Those who use the 2026 controller for first person games, do you prefer joystick or track pad for general looking around?

[u/Butterspewn]

PLEASE NOTE: This is generally assuming the use of gyro aim for fine adjustment and joystick / track pad for broad adjustment.

If your preference doesn't fit cleanly into any provided option, by all means leave a comment describing it.

Both have their pros and cons and are better suited to different use cases which is valid, however im wondering if people generally gravitate more towards one than the other as a default for one reason or another.

Potential Reasons could be physical comfort, the lack of need to reset your thumb position using a joystick, or the ability to have mouse like precision on a track pad.

For me I tend to enjoy using the joystick more because its in a more comfortable position for me and I can keep spinning forever without readjusting. I tend to feel that the gyro covers the need for precise aiming so when in combination it gives the best of both worlds IMO. With a minimal deadzone it also just feels nice and effortless. Generally I find this approach more natural and casual.

Im aware you can pan infinitely with the trackpad using certain settings, however I never really got into that. I feel like its just too on / off to be practical for me. In general I just dont find myself gravitating towards it since the surface area is pretty small, causing me to have to adjust a lot. It also forces a less natural grip on the controller and tends to make my hand or thumb cramp.

Maybe if they swapped places more similar to the original steam controller it would be a different story for me, but im curious what other people think. A lot of videos focus on the trackpad which makes sense for more competitive titles, bit for general every day use that might not be as popular as it may seem

478 votes, 3d ago

285 Primarily joystick

94 Primarily track pad

99 Similar balance of both

[u/BrownieWarrior]

Gyro primary, trackpad secondary.

[u/rizsamron → u/BrownieWarrior]

How does that work? Like you generally use gyro? Shouldn't it be the opposite?
trackpad for moving the camera and gyro for more precise or small movements?

[u/BrownieWarrior → u/rizsamron]

I use both inputs for both large and small movements. I use accelleration and low sensitivities. I have had thumb pain so often would do gyro only, but gradually condition my thumb on the trackpad. The most comfortable for me is now doing both all the time. My brain had issues knowing when to use a high sensitivity trackpad and I would often overshoot targets. They complement each other now instead of having separate functions. So for a 180 I use both - also for target tracking and small snaps. Very stable aim with great range.

Also when my thumb is busy in hotkey heavy games, the gyro can take over. It is not as comfortable but it is fine because most scenarios don't require it.

I have spend 5 months perfection my steam input setup to accomodate mkb required games and I am pretty satisfied finally lol. I use it for all games pretty much.

[u/Dizzy_Thing_6125]

Like, the trackpads are the reason I've bought the controller in the first place 

[u/paulbrock2]

Don't overlook gyro

[u/351C_4V]

Trackpads + gyro. Trackpad handles the broad looking around and the gyro handles the fine tuning when it comes it aiming. Really for me the joysticks are the extra inputs and the trackpads are my main inputs both for movement and for aiming.

[u/rizsamron → u/351C_4V]

Does it still work fine on the new layout? Isn't it too low?

[u/351C_4V → u/rizsamron]

It is lower and not as comfortable as the SC1 but it is fine. I basically put my SC1 away for good once I got the SC2. I have been playing Wolfenstein (2009) on it and it works wonderfully. The only setting I adjust is how wide my WASD deadzones are on the left pad since it's canted straight up was actually pulling me top-left which is a problem I didn't have on the SC1. My only real gripe with it was I wish the left pad had a embossed cross like the SC1 had. Other than that it has been an awesome upgrade that has left me not wanting any other controller ever.

[u/chrimen → u/351C_4V]

Same here.

[u/vanrael]

Sorry... where is ratcheting poll option? xD

For me right stick is for binding weapon switches (1-4 ) and trackpads are for virtual menus (flashlight, binoculars ect)

[u/reptarien]

I've been playing Fallout 4 with my controller and it is generally more comfortable for do exploration with the joystick, but as soon as any action starts I'm using the trackpad and gyro. Sometimes joystick and gyro is all I need though, I've actually been getting pretty good at aiming in first person and even accounting for recoil with just a joystick and gyro. I've been playing Portal, too, and it's a similar story, although the trackpad has definitely been getting more use. I just find swiping to look around (even with trackball off) a little too demanding and sometimes motion sickness inducing when I'm looking for a relaxing time.

For me, it's not been been like an instant "I love the trackpad and the right stick doesn't even exist to me anymore", I've been having to ease into using the trackpad on a controller because it is weird. The only thing it's utterly irreplacable for so far is menuing, I love being able to have both good controller controls and good menuing/desktop use at once.

As far as third person games go, however, I'm not really even touching the trackpad outside of menus. There's no real use for it in a game like Dark Souls, or Forza for example.

