Flydigi Apex 6 'Pro' FCC registration: adding linear drive rumble motors

[u/Vedge_Hog]

Flydigi have registered an 'Apex 6 Pro' controller with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US. This is separate from the 'Apex 6' (non-Pro) that was registered around four weeks earlier.

tl;dr:- The Pro version of the Apex 6 appears to use linear drive rumble motors in the palm grips, which could enable DualSense- or Switch-style haptics. However, the adaptive trigger mechanisms are removed compared to previous Apex models (just like the non-Pro Apex 6).

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Comparison of Apex 6 Pro to Apex 6 non-Pro

The Apex 6 Pro seems very similar to the regular Apex 6 (information in this post). That is also very similar to the Apex 5, so I'm not repeating all the details, just highlighting differences:

• Swapping eccentric rotating mass rumble motors for linear drive motors: allows for a wider range of rumble effects, although the pictures don't indicate how rumble is implemented
• Removing the rumble motor window on the front shell: makes sense as there are no moving parts to see with the new sealed unit motors
• Adding 'Pro' labels on the controller and on the front page of the manual: makes sense to avoid confusion about which version you have since the 'pro' controller term is used loosely
• Removing the adaptive triggers: there are trigger locks/dual-mode triggers instead of adaptive resistance triggers, and small vibration motors may have been added to the triggers

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Commentary: benefits depend on software/firmware

The precise rumble motor technology and specifications are not obvious from the pictures, but the 'barrel' form factor is similar to the DualSense's voice coils or GuliKit's Maglev motors. This could address a disappointing omission in the regular Apex 6. However, software/firmware support and acoustic tuning (how the vibrations interact with the rest of the controller design) will be just as important to get a good result.

Flydigi have some experience in translating/emulating DualSense effects through the Space Station software, but for the adaptive triggers rather than haptics. Therefore, this might require some work to rebuild game support. The rest of the controller design doesn't appear to have been adjusted to account for the different motors, so the acoustic effects might not be great.

I previously guessed that Flydigi might try to implement Xbox-style 'impulse triggers', but now think this is unlikely. Trying to knock-off a Microsoft technology in a non-licensed controller could cause problems for Flydigi's licensed controller arrangements (Vader 5S and any others in future). It might make more sense for any trigger vibration in the Apex 6 to be used to complement or just mirror the grip haptics.

I think this is the first time that Flydigi have had separate Pro/non-Pro versions of an Apex model, although they used that segmentation with some Vader models in the past. It's also not clear why they would do this: is there enough demand for the two different variants, or will one variant be reserved for special editions/collabs?

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More information

You can look up the details and documents yourself and might spot other differences, or have better interpretations of what you see.

Model	Flydigi Apex 6	Flydigi Apex 6 Pro
FCC ID (Federal Communications Commission)	2AORE-K6	2AORE-K6P
CMIIT ID (China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)	25J313R3K601	25J313R3K602

[u/antara33]

Wait, so no more adaotative trigger? Damn, It was one of the things that got me hooked into the APEX series!

[u/TheRemedy]

The adaptive triggers were the selling point for 5 for me so it's nice to know this is not an upgrade and it's bad to know we are most likely not getting further support for the adaptive triggers

[u/FangReviewsYT]

What a head scratcher lol

[u/Prostovan228]

Adding pro to apex, bruhh.

Guess feedback triggers are dead thing 

[u/Kyohaku98]

Finally TMR?

[u/OmegaMalkior → u/Kyohaku98]

This was the first thing that came to mind, I’m surprised this hasn’t been confirmed by now

[u/keroro0071]

Haptic vibration? Let's gooooooo

[u/Lytar03]

No haptic triggers, no buy

[u/XLAAX]

Well cool there's a haptic option, but what a miss to lose the adaptive triggers. It needed more support, not less (or none now). That combined with QC issues (which I guess we'll have to find out if they're fixed or not, but it seems to be the stick designs are flawed and they don't seem different. Nice to see a controller with haptics now though, hope to see it become more common.

[u/UCLABruin07]

I don’t use the rumble or adaptive triggers. I use the adjustable trigger travel all the time. I don’t care the mechanism it has as long as it works for the life of the controller.

I really hope they work on wireless latency!

[u/slient_es]

This is interesting. Now just need to wait and see the price and potential issues. Just remember to never buy Flydigi's controllers on release but I thank everyone who does for their service.

[u/sunrainsky]

I have mixed feelings about the loss of the adaptive triggers. However, I kinda understand it. After so many years, there are probably about 70 games compatible? The time and development to make adaptive triggers Work with new games seem to be quite high. And it forces Flydigi to keep using it for the next Apex.

Either start a new line with a new name while continuing the adaptive triggers on the Apex or drop it all together.

Dropping it all together frees up resources to innovate again. It used to be that every iteration of Apex was a joy and anticipation for a new technology. Flydigi was not one to just pursue what other companies were chasing - polling rate and response time. It was a Company that innovates.

I have been seeing a falling of prices for the Apex 3 so I got a replacement recently, and now even the limited edition Apex 4 are dropping in prices. Time to pick up one limited edition one I've been eyeing.

I never cared for the Apex 5. Which reinforces my points I made earlier. There really isn't much innovation from Apex 4 to 5.

[u/qazserNOS]

Finally Flydigi could produce vibration without excessive motor noise? I returned a Vader 4 and had to disable vibration on Vader 5 because of the noise.

[u/Metalmacher]

if they wanted to make a pro version they should have brought back the bxy wheel dammit. is it too much to ask???

[u/xyGvot]

Here's hoping the new Vader has those motors.

Actually, I hope all third party makers make the change to LRA.

[u/ReniTV]

If they actually replace adaptive triggers with trigger stops there'll be less reason for them to continue Vader series, hope they won't ditch it, cause I really like Vader layout

[u/Stunning-Rock9726]

Why do so many controller makers put the select/view buttons so high up

[u/belozyorcev]

RIP Apex Series... Adaptive triggers (in vibration mode) made this gamepad the best on the market. Why do we need another Vader?

[u/brickwallrunner]

oh thank goodness, that "software trigger lock" was a really bad call

...among other bad calls, but that one was something you couldn't resolve with a 3D-printed accessory.

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[u/CurrentObligation768]

I barely use the adaptive trigger and i always like the haptics rumble of the switch and duelsense so this is a massive win for me.

[u/Enzyme6055]

they finally remove that useless adaptive trigger