Machenike G5 Pro Review - A beautiful work of art

🛒Buy the Machenike G5 Pro Here🛒
US Amazon: amzn.to/49hUtwN
Aliexpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkg...
PC Software & Firmware updates:global.machenike.com/products...
[update]
Here's the polling rate results with other connection methods
150Hz with 2.4g dongle
70Hz with bluetooth
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▬ Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Intro & Unboxing
1:52 - Ergonomics and build quality
5:34 - Buttons ASMR
7:26 - RGB Lights
9:12 - Testing Analog Sticks, Dpad, Macro, Turbo, Polling Rate
12:54 - Machenike PC software
25:48 - Testing on Android & Nintendo Switch
27:18 - Teardown
31:14 - Final Thoughts

[@aweigh1010]

Thank you for the detailed sound test on the face buttons. Much appreciated.

[@Brunonfsmw1]

Detailed explanation!! Thank you!!

[@kosmosrcf]

Always the best review

[@rafaelnikolaev620]

Great review, thank you!

[@MGee1]

Thanks for being so thorough. I'm torn between this or the Gulikit KK3. I am also tempted by the Flydigi Vader 3 pro but am a little worried about AliExpress if I need to make a return. Any thoughts on which to get? The Vitrix Gambit also looks good, but it feels as though that's an older controller. Are you on r/controllers? Thanks, Michael

[@Gsoda35]

I love how the motors are removable as it can lighten the weight. the rubber underneath the keys looks like it will survive normal use unlike my experience with four different PS4 controllers.

[@VKsChannel]

most top quality controllers have removable rumble motors as well

[@Gsoda35]

@@VKsChannel that's true for Xbox 360 too. the Dualshock 4 requires surgery for that to happen but not worth it as they all break down too often and can get trigger-to-thumbstick drift.

[@riffska]

Been waiting for this review for a month now, and I have to say you truly delivered. Nail on the head, stake to the heart. I've waited eagerly for your take on this controller because imo, nobody else does super in depth reviews like yours and I am now, hella convinced to get this bad boy. Thanks for the manual review too, that's a sweet lil touch in case potential watchers turned buyers lost their manuals lol. And the diffused rgb look on the controller looks absolutely awesome. Though one thing you missed, was testing the polling rate wireless but nonetheless, I'm probably buying this over the 8bit ult. Thank you so much man! keep up the great work!

[@VKsChannel]

I left it off because generally it is lower than the wired polling rate and for players that really want that competitive edge in performance they're gonna play wired to get the best connection possible I'll check the wireless polling rate and reply back later 🙂

[@riffska]

@@VKsChannel Awesome! I don't personally play any comp games with controllers, I play mainly single-player/party game, and arpgs like genshin, punishing raven and honkai. I know the xbox controllers have super low rates wireless so I'm used to it, and wont be too disappointed if the wireless on the g5 has around the same haha

[@VKsChannel]

Here's the polling rate results 150Hz with 2.4g dongle 70Hz with bluetooth @@riffska

[@riffska]

@@VKsChannel Noice! I don't mind that at all actually, cuz I expected that much or around the xbox series' polling rate. Thank you for your time man, appreciate it!

[@candrasaputra2148]

Ohhhhhh... Finally a proper review of the trigger deadzone. This is very important for racing game & sim racing game. Almost all gamepad review i watched never review the trigger deadzone.

[@bloodygekkon5048]

This controller have an app where u can change a deadzone in settings

[@Stuart0000]

Are the Hall effect sticks on this controller better than the gulikit kk2 pro?

[@OfficerKD4-4.4]

Great review.

[@mystyani]

Hello, thanks for the awesome video i loved that u explained the software in details it was hell to work with especially with the chinese all over the place. I have a question, is there any possible way to map the right joystick as a mouse? like literally moving the mouse around and all, specific example let's say if i'm holding M2 and then move the right stick it moves the mouse in my pc.

[@VKsChannel]

of all controllers I reviewed the only with a similar functionality was the thunderobot G70, but i only tested it on android, I'm not sure if it would work on pc

[@eddtru]

The back buttons are kinda brilliant, they won't actuate if you grip them but with the top finger tip.

