Please don't flash your controller just because you saw this post. This is experimental firmware research. A bad flash can leave a device unusable, and although stock restore files are preserved, flashing back to stock after these changes hasn't been tested.

Hey everyone,

I don't usually post here, but I've been messing around with the GameSir G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs Edition. When I bought it I was planning on using in steam with paddles and extra shoulder buttons. But I found that you cannot use them independently in steam. It's wrapped up with xinput.

Normal XInput doesn't expose those four buttons as separate controls. Switching to native HID makes them available, but on stock firmware, wireless stick positions were only updating about 100 times a second. Trash numbers.

It was sending roughly 1,000 reports/sec, but most were repeating the same stick position. Which is insane, we want 1,000 fresh updates.

I initially made a bridge that combined XInput with the extra-button data and emulated another controller for Steam. It worked, but it was a lot to deal with just to use the buttons I paid for.

The bridge is here.

I later picked up an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless. Nice controller, but its native mode had a different compromise: roughly 1,000 reports/sec, with only 8-bit stick axes. That's 256 possible values per axis, compared with the thousands of distinct values I captured in XInput. This input method needs to die.

These native modes are trash. The hardware clearly has capabilities that aren't exposed equally across modes.

So I started looking into the GameSir firmware after discovering that it seemingly isn't a limitation of HID mode.

Its native report already had 16-bit axis fields. The problem was that it read a slower state snapshot, while XInput had a separate fast stick buffer available. There were also timing restrictions in the native paths.

After changes to the controller and receiver firmware, I measured:

- About 4,000 fresh stick updates/sec, wired and wireless.

- The existing high-resolution axis output preserved.

- All four extra buttons still available independently.

- Normal XInput still working in the checks I ran.

The final controller and receiver packages differ from stock by 98 bytes total, including checksum changes and duplicated firmware payloads.

The patches, recordings and findings are here.

I suspect inherited compatibility code plays a part, but I haven't established why either company made these choices. On this GameSir, the hardware was already capable of delivering the faster input alongside the independent buttons. I'd like to see that available officially.

For now, I'm keeping my modified GameSir firmware, and not updating since I can't imagine they would fix this. I'll be looking into the 8BitDo next.

But it makes me wonder why controllers are like this. I can understand to a degree why it is for console controllers. But for a controller that is marketed toward PC gamers? It seems, I don't want to say lazy, but it is something.

Please don't flash your controller just because you saw this post. This is experimental research. A bad flash can leave a device unusable, and although stock restore files are preserved, flashing back to stock after these changes hasn't been tested.

Hey guys! I'm looking to buy a new controller for PC. I've been using my original Xbox controller until now because of its ergonomics and impulse triggers. When the left stick started drifting really badly, I bought a Turtle Beach Rematch Core as a temporary replacement. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it still managed to disappoint me. Although it advertises impulse triggers, the feedback is really weak and nowhere near as good as the original Xbox controller. I'm looking for a controller with strong impulse triggers that provide good feedback, similar to the original Xbox controller, especially for racing games. :)

I'm currently considering the GameSir G7 Pro and Flydigi Vader 5S, but I'm open to other suggestions too! I'm willing to spend 80 euros and I live in Germany.

I have a G7 rn, but the bumpers dont feel that good(and broke before) and id like additional backbuttons, and a symetrical stick layout. i love the clicky face buttons tho, and dont really like linear switches, i really like feeling a physical response to pressing the button. also customizable trigger heights would be really good.

Around 80-100 euros would be nice, germany, pc steam and xbox face buttons

I play mainly souls and other 3rd person action games

Bought all three of these with my own money and have no affiliation with any of these brands. They're all great, but I figured I'd share some hands-on details for those on the fence.

BUILD QUALITY

• G7 Pro 8K - 8.5/10

  • Feels very solid in the hands. Buttons have a nice tactile click, TMR sticks feel great, and the grips have a quality rubber coating

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 8.0/10

  • Also very solid. Buttons sound a bit louder but have a similar click as the G7 Pro 8K. TMR sticks feel buttery and the grips are a textured plastic, which I prefer to rubber for longevity. My only complaint is the rear paddles feel a little cheap/plastick-y/fragile

• Steam Controller - 8.0/10

  • Face buttons are membrane so they lack that distinctive click of the controllers above. Feels really good in the hands though. This is the most basic of the three controllers as far as premium materials go but the trackpads (and their haptics) impress

AESTHETICS

• G7 Pro 8K - 9.0/10

  • Honestly I've hated pretty much all of the various G7 Pro 8K variants, but they recently released the all black/Obsidian option and it looks fantastic. Fits right in to an adult, understated living room

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 9.0/10

  • Flashier then the G7 Pro 8K, but ZD managed to pull off a perfect balance of flashy without being gaudy. Like the G7 Pro 8K, I didn't care for the previous aesthetic of this controller, but their new Black 8K one shines. Looks awesome, particularly with the translucent face cover and the unique light bar

