I've had my Vader 4 for a year, and it has been my favorite controller. I recently upgraded to the G7 Pro; it’s a good controller with some features that are better than the Vader 4, but I still find myself leaning toward the Vader for its adjustable sticks and extra buttons. I used the Vader 4 to complete Hollow Knight, including the Path of Pain, and I think its biggest weakness is the d-pad. Such a light press to activate caused many misinputs and unnecessary deaths.
The Vader 5 feels like the answer to all my problems.
First, the d-pad: It is noticeably stiffer than the Vader 4 in all the best ways. I started Silksong with my G7 and finished it with the Vader 5, all the way to the Lost Lace fight. The d-pad is phenomenal.
Second, the triggers: The Vader 4 has the ability to switch from normal triggers to clicky triggers—something the Apex 4 and 5 do not have. The Vader 5 steps it up; it still has the switchable triggers, but they have a better actuation point. They feel almost like hair triggers, which is why I love my G7 so much.
Third, the extra buttons: In total, the Vader 5 has eight extra buttons: two extra triggers, two extra face buttons (great for fighting games), and four back buttons. Two of the back buttons can be removed entirely. To be clear, you don't have to program any of them, but someone like me who likes variety loves having these options. The only downside is that you have to install the Space Station 5 software to do so. The Vader 4 only had six programmable buttons and the G7 only has four. While four is enough for most people, having eight is something you can't take for granted until you don't have it.
Fourth, input latency: I never thought the Vader 4 was slow, but when comparing it side-by-side with the Vader 5, you notice the delay. They advertise the improved speed a lot on YouTube and in their marketing, and it shows.
Fifth, the feel: The reason I originally upgraded to the G7 was because the Vader 4 felt a little cheap. The plastic wasn't bad, but it was all very hard. The G7 has rubberized grips on the back which feel much more comfortable. The Vader 5 has added those rubberized grips too. The front plastic also feels like it's made of a different material that is much more premium than the Vader 4. All the buttons feel more precise with less "play." Even the stick tension mechanism is improved; my Vader 4 often loosens up over time on the max tension setting, but the Vader 5 still feels very stiff. There is a chance it might loosen with time, but out of the box, the mechanism was harder to turn, so I believe it will hold up.
These are all the reasons why I believe this should be your final controller... except for one thing. The Vader 5S was just announced. It is a wired controller, but the only difference is that it can be used on Xbox. My hope is that they release a wireless version in the future, but getting Xbox certification for a wireless controller is very expensive. Personally, I don't use an Xbox often, so the Vader 5 Pro is the perfect controller for me.
Everything about this controller feels more premium than its predecessor. FlyDigi really listened to the community. They addressed the smallest complaints about the stick adjustment mechanism and the plastic feel. The d-pad was the biggest complaint, and they completely nailed it.
The response time is almost unmatched, making it a no-brainer to recommend. The only person I couldn't sell this to is someone who prefers a cross-style d-pad over this rounded version. I'm going back to Hollow Knight to see if this d-pad makes a difference in the Path of Pain, but after finishing Silksong, I know it is far better than the original.
Also, the docking station is cheaper for the Vader 5 compared to the Vader 4, so I would suggest buying the bundle. It is the perfect controller for everything from shooters to platformers. Some complain that it uses magnetic sticks rather than TMR. While TMR is more battery efficient and arguably more precise (like on the G7), I’ve always preferred the Vader for shooters because of the adjustable tension and the joystick kits that extend the height. The Vader 5 might have a shorter battery life than TMR controllers, but if you have the docking station and dock it every night, you’re good. I haven't had my Vader 5 die on me yet. Don't believe all that TMR slander!(You can use the same sticks from the Vader 4 on the Vader 5)
