Introduction

January 2020 feels like a lifetime ago now, but that was the first time I really got to know about SCUF. CORSAIR had just acquired the premium gaming controller brand and CES 2020 was an introduction of SCUF to the PC media present there. We got to know about the various technologies SCUF had developed, patented, and even licensed to the likes of Microsoft to use in the Xbox Elite controllers. This was alongside the vast plethora of customization options available from SCUF for both the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox platforms. Of course, you could use those controllers on PC too, but I figured something more PC-centric would come up sooner than later now that SCUF was under the CORSAIR umbrella.


It took over three years but the SCUF Envision/Envision Pro controllers are out and claiming to be designed with the PC platform in mind. SCUF has also brought out updated controllers of the two primary consoles given the newer generations since our previous reviews and I expect to see quite a lot new here. In fact, I will point out that currently the Envision and Envision Pro are only available in two color options and for less than you would expect, which is already a good sign of things to come. The SCUF Envision is a wired-only controller while the Envision Pro adds CORSAIR Slipstream low-latency wireless connectivity on top of a few other quality of life improvements for a slightly higher cost. Both also gain support for CORSAIR's iCUE software customization and of course there is RGB lighting too, because why not with anything from CORSAIR in 2023? We'll go through the SCUF Envision Pro in detail today beginning with a look at the product specifications in the table below. Thanks to CORSAIR for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp!

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

One look at the product box and I knew SCUF retained its brand identity since this would have been black and yellow if it was a CORSAIR product. Instead, we get black and SCUF's orange accents on the packaging. There's the expected brand logo and product name on the front along with a render of the controller that seems cut-off for no reason. Salient features are also listed here with more on the back in multiple languages calling out the various parts of the controller. Specs and a list of contents are seen on the side and we see tear-off seals which keep the inner box safely tucked away during transit. A thicker cardboard box greets us now with the SCUF logo and marketing slogans all around. Open the box to see a QR code and URL taking you to a highly detailed and useful online quick start guide going over the setup, use, and customization of the controller. There's also a note reminding you to download iCUE first on your PC and then we get to the controller and the various accessories inside. SCUF does a good protecting the controller and the various other items to ensure a pristine unboxing experience.


I took everything out of the boxes to make it simple, although there is a safety, compliance, and warranty guide not pictured above. We do not get a carry/storage case or a fancy charging puck as with the Xbox Elite controller, with SCUF relying on USB Type-C for wired connectivity and charging the internal battery in the Envision Pro. As such, we get a branded USB Type-A to Type-C cable which comes with a female Type-C to male Type-C adapter. There's also the expected CORSAIR Slipstream 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity dongle provided here in addition to two spare thumbsticks with a rubber grip on top as well as two sets each of two replacement buttons/paddles.


Note that the controller comes with plastic wraps to be peeled off, however I will mention that the plastic cover that goes over the buttons and 3.5 mm audio jack on the front side has useful legends to indicate what those buttons do. So you may want to consider leaving it in place, at least initially, until memory kicks in or you re-map them in iCUE.