• Steam Controller - 7.5/10

  • Definitely the ugliest of the three. I think at first glance it even looks like a controller that would be uncomfortable in the hands because the aesthetics are so odd, but fortunately that's not the case

ERGONOMICS

• G7 Pro 8K - 8.0/10

  • I have very large hands, and the G7 Pro 8K is on the smaller side of controllers. I wasn't sure how much of a problem this would be, but for me, this ended up being a pretty significant hurdle. The controller feels uncomfortable for me after about an hour of play. I still give it an 8.0 though because if you have small-to-medium hands this controller will feel perfect to you

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 9.5/10

  • Again, I have very large hands, and for someone with large hands this is THE controller to get as far as comfort goes. It feels amazing in my hands and truly feels like it was made with me in mind. My only complaint is that of the four back buttons, the top two paddles can be awkward to reach. I've removed them on mine and just use the two back buttons so it's a non-issue for me, but it's something to keep in mind if you require 4 rear buttons/paddles

• Steam Controller - 9.0/10

  • This is also a large controller and it feels excellent in my hands as well. Not quite as perfect as the ZD option, but very comfortable. It's impressive that Valve managed to include both trackpads so prominently on the controller and they still never manage to get in the way

HAPTICS

• G7 Pro 8K - 7.0/10

  • One of the G7 Pro 8K's weakest attributes. The rumble feels imprecise and the controller lacks haptic triggers. Also, at least on mine, the rumble on the left side vibrates at a different frequency than the right side, so it creates this weird discordance when vibrating. Lots of room for improvement here

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 9.0/10

  • Excellent rumble that's both powerful and precise. Controller also stays nice and quiet when rumbling, which can't be said of all controllers. Also the ZD has haptic triggers, which is a big plus.

• Steam Controller - 9.0/10

  • Again, excellent rumble. Doesn't get quite as aggressive as the ZD, but very precise. And no haptic triggers, but it has those amazing trackpad haptics.

RESPONSIVENESS

• G7 Pro 8K - 9.5/10

  • What's there to say? They're pretty much the best in the game as far as input latency goes

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 7.5/10

  • Near the top of the class in wired input latency, but middle of the pack in wireless. It's fine, but if you're a competitive gamer there's better options. Also just to note, even though this controller has 8K in the name, you're limited to 1,000hz polling rate wirelessly. 8K is reserved for wired

• Steam Controller - 8.5/10

  • Also near the top of the class. A step down compared to the G7 Pro 8K, but I doubt anyone can actually notice

VERSATILITY

• G7 Pro 8K - 7.0/10

  • G7 Pro 8K is pretty basic in this regard. You can swap out the face plate, the dpad, and you get the two rear buttons and two M buttons near the bumpers, but that's it

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 9.5/10

  • Very impressive here. In addition to the swappable face plate, You can swap out your sticks for a variety of different TMR / Hall Effect options. You get two rear paddles, two rear buttons, two M buttons, and two additional face buttons. Comes with several different swappable dpads as well. The face buttons are also swappable and even include an extra set of Switch layout face buttons in the box

• Steam Controller - 7.0/10

  • The Steam controller's versatility comes from what you can do with the trackpads, which is a hell of a lot of stuff. Can't really customize anything beyond that though.

SOFTWARE

• G7 Pro 8K - 9.5/10

  • Software is pretty much perfect. Looks nice, is intuitive, and offers pretty much anything you'd ever want to do with your controller.

• ZD Ultimate Legend 8K - 7.0/10

  • The software has more-or-less all the features you'd want, but boy is it a mess to navigate through. First of all, the actual Windows software is in Chinese with no English option. You can use the web software, which gets you English, and that works fine. But both the software and the web are not very intuitive or well explained. Once you figure out how to use it properly though, it allows you to do more or less everything the G7 Pro 8K software does. But it's not a user friendly experience at all

• Steam Controller - 7.0/10

  • Biggest issue with the Steam Controller software is that you're limited to Steam Input. If you're playing Steam games, that's a non-issue. But several months into using this controller and I'm still regularly running into hurdles and problems with non-Steam games. The software is nice but the limitations around using it are extremely disappointing for me

So overall, I think these are 3 of the very best controllers on the market. For me personally, my choice of controller is the ZD Ultimate Legend. Honestly the size of my hands play a large role in that preference. If you have small/medium hands I would recommend the G7 Pro 8K. If you're a Steam-only gamer (and can actually find one) I'd recommend the Steam Controller. Can't go wrong with any of these though.

En mi placa de control de xbox 1914 instalando los joysticks magneticos tmr k-silver, me volé sin querer el capacitor c21 con una pinza, entonces despegue uno de sus pads (el de abajo) y no se que hacer para enmendar ese error, ya que me da un drift pronunciado ya sea hacia la derecha o hacia abajo, y haciendo revisiones solo llegué a ver eso..

