Discovering the Excitement: The Apex 5 Flydigi Controller Lives Up to the Hype

I have to admit, my journey with Flydigi hasn’t been the smoothest. After seeing countless Reddit threads praising their products as some of the best PC controllers out there, I finally got my hands on one last July. Unfortunately, my experience was far from stellar, leading me to give it a one-star review—the lowest rating I’ve ever assigned. So, I approached the brand with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, my experience with the Flydigi Apex 5 controller has completely changed my perspective. In a short time, it has become one of my favorite controllers in recent years.

Priced at $159.99 / £150, though often available for less from certain retailers, the Apex 5 is a bit pricier than options from brands like GameSir, PowerA, or 8BitDo. But if you’re serious about finding a quality gamepad, the premium feel of the Apex 5 is worth the investment. It’s still more affordable than the high-end Xbox Series X controllers from the big names.

Recently, I reviewed the Gulikit KK3 Max and discussed the differences between back buttons and paddles. Coincidentally, the Flydigi Apex 5 features a hybrid setup with both: two back buttons and two paddles, offering a unique and premium feel with excellent finger positioning.

The Apex 5 stands out not just in functionality but also in design. While its shape resembles other asymmetrical controllers, it boasts a more adventurous aesthetic. The white body is accented with gray and rubberized textures on the grips, and a translucent faceplate allows RGB lighting to shine through. Adding a touch of elegance is an opaque, slightly reflective faceplate that conceals a small display.

Overall, the Apex 5 has a striking design that sets it apart. The grips are long enough to accommodate my pinkies, and the weight gives it a premium feel.

As mentioned, the controller features four extra mappable buttons on the back. While the two longer paddles are fixed in place, they provide a satisfying actuation similar to the high-end paddles found on the DualSense Edge and Elite Series 2. Additionally, the controller has two bumpers on top, bringing the total to six programmable buttons.

The face buttons and D-pad utilize clicky microswitches, closely resembling the luxurious actuation of the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited. The face buttons have a transparent shell with a white surface underneath, providing a quiet click with good travel. The D-pad is an 8-way floating panel, making precise directional inputs easy and intuitive.

While the thumbsticks lack the adjustable tension of the Vader 4, you can remove the faceplate and use a tool included in the box to adjust their tension. These Hall effect sticks feel responsive, and the grippy surface is a welcome change from some other controllers that overlook this essential feature. The tension adjustment allows the sticks to spring back energetically after each flick.

Upon closer inspection, the thumbstick modules have individual axes for side-to-side movement, enhancing quick aim flicks. Although you can’t swap out the thumbsticks for taller ones, the unique design ensures you won’t miss out on accuracy. The Apex 5 excels in providing grippy thumbstick tops that facilitate precise maneuvering.

However, I did find the absence of trigger stop switches a bit odd for a controller of this caliber. While it lacks manual trigger stops, the Apex 5 features digital adaptive trigger resistance, reminiscent of the PS5’s DualSense. You can configure this resistance for varying intensities, a unique offering in the PC controller market that even third-party PS5 controllers lack due to licensing issues.

The Apex 5’s menu system has enough depth to allow for button mapping, profile changes, and trigger resistance adjustments, but it falls short in some areas. You can’t activate a no-deadzone mode or adjust trigger deadzones, which means you’ll need a companion app on PC for more detailed customization.

Unfortunately, accessing Flydigi’s software proved challenging, much like my experience with the Vader 4 Pro. In the UK, I struggled to reach their website, encountering security warnings that prevented access. Despite reports from others who had no issues, I found it frustratingly difficult to obtain the necessary software for full customization.

This lack of accessibility is concerning. Flydigi should prioritize making their software easy to find and use for customers worldwide. The manuals provided offer little guidance, and any QR codes included don’t lead to the required software. I had to rely on online videos to navigate the menu and change the language to English.

Despite these issues, the controller’s menu is functional enough for testing. In short, the Apex 5 performs exceptionally well.

In my go-to FPS game, Hunt: Showdown, the Apex 5 felt fluid and responsive, with the six extra buttons proving invaluable. It rivals the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro in terms of responsiveness, delivering impressive accuracy for precise shots and quick adjustments.

I also tackled a challenging level in Towerfall Ascension, where I easily achieved a gold skull on hardcore difficulty with the Apex 5, feeling completely in control throughout the intense gameplay.

Comfort-wise, I’ve logged around eight hours in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA 4, and the Apex 5 has been comfortable in my hands. While the angle under the triggers can be a bit uncomfortable for my middle fingers, overall, it’s a solid gamepad for extended sessions. The thumbsticks provide satisfying feedback, making driving in both Liberty City and Night City a joy.

The Apex 5 features an on/off switch on the back to conserve power and will automatically turn off after five minutes of inactivity. Out of the box, I managed about four to five hours of playtime, but after a full charge, I’ve been able to game for over five hours with plenty of battery life remaining.

I genuinely love the Flydigi Apex 5. It’s an outstanding controller for gamers who appreciate a responsive feel and extensive functionality. It excels in FPS games, thanks to its thoughtful design and premium features, making it a top contender in the current market.

That said, my strong recommendation comes with a caveat: my ability to fully utilize the controller stemmed from its screen and on-board menu system. Without that, I might have faced another frustrating experience with a Flydigi product. While I’m impressed with the Apex 5, I remain cautious about the brand as a whole, recognizing the need for significant improvements. Before purchasing, ensure you can access Flydigi’s website and software, and have customer service and warranty options ready in case you need them.

After my disappointing experience with the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro, the Apex 5 is a breath of fresh air. It’s a fantastic controller for PC and Switch 2 gaming, standing out in a crowded market filled with great options at competitive prices.

As with all controllers I review, I used the Apex 5 as my primary controller for over a week before writing this. I customized its settings through the on-board menu and attempted to find the manufacturer’s software, but to no avail.

I compared my experience with the Apex 5 to other PC and Xbox controllers in the same price range, as well as to the Vader 4 Pro, which serves as my reference point for Flydigi’s products.