Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Scuf Nomad is a compact Bluetooth control for the iPhone that also works with iPads , Macs , and some Android equipment . The accompanying app offer all-inclusive customization selection , ranging from simple push assignments to the dead geographical zone of the sticks and triggers and how they react to comment . The Scuf Nomad is quite modest so it is credibly not for the great unwashed with with child hands . In increase , the smartphone can not be charged while playing .
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The Scuf Nomad includes two stick caps, an adapter, and a braided USB cable.
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Best Prices Today: Scuf Gaming Nomad Mobile Gaming Controller
Scuf Gaming ( a gambling control division of Corsair ) introduced the Scuf Nomad smartphone control , join a small - but - grow recess of peregrine gaming controllers that turn the smartphone into a gaming handheld and raise something resembling the design of the Nintendo Switch .
This niche has been populated by Razer with the Razer Kishi V2 andRazer Kishi Ultra , the Backbone One and the GameSir X3 and X2 Pro . In direct contrast to the competition , Scuf takes a wholly dissimilar coming : the controller does not connect to the iPhone via a plug ( USB - C or Lightning ) , but via Bluetooth .
Eugen Wegmann
The Scuf Nomad includes two stick caps, an adapter, and a braided USB cable.
Design and controls
As common in this product category , the Scuf Nomad looks like an ordinary biz controller that has been sawn in one-half and reconnected with a bridge . The first major divergence to the competition : Scuf use a unlike button layout that does not equate to the Xbox ( and Switch ) or Playstation layout .
The analogue pin are located at the top of both halves , with the directional pad and the A - B - Adam - Y button underneath . The layout is similar to the Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller , or more precisely when an iPhone is mounted , the Wii U gamepad – you know , the giant controller with the silver screen inside .
The sticks themselves are interesting because Scuf does n’t rely on Greco-Roman spliff with potentiometers , which are used in the Xbox Wireless Controller , the Playstation Dualsense , the Nintendo Joy - Cons and most other controllers on the mart . rather , Scuf uses Hall - effect sticks in the Nomad , which are based on a magnetized operating rationale and downplay the so - call off “ peg gallery ” . This is triggered by dirt and endure on the contacts in classic analog sticks and leads to incorrect stimulus .
Concave cap on the left, convex replacement cap on the right.
However , if you are used to conventional sticks , you ’ll need to get used to the Hall - effect sticks , as the resistance is importantly low and the move a little more wobbly . Perhaps Scuf could have simply used slimly strong springiness here .
Two extra caps for the stick are include . Concave ( curved inwards ) caps are install on the Nomad as monetary standard , while the ones on the left are convex ( curving outwards ) , as was common on the Playstation until the Dualshock 4 controller . The Nomad also include a small arranger ( ultimately a rubber spacer ) for the iPhone 14 and 15 phone , so that the tv camera module does not rest on the bridge , and a generously dimension braid USB - A to USB - nose candy cable television service .
The synthetic rubber adapter assure that ..
The rubber adapter ensures that..
… the television camera of the iPhone 14 and 15 does not rest on the bridge .
The controller has a total breadth of just over 20 centimeters and can be load to around 37 centimeter , with an inner length between the two halves of around 17 centimetre . This is large enough for all smartphones , but alas a little too small for the iPad mini . The sizing is therefore between the Razer Kishi V2 and the Kishi Ultra ; not quite as compressed as the former , but also not as spacious as the latter .
Razer Kishi Ultra
Nevertheless , the Scuf Nomad is around 100 grams heavier than the small Kishi V2 and only 37 gramme unaccented than the large Kishi Ultra . This is principally because the Nomad relate to the iPhone via Bluetooth and take its own shelling . This is charged via USB - C on the bottom of the odd half – there is no USB - C passthrough as with the Kishi Ultra . The Bluetooth pairing button is place on the underside of the right half .
This is one of the rationality why an iPhone can not be charged when it is clamped in the Scuf Nomad . There are no cut - outs for a cable television service or a MagSafe charger . As the accountant supplies itself with magnate , you also have to explicitly switch it on and off . To do this , you have to press the home push at the top left until the LEDs at the bottom correct light up or go out again . If you do n’t notice the little tinge in the app tutorial , you ’ll have to try a second , especially when switching off .
The workmanship is satisfactory all orotund . The inter-group communication orient with the iPhone ( the bridge and the inside ) are rubberized , the back of the handgrip are also rubber for a practiced handgrip and the plastic does not feel cheap . The relatively high system of weights compared to the size contributes to a high sentiency of economic value .
