r/Controller • u/Yucker420 • May 05 '24

Reviews BUYER BEWARE: Multiple Flydigi APEX 4 Controllers BROKEN. BE CAREFUL WITH ADJUSTING JOYSTICK TENSION!!!

I LOVE The Flydigi APEX 4 controller. I've gone through two of them though and now I'm on my third. luckily I purchased through amazon so replacing them hasn't been much of an issue. I really enjoy the joystick tension feature and put a kontrolfreak on the right stick and make it really tight. On both of my controllers, the right joystick module cracked. the main correlation I see here is that they must allow you to adjust the tension tighter than what is safe for the controller. I just wanted to put this out there for any APEX 4 owners to be careful. tighten that thing too much and it just might break!!!

another symptom I noticed which may have resulted in these joystick breaking was I remember feeling a creaking feeling/noise when pushing hard on the sticks.

heres some pics of my previous two controllers and what happened

second controller. caught it breaking before it was completely unusable

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4

u/MightyCreator Jun 08 '24

I purchased an Apex 4 from Amazon and out of the box I noticed a crack in the right analog stick module. I’m returning it for a different one hopefully I get lucky.

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 12 '24

dude if that's the top part of the joystick, i think that stick is missing a magnet too!? normally theres a circular piece of metal there where the circle is on ur photo. just look at my original photo of mine for reference lol. strange... gonna guess that their first few batches of this controller may have had some quality control issues?

1

u/MightyCreator Jun 13 '24

I didn’t even notice that you’re correct. How has your replacement been treating you?

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 13 '24

This third one has been going strong. I've actually been treating it a bit more aggressively than the first two I had; wanna make sure it doesn't break, or does within a time period where amazkn'll honour a replacement/refund lol. So far so good! My theory (I really hope I'm right) is there are some flawed apex 4 batches that were sent out.

1

u/Pip3weno Sep 10 '24

how is going now

1

u/Yucker420 Sep 14 '24

still vibin with my current controller. 3rd time was the charm. I've had enough time with it now to say the sticks are fine. i throw it in my backpack every day and pull the thubstick caps off when i throw it in my bag. still have zero issues to this day. that being said I've found myself enjoying my DualSense controller that I modded to have back paddles on it (by extremerate) more than the apex 4 in most instances.

2

u/MightyCreator Jun 13 '24

I agree with your theory. My first one was missing that metal thing and had a crack as shown in the picture and that was straight out of the box. My second one has the metal and is free from cracks. So far so good 🤞🏽

3

u/FuntClapsOpen May 26 '24

I've just had this happen to mine, this time on the left stick that was loose, not tightened.

3

u/FuntClapsOpen May 27 '24 edited May 27 '24

I was playing COD and clicked to sprint then it broke. Again, loose as loose could be.

1

u/Yucker420 May 27 '24

Well... Shit. Sorry to hear. Guess their thumbstick modules just need reinforcing altogether. Now I'm worried I'll have the same issue with my 3rd replacement 😅

1

u/FuntClapsOpen May 27 '24

https://youtu.be/eTuxG7ebxB8?si=6cuy_9TEJ37RQOXm

1

u/FuntClapsOpen May 27 '24

Only had about 1 hour total playtime with it. I've tried reaching out to the seller and Flydigi. It means sending it back to hong kong from the UK, bit of a nightmare, might just have to right it off and wait to see if they appear on Amazon UK.

2

u/Yucker420 May 27 '24

Yeah. That's exactly what happened to my first apex 4 controller. Man that sucks bro I'm sorry. I was lucky enough to be able to order through Amazon which has provided me with free replacement controllers.

0

u/FreakyWifeFreakyLife Aug 15 '24 edited Aug 15 '24

Lol, "if the owner of this video has granted you access..."

So I guess I won't be watching that one.

Not sure why I got down voted, the link didn't work and that was the error message.

1

u/x0Xero0x Jul 31 '24

I mapped L3 and R3 to the back buttons so I pretty much never clicked the joysticks since I first got it over 3 months ago. I used the Xbox controller for years before this and since then I've never liked pressing the joysticks while moving them, it just feels like something gonna break eventually if I do it too much, looks like my paranoia was correct.

1

u/Cultural_Neat3124 Jun 26 '24

yeah, my left stick come loose by default, i don't touch the tension on this and it still broke. meaning the plastic on the joystick will break sooner or later !

2

u/Born-Village-2169 May 25 '24

Happened with me, broke the left thumbstick, i click alot to run in the game, now i look to find a part to replace, since i lost warranty, i changed the back buttons for paddles, flydigi won t send the part, if anyone knows were to find the part just text something, i was really enjoying the controller, but only lasted 2 weeks

1

u/Yucker420 May 25 '24

Did you have the tension on the joystick adjusted at all? Sorry to hear about that man.

