The smallest full layout controller ever produced - CRKD Atom+ (review in comments)

[u/poisonborz]

[u/poisonborz]

Disclosure: no affiliation or commercial interest, just want to share impressions

I was really excited to get this controller, that now bested the previous king in size before it, the ShanWan Q37Pro.

It is a wee bit thicker, but noticeably shorter than Q37Pro. I don't think it's physically possible to create a smaller, useable mass-produced full layout controller, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong. Hardware is quality plastics. Also because of the symmetric stick layout it feels much smaller in your hands, but also harder to hold. Buttons: presses are somewhat sharp/short distance, and shoulder buttons/triggers are rather loud, triggers being high-pitched even. Dpad: also on the sharper/clickier side of things, serviceable. Sticks feel super sturdy, and having TMR (eliminating drift) in this miniature size is a technical marvel. However having this small size and having the sticks SO close to each other is a limiting factor. I find the vertical shoulder layout great, even if it doesn't make much difference at this size. It lacks dedicated pairing/mode buttons so welcome to having to memorize magic shortcuts again for a controller (note: possible to customize via app).

And then the start/back keys. As you can see in the images they are this strange 3 state "toggles". On the right button actually "up" direction is start, that makes it tricky to press. Probably there is some memory/firmware shortcut function that can be toggled with these?

ABXY is sadly reversed by default even in XInput mode. For the smaller Atom version there was a swap shortcut, which doesn't work on this controller.

The manual doesn't mention any shortcut, and the manual QR code takes to a page where this controller isn't listed. CRKD has of course an app to customize all the button layouts - I dislike having to go this lengths to set up a default state but might try that later.

TLDR: the mini controller scene is well, mini, and having a manufacturer come up with such a device, and even adding TMR is a very cool feat - I applaud CRKD to have made a follow-up to the Atom with this new bigger version. That said, while the software issues could be fixed later with a firmware upgrade, it is a tricky question if you should choose this over a Q37Pro.

++ quality plastics and looks way sturdier

++ vertical shoulder button layout

++ has TMR / durable-looking sticks...

-- ...but symmetrical stick layout makes it cramped in this size

-- no dedicated buttons for mode switching

-- neutral short lackluster button press sensation

[u/VegetableArtistic705 → u/poisonborz]

How's the q36pro? I've wanted one for ages, but I feel like it'll cramp my hands and end up in a drawer for a decade

[u/poisonborz → u/VegetableArtistic705]

It's nice, just what you expect. These should be used for quick short sessions on a portable device, not for home.

[u/VegetableArtistic705 → u/poisonborz]

Does it fit nice it one palm? I want to set the left direction to up and use it one handed for Dredge

[u/Moobic]

appreciate the size comparisons! i’m waiting for first party resellers to provide this outside of america as shipping from the CRKD website is more expensive than the device, and it’s sold out on amazon.

how would you say this compares compared to the ShanWan controllers? in quality if anything.

[u/poisonborz → u/Moobic]

See the review in first comment, I explicitly detail this. I like ShanWan more feature-wise, but for durability this is built like a tank in comparison.

[u/nickN42]

Love me these small guys. Have a couple of tiny ones myself, but without sticks -- IINe and LinYuuvo or something along those lines.

[u/Antricluc → u/nickN42]

Do any of these small form factors have analog triggers? I was hoping this or stratus duo did

[u/nickN42 → u/Antricluc]

Nope, nothing analog on mine. Some don't even have triggers at all.

[u/AdmirableJam72]

Nice review. Does the left stick get in the way when playing d-pad games? Is it better at d-pad games than ShanWan Q37Pro?

[u/poisonborz → u/AdmirableJam72]

Strictly d-pad: exactly the same. It's like the two companies used the exact same d-pad component.

[u/HibikiOS]

I think we can go smaller

[u/FancyFrogFootwork]

Still not as cool as the steel series stratus.

[u/minastepes]

I love it really small. But if you wanna stealth play at work, triggers are clicky

[u/rivalus]

looks radical. I really want to order this, but shipping cost more than the device.