… the camera of the iPhone 14 and 15 does not rest on the bridge.
Usability
As mention at the beginning , the layout of the Scuf Nomad most closely resembles the Wii U controller . The only deviation are the home base - like directional pad of paper , which is reminiscent of a shrunken version of the Xbox Wireless Controller , and the positioning of the card and choice clit . These are located below the directing diggings and the master buttons .
The Scuf Nomad also has two additional boat paddle on the back of the controller that are best reach with the middle fingers and can be freely assign in the corresponding app .
Above the left stick is the home button , which corresponds to the Xbox button on an Xbox controller in Xbox Cloud Gaming and opens the iOS Game Center in game from the App Store . Above the right marijuana cigarette is the Scuf button , which opens the Scuf app when campaign once , takes a screenshot when pressed twice , and starts and stops a video recording when pressed and held .
My only literary criticism of the layout is the chief A , B , X and Y push button . They are so close together that I sometimes constrict two of them with my not - so - large pollex in the hotness of the moment .
In contrast to the two Kishis mentioned in this critical review , the Nomad ’s key are largely muted . The two buttons on the back are the garish , followed by the clicking analogue sticks . Overall , I would have no qualms about playing with the Nomad in the smooth compartment of an train , peculiarly as the buttons on the back are totally optional .
Compatibility
The Scuf Nomad is full MFi - certify and therefore perfectly compatible with Apple devices . However , iOS 16 or by and by is ask . The iPhone X and iPhone 8 and the oldest iPhones that can be used with the Nomad .
Although Scuf does not explicitly observe it , the Nomad also works flawlessly with Macs and iPads , although iPadOS 16 or later is also required for the latter . This means that the Nomad can be used as more than just an iPhone controller , making it more versatile than the competition with a plug connection .
Unlike the Kishi Ultra , an iPad mini does not yet fit deep down , but you’re able to place it on a pen up table on a train or plane and play with it .
If you are an Android user and have stumbled across this test report , Scuf officially states that the Nomad is not compatible with Android or is still working on it . A PCWorld fellow worker was able-bodied to pair and use it with her Oppo A55 without any problem . The big limitation is that there is no fellow traveler app for Android where you could configure the additional feature .
Scuf Nomad Companion app
Nothing works without an app these days , so there is also an iPhone app for the Scuf Nomad , theScuf Nomad Companion . Well , strictly speak , the Nomad does put to work as an ordinary Bluetooth controller without an app , but then you have to do without some additional mapping .
Button assignment configurations for the Scuf Nomad
unlike button assignment can be assigned to individual profiles .
In this sentiment , you’re able to set which visibility is assigned to the controller when you fold the app .
For exercise , the app is take to portion the two paddles on the back ; the A and B buttons are assigned to them by nonpayment . you’re able to also change the overall clit assignment there . But that ’s not all : alternative clit designation can be saved in case-by-case profiles and then specify to game , which can be an advantage if , for example , you play shooters with one push button assignment and action at law RPGs ( or other genres ) with another .
Not only the function of the buttons can be set here , but also the drained zona of the sticks and triggers and whether they react linearly , exponentially , dynamically , or aggressively to inputs . There is a lot of voltage for experimentation and optimization here .
The front buttons on the Scuf Nomad are small and fairly close together.
Three platforms are available for quick access : Xbox Game Pass , Apple Arcade , and PS Remote Play .
Three gaming platforms are integrated into the app : Apple Arcade , Playstation , and Xbox Cloud Gaming . The several secret plan selection open in the Scuf Nomad Companion interface ; what happens next depends on the service . Games in Apple Arcade either set out directly or link to the App Store if they are not installed .
With Playstation , you’re able to choose whether games are opened in the PS app or in PS Remote Play , Xbox Cloud Gaming is begin as a PWA in a browser app windowpane in which you have to sign in individually with a Microsoft account .
In contrast to the front buttons, the shoulder buttons are pleasantly large.
The app also contains a heading of all recorded screenshots and television , the quality of which can also be adjusted in the app . The controller firmware is also update via the app .
Last but not least , it should be mentioned that Scuf does not require an account and you could use the app and control without a Scuf or Corsair account .
Should you buy the Scuf Nomad?
This article originally seem on our sister publicationMacweltand was translated and localized from German .
Button assignment settings for the Scuf Nomad
Different button assignments can be assigned to individual profiles.
In this view, you can set which profile is assigned to the controller when you close the app.
Three platforms are available for quick access: Xbox Game Pass, Apple Arcade, and PS Remote Play.
