TMR vs. Hall Effect: The Silent War for Joystick Precision

THE FUTURE OF CONTROL

At PB TAILS, we believe the tools of play should be as refined as the worlds they help us explore.

For too long, the gaming industry has accepted “good enough” when it comes to the most critical component of a controller — the joystick.

For years, the Hall Effect sensor stood as the gold standard of precision — a welcome revolution over the failure-prone potentiometers of the past.

But at PB TAILS, we don’t follow standards. We redefine them.

That’s why we’ve gone beyond Hall Effect, into the realm of Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) — the new frontier of control.

Let’s unpack the silent revolution happening beneath your thumbs.

The Contender: Hall Effect Sensing

Hall Effect sensors marked a major leap forward.

A small magnet sits on the joystick stalk, while a semiconductor detects changes in its magnetic field as you move.

Because this system is non-contact — the parts never physically rub together — it’s immune to the mechanical wear and dust that doomed traditional potentiometers.

The Upside: Vastly extended lifespan and resistance to drift caused by physical degradation.

The Downside: Limited sensitivity. Its output signal is weaker, and it can be affected by nearby magnetic fields or temperature fluctuations.

Think of it as reliable, but not razor-sharp.

The Champion: TMR Technology

TMR is not an iteration — it’s evolution.

It leverages a quantum-level phenomenon to achieve unparalleled precision and stability.

Instead of relying on a basic semiconductor, TMR uses a magnetic tunnel junction — a nanoscale structure that reacts exquisitely to even the slightest angular change in a magnetic field.

This isn’t just an incremental improvement.

It’s a paradigm shift in how control feels.

 

 

BEYOND THE SPEC SHEET: THE FEEL OF THE FUTURE

Why does any of this matter when all you want is to land a headshot or carve the perfect racing line?

Because precision isn’t just a number — it’s a feeling.

The hypersensitive data from a TMR sensor translates into a direct, unfiltered connection between you and your game.

It’s the difference between a master painter using a worn brush and one wielding a pristine, fine-tipped tool.

Both can create art, but only one offers total control and fidelity.

At PB TAILS, technical excellence isn’t optional — it’s instinct.

Yet performance alone isn’t our pursuit.

We see no divide between sublime engineering and sublime design.

The same passion that drives us to pioneer the world’s first TMR joystick also shapes the CRUSH Defender’s silhouette — its curves inspired by the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder.

We’ll never ask you to choose between a controller that wins tournaments and one that belongs on display.

The TMR sensor delivers the precision; our design philosophy delivers the soul.

The future of gaming isn’t just about what a controller can do — it’s about how perfectly it can do it.

And that future is built on TMR.

Ready to feel the difference?

Experience it for yourself with the PB TAILS CRUSH Defender.