Turtle Beach Recon Controller in Test: Solid alternative to the Xbox gamepad with cable chase

Systems: Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One Manufacturer: Turtle Beach Price: approx. 60 Euro Publication: 02.08.2021

Hardware manufacturer Turtle Beach has so far been mainly known for its headsets. With the recon for the Xbox Series X / S and the Xbox ONE, the company now goes into controller characters and leaves directly know-how and technology from the headsets. We have received a test pattern of the gamepad and tested in detail.

The scope of delivery we free from the narrow packaging is controller-typically manageable. Next to the Gamepad itself are still a guidance for the most important functions, as well as a robust and three meter long USB-A to USB-C cable. The latter is generously sized, but unfortunately offers no stumbling protection. Too bad, because the cable is actually duty to recon. There is no wireless option, which is why you need to permanently connect the cable to the console when playing, which can be irritating in mainly wireless times, but after all, the best possible transfer promises.

When touching the first touch, the recon feels very pleasant, but also to our taste but also a tick too light, the weight could be slightly higher. The grip hopers are simply sophisticated in the palms like those of the original controller of Microsoft and the triggers and bumper have a slight coupling on the surface, which gives the fingers a little more and feel comfortable. There is nothing to complain about the triggers and their resistors, but the hard pressure sensation of the buttons remains a little behind the softer of the original. On the back there are two arbitrarily available additional buttons, which also have a couple and can be easily reached.

Good audio control

Of course, the upper part of the gamepad stands out immediately, because here Turtle Beach installed a whole series of buttons, which are almost all responsible for controlling headset functions. In addition to the volume regulation, there is a lit rocker for setting the game sound mixes, a button for the immediate mute of the microphone, as well as the activation of the so-called human hearing function.

According to Turtle Beach, certain sounds such as steps or toladesounds are strengthened, which should give you an advantage when playing. When trying out the function, we took shooters (Doom Eternal, Halo Infinite Tech-Preview) but if only a slight difference is true at all.

On the other hand, the different audio profiles were significantly recognizable, there are four preset presets, such as a bass-relieving or vocal-enhancing option. In addition, you can change the assignment of the back keys. Although the keys in the upper area are quite small and tight, they can be used well, illuminated symbols also indicate the activated functions - very practical.

Now comes the big and important "but": These control options are available to you except for the rear-side buttons exclusively for wired headsets, which connects you via the 3.5mm jack connector with the controller. If you use a wireless headset, the built-in audio functions remain ineffective and the peculiarity of the recon controller.

Handling Hui, Cooling Pfui

In the game mode, the recon made a very solid figure. Even after several hours with a whole series of different games, including Forza Horizon 4, Yooka-Laylee and Halo Infinite, our hands showed no cramps or fatigue phenomena, the back keys proved to be very useful and the fast accessibility of the audio elements for cable Headsets we found as a clear plus.

Another alleged function turned out to be pretty empty marketing promise when testing. Because according to the packaging and website, the handles of the controller are supposed to keep the hands cool, the speech is of "Cooling Grips". However, we could not determine a real effect while testing, at least our hands were not cooler than competitive models.

Tobias Veltin @Frischerveltin

With the Recon, Turtle Beach delivers a solid controller debut that hardly shows weaknesses in the most important areas such as service and feel. Although the low weight is immediately screaming "plastic bomber", the recon is not entirely occurs in his missions, but with his practical audio controls directly on the controller and above all the back-installed keys, what the recon is in my eyes Good alternative to the original controller makes.

An uninterested blemish is likely to be the "Cable Forces" for many, which is simply obsolete for today's circumstances. If you do not have a problem and plays mainly with cable headsets, you can view the recon controller in any case more closely.

Pro and Contra

\ + practical audio buttons in the upper area \ + ordinary processing \ + freely assignable buttons on the back \ - weight a bit too low \ - Cabinet, connection also without stumbling

Conclusion: Thanks to practical additional functions, the recon is a good cable alternative to the original Xbox controller.