Astro’s C40 TR controller is branded as a pro-series, premium modular experience, and the quality and comfort is immediately evident as soon as it’s picked up.
Astro C40 TR Controller
Price: $200
Platforms: PC, PS4
MonsterVine was supplied with a controller for review
Third-party accessories aren’t anything new, but quality devices are, and Astro has been delivering some quality devices for quite some time now, and the C40 TR is no exception.
The device has a satisfying weight to it that is comfortable to hold, and offers a premium experience that is very much lacking from the first-party options.
C40 TR Controller Specs:
- Micro USB input (for charging or wired play)
- Weight: 310g
- Dimensions: 168mm x 108mm x 53mm
- Lithium Ion Rechargeable: 12h+ charge
- Wireless: 10m range, 2.4ghz
- 3.5mm Jack
- Wireless Latency: 5ms
- Toggle between 2 stored presets
- Modular thumbsticks and d-pad
With a lot of controller and input accessories on the market, spending $200 on one might seem a bit daunting, but with Astro’s C40 TR controller you really get what you pay for. One of my biggest complaints with the PS4 has always been the first-party controllers. They have a lightweight, cheap plastic feel, and they are prone to squeaking and stuck shoulder buttons. The C40 feels exponentially better than a DualShock 4 thanks to it being made from higher quality materials, and having a slightly wider base for grips.
The C40 becomes something entirely different when the screws come out and the customization begins. The first thing I did was to swap the placement of the left analog stick and the dpad. I prefer the asymmetrical thumbstick layout, and now, thanks to Astro, I can play my PS4 games how I prefer.
Hidden from first glance the C40 has left and right buttons on the inside of the controller’s grip. Aptly labeled “UL” and “UR” these under buttons are wonderfully positioned, exactly where my middle fingers rest with the controller. What’s most exciting about having these under-buttons is being able to customize a games experience, and improve my performance by no longer having to move my thumbs out of place to revive an ally or reload a weapon.
The C40 stores two different button configurations, and has a manual switch to toggle between them. Unlike some of the programmable controllers on the market, the C40 can be remapped on the fly thanks to a special button well hidden on the underside of the device. This is an awesome feature. I found this particularly useful when I would play a new game, discover a good use for the under buttons, and make a change in moments, without needing to load up the software. While the software isn’t included, but is a quick download away and adds for ultimate control and customization, as well as store more than just the two, local profiles.
THE GOOD
Modular Design to swap stick/dpad layouts
Long battery life
Wired and Wireless options
Feels great to hold
Sturdy carrying case included
THE BAD
Need a screwdriver to swap components
Missing light bar found on DualShock 4
Only works natively on PC and PS4
Custom Button Configuration App not on PS4
The Final Word
The C40 TR is a wonderful controller which will take over as the only controller I use for PS4, even if it is lacking the DS4’s lightbar. The modular design makes easy to swap things around, as long as the screwdriver was put back into the case after use. The more I use the C40 TR the more I wish I could use it on Switch and Xbox as well. Hopefully a future iteration will enable that type of functionality, but in the meantime It will be the only device I use to play games on my PS4.
