Game controller specialist GuliKit has announced its second generation Hall Effect joystick for Steam Deck. This time around, it installs without soldering, consumes even less power, and comes with a joystick cap.

As before, the new SD02 kit includes both left and right joysticks, which GuliKit reports will be available next month for $29.90 for the pair. Installation of the previous SD01 joysticks required soldering, apparently a major obstacle for many Deck owners.

There are several advantages to upgrading a Deck with a Hall Effect joystick. First, Hall effect sensors use magnets to calculate position, so there are no moving parts. Standard Deck so-called ALPS joysticks use a potentiometer to calculate position, and the sensor itself has moving parts.

The disadvantage of ALPS joysticks is that they drift over time. In addition, the presence of moving parts makes them susceptible to wear and tear. In addition, GuliKits' Hall Sensor joystick is said to reduce the dead zone of the joystick, making the deck more jittery and responsive. They also have fewer moving parts, resulting in a smoother, less sticky feel.

The downside is that the ALPS joystick reduces the voltage when idle, whereas Hall effect joysticks require a higher constant voltage and tend to consume more power.

However, according to GuliKit, the second generation Hall effect joysticks consume 50% less power than the original ones. Therefore, we hope that the impact on the battery life of the Steam Deck will not be as great.

Of course, you will have to be content with cracking open the Deck in order to install these sticks. However, GuliKit provides instructions, and the process, including calibration, does not seem too onerous.

At the very least, it's an interesting option if you're particular about the feel and response of your controller.