[@ivancarlos4806]

I see that by default button A and B are set for left and right mouse buttons, but can you assign these functions to the back macro buttons?

[@normalnywariat88]

Great job. Thanks

[@kyriealarin7951]

Thank You bud

[@respeitaahistoriajuvena]

Hey man, awesome review!! Do you know if there's a way to use motion controls on the Nintendo Switch emulator yuzu?

[@VKsChannel]

Connect to the PC in switch mode

[@conyo985]

How about the G5 Pro Max? Where I am at it's not much more expensive compared to the G5 Pro. The 1000Hz polling rate and trigger vibration is what makes me more interested.

[@Gsoda35]

impressive video review. still having a hard time deciding on this controller, vader 3 pro or alternative. any recommendations?

[@VKsChannel]

The vader 3 pro is better, but if you like the design on this one it is not a bad choice either

[@fagnersilva4148]

you think it is worth to sell a dualsense and buy one of this to play only in the pc?

[@eldenjim4554]

can you make a review for the older model? the g3 please?

[@NikodemSzusti]

14:34 does that mean back buttons are independent? You don't need to sacrifice any other buttons from the controller to assign keyboard button?

[@VKsChannel]

yes, if you register it as a keyboard button it will work independently from any other button

[@zer0slayer1]

can you do the g6 as well?

[@sirjuliam3197]

How do I pair it with the phone? what buttons do I need to press?

[@boofhead711]

The software seems really interesting especially when comparing it to the flydigi equivalent. Does it have a way to set a button to toggle the gyro?

[@VKsChannel]

Yes I showed that on the analogs test

[@boofhead711]

​@@VKsChannelSorry I meant like a way to enable it when it's pressed down like in the flydigi app

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool, does this trump the Vader 2 Pro (which trumps the Vader 3 Pro, that was almost perfect)? Best to have a scoring system in the end if I may suggest. God bless.

[@abelbatman1957]

O vader 2 pro é melhor que o vader 3 pro?

[@SevenDeMagnus]

@@abelbatman1957 I bought the amazing Sony Playstation DualSense

[@LordVhaynard]

Anyone knows if the 2.4ghz dongle working on Laptop's? Some says dongle only working in PC.

[@lucasrezende3501]

between this one vader 3 pro and gulikit king kong 2 pro, what do you recommend?

[@VKsChannel]

Vader 3 pro

[@emmanmendoza9845]

Please review both easysmx m10 and gamesir g8 😊😊😊

[@cyan_galaxy]

Does anyone know if this controller will work fine in Linux through the dongle connection?

[@fomingera65]

What is the FN key on this gamepad? Like, to change lighting, profiles etc, you need to press it...

[@VKsChannel]

Its the lower button on the center

[@fadillafitriyanti]

Between this or Kk Max 3 or 8bitdo Ultimate, which one do you prefer? Addional info, I already have 8bitdo pro 2, and i am loving the trigger of that controller, so if you can, may you give me suggestion based on my preference

[@VKsChannel]

Those 3 are very distinct But if I had to pick one I would pick the KK3 max

[@fadillafitriyanti]

@@VKsChannel if trigger on kk 3 max can be considered soft? Btw. Thx for the reply Already subs

[@VIPspawn]

How to return RGB mode?

[@cube5452]

are you planning on reviewing the newer g5 pro max?

[@VKsChannel]

It doesn't add anything new but I'll ask machenike

[@Muffin19.]

Brother, good day, excuse me. I ordered this controller and the thumbstick or lever on the right side broke although it is still functional. I would like to replace it with a new one because it makes a slight noise and feels a little strange. Do you know where I can get them or from any other brand that do they fit? Thanks in advance.

[@VKsChannel]

You would need to test others Maybe the sticks from an xbox controller may work Also have you tried contacting machenike?

[@salohi1990]

great work! just checked, these cost 22 usd where i live. what do you think of them at that price?

[@VKsChannel]

wow at 22 usd? are you sure its the same controller? seems a great price!

