Sometimes the simplest of things are the best. But with the KontrolFreek Precision Rings for Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, the simplest of things just create the most degree of stress.
I’m a massive fan of what KontrolFreek manufacture and push out to the gaming market. I’ve been using their thumbsticks for years, and whilst I’ll constantly debate the claim that they have made my game better, I’m more than happy to go into the heat of a gaming battle with a stick extender attached. And so when I had the opportunity to use KontrolFreek’s Precision Rings, I was quite interested to see how they would affect my game too.
But honestly, I much prefer to roll without them.
The Precision Rings from KontrolFreek are simple rings of foam that go around your left and right thumbsticks – on either Xbox One, PS4, or Nintendo Switch Pro controllers – lessening the movement of each stick and providing a bit of pressure for you to go up against. For many these would be a great way of building muscle in your thumbs, but chances are you’ll be buying them on the back of being promised a greater degree of aim assistance, with the Precision Rings improving your speed of movement, and heightening your accuracy levels. You know, because if gaming is not competitive, are you really gaming? For me though they tighten things up too much, and I like the movement already provided by my Xbox One controller. For that reason, I just haven’t enjoyed using the Precision Rings in any way.
Made from a proprietary foam material that is both durable and anti-microbial, the Precision Rings themselves are absolutely fine; two rings of foam that once placed do the job asked of them, filling the gap between your thumbstick and the outer ring of your controller, reducing the amount of movement that thumbstick can make. They are easy to put on, a cinch to remove, and after a good few weeks of using them during gaming sessions they have held up well, with little to no sign of any degradation. And seeing how often I’ve taken them off as I’ve got frustrated with their use, that is some going.
You see, I may not be the prime candidate for Precision Ring use, and perhaps they’ll appeal to those who take their game ever-so-seriously, providing the opportunity for super accurate precision shots as you zero right in on your targets in the likes of Modern Warfare 2, and stopping any over-shooting of your foe in PUBG. But as a regular gamer just intent on having fun, these unfortunately don’t deliver.
What is nice about them though – and I’ve got to be objective here because two rings of foam shouldn’t ever offend anyone – is the fact that they fit over thumbsticks that have already been adorned with KontrolFreek’s products. Thanks to the brilliant three-pronged system KontrolFreek have mastered to attach their stick enhancements, having to remove them in order to place the rings is rarely a hassle. The combination of thumbstick extras and the rings themselves work okay too – much better than when you are with a standard naked controller in fact.
So, at the end of the day, should you buy the KontrolFreek Precision Rings? Well, the asking price of under $10 is fairly negligible, but then, for all the microbial science and promise of game changing properties, these really are just pieces of foam that stick around your controller thumbsticks. And typing those words right there makes me feel like they are an even harder sell. Yes, if you’re looking to get the upper hand in a shooter, and are prepared to go through a bit of a learning curve as you do so, then by all means take a punt, but for me I’ll be sticking to using my controller with KontrolFreek’s OMNI thumbsticks attached – and no more.
Massive thanks go out to KontrolFreek for providing their Precision Rings for review. If you wish to pick up a set for yourself, head over to them direct.
Related: KontrolFreek Precision Rings for Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch – UNBOXING AND INSTALLATION
What about using them to “fix” stick-drift? Ive seen multiple mixed reviews about that issue.