Fantech Nova II – Gaming Gear Review

Fantech Nova II – Recently, budget-friendly gamepads seem to be shifting their focus towards features and technology, equipping them with hardware components that were previously only found on high-end gamepads from years ago.

This is most evident in joystick technology, where companies like GameSir and EasySMX have shifted their entire controller product lines to using Hall-Effect or TMR technology, as well as the emergence of enhanced customization features such as interchangeable buttons and detachable front panels.

Following this trend, Fantech launched the Fantech Nova II as an 'answer' to the question of how many features they can 'cram' into a mid-range product, equipping it with everything from modern joystick technology to hardware components previously only found on high-end controllers.

In the highly competitive budget-to-mid-range price segment, what "new" features will Fantech bring? Let's unbox it and find out with tipsplay.net!

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Fantech Nova II – Packed with a wealth of technology!

At first glance, the Fantech Nova II may not be particularly impressive in terms of features and design, but if you list all the control technologies that can be equipped on a controller, it's highly likely that Fantech has included them.

Typical examples include joysticks using Hall Effect technology to minimize dead zones, gyroscope technology to detect direction of movement (only found on high-end controllers like the Switch Pro), and more 'rare' features such as multi-touch touchpads and built-in speakers, as seen on the DualShock 4 and DualSense.

Upon unboxing, it's clear that the Fantech Nova II doesn't come with as many accessories as its competitors in recent times, consisting only of the controller itself and a USB-A to USB-C cable.

Featuring a 'slim' design and button layout similar to the DualSense and previous DualShock models from PlayStation, the Fantech Nova II boasts a comfortable grip that fits well without being too tight, optimized for controlling the joysticks in a single row to provide a comfortable and light experience during extended use, especially for gamers accustomed to the 'claw grip' style.

On the back, the Fantech Nova II features two easily activated auxiliary buttons with macro recording and saving capabilities, allowing players to easily activate key combinations with just one button. Above the handle are shoulder buttons with mechanical triggers and a Hall-Effect trigger, providing continuous shoulder button activation and precise trigger control in racing games.

Beyond the basic features, Fantech surprises with three aspects of this controller when considering its price point: the gyroscope, the included speakers, and the touchpad.

For PlayStation, equipping these technologies provides players with a more immersive experience in supported games, such as in Death Stranding with speaker sounds during walks through BT areas, or utilizing gyro aiming in shooters like Battlefield 6 and racing games like Gran Turismo 7 .

Fantech surprised us with three aspects of this controller when considering the price: the gyroscope, the included speakers, and the touchpad.

In a real-world gaming experience with Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE , a game heavily reliant on joystick movement, the Hall-Effects on the Fantech Nova II felt precise and sufficiently responsive, even at small movement levels close to the dead zone.

In games that utilize more button combinations, such as Celeste , this controller offers precise control and aiming, although the button feel isn't quite as good as its competitors in the same segment.

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Fantech Nova II – Button quality, connectivity, and battery life

Despite its impressive number of features, the Fantech Nova II suffers from some fundamental issues in the controller gaming experience: the button quality isn't satisfying, connectivity is lacking, and the battery life is short.

Compared to recent controllers, where the focus is on feel and gameplay experience, like the GameSir Nova 2 Lite which has a similar price (and product name), the membrane buttons on this controller don't offer a great clicking experience, and the trigger feel somewhat "dropped" and slow. Therefore, this controller is even less suitable for FPS games that require quick and continuous reactions, such as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege X or the Call of Duty series .

Furthermore, the controller's connectivity options are limited compared to recent competitors, only supporting USB-C and Bluetooth 5.2, along with a basic polling rate of 125Hz wirelessly and 250Hz wired.

In real-world testing with a wired connection, the Fantech Nova II achieved a refresh rate of approximately 242Hz with an average refresh interval of 4ms and a jitter of 0.71ms, relatively high figures that can satisfy eSports gamers or players of real-time fighting games.

Ultimately, with its 600mAh battery, the controller could only last for 10 hours of continuous use, a problem the author encountered repeatedly during testing.

In reality, after a few days of use and overnight use, coupled with the lack of RGB lighting control, the Fantech Nova II easily runs out of battery in just 2 to 3 days of continuous use, making recharging quite inconvenient.

The Fantech Nova II suffers from several fundamental issues in the controller gaming experience: the button quality isn't satisfying, connectivity is lacking, and the battery life is short.