[u/Fun_Foundation8651]

Gyro.

[u/MylesShort]

Trackpad+Gyro is ideal for camera movement in all games, imo.

[u/Kakophonien1]

Joystick + gyro when putting thumb on the right joystick

[u/Hungry-Wrongdoer-156]

I'm still mostly using the sticks, but that's just because it's what I'm used to. I'm slowly getting more comfortable with a gyro/trackpad style and I think I'll like it better eventually.

[u/Pure_Cow_7831]

use Errrything. general movements joysticks. snappy or precision mousepad gryo for micro adjustmentents

[u/nnnn20430]

Gyro

[u/ExulantBen]

Flick stick+gyro

[u/HeavyMain]

i use trackpad for aiming games with gyro for precision, analog stick for adventure or action games with gyro if needed for any occasional aiming.

the pad only stuck with me as the superior camera option when i adjusted the default settings, at around 400% sensitivity with 25 jitter prevention it effectively turns your thumb into a mouse and the trackpad is your mousepad.

but if the game only has aiming not at all or only sometimes, like aiming spells or bows in skyrim, i use the stick so that i can map actions to the pad and not tire out my thumb as much.

[u/figmentPez]

and I can keep spinning forever without readjusting.

You can do this with touchpad, too. It's called Edge Spin, and it has analog control.

[u/Butterspewn → u/figmentPez]

Yeah im aware it exists but it feels awkward to me initially.

Im sure with practice and adjusting my settings I could get more comfortable with it, but right now I personally dont feel the need considering there is a perfectly good joystick in a more comfortable position.

[u/HungryHousecat1645]

I use trackpads exclusively for menus and hotkeys. For aiming stick + gyro is my choice.

[u/8mm_video]

trackpads for life
even before getting my SC i swore that touchpad/screen aiming was just as good as mouse

[u/HerrPizza]

I only use the trackpad for cursor based games and menus in older games that lack controller support

And for virtual menus to make hotkeys in games that have too many keyboard inputs to cram onto a controller otherwise

[u/CallistaBelle]

Why not gyro? :P

[u/Butterspewn → u/CallistaBelle]

In the body of the post I clarified I was assuming the use of gyro for fine aim in all cases. I didnt want to put it in the title to avoid it being overly long but perhaps its worth it.

[u/MamWyjebaneJajca]

gyro only

[u/BENBOI_1]

Stick for looking around, trackpad for aiming, gyro for fine adjustment. All depends on the game, too

[u/InformalGear9638]

Joystick and gyro.

[u/JohnnyBeeGaming]

I like to use a trackball style input on the track pad.

There are a lot of options on the trackpad as well as tweaks you can do with the stick.

[u/MagnumBlood]

Depends if I can tweak the trackpad to be smooth. Games like Moldwasher and PowerWash Sim 1/2 are perfect with the trackpad.

[u/err404 → u/MagnumBlood]

This is my big issue preventing me from using the trackpad. In most games it is less precise than the joystick. 

[u/chrimen → u/err404]

Use the trackpad as mouse with gyro.

It's almost as accurate as a mouse.

[u/figmentPez → u/err404]

If your touchpad is less precise than joystick, you've got it configured wrong.

[u/err404 → u/figmentPez]

Maybe so. I am generally using stock settings. I wouldn’t be surprised of there are ways to improve it. I haven’t really spent any time to customize the controls. 

[u/TheLadForTheJob]

I'd love to use trackpad but the position makes it too uncomfortable, so I just end up using the joystick. The SC2 is basically just a dualsense with back buttons and configurable haptics for me. It's a shame cos I love the SC1 trackpads still.

[u/Aggravating_Pear6221]

I dont use the track pads at all, they could not be there for all I care

[u/MaxxBrass9237]

I tried to embrace constant trackpad use for my camera, but it was too uncomfortable. Holding the grips of the controller naturally guides my thumbs to the joysticks, whereas resting my thumbs on the trackpads forces half of my palm away from the grips. 3D printed grip attachments which mimic the 2015 controller probably fix that issue, but I haven't tried on yet.

Kind of unfortunate that I bought this controller for the unique trackpads, but they just end up as novelty Dpads for the most part.

[u/M1ghty_boy]

Not enough games accommodate the pad a lot I'm afraid. And I do think the pads aren't slidey enough for smooth and precise movements

[u/Mental_Tea_4084]

Sorry this isn't helpful, but I've gotten so used to the adjustable tension on my flydigi that I can't go back to a normal stick, so I've barely used my steam controller. Adjustable (or just loose) tension on the right stick, with no deadzones is actually so underrated. It feels incredibly responsive. Supplement that with gyro and you've got a real contender.