A patent filed by Nintendo suggests that they’re working on Hall Effect style joysticks for the Switch 2 that would eliminate stick drift almost entirely.

  • Paradox@lemdro.id
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    1 year ago

    Joycon drift, and all other thumbstick drift, is already a solved problem.

    1. Use bushings that actually have some abrasive resistance and aren’t softer than a fingernail.
    2. Use a non-contact based sensor to determine the XY position of the stick. Hall effect, optical, strain gauge, whatever, we’ve had the tech for 50 years.

    The reason why they haven’t done this is one very simple reason: $$$

    • cordlesslamp@lemmy.today
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      1 year ago

      Isn’t the N64 controllers using optical sensor and those are one of the worst controller ever existed?

      • Altima NEO@lemmy.zip
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        1 year ago

        The sensors on the N64 are basically the same kind you’d find in a mouse wheel. They work fine.

        The crap part is the physical construction. There’s a lot of parts that wear down with use and cause the joystick to become loose due to the plastics wearing away.

      • Paradox@lemdro.id
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        1 year ago

        N64’s issues came from the bushings wearing out, the sensors were still very good

          • Paradox@lemdro.id
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            1 year ago

            Yup. If they’d just made the bowl out of something OTHER than ABS, they would have been good. Delrin, PTFE, even a thin layer of brass or broze, and those controllers wouldn’t have had anywhere near the amount of issues they’re known for having.

            There are third-party manufacturers who sell replacement bowls and sticks, made from everything from POM to steel.