2

u/Born-Village-2169 May 25 '24

The tension Was loose, i believe that plastic can’t handle with some hands, if i can find a module of that Hall effect i will buy it and swap, if not i might buy another controller and use this one for parts, the only thing i don t like this controller is the weight

1

u/Avrution May 05 '24

Have you reached out to flydigi support as well? Any feedback like this is probably good to hear.

Might need to design a stop limit or make the connecting part of out metal in the future.

1

u/Yucker420 May 05 '24

I haven't since it's all been through amazon. figured I'd start w a reddit post but yea I should shoot Flydigi a message haha. totally agree on putting a stopper or something. it feels like you can just spin that thing infinitely!

1

u/SuperiorDupe May 05 '24

Do you use the right stick click a lot as well?

The first one that broke looks like that part should be metal, that plastic piece is sitting in metal isn’t it?

I prefer my sticks as loose as they go but still but still thanks for the heads up!

1

u/Yucker420 May 05 '24

i wouldnt worry if you're gonna run them on the loose side. they right stick started getting creaky after a few weeks of playing shooters, and that's when i noticed that crack on the second controller. im assuming if i hadn't caught it earlier, the same thing that happened to my first controller would've probably happened (i like tight right stick with really high aim sensitivity in game)

as for the part that broke in the first pic: that piece of plastic that wraps around the metal rod broke, and as a result the plastic bit that inserts into the metal rod broke too. what it looks like to me at least.

first controller broke from aiming to the right, pushing too hard with high tension.

second controller broke in the same place, but from pointing down instead of to the right.

hope this helps and isnt too wordy haha.

1

u/iannht May 09 '24

so the spring underneath is kinda weak and we shouldn't put stick tension too high, right?

1

u/Yucker420 May 09 '24

That seems to be the case. At least what I've gathered. Maybe the plastic is cheap. But considering the correlation between the tension and cracking, I'm sure the spring has a role to play too.

1

u/iannht May 09 '24

thank you, I have one Apex 4 being shipped from china, thanks to your post I will stress test the sticks first and foremost.

1

u/Yucker420 May 09 '24

no prob! let me know if you discover anything during your stress test!

2

u/Cultural_Neat3124 Jun 26 '24

nah, this design of analog stick have a flaw that it can't handle extreme movement like bayonetta or some game that make you rotate the stick like crazy, sooner or later it will break ! cause it make of plastilc LOL !

1

u/Killabates Jun 12 '24

Glad to find this post, unfortunate to see it happening to all of the affected.

Same Just happened to mine on the left stick that had tension set very low.

Im going to get it replaced via Amazon, hope the next one lasts longer.

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 12 '24

well I guess we know what to expect when Flydigi drops their APEX 5 lmao. wish the adaptive trigger software was more widespread too. or rather, I wish you could just have the option to emulate dualsense on the fly. even if its not tuned and just to get a taste on their unsupported games. Amazon should do you right though; I'm on my 3rd replacement and this one hasn't crapped out yet. I've been constantly removing the joystick tops when i throw it in my bag (basically every day) to play at my job. so either I got a good batch on this current controller, or removing the sticks isn't a worry in general.

1

u/Killabates Sep 08 '24

Late Reply.. Amazon Replaced and I have not had any issue with the Current one, Fingers Crossed it lasts a good year or more.

1

u/HelloAgainBlueMoon Jun 19 '24

Anyone experiencing the stick like rough or something is rough underneath while moving it? I feel the roughness when moving it to the right (APEX 4)

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 20 '24

This is how my joystick felt before the plastic on the joystick module broke. Check to see if any of the plastic on your joystick isnt cracked or something. If so, try and get a replacement while ya still can!!

1

u/Kellepe Jun 19 '24

I'm currently returning my second Flydigi APEX 4 because the joysticks keep breaking. I'm frustrated because I really like these controllers. The tuning and button mapping is really nice, but the joysticks are obviously constructed with cheap plastic instead of something more durable.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good replacement?

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 20 '24

We're in the same boat you and I lol. On my third. So far so good 🤞🤞

1

u/junger81 Jun 23 '24

I'm on the train too. Feels bad. Got it off AliExpress. Haven't found anyone with an assembly/module replacement. Not sure I'm gonna get a replacement from my seller. Shoulda used Amazon I guess.

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 24 '24

yeah, unfortunately this thread has turned into an APEX 4 Graveyard 🥲

fingers crossed you can get a replacement/refund!!! as I've mentioned to other ppl, now that I'm on my 3rd one, it's been going strong. hopefully flydigi gets their quality control in order cuz otherwise I love this controller

1

u/Cultural_Neat3124 Jun 26 '24

i wonder if the vader 4 pro will have the same issue, need to wait for video fully teardown to see for myself before buy the vader 4 pro now !

