Stellar T5 from QRD – Another alternative to Joy-Con – TEST

A few weeks ago, we tested the Hyperion Pro of NYXIcontrollers Nintendo Switch thoughts to replace the Joy-Con. Subsequently, we were notified of another brand offering a similar product, Stellar T5 of QRD. Brand seems little known here, less than NYXI And Hori for example, it nevertheless offers an interesting alternative to Joy-Con. But you may have already seen, the design is very similar to Hyperion Pro. So, do we have a copy in front of us, or does it go further?

A design already seen

With a few differences, the Stellar T5 of QRD are very similar to Hyperion Pro of NYXI. Without going so far as to say that all of this would come from the same factory in China (since both companies are Chinese, according to the shipping addresses on the packages we received for the controllers), there is still a good chance that the mold was designed by the same people. Button placement is the same, sometimes just a few millimeters difference, functionality is the same too (we'll talk about this more below) and even the set of LEDs is placed in the same place. The only notable difference, apart from the color of the hull, is the relief around the directional cross on the Stellar T5.

But that doesn't change the fact that the design is successful. The LEDs definitely have their effect, especially since the light here propagates a little more easily through the transparent shell. When the controllers load on the console, the lights stay on. Is this a technical problem? No idea, but it's definitely not unpleasant to see.

Of the “switches” different at QRD

This can be difficult to follow when talking about a product dedicated to Nintendo Switchbut when we say “switches” (without capital letters), we are talking about the buttons of the controller, the mechanics placed between the motherboard and the plastic of the button. The nice surprise, which will certainly not please everyone, is that QRD chose for his controller Stellar T5 what we can call switches “clicky”. Difficult to verify if it is this technology exactly, we have not tried to open the shells, but the result is there: when you press the triggers and the YXAB buttons, you will hear a sound close to that of a computer mouse or keyboard “clicky”. And I have to say, it's really nice. Certainly rather audible, but it's very rare to see this on console controllers and it has its effect.

A fairly sensitive overall technique

In addition to the design, the Stellar T5 also cover the technical problems of Hyperion Pro. We can cite above all the wireless mode of the controllers, when they are attached to the “grip” provided and we play the Switch in TV mode. In addition to the finish of the grip clearly to be reviewed (the controllers move strongly when attached)it is not at all rare to be entitled to input lag quite substantial. As a reminder, input lag is the time between pressing a button and its action on the screen. If I have absolutely no problem with the Joy-Con official or a Pro controller, also official, the Stellar T5 accuse of a significant problem. For example, on Minecraft, the camera wasn't tracking fast enough, nor even the controls for moving forward, backward, etc. I almost fell into chasms several times.

Conversely, in portable mode with the controllers attached directly to the console, no problem should be reported. Neither on the side of input lag, nor even the finish, since here the Stellar T5 hold well in place. They even do this better than Hyperion Pro, since I did not encounter the problem here of having to strongly press the left joystick to push it into the console rail. Another very positive point here, the vibrations, although still quite strong, are lighter and more discreet than with NYXI.

In terms of functionality, the controller QRD offers several interesting things. On the one hand, it is possible to modify both the color and the intensity of the LEDs; for my part, I preferred to put the weakest light with the effect “Rainbow”. Then, it is possible to charge the controllers independently via the Type-C port present under each of the Stellar T5. Then and as is often the case with alternative controllers, a mode “Turbo” was implanted. This allows you to simulate the constant pressing of a button (in short, once activated, the mode artificially and repeatedly presses the same button, useful in certain situations where the same action must be spammed). Finally, two programmable buttons are present on the back, allowing you to copy the action of another button.

Where to buy QRD Stellar T5s?

This is another problem that arises here. If you have a strong desire to get the controllers QRD, you will have to wait a little and potentially break the bank. THE Stellar T5 are only available on the brand's official website, or on Aliexpress. In both cases, they are sold for around €55 and are shipped from China; the delivery time can therefore be quite long.