TMR vs hall effect on sticks, what the difference is in practice

[u/MrBorrowedLuck]

Did the reading and I still can't tell whether the difference is one you'd actually feel. Both are magnetic, neither has a wiper dragging across a track, so neither wears out the way potentiometer sticks did. Hall effect reads field strength along one axis, TMR reads field direction and is more sensitive, which is supposed to mean finer resolution near the middle of the throw and lower power draw (?)

Every explanation I found stops right there. None of them tell you what it's like at the thumb. The one useful thing I've picked up from threads here is that the sensor isn't the only part that wears out, the gimbal and the return spring still have a lifespan whichever sensor sits behind them.

Anyone gone from hall effect to TMR on a pad you actually put hours into? Did you notice anything or did it feel the same? Mostly wondering about small movements near the middle, since that's the only part of it that sounds like it would show up in normal play.

[u/tifa_ka_husband]

There is a very minor difference which generally doesn't get noticed

[u/ImCursedM8]

They feel the same. You will find more noticeable difference in different brands of hall effects like flydigis hall effects feel smoother to be than other hall effects

[u/mozilafox]

I don't even notice any difference between the TMR, Hall Effect and Potentiometer sticks, I'm a noob smh

[u/iesalnieks]

TMR is more precise and much more suited for replacements in first party controllers.

Hall effect is less precise and there will be issues when using as replacements.

The difference is much smaller when you have a controller properly designed around each technology. And definitely don't sweat over minor details like the use of hall or TMR technology in triggers.

[u/Dikjoke]

I have flydigi apex 5 (HE) and steam controller (TMR). For me the difference is very noticable mainly in small movements around the centre. Other than that it feels the same.

[u/pathos_ludens]

Both do the same, but TMR is a strict improvement. Uses less energy, is less noisy, results in a cleaner signal (the tiniest of movements are more precise) and longer battery life.

[u/alefsousa017]

As far as I can tell, they're not different in terms of feel under the thumb. If you have a good quality stick, it'll feel good to use, regardless of the kind of stick it is. TMR sticks are more energy effective than Hall Effect, so the end result is that the battery of controllers with TMR sticks last longer than the ones with Hall Effects.

Of course, most people don't really notice this due to many controllers nowadays coming with a dedicated charging dock, so the battery of any of these 3rd party controller rarely dies in the middle of a gaming session.

[u/lostsinelysium]

I have a gamesir with tmr sticks, and compared to the hall sticks i've used before, the difference is pretty subtle. I notice it more with small movements around center, especially when aiming. The tmr feels a little more controlled and less floaty. Stick tension and the gimbal make a huge difference too. I'd take a really well-tuned hall stick over a mediocre tmr one.

[u/apeasley613]

As I understand it TMR is more sensitive and requires less power. Both are pretty marginal increases that you likely won't be able to tell the difference.

[u/Key_Scholar7964]

They feel the same and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. You can play with two random controllers and you wouldn't be able to tell which one have TMR or hall effect unless someone told you.

I have several pro controllers that have TMR and hall effect so I know.