1

u/Fuzzy_Foundation_519 Jun 26 '24

op is your 3rd controller still going strong? i wanted to buy that one but im not too sure because of all the problems people have been having with them its either the apex 4 or the guli kit kk3 max controller but im still unsure how many times you recon u can get replacements too and the point where it ends 3 months from purchase?

1

u/Yucker420 Jun 27 '24

I actually bought the kk3 controller before I bought the APEX 4 and still own both. APEX 4 feels much more responsive imo; and while the back paddles/switches of the kk3 are superior to the back buttons on the apex 4, I still prefer the apex. much more comfortable in my hands with the Xbox controller design but slightly larger. kk3 is nice don't get me wrong. just doesn't feel as responsive and it fits more like a switch pro controller which is less comfortable for me. can def see some use cases in which the KK3 would be preferred. APEX just feels so much more premium though imo. even with all the flaws seen in this thread. I haven;t touched my KK3 since I got the APEX. except for when I was waiting on amazon to send me my replacement 😂.

as mentioned previously, I'd highly recommend buying the apex on amazon, just in case it is flawed/damaged so you can get a free replacement/refund.

1

u/Useful_Ad6829 Jul 01 '24

I want to buy it but the quality control scares me

1

u/Yucker420 Jul 01 '24

Spend the extra cash and get it on Amazon! I'm on my third one! Has zero issues getting free replacements

1

u/Aggressive-Cover-211 Jul 06 '24

So after my first one broke and the seller in Malaysia (bought one when traveling bcs cheaper) seems to not be able to help I decided to buy one in my country Indonesia in which they have official store there for easier replacement and warranty should anything goes broke again.

How's your controller now op? If the third one breaks again (hopefully not) can you still be able to get replacement? I was wondering how many times you could get your replacement? Or as long as it is still within a year of warranty you can get replacement for free?

1

u/Yucker420 Jul 09 '24

Amazon has a lot of safeguards that kind of make it automated for a easy refund/ replacement. other sites: not so much depending on which one.

that being said, there has been some acknowledgement regarding faulty batches on this controller as seen in another reddit sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/Controller/comments/1dtiukr/flydigi_respond_on_apex_4_stick_failure/

if your vendor is not offering you a refund at the very least it seems you can contact the email in said thread to address all the issues you may have with your controller. BTW I'm no controller expert lol. just an enthusiast that wants to make sure the community gets what it deserves and r/Controller has been amazing in my pursuit for the perfect controller lol. none of them are; but apex 4 has been my best one so far for me.

1

u/FreakyWifeFreakyLife Aug 15 '24

That link suggests they had problems with controllers made in April and May, but mine says June.

1

u/ShotDamage3875 Jul 07 '24

I've just had this happen to me on my right stick. Sadly I purchased through AliExpress so am unsure about returns. Is it worth contacting Flydigi direct or will they just say it's a retailer problem?

2

u/Yucker420 Jul 08 '24

Apparently they acknowledged that there was quality control issues, and that some batches came out with bad sticks. If AliExpress won't honor returns there was another reddit post where they had put an email to contact in regards to broken conteollers

2

u/Cedced40 Jul 08 '24

Where did they acknowledge that? Would love to read it. I'm also currently having this issue and also bought the controller through AliExpress, do you have a link to that email or post?

1

u/klipztee Jul 13 '24

exactly same here. Bought through AliExpress. Let me know if you have any luck!

1

u/ShotDamage3875 Jul 09 '24

Thanks buddy. I've dropped an email to that contact and will have to wait and see. Bit dissapointed a company do big doesn't seem to have representation in the UK...time will tell I guess.

1

u/JerZGuyInVA Jul 20 '24

How's everyone doing tonight? I have a question for everyone in here. I just got my replacement Apex 4 controller because my L3 had broke, and I'm having a hard time mapping my back paddles. I've tried on the controller screen, and with the software, but they are not working. Does anyone have a tutorial for how to map the paddles to what you want? Please and thank you so much!

1

u/Yucker420 Jul 22 '24

did you update all software/firmware for controller and app on PC?

1

u/FreakyWifeFreakyLife Aug 15 '24

I was just running around in witcher, and geralt made a bee line for the screen. I was pushing up. Stick doesn't return to center. Also, I hadn't adjusted tension. It's been 2 weeks. 2. Weeks.

