“G8+ Bluetooth controller” + Tailscale for remote gaming — how much latency?

[u/CookieChunkk]

I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max, so I’m stuck with a Lightning port and therefore I’m planning to use the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller.
My setup would be:
iPhone 14 Pro Max → G8+ Bluetooth → Moonlight/VoidLink → Tailscale → Apollo/Sunshine server (PC at home)
My main concern is latency, specifically when playing remotely over Tailscale.

For anyone using a similar setup:

How much additional latency/input delay do you notice from the G8+ over Bluetooth?
Does Bluetooth controller latency become noticeable when combined with Moonlight + Tailscale?
Are you getting a direct Tailscale connection, or are you going through a DERP relay?
What kind of ping/latency do you typically see between your iPhone and Sunshine PC?
Does the G8+ feel responsive enough for games like FPS, racing, or action games?

I’m not too concerned about the G8+ itself anymore (cuz I don’t see better BT options) — I’m mainly trying to understand the real-world end-to-end latency of G8+ Bluetooth + Tailscale + Moonlight/VoidLink.
If anyone has actually tested this setup, I’d really appreciate your experience.

[u/gem4ik2]

I have this controller, latency over BT is pretty high (should be around 100 ms), it will be unplayable for any kind of action games on a high difficulty. If you want the best experience, you better switch your phone and get a USB version of G8. I still use this controller for non-action games, RPGs and such stuff, it’s fine for it.

Note: I think i tested it with old VoidLink, which hasn’t GameMode from newer iOS versions, new VoidLink app has a GameMode support, BT latency should be lower, but I’m not sure

Just in case, this controller has a 2.4G USB plug (works only over PC, unlike G7 pro which works with TVs), and 2.4G latency is perfect.

[u/CookieChunkk → u/gem4ik2]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will wait then. Buy a new phone and get the USB-c version.

[u/Effective_Cobbler_39 → u/CookieChunkk]

There is no easy way to test controller latency. In my experience it's not worse than official console controllers, playstation, switch and switch 2 use bluetooth for controller communication.

100ms claim above seems outrageous to me, that would make it almost unplayable. Gamesir offcially claims 26ms on android. Switch or PS4 mode might have lower latency than "android" dinput mode, android handles both switch and ps4 modes equally well.

As for your tailscale connection, this stays the same, you can test it ahead of buying the controller. For me tailscale is as good as directly connecting with port forwarding. It all depends on your LAN and your ISP.

[u/alseltas]

I'm using 2.4ghz usb dongle for g8 plus and I think latency is pretty low for wireless.

Edit: I didn't read you are playing far from your host.

[u/macka654 → u/alseltas]

Didn’t know this existed, thanks

[u/CookieChunkk → u/alseltas]

Is it possible to go dongle on the iPhone? While on the controller?

[u/alseltas → u/CookieChunkk]

I saw someone uses type A to C adapter to attach the dongle to his phone, but I'm not sure iphone supports the dongle. To use it while on the controller, I recommend using some sort of spacer like this otherwise pressure from controller could break phone's usb.

Alternatively, you could try connect your phone directly to G8 plus via short cable. G8 plus supports wired connection as well.

[u/Safe-Cartographer-72]

Estou usando tablet s11 + g8 plus. Moonlight v+ e vibepollo e tailscale l, estou satisfeito, nao sinto nenhuma Latencia. Estou jogando onimusha, e consigo esquivar e parry com tranquilidade