note this The accessory that connects to the controller is all plastic except for the screw that attaches it to the controller. Although it seems a bit fake at first glance, everything turns out firm and does not move after installation in Recon Cloud. the fact opting for plastic also avoids making things too heavy.

Pliers on the accessory it can extend up to about 9 cm, which makes it compatible with the vast majority of smartphones on the market. We paired it with the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 7 as well as the OnePlus 9 Pro without difficulty. On the contrary, forget tablets in this configuration. However, you can still connect Recon Cloud to such a device for tabletop gaming.

We can regret itOnce the smartphone is installed, everything becomes unbalanced in the hand. It might be interesting to integrate the intelligent counterweight system that allows for Turtle Beachadjust the prop weight distribution slightly. For long gaming sessions, you’ll want to rest your elbows on the table.

The usage experience is just as enjoyable as on PC or Xbox. The controller is compatible with the most popular cloud gaming services Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now lead the way. Steam Link is there, as is Stadia, whose days are numbered.

For maximum visibility into games and services supported by the controller, you can use the Recon Cloud mobile app available on Android.. Other Android games are compatible, but the offering is still anecdotal compared to the potential of cloud services. It is to emphasize this controller box includes a code to redeem a free one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass.

on our side, We mainly used Nvidia GeForce Now to take advantage of Recon Cloud’s potential. Bluetooth has convenience and sensitivity is a must: in games that require fast movements, e.g. Dying Light 2, Rust or Valheim, nothing interfered with our gaming experience.

Finally, it can be noted thatthe mounting clamp can be used independently of the controller, for example, to place the smartphone on a table and play remotely. If you find pairing two devices too heavy during long gaming sessions, this is the solution.

Finally, On the autonomy side, the manufacturer announces up to 30 hours. In practice, It didn’t last very long in Bluetooth usage and on our side it needed to be recharged after about 25 hours. It’s still very satisfying for a wireless controller: you might want to consider taking the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud with you on the go. We can only regret that it does not come with a small carrying case.

Buy the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud controller at Amazon for €99.99

The result