How Hall Effect Controllers Are Different From Other Popular Controllers You Can Buy Today

If you are a gamer, you probably know how important it is to have a good controller. A controller is the device that lets you interact with your games, whether on a console, a PC, or a mobile device. But not all controllers are created equal. Some controllers use a technology called Hall effect sensors, which offer some advantages over the traditional potentiometer sensors. In this blog post, we will explain what Hall effect sensors are, how they work, and why they are different from other popular controllers you can buy today.

What Are Hall Effect Sensors?

Hall effect sensors are devices that use the Hall effect to measure the position or movement of a joystick, trigger, or disk in relation to a magnetic field¹. The Hall effect is a phenomenon that occurs when an electric current flows through a conductor in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field causes the electrons in the current to deflect, creating a voltage difference across the conductor. This voltage difference is proportional to the strength and direction of the magnetic field.

Hall effect sensors consist of two main components: a permanent magnet and an electrical conductor. The magnet is attached to the joystick, trigger, or disk, while the conductor is fixed on the controller’s circuit board. As the magnet moves relative to the conductor, the voltage difference changes, and this change is measured and translated into positional data by the controller’s processor.

How Are Hall Effect Sensors Different From Potentiometer Sensors?

Potentiometer sensors are devices that use electrical resistance to measure the position or movement of a joystick, trigger, or disk. Potentiometer sensors consist of two main components: a resistor and a contact arm. The resistor is a curved track that has varying resistance along its length. The contact arm is attached to the joystick, trigger, or disk, and slides along the resistor as it moves. The resistance between the contact arm and the resistor’s ends corresponds to the position or movement of the joystick, trigger, or disk.

Potentiometer sensors are cheap and effective for use in controllers, but they have a major downside: they wear out over time. As the contact arm slides along the resistor repeatedly, it causes friction and abrasion, which degrade the quality and accuracy of the sensor. This manifests as unwanted input or drift, which means that the controller picks up inputs when you are not providing any². Drift is a common problem that affects many popular controllers today, such as Nintendo’s Joy-Cons, Sony’s PlayStation 5 DualSense, and Microsoft’s Xbox controllers.

Hall effect sensors do not have this problem because they do not have any physical contact between their components. The magnet and the conductor never touch each other, so there is no friction or abrasion that can cause wear and tear. Hall effect sensors are contactless and non-wearing, which makes them reliable, stable, and accurate for longer periods of time¹. They do not develop drift or lose sensitivity over time.

What Are The Benefits Of Hall Effect Sensors?

Hall effect sensors offer some benefits over potentiometer sensors for gamers who want to have a better gaming experience. Some of these benefits are:

• Precision and consistency: Hall effect sensors provide a smooth and linear response that matches your input exactly. They do not have any dead zones or jitter that can affect your accuracy and performance in games. They also provide a great feel on the triggers to ensure precision and consistency, giving you an advantage in shooters³.
• Clickability: Hall effect sensors allow for clickable L3/R3 joystick buttons that can be used for additional functions in games. Potentiometer sensors do not have this feature because they rely on mechanical switches that can interfere with their operation³.
• Durability: Hall effect sensors last longer than potentiometer sensors because they do not wear out or degrade over time. They can withstand thousands of hours of gameplay without losing their quality or functionality.
• Compatibility: Hall effect sensors are compatible with various platforms and devices, such as consoles, PCs, mobile devices, VR headsets, etc. They can connect via Bluetooth or USB wireless adapters without any software needed

Which Controllers Use Hall Effect Sensors?

Hall effect sensors are not very common in mainstream controllers today because they are more expensive and complex to manufacture than potentiometer sensors. However, some companies have started to adopt them for their premium controllers that cater to hardcore gamers who want to have the best gaming experience possible.

Some examples of controllers that use Hall effect sensors are:

• SteelSeries Stratus Duo: This is a wireless controller for Windows, Android™️ Chromebook™️ , Oculus Go™️ , Samsung Gear VR™️ , and VR devices. It is Steam-enabled and allows you to enjoy 5000+ controller-supported Steam games. It has a lithium-ion battery that gives you up to 20+ hours of playtime⁴.
• SteelSeries Nimbus+: This is a wireless controller for Apple TV and iOS devices. It has a powerful lithium-ion battery that gives you up to 50 hours of playtime. It also comes with a phone mount that lets you attach your iPhone to the controller for mobile gaming⁴.
• Mytrix's New Sakura Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: We have worked really hard to use this new technology as a staple in our controllers and are starting with our most popular and prettiest in our lineup.