Comparison PXN V3 PRO vs PXN V9

The total number of buttons provided in the design of the manipulator.

The more buttons — the more additional features you can "tie" to the manipulator, the lower the likelihood that during the game you will have to turn to other controls (for example, a PC keyboard). However, many game consoles (see "Platform Compatibility") provide a certain minimum number of buttons for a compatible gamepad — a smaller number simply would not allow full use of all the functions of the console. For example, the original PlayStation 4 controller has 11 buttons.

Note that the D-Pad (see below) is not included in this calculation: it is considered a specific control, although it is based on buttons.

The angle of rotation of the steering wheel in the manipulator-steering wheel (see "Device type"). This parameter is measured over a general range — from one extreme point to another; accordingly, the angle of rotation from the middle position will be half the total. For example, a figure of 180° means that the steering wheel is capable of turning to the right and left by 90°.

Both the general level and the purpose of the steering wheel directly depend on this parameter. Models with a rotation angle of up to 270° are predominantly entry-level and are intended mainly for fans of arcade racing without much emphasis on realism, as well as for children and novice gamers. In more advanced rudders, the steering angle is already 900 °, or even 1080 °. These numbers are taken for a reason — they correspond to the steering wheel ranges in most production cars (900 °), as well as some sports supercars (1080 °). Thus, such characteristics make the use of the steering wheel as realistic as possible — on the other hand, they significantly affect the cost.

The steering wheel rotation range can be adjusted by the steering wheel angle adjustment function (if such a feature is implemented in the game controller). The option is configured either directly in the game, or through the software that controls the operation of the steering wheel.

The type of gearbox provided in the steering wheel (see "Device type").

— Gear lever. The switch is in the form of a classic lever, as on most serial cars. To work with such a lever, you need to remove your right hand from the steering wheel, but this is not a drawback, but a characteristic feature — this is how everything happens during real driving, and many users appreciate this option precisely for realism. At the same time, the device of the gearshift lever can be different: in the simplest steering wheels it moves back and forth, allowing only sequential gear changes, in more advanced ones it allows you to immediately engage any gear, like on a real manual gearbox.

— Paddle shifters. Switches in the form of petals located under the steering wheel (more precisely, behind the wheel, when viewed from the user's side). This method is used in premium passenger cars, as well as many racing cars. Gear shifting is carried out only sequentially; on the other hand, you do not need to remove your hand from the steering wheel, which increases the reaction speed and provides full control over the steering.

— Gearshift lever and paddle shifters. The presence at the steering wheel of the two methods of gear shifting described above. This allows the user to choose the option of their choice, depending on preferences and the situation: for example, in fast-paced racing, it is mo...re convenient to use the paddles, and in a leisurely truck simulator, the lever provides more realism.

Types of pedals supplied with the manipulator.

This parameter is indicated only in controllers designed for auto racing (in flight simulators, pedals have only one specialization — rudder — and there is no need to specify it additionally). Most of these "racing" controllers are handlebars (see Device type), but pedals can also be produced completely separately. Anyway, the minimum necessary for more or less efficient driving is two pedals, gas and brake. At the same time, for lovers of maximum realism, more expensive three-pedal controllers are being produced that also include a clutch; this complicates the control, but gives many additional features that are not available on two pedals.

A method of attaching a game pad to a table or other surface. Note that not all types of devices (see above) use mounts — gamepads, for example, do not need them by definition, and the pedals are made on a massive stable base and installed on the floor, so they also do not need latches. In other cases, the following options may be provided:

— Suckers. Classic suction cups that "stick" to the surface of the table. Such fixtures require a fairly flat surface, but in most cases this is not a problem, given the materials used for modern tables. Another advantage of suction cups is that they can be mounted anywhere on the table — not necessarily on the edge, as is the case with many clamps. Among the disadvantages of this option, one can name the fact that as the material of the suction cups wears out, it loses its elasticity, and the reliability of fastening decreases — especially with frequent attachment / detachment. On the other hand, in most cases, the period of effective operation of suction cups is quite comparable with the life of the manipulator itself, so this disadvantage is usually not critical.

— Clamps. Clamps usually take the form of characteristic clamps that allow you to mount the device on the edge of the table top or in another similar place. The main advantage of this option can be called reliability: firstly, a well-clamped clamp holds the manipulator in place much mo...re tightly than suction cups, and secondly, the quality of fastening practically does not deteriorate even with frequent attachments and detachments. On the other hand, the clip can only be used on the edge of a tabletop or on a special stand, which limits the choice of where to install the game pad.

— Bolts. A specific variant used mainly among high-end flight simulator instruments (see "Device type"); almost never found in other types of controllers. With the help of bolts, the instrument clusters are installed in a special rack that imitates the cockpit of an aircraft.

There are models that allow several mounting options: for example, the steering wheel with suction cups can also be equipped with a clamp, which allows you to choose the option at the discretion of the player.