Upon opening the box, the tone is quickly set: simplicity above all. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot comes with the essentials, and nothing more. Aside from the controller itself, there's a good-length USB-A to USB-C cable (2.5 meters), a 2.4 GHz dongle for wireless connection to PC, and a quick start guide. With no additional accessories, no storage stand, or logo sticker, the unboxing experience is deliberately pared-down, even a little austere. This is a pragmatic approach, which contrasts with some competitors who focus on a more "premium" presentation. Moreover, with its 130 euros, the product is clearly high-end.
An original but massive design for this Turtle Beach
From the first moment you pick it up, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot imposes its silhouette. With its robust curves and strong lines, the controller displays a style halfway between an Xbox pad and an arcade console accessory. The two side modules, which pivot to reveal a second button configuration, create a unique and immediately recognizable aesthetic. The whole thing is highlighted by a discreet RGB light strip on either side of the central controller, just above the Xbox button. Nothing flashy here, the lighting remains sober, almost discreet, in keeping with the product's approach.
A neat, but imposing construction
The build quality inspires confidence. The plastic used isn't textured everywhere, but the overall feel is solid. The weight, around 300 grams, may be surprising at first, especially for those used to lighter pads, but it contributes to this "serious controller" feel. The balance is generally well distributed, even if the presence of the central screen creates a slight imbalance towards the top of the controller. Nothing dramatic in-game, but small hands might find it a point of discomfort. Here with our large hands, no worries.
Ergonomics at the crossroads
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot adopts a generally familiar shape to those who use an Xbox controller, with wide grips and an asymmetrical arrangement of the analog sticks. But it's its internal rotation system that redefines the ergonomics in depth. Each module (left and right) can pivot to allow for an alternative layout. A reinforced D-pad on the left, a six-button arcade-style configuration on the right. An ingenious idea on paper, which gives the controller a dual identity, between a traditional pad and a pseudo fight stick.
Under its modular appearance and its atypical design, the Stealth Pivot does not forget the essential, namely to offer solid performance in games. And on this point, Turtle Beach ticks most of the boxes expected on a so-called “pro” controller.
Precise and durable sticks
The presence of sticks with Hall Effect technology is one of the strong points of the product. This technology, which has become essential on high-end controllers, eliminates the risk of drift over time while ensuring excellent precision. In practice, the sticks are responsive and pleasant to handle, whether on a fast-paced FPS or a more finesse-intensive platform game. Their resistance is well-balanced, neither too soft nor too rigid, which allows you to play long sessions without discomfort. We were able to test this in particular on Party Animals, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 edition and Star Wars Squadrons.
Well-controlled responsiveness
The Stealth Pivot's triggers can be adjusted depending on the type of game. By activating a small switch located under the controller, you can choose between two pressure depths. A long stroke, which allows for a more gradual variation (useful for adjusting acceleration in a racing game, for example), or a short stroke, which transforms the trigger into an almost instantaneous button (ideal for shooting quickly in an FPS or chaining combos in a fighting game). This simple-to-use system therefore adapts to the needs of each player.
The controller also includes four additional buttons, called “P buttons.” Two are located on the back, under the grips, and the other two appear when the right module’s “arcade” mode is activated. Their placement is designed to prevent accidental pressing while remaining easy to access during gameplay. These buttons can be reprogrammed at any time, either directly from the controller’s screen or via the dedicated PC application. This allows you to create multiple profiles with different functions depending on the game, and switch between them in seconds.
A Turtle Beach controller that adapts to different play styles
This is where the Stealth Pivot really comes into its own, its ability to adapt to different genres. In its classic configuration, it easily rivals the best pads on the market. But when you activate its pivoting modules, it adopts a layout inspired by arcade sticks, with an optimized D-pad on the left and six buttons on the right. A configuration designed for fans of fighting games, sidescrollers, or retro titles, which proves to be truly useful in practice.
Average battery life
In terms of endurance, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot lasts around 20 hours of wireless use via the 2.4 GHz dongle. A decent performance for a model equipped with a screen and mobile modules. A full recharge only takes around thirty minutes, which more than compensates for this moderate battery life.
And speaking of the screen. Placed in the center of the controller, just above the Xbox button, a small LCD panel immediately catches the eye. This screen is not touch-sensitive, but it allows quick access to several settings without having to go through a PC or console. By pressing a dedicated button, the screen is activated and provides access to various functions such as changing profiles, adjusting the volume, checking the battery, or even changing the sensitivity of the sticks and triggers.
In practice, it's a real time saver. No need to go through system menus or open an external application; you can adjust your preferences directly from the controller, during a game if necessary. The interface is simple and intuitive, and navigation is done via the buttons on the controller itself. The only downside is that the screen remains quite basic visually, with a modest resolution and decent readability, but nothing more.
A separate, but complete Turtle Beac software
To go further in the settings, you have to use the Turtle Beach Control Center 2 software, available on PC and Xbox. This is where you can really customize the controller in depth with full button remapping, adjustment of the sticks' dead zones (i.e. their sensitivity), trigger configuration, RGB backlight management, and firmware updates.
The interface is clear, but it's a shame that this software is separate from the brand's other tools. While Turtle Beach is starting to consolidate part of its ecosystem under the Swarm 2 app, the Stealth Pivot requires using a different software, which complicates management a little if you already own several Turtle Beach products.
Specifications
- Price: 129 euros
- Compatibility: PC (Wireless connection via 2.4 GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth), Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One (Wired connection only) and Android 8.0+ and Bluetooth-enabled Smart TV (Connection via Bluetooth)
- Connectivity: Wireless: 2.4 GHz (PC), Bluetooth 5.2 (Android, Smart TV), Wired USB-C (Xbox, PC), 3.5 mm audio port for headphones with microphone
- Battery life: up to 20 hours in wireless mode. "Play & Charge" function via USB cable
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