Gulikit TT Max Revision – did they fix the issue?

I recently reviewed the Gulikit TT Pro and TT Max, and both of these controllers had one fatal flaw – the stick centering issue.

Both the TT Pro and Max feature TMR sticks, which in theory should keep stick drift at bay. But I noticed during my testing that there was always a little bit of stick drift. On my units, even with the deadzone enabled there was a slight drift. This was quite annoying, as there isn’t any granular dead-zone control or an app for changing this setting.

What caused this problem was the new adjustable tension TMR sticks that Gulikit has used in these controllers. These sticks don’t fully center properly, which was causing the occasional drift problem.

This one flaw was literally the only thing holding the TT Max back from being in my top 5 controllers of all time, so imagine my excitement when I saw that Gulikit launched a “revised” version of the TT Max. I immediately procured one to test and review in the gorgeous cobalt blue colourway.

While I love the colour (seriously, what a looker), all they did to “fix” the stick centering issue was they updated the firmware to have a higher deadzone. So now there isn’t any drift because the issue lies within the bounds of the deadzone.

This does fix the issue technically, but the sticks still don’t fully centre and it feels a little wonky sometimes.

At least with the updated deadzone, it isn’t an absolute deal breaker anymore, and I see myself using it a lot for non-competitive games. I have tested this new revised version of the Gulikit TT Max (make sure you get a unit with the model number NS69) with several games – Hollow Knight : Silksong, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Call Of Duty Modern Warfare, Forza Horizon 6, etc, and so far I haven’t had any issues with the stick’s performance.

The TT Max has a lot of good things going for it. For a more detailed experience, read the full review I posted earlier. But I’ll list out the good things about this controller here so you can get a brief idea of them:

• Unique Symmetrical Layout: It fills a massive gap in the market by offering a premium controller with PlayStation-aligned sticks built into a comfortable, ergonomic Xbox-style shell.
• Immaculate Ergonomics: The controller is built slightly wider/longer on purpose to keep your thumbs from bumping into each other. It fits great in the hand and features an excellent textured grip on the back handles.
• Top-Tier Membrane D-Pad: This is one of my top 3 membrane D-pads ever. It is incredibly accurate with zero diagonal misinputs. (The TT Max version even allows you to switch between 4-direction and 8-direction modes).
• Premium Metal Back Paddles: It features 4 detachable metal back paddles that are tactile, highly comfortable, and positioned perfectly to avoid misclicks. They’re programable to buttons on the controller.
• Low Latency & High Polling Rate: Connectivity is excellent using GuliKit’s Hyperlink 2 protocol, reaching a speedy 1000Hz polling rate when wired and 780Hz when using the included wireless dongle.
• Adjustable Stick Tension: You can manually tweak the mechanical stick tension anywhere from a loose 25g to a stiff 75g using an included tool.
• Auto Pilot Gaming (APG): It features a unique macro recorder that captures your inputs. The TT Pro records up to 10 seconds, while the TT Max records up to 10 minutes; making it amazing for auto-farming in games.
• Great Triggers: Smooth Hall Effect triggers accompanied by satisfying microswitch trigger stops.
• Quiet, Soft, yet a Tactile experience: The membrane buttons and D-Pad are nearly silent, but they’re not mushy at all. Everything about this controller has that kind of vibe and it works really well. It becomes an extension of your hands as you get immersed in your game.
• Generous Package Contents: Both models come with a hardshell travel case, an extra D-pad, and a tool to swap out the face buttons to a proper Xbox layout (which are included in the box).

While the good points of this controllers are plentiful, it isn’t a perfect controller. For me, none of these cons (aside from the stick centering issue that I pointed out earlier) are deal breakers. But it is my duty as a reviewer to point these out for you all, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.

• Annoying Hardshell Case Design Flaw: The controller fits perfectly in its included travel case only if the back paddles are removed. If you keep the paddles installed, the case won’t close, which makes you constantly snap them on and off when traveling (unless of course you just use the controller without the back paddles when traveling)
• Frustrating PC Gyro Execution (TT Max only): The PC gyro function forces you to hold down a shoulder button or trigger to keep it active rather than giving you a simple toggle option. This made it practically unusable for the reviewer.
• Mediocre Battery Life: The 950mAh battery only lasts about 6 hours if you use maximum rumble and keep the analog stick RGB lighting turned on. If you turn them off, it jumps to 15 hours, but there’s no charging dock included to make frequent recharging less of a chore.
• No Configuration Software: There is currently no companion app. Every setting, sensitivity adjustment, and layout swap must be input manually via clunky shortcut button combinations directly on the controller.
• No DirectInput (D-Input) Support: It only operates in Nintendo Switch mode or X-input
• Smudge-Prone Shell: The matte black finish on the TT Max picks up some visible finger smudges, so perhaps you would want to get the other colour

The Gulikit TT Max is a great controller. After this revision, it has become one of my most frequently used controllers… but it still lacks some of the creature comforts that I truly enjoy, like a charging dock or a granular software.

I do recommend the TT Max as long as the few missing features don’t bother you too much. At $60, it offers a very pristine and refined in-hand feel while also performing well. And make sure you get the NS69 model number.