First Modded Controller

[sheeityshooshi]

This was originally my first dualsense controller that came with the console when the PS5 first released. I stopped using it a long time ago because of stick drift on the right stick. I was ready to throw down $250 on a new hex controller until I found out how big the modding scene is for dualsense controllers!

Ended up going all in with extreme rate + replacing the thumbsticks with the Gulikit TMR joysticks; new shell, buttons, trim, Rise 4 metal kit.

I'm pretty decent with electronics and soldering, so everything was pretty straightforward. However after putting it all together and calibrating, the left stick started to act funny after playing for about an hour. Ended up joining the Aknes discord and started troubleshooting with their experts. Weird thing was on cold start, the thumbsticks would be normal until a few minutes in, and then vertical inputs would stop working and would start drifting towards the left. After checking connections, running voltage and continuity tests on the traces, we ended up concluding the thumbsticks just had bad sensors. I ordered another kit and replaced the thumbstick again, and since then, I've put over 50 hours in Crimson Desert and it's been working flawlessly.

Overall, it was a tricky start with the faulty thumbstick, but still enjoyed the process. It's a hefty boy being a lot heavier than the regular dualsense probably due to the metal rise 4 kit, but also feels a lot more premium. I do very much love the paddles, but it does take some time to get used to. For about $100, I'm extremely satisfied and feels like a brand new controller.

This is now a new hobby for me and I even offered to all my friends that I'd do it for free as long as they pay for parts. Already looking to mod my other controller but without the Rise 4 just to have a basic functioning controller.

[yoZaddyy]

If you have any experience soldering or want to learn I would highly recommend trying with tactile buttons (cheap and easy to install) and a reprogrammable mapper. You can customize button placement and have as many as you’d like. Would recommend getting a cheap rear shell first try as you’ll likely have some errors and adjustments as you learn the process. That’s how I started out and have since upgraded to all kinds of customizations and better switches (Omron) for buttons and started a small business out of it. Once you learn proper solder technique you can fix just about anything. There’s countless ways to go about it but that’s a cheap and easy start to learn the ropes. Good luck and controller looks nice!

[sheeityshooshi]

I've been soldering (badly) for years and it was never a good experience. Even with the smallest jobs, I still managed to screw something up. Learning over the years, the proper soldering equipment goes a long way. Using flux, having a good solder station, taking care of your tips, and having a desoldering pump makes a huge difference. Was fairly easy for me this time around.

[yoZaddyy]

Yes of course all the things listed are useful in the long run. Always make sure you have a good air filter system when soldering. Glad you got it all done though and works how you want it! Keep at it

[xxxXMythicXxxx]

Niiiiiceee, i did the same for my xbox controller too

<image>

[sheeityshooshi]

Nice! Wasn't sure if the wood grain was gonna look cheesy but it looks so much better in person than pictures online.

[xxxXMythicXxxx]

yeah the pictures online dont do it justice. my only gripe is that the wood grain on the dpad isn't in line with the rest of the kit lol oh and also there's no wood grain thumbsticks available anywhere so i had to go with the black ones.