Posted by After spending some time repairing game controllers it wasn’t long before I found myself looking for the best way to test a controller before and after a repair. The method I use is to first connect the controller to a PC with a USB cable. This will show me if the controller powers on and I can then use the Xbox Accessories app to test the buttons. The app only gives basic input feedback and allows me to update the controller bios. On the newer 1914 model controllers, it also lets you calibrate the thumb sticks. To get a more detailed reading on the controller, I go to the Gamepad Tester website. Here you can see stick drift issues in more detail. It also has something called a circularity test. Circularity refers to how perfectly circular your thumb stick movements translate into in-game movements. Ideally, when you move the thumb stick in a perfect circle around the center point, the game should register a 100% input value in all directions.
Circularity is something that most gamers are not concerned about. They only care that the buttons work and that both sticks function properly. But depending on the type of games you are playing, stick feel may become a concern. Worn stick springs tend to produce a loose feel and may not snap back to center with the same accuracy as a newer stick. The quality of replacement parts can also become an issue. Installing a more expensive, better-quality stick isn’t going make a difference to a gamer who is only looking for the least expensive used controller. Installing less expensive generic thumb sticks usually results in a higher circularity percentage, but most gamers will never notice. From a repair perspective, using better parts will result in more satisfied customers, but less profit. The ultimate fix would be to install hall-effect sticks that will never wear out and have perfect circularity.
An inexpensive thumb stick costs $1.63 vs. a high precision stick that costs $10 or more. A broken controller can cost $12 to $15, which when fixed can be sold for $24 to $28 depending on the model. If I use high precision replacement sticks, I need to charge $44 to 48 + shipping for the same controller. I don’t think the average gamer will spend that much on a used controller when they could get a new controller for just a little bit more. That is assuming that you can find a reasonably priced repairable controller to start with. The bids often go beyond my price threshold. I only bid on controllers that don’t have a lot of hidden issues. Every part I have to replace lowers my profit. As of today, I have sold 8 refurbished Xbox One controllers. I used the profits to buy a new soldering station which was badly needed.