[@salohi1990]

The same one. And there's a Machenike G5 Pro "Max" version for around 45 USD which is basically the same but comes with the charging dock and improved rumbles. ouh and it comes in whight and pink! @@VKsChannel edit: around 60 USD

[@VKsChannel]

@@salohi1990 Improved rumble you mean HD rumble? Sounds awesome

[@OldLadyGamersince1990]

Hi pls. do a review for the g5 pro max. Thanks

[@chongkinyuen2111]

Do I missed something because I can't map macro back buttons to joystick click (usually for sprinting).

[@VKsChannel]

You should be able to do it with the software but I'll test on mine later

[@chongkinyuen2111]

I tried with the linked software via pc, then saved. But remap not saved. Do I need to upgrade controller firmware for the software to work. I would like to decrease the right stick sensitivity a bit.

[@go_o0o00_vno]

how do I switch XInput from to DInput?

[@ivancarlos4806]

Can you use gyro to control the mouse on PC connected as Nintendo Switch mode, or only via dongle/wired?

[@VKsChannel]

Only with the dongle or wired Switch mode acts as a pro controller

[@ivancarlos4806]

@@VKsChannel hi, VK. Thanks for the response, but I have one more question. I used to have 2 gamesir t4 pro and I didn't have any problems connecting both of the controllers via 2.4 GHz dongle (connecting both dongles to the PC of course). But I've seen one or two people complain about not being able to connect two G5 Pro controllers at the same time via dongle and ended up having to connect one of the controllers via Bluetooth. Did you run into that problem?

[@VKsChannel]

I'm not sure because I don't have 2 of these controllers@@ivancarlos4806

[@bigninja6472]

What is the battery life ? 🙏

[@user-ld8mj4be1n]

How can i comect this control in muy Nintendo switch???

[@chongkinyuen2111]

Hello, a little help please. Do I need to update controller firmware to use the gameplay apps?

[@VKsChannel]

Yes you should update it or else the pc app will have a lot of bugs You can launch the app and update it there

[@chongkinyuen2111]

@@VKsChannel Thanks for the reply. I received the controller yesterday. After testing it with steam deck and pc, I like it so much that I just ordered another one today.

[@bushnaqm]

were you able to connect to the software using the 2.4G mode? it seems to only work with USB

[@VKsChannel]

yeah I couldn't connect with 2.4g either, send them an email so that they can fix this as soon as possible, the more people complaining the faster they should fix it

[@bushnaqm]

I couldnt find their email on the website however I messaged the seller who seem to be machenike themselves @@VKsChannel

[@mystyani]

sorry for asking another separate question but, anyone managed to make the app detect the joystick while connected to the 2.4g dongle ? the whole profile settings doesn't seem to work when on 2.4g mode (beside the lights) all the mappings or the pre programmed combo buttons doesn't work on 2.4g mode

[@VKsChannel]

I had this problem too, I can only configure it in the app with a wired connection, what button combos are you trying to program?

[@mystyani]

​@@VKsChannel Thanks for both of your replies :3 ,I was trying the motion sense to be mouse movement, it only works when the gamepad is connected wired mode, and after i tired couple times, any mapping that is not a gamepad buttons will not work if we are using the 2.4g dongle (example, keyboard buttons, mouse clicks, media buttons, gyro mouse movements) even the preincluded combo of (FN + left stick click , to enable mouse movements). I went through the whole Manual and according to that it actually wont work on the dongle connection, (specifiaclly at least the FN+left stick click) will only work on android and if connected wirelessly using bluetooth to the pc and not through the dongle. well i'm off to 3rd party applications to make the mappings i want, it's still a bummer tho T^T

[@VKsChannel]

Send machenike an email and maybe they'll fix it on a firmware update

[@nguyenluan3890]

i have one for like 20usd in my country very good controller

[@kotofeevic]

How did you get the 1000 hz polling rate on the gamepad? I have a maximum of 500 hz through the wire. What firmware version?

[@nguyenluan3890]

Only pro max version

[@xKibz]

​@@nguyenluan3890The controller in the video is not pro Max version you can see the unboxing, it's a completely different box to the pro max box I have seen on other videos

[@nguyenluan3890]

And ? I said 1k only available on pro max. What your point of you?

