So, my both my JoyCon have a bad drift, and the extra one I got also have the same issue. I am looking for some third party handheld controller for Switch.
Only need it for handheld, since Pro Controller is pretty great and I have no issue with it when playing docked.
I have done some research, but was hoping to get some personal feedback from the lovely people in the community.
So, any recommendations?
I can’t speak to any third party alternatives, but if you’re at all comfortable with opening up you joycons, for about $20 you can replace the sticks with Gulikit hall effect joysticks. They use magnets instead of conductive pads, so theoretically they will never develop drift. I did the upgrade on mine and they’re great.
https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Joystick-Replacement-Switch-Controller-Thumbstick-Nintendo/dp/B0BQ2FCQ9N/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=TFX6CPYG2T5C&keywords=gulikit+switch+joystick&qid=1704824605&sprefix=guli%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-4
@Entropy, do they also feel good? I heard conflicting reports on that part. @slimerancher
I’ve done this swap a lot. So hopefully this helps.
They do feel good. Definitely a little bit different than the original sticks, when they are new they feel tighter / stiffer than even a brand new joycon, but not overly so, they do loosen up a bit over time but are still stiffer overall. The rubber caps feel pretty much indistinguishable to me vs original.
Like the other commenter said, they’re a little stiffer than stock, but they do seem to have a little bit of a break in period. I suppose it’s personal preference, but it isn’t significant enough to bother me at all. Besides, the trade off of never having to worry about drift again is 100% worth it imo.
@Entropy, @MetricIsRight, awesome, thank you both.
I still have a set of spares, but once I’m through those, I’ll get the hall effect ones.
My current gripe is to get the right rail to fit tighter so the right joycon does not lose connection. I’m thinking of adding some teflon. (One of the screws’ heads is too worn out to disassemble fully)
I replaced mine with Hall sensors and then beat Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s final-final level. I had been playing the entire game with pretty severe drift until that, but it began seriously interfering with the precision I needed.
I’m happy with them and may even proactively swap the analog sticks in my pro controller.