When shopping for a gaming controller, you might have come across the term “Hall effect” in reference to the sensors inside. These sensors measure the strength of a magnetic field to detect movement, avoiding stick drift and other problems. However, controllers using this sensor method often don’t come cheap.
PowerA’s new controllers, the OPS v1 and OPS V3 Pro, are surprisingly reasonably priced. Both have Hall effect sensors under the thumbsticks and triggers, making them stick-drift immune. The OPS v1 is feature-packed, with 3-way trigger locks, four mappable rear buttons, a programmable Turbo button, and a rechargeable battery.
The OPS V3 Pro bumps up the features, with six mappable rear buttons, a bigger battery, an included charging stand, and multi-zone RGB lighting. It also has tactile mechanical switches under the D-pad, face buttons, and shoulder buttons, along with adjustable height thumbsticks.
Comparison to Other Controllers
The OPS V3 Pro’s feature set is comparable to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, but at a lower price point. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, another Hall effect controller, is also more expensive. PowerA’s controllers offer a lot of bang for your buck, but it remains to be seen if they can match up in build quality.
Conclusion
PowerA’s new controllers are promising, offering Hall effect sensors and affordable prices. While smooth sensors aren’t the only important aspect of controller design, they’re a great start. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend towards more affordable controllers with advanced features.