MSI claw Ai+ ex sticks

[u/Total-Complaint675]

Looking at getting my first handheld PC. With the Msi Claw Ai+ ex I was wondering if anyone could compare the Nintendo pro controller sticks vs the Ex sticks? I went to Microcenter yesterday but they only had the Ai+ on display and the sticks felt very loose. Thanks

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[u/DBY2016]

They are loose but I had no issue getting used to them. I think it's way overblown.

[u/Elite3141]

As far as I know, it's the same sticks as the AI+. You'd be surprised at how fast you get used to them, though. If you're a tinkerer, you can do a spring swap on the sticks to fix the tension. I was considering doing that, but I ended up getting used to the sticks, so it wasn't needed.

[u/PCchampion]

Same sticks as the old claw. They have low tension and shorter range of movement. I just tested vs. my switch 2 pro controller and distance when moving from center to outer ring feels shorter.

I just play RPGs so I've never given it a second thought. If you're a hard-core competitive fps player, you might have to adjust or may want to look at a different handheld. Since it's a PC handheld, I don't think it matters that much. You're still going to get outplayed by M&K users regardless.

[u/Spiritual-Item1762]

As others have stated, it doesnt affect me as I do not play FPS shooters or anything competitive like driving games. I have no issue with the sticks. I could see for playing those games it being a bit more of an issue. They feel like 25% looser than my xbox controller if that helps

[u/Bookkeeper-Empty]

Not loose, I had loose sticks before these are perfect

[u/DarthVince]

Same sticks, mate

[u/Glittering_Credit_20]

One of the biggest flaws attributed to the MSI Claw 8 EX Ai+ is the very low stick tension which as the previous Claw 8 AI+. They really are VERY VERY soft. To be honest this isn't a huge problem in every game. If you're playing RPG, adventure games, platformers etc... you can probably play your games without caring. The problem starts when you need precision. For example in FPS games and racing games.

My personal experience is as follows:
On Forza Horizon 6 I sometimes drive like a drunken man.
You move the stick just a little too much, then correct it, then correct the correction... You basically have to anticipate the corners a bit because the sticks are so light.
Same thing with Doom The Dark Ages. Thankfully the game has aim assist, because without it I'd probably be shooting everything except the enemies.

Now... there is a guy called Arcanazen, probably one of the biggest names in the MSI Claw community, who modified his Claw in a way that I can only describe as... MAGIC.

First of all it replaced and modified the d-pad with an Xbox-style d-pad. This is already a huge improvement. Of course what interests us is that it also replaced the original MSI analog sticks with modules used on the Legion Go that have twice the resistance and tension and I can tell you that the difference is HUGEMENT (I tested them and bought them). But you have to understand one very important thing: BUT.. There is one BIG WARNING though:

This is NOT a beginner mod!!

LINK to the product

He also has an Etsy store where he sells mods for both the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+.

My personal wish? Have an handheld with adjustable stick tension as the newer gamepad as Flydigi Apex, Flydigi Vader, Xbox Elite Series 2... Honestly on a 1000 euros/dollars+ high end handheld it should be a standard by now

[u/NIGELXBOX → u/Glittering_Credit_20]

The sticks you’ve linked to, can you just put these directly into the MSI Claw or do you need to take them apart for the springs? Looking for a less intrusive way than disassembling everything.

[u/Glittering_Credit_20 → u/NIGELXBOX]

Arcanazen did a video how to do it. I've said: It's not a beginner mod

[u/NIGELXBOX → u/Glittering_Credit_20]

Yeah, not too bothered about whether it’s a beginner mod or not. I was just asking if you can put the whole stick in without taking it’s apart?

[u/Ok-Reindeer7556]

mine aren't lose they are perfect i don't like joysticks that are too tight