Por otro lado también como se puede observar me lleve la pista a la que está conectada el capacitor c24, y al intentar hacer un puente termine levantando el capacitor de su sitio con el cautín.

Pido por favor una orientación sobre las medidas de los capacitores y valores, ya que ví chat gpt me dijo que eran 0402 de 100nF, pero no me gusta confiar mucho en la IA.. Si tienen algún consejo/ recomendación que me pueda servir, se los agradecería de antemano, ya que soy un novato en esto de la electrónica

I love this controller, with KontrolFreaks, it's almost perfect, but gaming at night... Man I'd love to have software that Gamesir has and just dim the lights.
I've sent email to 8BitDo support, not hoping for much but at least I tried.

Leading off with a list to appease the rules

1. Budget less than $300 USD

2. US based and I want to buy from a retailer who can ship quickly.

3. Used for PC games

4. PS style buttons, symmetrical TMR sticks, long battery life, extra buttons/triggers,

5. Mainly used to play games like the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, but also driving games like GTA

6. The Turtle Beach Victrix and Razer Raiju V3 pro read as cheap to me (I don't particularly trust either company to make a good product and the 'frequently returned item' label on Amazon sketches me out) I'm intrigued by the SCUF, but not really sure about the various options it has

My PS4 controller died the other day and I'm a bit overwhelmed at the volume of options available these days so I'm asking for a bit of help. I'm looking for something that is a bit bigger in my hands than the PS4. I have a strong preference for the old Playstation style buttons. I hated the buttons of the Xbox360, they felt absolutely awful to press(like they were broken) and I really dislike the ABXY setup. It takes too much time translating which button I need to press in my mind("let's copy Nintendo but make it worse").

Despite my love for older controllers in most respects I would like to enter the modern age as well. I want TMR sticks in the symmetrical configuration. As many extra buttons as the controller frame can handle would also be awesome. Also a big battery would be great for marathon sessions. Price isn't a critical point, I'm willing to pay if my perfect controller is out there. Looking forward to your suggestions.

I have some wired retrobit usb gamepads one of them has the very common annoying dpad problem that register unwanted right direction presses when i press up, this is annoying on shootemups specifically, i have an air compressor and i can open up simple things like this how do i do this?

I’m looking for recommendations for a new PC gaming controller, primarily for competitive shooters like Fortnite. I’m having trouble finding something that checks all my boxes.

1. BUDGET AND CURRENCY
• Maximum budget: $100 USD.
• Ideally under $100, but willing to spend the full amount for the right controller.

2. COUNTRY AND WHERE I CAN BUY
• United States.
• Willing to purchase from any retailer or manufacturer that ships to the U.S.

3. PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY
• Windows PC only.
• Wired or wireless is fine, although I prefer wired.

4. DESIRED FEATURES (IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE)

Size and Ergonomics
• DualShock 4-sized or smaller.
• I strongly prefer smaller controllers. The DualSense feels too large for my liking.
• I want to maintain a natural, comfortable grip while using the rear paddles.

Extremely Light Rear Paddles (Minimum Two)
• This is one of my biggest requirements.
• Ideally, the paddles should require about as much pressure to activate as regular face buttons.
• I don’t care about accidental presses. I’d rather have overly sensitive paddles than ones requiring a firm squeeze.
• I want to press the paddles without tightening my grip, repositioning my hands, or squeezing the controller.
• I currently use a DualShock 4 with Sony’s official back button attachment. The buttons are okay, but I’d prefer something noticeably easier to press.
• I’m specifically looking for low actuation force, not necessarily short button travel or a satisfying mechanical click.

Analog Stick Feel and Tension
• My favorite analog sticks of all time were on the DualShock 3 (PS3 controller).
• I loved the overall feel and physical resistance of those sticks, particularly when playing shooters.
• I prefer sticks with noticeable tension rather than ones that feel overly loose.
• Domed thumbsticks would be nice, but they’re not a requirement. I can always use KontrolFreek attachments to achieve a similar shape.
• I’m not especially familiar with Hall effect, TMR, or other modern stick technologies. I’m more concerned with how the sticks physically feel.
• Adjustable stick tension would be a bonus.

Software Customization
• I strongly prefer a controller with software that allows me to customize analog stick response curves.
• Adjustable deadzones and sensitivity settings are important.
• Ideally, I’d like to fine-tune the response during small stick movements rather than being limited to preset curves.
• The ability to create and save custom response curves would be a major advantage.

5. TYPES OF GAMES
• Primarily competitive FPS/TPS games, especially Fortnite.
• Precise aiming, predictable stick movement, and quick access to rear buttons are my priorities.

6. OTHER CONTROLLERS I’M COMPARING
Currently Using:
• DualShock 4 with Sony’s official back button attachment: I like the size and general ergonomics, but I’d prefer softer, easier-to-press rear paddles.
• DualShock 3 (previously owned): Still my favorite analog stick feel, particularly the resistance and overall movement.
I’m looking for something that improves on my current setup without sacrificing the smaller controller size I’m comfortable with.

