QRD Maestro S3 Review: New challenger

[@VidVayder]

You might notice my voice is a bit different in this video as I've been suffering from tonsillitis this past month. Should be back on track soon, please bear with me 🙏

[@emile5921]

Feel better soon!!!

[@VidVayder]

@emile5921 thank you 🙏

[@ElDuderino2112]

Hey stick manufacturers. It’s 2024, I’m not going to even consider buying a stick that doesn’t natively support PS5. That was okay for the first little while. We’re halfway through the generation now. Get it together.

[@VidVayder]

Hopefully QRD can update the S3 soon. Or at least implement it in an upcoming model 🤞

[@JJ1NE]

what's the size comparison between this and the kitsune?

[@VidVayder]

I haven’t got the measurements on me right now but you can check out my Kitsune review where I list the dimensions. I prefer the Kitsune size because the chin is bigger for my palms. But if you float your hands that won’t matter as much.

[@KusanagiMotoko100]

Where the extra buttons QRD? I need to DI back.

[@VidVayder]

Haha. DI on L2 for the little finger is probably a good shout for you mate. I have 16 button controllers and still DI as though I am on a 12 button controller. 😅

[@JTC1979]

Thanks for the video I was looking for this one Are you able to change the key cap with the haute one ? Does it fit ? Did you try medium switch ? I’m really concerned by the miss input issue , can you confirm the issue ? Because if it’s happen on modern game like sf6 with loose input reader it’s gonna be a real issue on old game which are very strict

[@VidVayder]

I will get back to you on this in the evening brother.

[@VidVayder]

1. I just tried the small button from Haute42 G16. They fit. This makes sense as they both use MX switches. Whether or not the ones from S/T/M series of Haute Pads work, I can't definitively say, but my guess is yes. Note: The jump button on G16 does not fit into punch/kick sockets on the Maestro S3. 2. I only tried the Leobog Graywood V4 and Outemu Silent Cream Yellow. I don't have any other switches to try. 3. After further testing, it seems the input issues are only happening in High, Higher, and Auto latency modes. The instructions say that High and Higher latency modes are for modern games. It's a strange one because when I look at the input history, the button inputs look the same for when it works and when it doesn't. QRD sent me a vid of them trying to recreate the issue on KOF and they had no problems. It could be a clash with SF6 specifically and I can't say for sure if you will have the same issues as me. Also, it does work more often than not. I'm not completely ruling out the possibility of human error here, but I have never had an issue with two button inputs on my Kitsune.

[@JTC1979]

@@VidVayder wow thanks a lot for the quick check amazing So are you able to do sliding with haute g16 caps on the maestro is there any gap ? Im a little worried about this latency mode and easy mode that could interfere with game input , they shouldn’t add it imho but let’s see so you feel some latency or timing change on non modern games like old kof before 14 or older retro stuff

[@VidVayder]

@JTC1979 the g16 caps sit low enough in the button housings to allow the slide technique. But there is indeed a gap between the edge of the buttons and the housing rings, so dirt can get in. The gap is similar to what you can see on Kitsune buttons. I agree actually. I don’t think the latency options should be a focus in their next model (if they make one). They just need a few tweaks and they’re defo onto a winner here. For a first try to have wireless functionality is pretty dope though!

[@JTC1979]

@@VidVayder thanks for the very detailed review and the replies , really appreciated I was also worried about the non standard caps and switch preventing from either using third party caps or change the mx / arcade style buttons for maintenance but that still a very good produt especially for a first version.

[@GregorioTecson]

Did audio output works in pc ? Or which platform/console does audio output works ?

[@VidVayder]

I tried on the PS5. I plugged my AirPods Max in with 3.5 audio cable.

[@GregorioTecson]

​@@VidVayderhow about pc and andriod ? Does it still work ?

[@VidVayder]

@@GregorioTecson I don't have an Android or PC but I have Macbook and iPhone. I will test this and get back to you soon (hopefully tomorrow).

[@ThePokemaniac77]

3hrs of charging is wild...

[@VidVayder]

To full. You can plug it in whilst you play and charge. Or just play whilst its half full etc.

[@Blackeye1987]

so this is just a keyboard now ? don't get me wrong.. to everone their own... but this actually confuses me 😀

[@VidVayder]

Haha well, to be fair, the bigger buttons and spacing of the buttons does make it more effective for gaming. Especially if you like to bang on the buttons hard when you play. But yeah, it’s crazy how much some of us would pay for 12 buttons and some function keys.

[@Blackeye1987]

@@VidVayder exactly i am down for the type of buttons and the feel and all of this stuff.. i 100% stand behind everyone who says yes i need this special peripheral so the game is more authentic or feels better but there is the point where you have to ask yourself isnt this just the same as before just looks diffrent (?) without the stick it feels like a macropad for me... maybe the next one version will have some gateron or mx switches 😅🤘 really wanna see where the fighting szene is heading

[@VidVayder]

Yeah, you’re right. Stick, pad and leverless all have their own set of problems, just depends which problems you’re happy to live with. As the pros have shown, no matter which method you choose you can go far if you put the time in 👊 I guess for us non pros, we just like to experiment and have fun in our own ways. Leverless definitely has it’s unique feeling of ‘fun’.

[@Blackeye1987]

@@VidVayder yes 100% agree 👍

[@iworry-cz5155]

Ps5 user here

[@VidVayder]

I haven’t heard anything about a firmware update yet. Still requires a Brook converter.

[@iworry-cz5155]

@@VidVayder honestly the info about some update probably is not correct as you need a special board to work with ps5 natively

[@VidVayder]

Yep and the controller registers as a Dual Shock 4 when I connected to my Mac. But it’s what they told me so… I have no idea what they have up their sleeves. 🤷

[@buulaa1]

@@iworry-cz5155 this might be late but they have a an adapter that makes it ps5 compatible(wireless only) i honestly recommend getting the brooks wingman fgc adapter.

[@zakirnaikahmaddeedat3651]

The official site says xinput only works via wired connection, is it true?

[@VidVayder]

I didn’t test this but if it’s on the official site I would take their word for it 👍

[@zakirnaikahmaddeedat3651]

​@@VidVayder I'm considering buying this item, but i need wireless xinput feature to use it on my win11 pc which has Bluetooth. Can you help testing it wirelessly to win11 pc and see if xinput is available? Thank you so much in advance.