TMR vs Hall Effect Joysticks Explained

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Controller technology saw a significant upgrade with the advent of Hall effect joysticks and triggers. Hall effect technology is more durable and accurate than the typical potentiometer-based joysticks found in most controllers and handheld gaming consoles. Now, there is another technological development in this space, and TMR, or Tunneling Magnetoresistance, has the potential to revolutionize gaming with controllers.

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To understand what TMR is and how it works, here’s a quick brief on how joysticks operate and send signals to the console or desktop:

Simply put, a joystick is an input device and when it moves, a message is relayed to the connected device. There are different ways to detect these movements, including potentiometers, a strain gauge, an electronic switch, and Hall effect, among others. One of these is TMR, or Tunneling Magnetoresistance.

It’s not exactly surprising that Microsoft has one of the best controllers on the market for their own system, even if it is a little basic. It has all of the functions a gamer needs from the quick share button to the hybrid d-pad to the 3.5mm jack for wired headsets. The life of the controller can last as long as 60 hours on just two AA batteries, or players can simply plug in the controller with a USB-C cord to keep playing while the batteries are charging.This controller offers a smooth grip, lightly textured joysticks, and a comfortably balanced weight that rests easily between hands. The mechanisms of the controller are similarly well-made and don’t often require maintenance or have drift issues as long as it's kept clean.

Sony's DualSense is not only compatible with iOS and Android phones, but it also features an upgraded design that looks great and feels comfortable when playing, thanks to its textured grips. It features a headset and built-in microphone that allows gamers to use commands in compatible titles or chat with friends online.

For the longest time, gaming controllers have had potentiometer-based joysticks that use the changes in resistance caused by the movement of the stick to relay signals to the connected device. There is a resistor in the shape of a curved track and a contact arm or stem that moves as per the user input. When the contact arm moves, the resistance changes, so when you push the joystick all the way forward, the contact arm moves all the way forward, changing the resistance, which then changes the electrical current in the connected circuit. This physical adjustment to the current is an analog change, which the microprocessor converts into a digital signal for the connected device to consider as input. The PlayStation and Xbox controllers are the best examples of that.

Because there are multiple moving parts and friction, these joysticks are more prone to wear and tear, which can lead to less reliability, reduced accuracy, and the dreaded stick drift. Another drawback of this technology is that to compensate for stick drift, there is a small area directly around the starting position of the joystick wherein no movement is detected. This means a small portion of user input goes unregistered.

The Manba One controller features a 2-inch display that allows for monitoring and tweaking various controller settings. It comes with Hall effect joysticks and triggers that are more durable and more accurate. There is a Bluetooth receiver included in the box and the controller packs a 1800mah battery that can be charged using the charging dock.

The G7 SE Controller is a licensed Xbox controller featuring Hall Effect sticks and tons of customization options. With two extra buttons and four on-board profiles, remapping the button layout is quick and easy. The GameSir Nexus app allows for further customization of the controller's haptic feedback and input sensitivity. The only Xbox controller to have Hall Effect joysticks, this wired controller is one of the most cutting-edge options available.

Instead of a resistor and physical contact between the arm and the electrical element of potentiometers, Hall effect joysticks use magnets to precisely measure differences in electrical voltage, then relay signals to the connected device. Not only does this bring improved accuracy, but it also essentially eliminates stick drift and dead zone issues. Since there is no repetitive physical contact between components, wear and tear is minimized and input is registered as soon as the stick moves. Furthermore, Hall effect technology can be used in triggers as well for similar benefits.

In terms of the real-world usage experience, there is a real discernable difference between potentiometer-based and Hall effect joysticks. The potentiometer-based joysticks typically feel stiffer, making the user apply relatively more force to move them around. Hall effect joysticks feel more natural for a closer 1 to 1 experience.

During casual gaming, you will not feel the benefits of Hall effect joysticks over potentiometer-based ones, but in competitive gaming, the difference will be more noticeable. The Manba One and GameSir G7 SE are excellent examples of controllers with Hall effect joysticks. GuliKit also sells Hall effect joysticks that you can replace your current potentiometer-based joysticks with (for compatible controllers).

The next stage of evolution in controller technology is TMR. This technology makes use of ferromagnetism and quantum tunneling to detect and relay signals to the connected device. Think of it as an upgraded Hall effect joystick. This makes the joysticks much more precise, and they pick up even smaller movements as compared to Hall effect. Not only is the technology more accurate, but it also consumes a lot less power as well, which is ideal for wireless controllers. On top of that, they still retain the durability of Hall effect joysticks.

TMR joysticks have a resolution of 3000 points per axis, which is 10 times more than Hall effect. Despite this, the power consumption is much lower, at about 100 microamps compared to four milliamps. The reporting rate or the frequency at which the joysticks report signals to the connected device is also much higher, ranging from 1000 Hz to 20,000 Hz, whereas Hall effect tops out at around 1000 Hz. The higher the reporting rate, the more responsive the device is, but that comes at the cost of battery life. Wireless peripherals with high polling rates consume more battery.