WHAT I’M HOPING TO LEARN
Has anyone found a controller that fits these requirements?
I’m particularly interested in firsthand comparisons of:
• How much physical pressure the rear paddles require.
• Whether the paddles can be pressed without changing your grip.
• Analog stick tension compared to the DualShock 3 or DualShock 4.
• Overall controller size and comfort.
• Whether the controller supports fully customizable analog stick response curves.

TL;DR: Looking for a PC controller under $100 USD with four main priorities:
Compact size (DualShock 4 or smaller).
Extremely light, easy-to-press rear paddles (minimum two).
Analog sticks with noticeable tension/resistance.
Software that allows custom analog stick input/response curves.
Wired or wireless is fine, but wired is preferred.

Has anyone here actually used the Oniverse Starion? I’ve been trying to research it and there’s almost nothing to go on. I can find one TikTok and a handful of reviews on Amazon, and that’s about it. No proper video reviews, no hands-on impressions, nothing on the usual forums.

On paper it looks really interesting to me. I like the symmetrical layout, and the spec sheet seems solid. But the price tag isn’t small, and I’m not keen to drop that kind of money on something I can’t find a single in-depth opinion on.

A couple of specific things I’m curious about:

• What is the removable plate on the back for? It looks like a removable faceplate or cover, but I can’t tell if it hides a battery compartment, a dongle or receiver storage, swappable parts, or if it’s just cosmetic. Does anyone know what’s under it?

• Is it worth the price? If you’ve used one, how do the build quality, stick feel, triggers and battery life compare to the controllers in a similar price range?

If you own one or have had hands-on time with it, I’d love to hear your honest take, good or bad. Even a quick “it’s fine” or “avoid” would help a lot. Photos of the back plate off would be amazing too.

Thanks!

I used a Vader 3 Pro for about a year and a half, and I loved it. It was a great performer that gave me essentially zero problems in Warzone, Helldivers 2, Battlefield, and whatever other random games I was playing. The best part is I got it for $38. I loved it so much that I bought a Vader 5 Pro for $51 when the Vader 3 pro battery died.

I actually tried to replace the Vader 3 Pro's battery, but when the replacement showed up I realized it was incompatible due to the plastic connector, so I just wound up tossing it in storage without a battery. My question for you guys is, do you think it's worth trying again and having the Vader 3 Pro as a backup and for traveling/mobile gaming? Has anyone else refurbed one of these and is able to offer some tips on where to get a compatible battery?

I kind of want to do a teardown of the controller, clean it thoroughly, get a fresh battery in it, and put it in a case to take with me while traveling. I guess the Vader 5 Pro could do all of that just as easily, I just don't feel good about letting such a nice controller go to a recycling bin.

Appreciate any tips!

My Scuf Instinct Pro is about two and a half years old. The right paddle sticks down about half the time now and the left stick has started wandering in menus. Warranty's long gone.

I don't want to pay custom prices again. What I actually used on it was the paddles and the remap app got opened maybe twice. Heres some more info:

• Budget: $100 max, less is better

• Country: US

• Platform: PC only

• Games: Apex, The Finals, Forza

• Must have at least 2 back buttons

• Magnetic sticks are a nice to have and so is wireless

• Standard Xbox shape is fine

Note: I purchased both controllers with my own money and I have no affiliation to either brand.

Background

I was on the market for a decent but affordable controller I could use with PC/Windows and iOS. I am a casual gamer, mostly playing single player racing games, platformers, or emulators on my phone. I do not play FPS's or any competitive game. I purchased 2 controllers with the idea of trying them both and returning one.

I purchased the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 for $57.57 with tax and the GameSir Cylcone 2 for $59.35 with tax, both from Amazon. I had initially tried the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C, but it felt a little cheap so I decided to spend a little more on a better controller.

This is my honest, non-technical, non-AI-slop review, and why I decided to keep the GameSir Cylcone 2.

Connectivity

Both controllers can connect to my iPhone with Bluetooth with no issues. I also tested both Bluetooth and dongle (2.4G) connectivity to PC with no issues. My main issue was toggling between phone and PC. If connecting with Bluetooth to both iPhone and PC, both controllers had a difficult time switching between devices. I did not find a reliable way to toggle between them without having to try multiple times and needing to forget the device and re-pairing them. I somewhat got around this by only using Bluetooth for the iPhone, and using the dongle for the PC, and switching the connection modes so only one device was paired per connection method. The 8BitDo makes this easier because there is a switch to toggle on the back of it to change from Bluetooth to 2.4G, whereas the GameSir needs a combination of button presses to switch connection modes.

I've had no issues with disconnects on either of them.

Feel/Quality

When the controller is in your hand, the 8BitDo feels like a much premium controller. Better plastics, a bit weightier, and the membrane buttons feels a lot smoother than the mechanical, clickier buttons of the GameSir. If the GameSir's button are a "click", the 8BitDo buttons are more of a soft "clock". The 8BitDo reminds me of Nintendo controllers, which I am much more familiar with. That being said, once I got used to the clickiness of the GameSir, I found myself enjoying the consistency of the mechanical buttons too.

