Don’t Buy a "Pro" Controller. Do This Instead

Video summary

Linus and David turn an Xbox One 1708 and drifting DualSense into modded controllers with TMR sticks, paddles, LEDs, and more.

Linus and David take on upgrades for an old Xbox One controller and a DualSense that has drifted since day two, aiming to add premium features without buying a new pro controller. Both replace wear-prone potentiometer sticks with GuliKit TMR modules, then add custom shells, LED buttons, rear paddles, and trigger stops; the DualSense also gets clicky face buttons and a larger battery. The Xbox must be revision 1708 and receive newer firmware to use Microsoft’s calibration tool. The joystick swap proves difficult: the Xbox survives solder-wick desoldering, while a PlayStation board is lost to a melted connector before they resort to removing the sticks destructively. After juggling multiple guides, tiny springs, ribbon cables, and a broken paddle button, both controllers come together and work. They praise the clicky buttons and added controls, note trade-offs including flexible paddles and bright LEDs, and conclude that DIY upgrades can beat the DualSense Edge on price, though they do not reproduce every Elite 2 or Edge feature.

Chapters

1. 0:00Intro: Upgrading an Xbox One and drifting DualSense with TMR sticks
2. 2:04Prepping the mods and a robot visit: Xbox 1708 firmware, DualSense clicky buttons, and upgrades
3. 7:28Replacing the joysticks: seven-hour TMR installation costs David a PlayStation board
4. 10:07Many mods at once: forest-green Xbox and teal-and-purple DualSense builds
5. 13:18How's it going, boys? Soldered LEDs, tight paddle alignment, and tangled controller wiring
6. 20:08It's all coming together: working shoulder LEDs and the controllers' back assemblies
7. 22:37Would you do it again? David tests the DualSense screen while Linus fits Xbox paddles
8. 23:53Womp womp: Linus snaps the Xbox paddle button, while David's purple DualSense comes together
9. 24:53The result: working Xbox paddles and triggers, a 4,000 mAh DualSense claim, and DIY value versus the Edge

What the full analysis includes

9 chapters · 46 key points · 9 section summaries · mind map

The remaining 43 key points, section summaries and mind map are in the full analysis. Analyze this video to see everything →

This video is 31 min. The Free plan analyzes videos up to 30 min; plans from Plus cover videos up to 2 hours.