It should be noted that the difference in real-world performance will not be as significant as it is between the potentiometer and Hall effect joysticks.

That being said, when it comes to controllers that are available on the market with TMR technology for either the joysticks or triggers, the choices are limited. There are only a handful of controllers that use this tech and most of them are still on the way, but GuliKit has replacement TMR joysticks that you can install in your PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, or Switch Pro controllers. As for controllers, the first one to get TMR tech is the PB Tails Crush Defender, which is joined by the Gamesir Tarantula PRO, the BIGBIG WON Blitz 2, and Gulikit Libra Max (not released yet).

Each Crush Defender is truly one-of-a-kind, meticulously handcrafted to perfection, making them quite the collector's item. The Defender controller not only boasts a distinctive and rugged appearance but also features the revolutionary K-Silver TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) joysticks, making it the first gaming controller to incorporate TMR technology.

The PB Tails Metal Crush Defender Battle-Damaged is a wireless controller that uses a 2.4 GHz dongle for a low latency connection. Thanks to the TMR tech, it can achieve a reporting rate of 1000 Hz to 20,000 Hz, offering a more responsive gaming experience. It has an Xbox controller-style layout with asymmetrical joysticks. The 860mAh battery can last up to 10 hours and charges via USB Type-C.

As the name suggests, it carries the battle-damaged theme and is only available in a single yellow color and only through the official website, for now.

The Tarantula Pro wireless controller is a fantastic gamepad featuring Mag-Res TMR joysticks and a wide compatibility, allowing players to game for hours at a time on PC, Switch, Android, or iOS. Offering both USB and bluetooth connectivity, this reliable controller uses a massive 1200mAh battery to power its customizable RGB lighting. The biggest highlight of the controller is its 9 extra buttons, which is basically unheard of for controllers. While the buttons aren’t tournament-legal in most cases, they do allow for macro commands that can come in handy in single-player games such as RPGs. Everything can be customized on the controller itself, or using GameSir’s Nexus app.

The GameSir Tarantula PRO, on the other hand, is a more standard-looking controller despite its unique design. It comes with TMR joytsicks and Hall Effect triggers with adjustable actuation, adjustable face buttons, nine mappable buttons, RGB lighting, and a 1200mAh battery. This controller is a lot more customizable than the PB Tails Metal Crush Defender and is cheaper as well.

The Blitz 2 from BIGBIG WON comes in a TMR version with a 2000 Hz polling rate for wired and wireless connections, 16 mechanical buttons, and a 1000 Hz gyroscope polling rate for improved motion controls. There is a mobile and PC app that allows for real-time easy adjustments to various settings.

The BIGBIG WON Blitz 2 has a TMR version that offers impressive specifications, especially considering the price. For under $80, it gets a 2000 Hz polling rate for wired and wireless connections, 1000 Hz gyroscope polling rate for improved motion controls, 16 mechanical buttons, and a ton of customization. It is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, and iOS. Furthermore, there is also a mobile and PC app that allows for real-time monitoring and easy adjustments.

The controller has an Xbox-style layout with asymmetrical joysticks backed by TMR technology. This, combined with the 2000 Hz polling rate, lends to an excellent and accurate FPS gaming experience. Controllers have, for the longest time, felt less fluid and responsive than a mouse and while they may not be able to deliver the same level of accuracy and responsiveness, they have never been closer.

While there aren’t a lot of options on the market for controllers with TMR joysticks or triggers, this technology has a lot of potential owing to its improvements over Hall Effect. They allow for better accuracy, lower power consumption, and great durability, making them the ideal choice for upcoming controllers. But the price is what will determine the success of this technology. For now, the GameSir Tarantula Pro and BIGBIG WON Blitz 2 seem fairly reasonable. The replacement kits from GuliKit are quite inexpensive as well, so that is always an option for those who don’t want to invest in a new controller.

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ALPS makes potentiometer thumbsticks which is an older standard for controllers. TMR is a different type of magnetic sensing technology that works similar to Hall Effect but is even more accurate and power efficient.

While both make use of magnets, Hall Effect sensors send signals based on the voltage difference when a magnetic field is applied across a semiconductor material. TMR joysticks, on the other hand, work on the phenomenon of tunneling magneto-resistance effect, where the electrical resistance changes when a magnetic field is applied.

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The article seems to be factually incorrect by promising better accuracy for TMR analog stick modules. That directly contradicts the explanatory article on the Gulikit website that actually supplies said modules, quote: "Is the resolution of the TMR joystick much higher than Hall effect joysticks?" "No, that's not the case. Carbon film joysticks, TMR joysticks, and Hall effect joysticks are all linear devices. TMR joysticks and Hall effect joysticks are both a type of electromagnetic joystick. For game controllers, the bandwidth of these three types of joystick sensors is sufficient. The resolution mainly depends on the sampling precision of the backend MCU, and is not closely related to the joystick itself. So after replacement, the joystick resolution, polling rate, and other performance characteristics will be consistent with the original controllers."

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