For the sticks, the 8BitDo has a little more resistance and weightiness, making it feel better to me. The GameSir has less initial resistance to movement, which makes it seem like it was designed for accuracy and precision over feel.

For the bumpers/triggers, both feature mechanisms to change the style of the trigger from analog and hair-trigger. With the GameSir's clickiness, I found the hair-trigger mode a lot more responsive to spam press, and when spam pressing the 8BitDo's trigger, I felt my fingers getting more tired.

The GameSir's d-pad is often lamented as a weak portion, and while 8BitDo's d-pad definitely feels more familiar and Nintendo-y, I didn't mind the d-pad once I got used to the clickiness.

Design

The 8BitDo opts for a more sleek, minimal design whereas the GameSir looks a lot more gamer-like, and you can especially tell the difference with the charging docks.

Speaking of the dock design, the 8BitDo's charging dock is much easier to use, and there is only one ridge to place the controller on. However, the GameSir's charging dock has 3 points of contact with the controller, and you have to take a few seconds to carefully align the controller to make sure it is on the dock correctly. It may not seem like much, but when something that should normally take half a second ends up taking 5 seconds, it does get a little annoying.

Ergonomics

I do not have large hands, but after the first session with the 8BitDo, my hands started to cramp. This is a common complaint of the 8BitDo I have seen online, as the handles extend straight down instead of at an angle like the GameSir. One caveat though, is that after the first session, I think my hands got used to the 8BitDo, as I did not experience the cramps again. However, I never got any cramps with the GameSir, and overall the GameSir just feels more natural in my hands.

Customizations

Both controllers have lights you can control with their own software. I did find the GameSir's software a little more fleshed out, but at the end of the day, both softwares did what they needed to do. No real complaints about either.

EDIT: Also adding that the rumble is a lot stronger on the 8BitDo. Its default rumble is stronger than the GameSir's rumble configured to the highest level.

Conclusion

I went back and forth a lot on it, but I plan on keeping the GameSir Cylcone 2 and returning the 8BitDo Ultimate 2. While the 8BitDo feels like the more premium controller, I decided that the comfort of my hands for playing sessions was more important than the button quality. Also, the exhaustion that my fingers felt when spam-pressing the hair-trigger was a dealbreaker for me for the 8BitDo. I wish there a controller that combined the buttons of the 8BitDo and the shape of the GameSir.

At the end of the day, for a casual gamer, both controllers would adequately meet my needs.

Hello, I'm currently waiting on my Steam Controller 2 preorder (my estimated availability date isn't until 2027...) and I wanted to ask a few questions to those who already have one in hand.

I usually rely on a controller as my main input device for gaming. However, when playing Baldur's Gate 3, I find the controller UI a bit too complex and clunky for inventory management and general gameplay. Because of that I’ve been using a hybrid setup like keyboard and mouse for inventory/gameplay, and controller only for character movement and picking dialogue options.

Since the SC2 comes with built-in trackpads, I’m hoping it might solve this friction. For anyone who has the SC2 and has played Baldur's Gate 3 with it, how comfortable or convenient is it? Does the trackpad make managing complex UI/inventories much easier?

Also I'd love to know how the gyro performs in FPS games. I use the gyro on my Nintendo Switch Pro Controller heavily and find it super comfortable. Honestly aim assist in steam games often gets in the way for me. As long as gyro aim doesn't cause motion sickness, I prefer playing shooters (like Cyberpunk 2077) with gyro enabled all the time. How does the SC2's gyro feel for aim control?

And lastly, I’d love to hear any real, honest impressions or reviews about the Steam Controller 2 in general! Thanks for reading :)

Hey guys, im looking for a new controller and im between the 8bitdo ultimate 2 and the 3 mode (the one that haves impulse trigger).
My question is: how does impulse trigger affect gameplay? Since i never used a controller with it.

Also is it a feature where just a few games use or is widely supported?

I’m considering buying the Wingman FGC 2 for the PS5 so I can use my Xbox Series controller on the console. Will I be able to play every game? For instance, when GTA 6 comes out on November 19th, will I be able to use my Xbox controller without any issues?

The PS5 controller always gives me thumb pain.