[@lucasmenezes116]

It has a dock charging station? Can we buy a generic one to use on it?

[@VKsChannel]

yes but it's not sold on aliexpress, only on ebay it seems, and no it won't work with generic docks

[@BlockCheddar]

My only question is: Can people make games tailored specifically to this controller? Imagine a game that can make use of all the specialized functions the software provides. Machenike should release an API for game designers if they haven't already

[@VKsChannel]

You kinda can use it on D-input and remap functions to the back buttons independantly

[@n33oh]

What do you mean the simulated gyro won't work on the Switch?

[@VKsChannel]

you can't use the gyro as the right stick when playing on the switch, gyro still works but you can't tie it to the right or left stick as I show on the video

[@moon-doggiegaming7302]

If only I could like this video twice...

[@carloseduardo3934]

i cant access software using the dongle. i've mapped gyro hotkey but the profile only works using wired.

[@VKsChannel]

Yes that is a bug from them Send an email to their support I've sent one but the more people sending the faster they'll fix it

[@carloseduardo3934]

​@@VKsChanneldid u check polling rate with dongle? Here im reaching only 160hz.

[@chrisxd3562]

Just bought one of these and I wonder how can I go from analog triggers to digital triggers?

[@VKsChannel]

It has only analog triggers

[@TBTURKk]

Hello, when I updated the firmware via the gamepad application, it stopped working with the 2.4ghz dongle. Can you please help?

[@fadillafitriyanti]

Do you already have the solution to that?

[@TBTURKk]

@@fadillafitriyanti Yeah I fixed it

[@fadillafitriyanti]

@@TBTURKk care to elaborate, Sir

[@preguicadetu]

@@fadillafitriyanti i saw some people were downloading the Chinese software to update, the western one is broken (?) Google it on youtube, i can't explain very well, since i do not have the controller

[@friedonionsandgarlic]

Hey VK, I cannot connect to the software, just got the controller, the software version is 1.3.17, yours is 1.3.16.. tried your method of changing the language to english, it still does not detect my controllers firmware, it's still shows v0001. Any ideas to solve this?

[@VKsChannel]

Are you using the dongle? The app doesnt work with the dongle try connecting with a cable

[@friedonionsandgarlic]

@@VKsChannel Hey mate, thanks for the reply. I am using the cable. Tried all switching to all modes to connect,still doesn't work..

[@faycal2396]

Machenike G5 Pro or EasySMX X10 same price ?

[@VKsChannel]

I havent tested x10 but the g5 is great

[@oyunyapansimit]

Hi Direwolf2 vs G5 Pro which one is good?

[@VKsChannel]

G5

[@gulla04]

Just got this ‘new’ for 35 on offer up 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@Zwim]

Great review! Would love an update after certain time of use. I read some posts stating the RB/LB buttons die rather quickly with high use (become mushy). How would you compare the face buttons on this vs the Vader 3 Pro? Also curious about the wireless polling rate

[@VKsChannel]

I updated the polling rates on the description I like the machenike face buttons They have just the right amount of resistence, the dpad is also very soft and wont trigger all directions unlike the vader 3 pro, but overall the vader 3 pro has a better app, and additional shortcut buttond, the flydigi pc app is also better

[@Zwim]

​@@VKsChannelThank you for your work!

[@DOCKER3]

Purchased a Machenike g5 pro. The buttons do not work in dongle mode 2.4. The game sees the gamepad, but the buttons are not pressed and are not detected. Can you tell me who has encountered it? They say this is a massive problem

[@VKsChannel]

Have you updated it?

[@DOCKER3]

​@@VKsChannel yes(

[@ivancarlos4806]

I just got mine and encountered this problem too. I didn't update anything and the controller would pair with the dongle and the PC recognized it as "USB controller" (with a keyboard icon on Windows tab "Devices and Printers"). What I think made it work normally was turning on the gamepad and pressing its buttons (face buttons and/or moving the sticks) when pairing and it would be recognized as an Xbox 360 controller, making me able to play with the controller wirelessly.