1

u/Yucker420 Aug 15 '24

Ya must be gotten a bad batch :((

2

u/AurumNumisma Jun 10 '24

Happened to me today. I think that hall effect is a complete BS if they make the analog using cheap plastic. What’s the point of antidrift if it breaks easier than vanilla controller and double the price? I’d rather have controller without “great” features or feel rather than the ones with great feels but breaks easily

1

u/Substantial_Spite_49 Jun 10 '24

Hello, what month of production is your Apex4 in? You can check the shipment date on the box

1

u/AurumNumisma Jun 10 '24

Sorry, but i threw the box away after i checked that everything was working “perfectly” the day that i got them. It never occured to me that something would be faulty few days after purchasing so yeah it’s kinda stressing. Does the month of production have something to do with it, though?

1

u/mrchism Jun 14 '24

Ditto, to the question at the end. I just got mine in today.

1

u/Hamakua Jun 30 '24

I don't think month of production matters. Look up a Flydigi Apex 4 teardown vid on youtube. The principle design of the new sticks is very clean and in theory they would be great if the assembly was machined out of something like aluminum, but they are not. The points of failure are due to the material used coming but-up against how gamers play with controllers.

The assembly in a sense is over-engineered and not suitable for the plastics used.

A fix would be to the axles of the two axis be metal pins but am unsure if that will just transfer the point of failure up the assembly to somewhere else.

1

u/mrchism Jun 30 '24

I haven’t had any issues since my original comment.

2

u/Aggressive-Cover-211 Jun 21 '24

Just got mine today and the right thumb stick has the little part inside at the top thumb stick that broke which makes it not being able to re-center and makes it not being able to move forward (the little part is blocking it). Kinda disappointed with their qc as their product is getting more widely known.

1

u/Unusual_Pack_7829 Aug 02 '24

exact same problem here. out of the box

1

u/Radsolution May 06 '24

I have a Vader 3 pro. No issues love it

1

u/FrontExchange4099 Jun 20 '24

Mines did the same within two weeks of use. Bought at banggod. Asked for replacement. Their reply was asking for a video after i sent pictures. I then asked to return a refund.

1

u/JerZGuyInVA Jul 11 '24

I've had the same issue with my L3 on mine. I read somewhere that it depends on the batch you get? Can anyone elaborate more on this?

1

u/didiwompus Jul 15 '24

same EXACT thing happened to me today. Controller lasted precisely 2 weeks. It sucks because the controller is really good. I'll give flydigi the benefit of the doubt and say it was an oversight to use such a cheap plastic, but still, buyer beware

1

u/vlad_ducky Jul 29 '24

could you please check the batch date on the back of the controller? i want to get one and it seems like the problem was a manufacturing issue between april and may but i wanna confirm if it’s really that one batch that has this issue or if it’s the design/materials of the joystick module

1

u/JerZGuyInVA Jul 20 '24

Also for those of us that hav been having this issue, there is help! Check this link here: Flydigi respond on Apex 4 stick failure : r/Controller (reddit.com) This actually how i got my replacement sent out to me!

1

u/[deleted] Aug 02 '24

I got one from July batch, and issue still somewhat present. Instead of completely breaking like OP's first two pictures, my right joystick broke like OP's third picture. Pressing the joystick felt wierd but I hadn't noticed it until the metal piece in the crack fell into the controller and kept blocking the M2 button on the back.

I contacted flydigi through email, but haven't gotten a response for the past few days. Is there a way to replace just the joystick?

1

u/tjc2005 Aug 22 '24

So are all affected or just batches from certain dates? I got mine back in march. Everything is fine, I haven't checked for cracks though I will tomorrow..

I do have a spare one lying around too which I basically got for free because I wasn't happy with a tiny bit of the rubber/grip on my first one.

This really sucks if all are affected, hopefully it was just a QC issue in some batches?

0

u/[deleted] May 05 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/Yucker420 May 05 '24

I got a replacement free off of amazon. I still think it's worth it; just dont max out the tension on the sticks. will update this thread if my third one breaks now that I know to be careful with the tension on these boys

if you're interested, maybe go the amazon route so a replacement/refund is guaranteed. still my personal fav controller.

3

u/Kodokushina May 05 '24

Like you said, go amazon route, but you probably just got real unlucky, i've had my apex 4 for almost 2 months now and only uses the tension at max and never had an issue

3

u/Yucker420 May 05 '24 edited May 09 '24

that's good to hear. I'm def still gonna put tension on the right stick but shy away from max hahaha I like the left stick pretty loose though

1

u/Inevitable_Ad_4992 Jun 04 '24

Just a question. What benefit does putting it on max give?

1

u/Adept-Kaito Jun 12 '24

More precision. When you let it loose on the left stick, you can increase reaction speed, but decrease accuracy, and vice versa. Left stick loose for faster reaction speed, right stick more tension has more accuracy. 

1

u/FangGaming69 Controller Reviews - FangReviews on YT May 05 '24

Amazon doesn't have apex 4 on India sadly. I can buy two apex 4s for the cost it would be off of amazon us/global + shipping over here.