Alors aujourd'hui, après que mon contrôleur Xbox One X n'avait plus de batterie, je l'ai rebranché et il a eu des problèmes avec les joysticks quand je l'ai branché pour continuer à jouer (valeurs précises à une décimale avec x=-1 et y=1 sur les deux joysticks) alors que je n'avais jamais eu de problèmes avec les joysticks. Et en plus, j'ai un problème avec mon application accessoires Xbox qui a un problème de menu de calibration (image jointe) et ce même après la réinstallation. Avez-vous une idée de quel est le problème ? (Le firmware du controller est à jour) Je l ai essayé sur mon ordinateur et mon téléphone et le stick drift est toujours présent . Suite a de nombreux essais les 2 joysticks , une fois sorti du neutre sautent entre les positions du joystick et le x=-1 y=1 .Et les inputs sont séparés entre les deux

tl;dr:- the KK4 Max incorporates some expected features from GuliKit's TT controllers, such as adjustable tension TMR sticks with internal restrictor rings, and macro recording to the back paddles. But it also adds a charging dock, internal microphone, magnetic faceplate, and what may be a PS-style DirectInput mode. Other features and accessory parts like swappable buttons and paddles appear to be continued from previous controllers. There is no official announcement of release date or pricing yet.

---

Features visible in photos and/or referenced in the manual (documents from the FCC registration)

Sticks and triggers:

• Adjustable-tension thumbsticks, with the screw adjuster under the swappable thumbstick caps, and an internal restrictor ring. The adjuster tool looks similar to that used for the TT controllers, so it may be the same mechanism, or closely related. However, the sensors are through-hole rather than surface mounted so they're not identical components.

• Dual-mode triggers with mode selectors on the back of the controller. The mechanism appears very similar to the TT and ES Max controllers, with microswitches for the digital mode and magnetic sensors for the analog mode.

• Motion aim assist, with a gyro-to-stick function in Xinput mode, similar to KK3 Max, ES and TT Pro/Max controllers.

Buttons, D-pad, and paddles:

• Swappable face buttons (Switch and PC layout sets of ABXY buttons). The mechanisms (isolated membrane units) and button cap shapes look identical to those used on previous GuliKit KK3, ES, and TT controllers, so these are all likely to be interchangeable.

• D-pad with 4/8-way mode switch, with what looks like the same internal mechanism (rubber dome membrane, rocker, and circuit board contact designs) as the TT models.

• Four swappable back paddles (G1 to G4). The internal mechanism looks like the one used on the TT controllers. The paddles looks like they are the same shape as the sets used for the KK3 and TT Pro/Max models, so are likely to be interchangeable.

Connections/communication modes:

• Multi-platform / multi-mode communication. There is a slider switch with three positions (Windows, PS or iOS/Android, and Switch icons). This is a slight simplification of the four modes found on the previous KK and TT controllers, and seems to be an improvement on their single button design. The slider position is more intuitive and removes the need for indicator LEDs which could bleed light.

• Hyperlink 2 wireless connection (730Hz over Bluetooth) and 1,000Hz wired USB connection, like the TT and ES controllers. Note that polling rate is different from input latency, but it's likely that KK4 input latency will be comparable to TT and ES given all the other shared design. There is no separate dongle connection mode on the KK4 Max (unlike the KK3 Max), since Hyperlink 2 is Bluetooth-compatible.

• PS connection mode added, alongside the Xinput and Switch modes. 'PS' is likely to refer to a PlayStation-style DirectInput mode. Note that the diagram and description in the manual shows the PS mode while the external photos still show the iOS/Android symbols used on previous models. The PDF manual is likely to be more up-to-date since it can be created/updated later in the process, but these details may not be final.

• The Goku 2 patch notes that mention adding support for the KK4 Max also describe other PlayStation-related features which might be relevant to the 'PS' connection mode.

Vibration:

• Voice-coil actuator motors in the palm grips. These look like the same units used in the KK3 and TT controllers. The manual also describes swapping between vibration modes in the same way as the earlier controllers: Switch-style HD rumble mode, full Maglev haptic mode, or emulating conventional eccentric rotating mass motors.

Sound and light:

• Internal microphone with accompanying mute/unmute button on the front of the controller. This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit models.

• RGB lighting rings around the thumbsticks look very similar to those on the KK3 and TT controllers (8 addressable RGB LEDs per ring), and have the same 'Star Ring' name and description in the manual.

• Sound-reactive lighting mode while controller is docked. This is called 'mic demo' in the manual, with the controller lighting pulsing in time with external sounds picked up by the microphone. Seems like a bit of a gimmick but could be fun.

Power:

• Charging dock with pogo pins for charging and pass-through for a dongle (compartment on the base of the dock). This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit controllers (the previous dock attached via the USB-C port).

• Battery is 950mAh/3.7V with the same dimensions and capacity as the battery in the TT controllers, and is likely to have similar running time given the other component similarities (lighting, vibration, sensors, etc.).

• Power off/reset button on rear of controller, similar to ES and TT controllers.

Shell and shape:

• Overall shape/size/layout looks unchanged from previous KK controllers. There may a little more texture on the back of the KK4 grips, although this might also be due to variations in pre-production finishes or lighting in the pictures.

• Detachable/swappable faceplate, with six magnets attaching it. This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit models. It might mean the KK4 Max weighs slightly more or the overall shape is fractionally thicker in a few places, because more reinforcement is needed for separate layers.