[@stephenxs8354]

Between this channel and Gamer Heaven I am so confused as to what makes a good dpad or what to get. All I want is something good for RETRO/emulated games.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Might be able to help you. When you say retro , up until what console generation? If you are looking for a pad that covers 2D games really well something like the M30 by 8bitdo or the Retroflag 6 button genesis style controller or snes style controller are some of my favorite options. Once you start getting into controllers for modern games you tend to get worse D-pads and overall ergonomics for those older games. Just about anything before the PS2 era should work great with those controllers I mentioned. I play through hundreds of games yearly for the channel, and the 8bitdo M30 is one of my favorites for versatility.

[@stephenxs8354]

@@theconsolekiller7113 Thanks. I will look into those specifically and by emulation I mean all the way up to switch but mostly snes/genesis/ps1/2.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Nice. The M30 would cover you up to the 16 bit era, and work with ALOT of PS1 games as most didnt have analog functionality. Once you start getting into more modern consoles you might want to go with the KK3 MAX by Guilikit. Thats one of my favorite controllers. The Dpad is also pretty good, just not up to the standard of the M30, but completely usable for old games as well. Turbo functionality on all these controllers is very helpful. @@stephenxs8354

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Looks like youtube deleted my response. No problem. The M30 should cover you all the way up til the 16 bit era and even works for MOST of the PS1 library, since most of those did not require analog sticks. Once you get into the consoles that require analogs, the KK3 MAX by Guilikit is an awesome update to the KK2 PRO and is easy to reccomend. Super responsive hall sticks with no deadzone, like this controller, but the Dpad is quite good. Not great like the M30, but perfectly usable for old games too. The turbo functionality on all these controllers is also super useful for a variety of games. If you purchase the M30 just be aware there is two versions. The 2.4 Gz version is said to have less input lag on PC. I tried it and didnt really notice a difference, though maybe its subtle. I had no issues with the original M30 and that is the bluetooth version which works on more platforms. Both versions work on PC. I reccomend using the controller wired for reliability but the bluetooth one supports wireless. I have had disconnects with blue tooth. I play alot of super precise old games so Im real sensitive to input lag. @@stephenxs8354

[@andre_luis_gl]

I don't want to have to configure the controller when I play, I just want to plug and play.

[@luhtexx]

O meu alalogico direito esta dando drfit ! Que caralho, ja é o segundo controle da esse problema comigo !

[@VKsChannel]

estranho, os analogicos dele são magneticos as alavancas tão durinhas ou estão moles e meio bambas igual controle de nintendo 64? se estiverem frouxas seu problema não é drift mas sim a mola do analogico que desgastou tem que mudar os hábitos de jogar e tentar não forçar muito as alavancas

[@demonangel1623]

No hd rumble?

[@VKsChannel]

No

[@kurchatov2119]

спасибо и за программное обеспечение спасибо

[@KryszK]

Mine is just 500hz, what you do for 1000hz? pls help

[@VKsChannel]

Are you using the cable dongle or bluetooth? Try with a cable

[@xKibz]

​@@VKsChannelHey I just bought a G5 pro and im waiting for it to arrive, from the looks I love everything about the controller except polling rate could be a bit higher then 500 but on your video the polling rate is 800 when it's advertised at 500? Is there a way you can overclock it, I heard hidusbf doesn't work. Unless they have just updated the firmware to make it 800hz

[@ArtMov-ns4iy]

1000hz? But they write about 500hz, did they make overclocking polling rate?

[@xKibz]

Did you find out how to increase polling rate bro?

[@kelvinsoto7462]

How about the battery life?

[@VKsChannel]

It's not very long, maybe 5 to 6 hours?

[@israelalvarez3147]

This controller or thunderobot g70?

[@jeankorb5422]

Meu controle não é reconhecido de jeito nenhum pelo software e nem pelo firmware

[@VKsChannel]

tentou fazer oq eu fiz no video?

[@VKsChannel]

qq coisa chama la no discord q eu tento ajudar

[@jeankorb5422]

tentei mas nao deu certo@@VKsChannel

[@jeankorb5422]

Consegui... Mas usei outro link para conseguir o firmware e o software e tive que liberar o windows defender para o firmware funcionar. 100% agora

[@itura_2091]

Você tem esse link? @@jeankorb5422

[@a83clarke]

This got a bad review on gamer heaven also no trigger stops, no dish style d pad and only 2 extra buttons.