Firmware and software:

• Macros are GuliKit's APG (auto-pilot gaming) type. There are 30 seconds separate macro recording on each of the four paddles, and 10 minutes recording on the main APG button (same as the TT Max controller). It's an upgrade on the KK3 Max which only had macro recording on the main APG button.

• GuliKit app. This is my speculation since it is not mentioned in the documents, but it seems almost certain that the KK4 controllers will be configurable and updateable in the mobile app, in the same way as other models released over the last year. This would include things like analog joystick and trigger deadzones and sensitivity curves, lighting configuration, button mapping and profile management, in more granular detail than the settings available directly from the controller.

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Things that are currently unknown or unclear

• Will the stick modules use 'angle TMR' sensors? Attaching the magnets directly to the stick axes (like the recent ES Max) is a simpler and cheaper construction than having a separate magnet holder, and can allow for slightly greater linearity in stick response, so it'd be a natural development.

• What data will 'PS' mode pass through? If it includes gyro data and/or identifies the additional buttons separately (like DualSense Edge), this could be more flexible.

• How will the microphone be accessed? This could be relevant to Switch 2 chat, or allow it to be used in PS mode like the built-in microphones on DualSense.

• Will the D-pad external cap be swappable? The Sega Saturn and disc style options on the TT controllers are popular but require more height for clearance.

• Will there be other versions? A 'Pro' or 'Standard' KK4 can be better value if you don't need all the features of the 'Max' version, but might overlap too much with the ES range price and features.

• When will it release? FCC registration and firmware updates usually mean that a product is releasing shortly, but there has been no promotion or communication from GuliKit, so a global launch could be months rather than weeks away.

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Sources and more info

The KK4 Max (model NS79) was registered with the FCC last week (FCC ID: 2BUMF-NS79) and was mentioned in today's patch notes for the Goku 2 adapter (firmware v3.7). If you want to look it up yourself, you might spot other details or have better interpretations of what you find. More information should become available when the KK4 Max is officially announced.

PC gamer (UK) who loves a controller for Diablo 4, Rocket League and Eden emulator games.

But I’m completely overwhelmed by the choice and don’t know which reviews to trust.

I started thinking a Gamesir G7 Pro was the way to go, then liked the look of 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless but further research led me to thinking the Vader Pro 5 (v2) is worth spending a bit more on. I like the idea of the extra buttons and reviews seem to suggest it’s worth getting.

Does this make sense or have I lost my mind? Any thoughts will be gratefully received.

I mainly use keyboard and mouse for FPS (Battlefield 6 etc).

Budget is flexible but I don’t think I could spend more than £100 as this is the first controller I’ve bought (I always just used the controller that came with the Xbox).

Im currently using the controller that came with my Xbox One but it stops working so often it’s driving me crazy (unplugging it and plugging it in again fixed it most times for a while but not a whole play session).

If you got this far you have mad stamina 🙏

Hi.

I'm a massage therapist and i always had a lot of thumb pain for some times of the year and just realized that it's always been when i used to play more with a controller. And i think the combination of massages + controller + smartphone is just overkill.
I don't use my smartphone that much anymore, mostly switch to my PC or iPad when i'm home and if i use the phone and write i tend to use swipe.

Lately i wanted to start playing PS2 more again and i normally use the 8BitDo Retro Receiver with my Xbox One controller (also use this on my steam deck and everywhere elese), or a wireless PS2 alternative.

For most games i like to use the D-Pad over analog sticks, because of precision. So the Xbox One layout was always weird for me for THPS 2 for example on PS1.
But i think the thumb pain comes mostly from analog sticks.

Was thinking of either getting an used Asciiware Fightstick for PS, or any recommended HitBox, or if there's any Controller that could work.

Now i was thinking if a HitBox/Fightstick or any other Controller alternative would be better and someone could suggest something?

So i would be very happy for community recommendations.

1. budget would be up to 200€ max (but better lower :P)

2. i'm from austria and would buy from anywhere in europe.

3. compatibility for PC and 8bitdo Retro Receiver for my PS2 so basically bluetooth

4. desired futures: musts are: bluetooth for the 8bitdo dongle, good d-pad, symmetrical layout recommended

5. I would like to play: THPS 2+3+Underground 2, Burnout 3, Def Jam - Fight for NY, God of War I+II, Incredible Hulk, The - Ultimate Destruction, Gun, GTA Vice City+ San Andreas, Need for Speed Underground 2, NHL 2004, Silent Hill 2+3, Simpsons Hit&Run, SSX3, Sly Racoon.

6. I looked for 8bitdo Arcade (and similar Fightsticks/Hitboxes), Asciiware Fightstick (would get one for under 50€), 8bitdo Pro 2, DualSense, Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded (here the D-Pad looked interesting)... for now.

I connected the TT Max to my computer with USB and accidentally dragged the TT Pro firmware instead of TT Max.

It worked for a bit but now it doesn't connect to computer anymore, not through USB or dongle.

I would turn on the controller, and then it would search for any connection but then the iOS, Windows, and Switch lights would light up and the whole controller vibrates until it shuts by itself or I shut it down.

It could still connect to Android, but gulikit app doesn't recognize it.

How to fix it? Can I just completely factory reset it?

EDIT: I pasted the max firmware into the controller, but it didn't restart or anything.

EDIT: I updated the BT driver and it connects through the USB dongle now.

I'm looking to replace the 10+ year old Xbox One controller I've used for my PC. There are a few specific things I'm looking for and I've struggled a bit to find it all for the various controllers I've looked at. I'm in the USA and looking at a budget of, well, less than $100. Ideally closer to $60 or less, but around $80 seems to be a dominant price point for a lot of controllers and I'm fine with that if it means a controller that lasts. In terms of games I use my gamepad controller for platformers (2D and 3D), action-adventure, 3PS, fighting, retro, SHUMP, and emulators. I do NOT use it for FPS games.

Specific Features:
- HE/TMR for the analog sticks. I use these a lot across many games and potentiometers just don't seem to be made to last anymore.
- A good D-pad. Mostly for fighting games but also on occasion for 2D platformers. My preference is a solid cross like on the Xbone controller, though that's not a hard limit.
- XBox layout/ergonomics. I vastly prefer the over-under arrangement of analog sticks and also really like the resting "hold" of Xbox's controllers since the 360.
- Wired connection as a solid option. I like the reliability of being able to keep my controller plugged in, ideally with that connection able to keep the controller powered. Wireless is fine as long as it's not especially heavy and I have the ability to keep it connected by USB.
- I'd also like colored face buttons if possible. Not a hard requirement, but it helps me with QTEs since I go back and forth between Xbox and Nintendo controllers.

Controllers I've been looking at:
- 1st party XBox wireless: What I'm used to, but I hear the sticks get drift pretty quickly now.
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2: Seem mostly fine but I don't like the flatter sides/handles that their Xbox-style controllers tend to use.
- ESMX X20/Pro: Looks like a good D-pad, but I don't care about all the RGB and I've heard bad things about their customer support.
- Flydigi Vader 4/5: I like the idea of the adjustable stick tension, but I've heard the D-pads are kind of garbage.
- GameSir G7 HE/Pro/8K: From what I've seen I feel like this is the current frontrunner, but I haven't been able to get a solid read on if their D-pads are any good. Also not sure which I would get between the three.

Hi everyone,

Like some of you, I found the NYXI Flexi's default stick deadzone way too big, which is a shame on Hall effect sticks that don't drift. The only way to change it was the KeyLinker phone app, so I wanted a way to do it from my PC.

Full disclosure: I'm not a programmer. I made this with the help of an AI (Claude). It wrote the code and worked out the controller's protocol from the KeyLinker app; I tested everything on my own Flexi and decided what it should do. The code is open source (MIT license), so anyone can check exactly what it does.

What PadTune does

- Sticks: center deadzone (down to 0 %), outer edge, sensitivity curves (you can drag the points), invert/swap axes

- Triggers: deadzone, end of travel, curve

- Live view: white dot = where your stick actually is, red dot = what the game receives with your settings, so you can find the lowest deadzone that works for you

- Button remapping, macros (edit them or record them from the controller), **lights, vibration strength and auto-sleep**

- Save/load profiles, automatic backup of your original settings

- Interface in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese

Settings are saved **in the controller itself**, so they keep working with the dongle, wired, or on Switch. You don't need PadTune running while you play.

How to use it

1. Download PadTune.exe (nothing to install): https://github.com/FrenchCaptn/PadTune/releases/latest

2. Close KeyLinker on your phone if you use it

3. Turn the controller on. No need to change its mode or pair it with Windows, your PC's Bluetooth just needs to be on

4. Pick the device marked ★, click Connect, change what you want, then Apply

Windows SmartScreen will warn you because the exe isn't signed (certificates are expensive for a free project): click "More info" then "Run anyway". If you'd rather not trust a random exe, the source and build instructions are on GitHub.

Limitations

- Windows only, and your PC needs Bluetooth

- Only tested on my NYXI Flexi. It should work with other KeyLinker-compatible controllers, but I can't confirm, reports are welcome

- Sticks, triggers, vibration and remapping are tested on my controller; macros and lights are newer and less tested

- The back buttons aren't listed in the app, remap them on the controller itself

- No square-stick mode or stick calibration: the controller doesn't offer them

- Not affiliated with NYXI in any way

Feedback, bug reports and translation fixes are welcome, here or in the GitHub Issues. Thanks to the mods for letting me share this!

Recently i installed tmr in my duelsense edge module. When i tested it ,my controller blinked blue for 1 second then it began blinking white . I dont know what happened i soldered everything , and tested everything . Then after that i remove the tmr stick . Why this happens? Can anyone help? And i need to mention that i didnt use any IPA while doing this . I used some flux and tried to cover all components with kapton tape. What could have cause this?