[@VKsChannel]

I saw gamer heaven review and the only complaint that I agree with him is the back buttons, but it is something that you can get used to after a using the controller for a while Not having trigger stoppers or disc dpad is not something that should reduce points on a review For example the bigbigwon rainbow has disc dpad but the actual quality of the dpad is horrible with terrible diagonals The dpad on the machenike works very well and its very easy to move around in games And yea it has only 2 back buttons but it is the only controller with trigger macros allowing you to simulate the gamecube triggers on emulators perfectly

[@vacb]

the positives far outweigh the negatives this controller is a gem for the price and im surprised it's not as popular as it is

[@n33oh]

This or the Vader 3 Pro?

[@VKsChannel]

both are great, pick the one you like more

[@VKsChannel]

but vader 3 pro is better

[@joelmichaelviado1226]

The switches for the buttons were just an outright lie

[@MurphyTheOldMan]

I see they used membrane under the buttons, so that's a lie. It's not a true mechanical

[@VKsChannel]

The membrane is just to make the button smooth You can remove the membrane and add some rubber or something else and it will still click the button

[@ellislr7731]

'Promo sm' 😏

[@VKsChannel]

???

[@Psychotoxic86]

It looks totally cheap...

[@VKsChannel]

cheap? really? but why? the plastic quality is almost on par with the best ones I've reviewed in the channel

[@Psychotoxic86]

@VKsChannel I mean visual design, and this silver painting looks cheap. Maybe it is a good controller, but d-not for fighting games and trigger buttons without press options. So this gamepad is not for everyone. Just my opinion.

[@smashpotato2034]

To say it's totally cheap is a bit of stretch. They look good for their price range and it works as a general controller. I don't believe many really cater to fighting games as they do shooting and party games. Overall I think it works well as an aesthetic controller

[@Psychotoxic86]

​@@smashpotato2034 I don't argue, but now we have Flydigi Vader Pro 3 which really gamepad for everyone. Who love shooter game, slashers, strategy or fighting games, etc.

[@alithegreat7728]

You look totally cheap. The one that a girl would be embarrassed to be with.

[@RetroChibii]

u are wasting time, cut out the rubbish (manual scene was cringy to watch). go straight to the point. thanks for the video.

[@VKsChannel]

I would agree if you said that about the unboxing but the manual part is actually one of the things I consider important, for example if you lost the manual for the controller, you can still come to my reviews to see it, maybe I can make the manual section shorter by skipping through the pages quickly and if you want you can pause the video to read it otherwise my channel is all about the details, most reviewers won't show everything that the product can and cannot do and then you end up buying it just to get disappointed later, but here I'll show everything about it anyway thanks for the feedback, I will use it to improve my future reviews!

[@StillFeelGoodMan]

@@VKsChannelbrother i would absolutely ignore this comment. I think most of your viewers appreciate your detailed vids. There are thousands of reviewers that skip a lot of important things which if people rather watch they can choose from those options. But there isnt enough in depth reviewers like you so i honestly rather you keep doing what you do

[@VKsChannel]

@@StillFeelGoodMan The problem is that when people skip portions of the video the algorithm sees that as if "the video is not good" so it recommends it to less and less people and that hurts the views of the channel, so I have to find a balance between keeping the details in but also skip the "boring" parts, for example, opening the box or unscrewing the screws on the teardown, I always cut those because most people would just skip them and it just makes the video unnecessarily long this one is 30 mins long but its an exception because I had a lot to cover with their software

[@raul1642]

You can skip that part, if you don't like it dum dum

[@firecatinfernus3534]

Just skip it U bonehead. Some people find manuals useful.

[@utturkeymain]

Never update the firmware. can't get a wireless connection. Never Never Never Machenike G5 Pro Firmware_G560279_F47C_V1.0_231027a

[@VKsChannel]

Report this back so they can fix it quick

[@eldentsai]

too bad, i update before read this.