While I don’t work for AKNES that’s not how they operate, you are getting the latest product offering through them, they only sell Hallpi sticks or the GuliKit sticks all coming from the Hallpi factory. AliExpress is really a safe place to buy if you pay attention to the store, AKNES also has a discord with a great community. VaalPaev is where I get Ginfull and Favor Union and have always gotten quality products. If you need bulk sticks you can bypass AliExpress and buy in bulk directly from AKNES. I can attest to the fact that no one other than “shopxxxxxx” with random numbers has ever sent me old stock. It’s like any retailer, certain 3rd party sellers will hose you. If you buy direct from factory contacts you’ll get quality products.

Quick update:
Issue has been resolved very quickly by the team at Aliexpress, but @AKNES here has also been very quick to respnd and helpful as well.
I absolutely recommend reaching out to Jim if needed, my experience was that he answered very quickly.
The issue I had in this case was one stick where the left/right stopped working.
the physical movement left/right feels different on that stick now as well, so my suspicion, without actively opening it,is that the
magnet or similar may have gotten dislodged internally.
The team have arranged a new stick to come out, so hopefully I can disassemble this stick and have a look once it's swapped out.

Hey all, new here. Took the plunge and bought a set of the latest gulikit offering a couple of weeks ago through AKNES aliexpress site
(die to not being able to find the store on Amazon Australia), arrived and fitted last night.
I'm quite happy with them, the tension is actually a touch stiffer than the original sticks, and the caps actually seem to be marginally larger in diameter as well.
Definitely have not found the stick buttons too soft (in my case, the trigger for replacement was that one of my original joycon stick buttons more or less crapped out and wouldn't press properly), and I seem to have gotten the 'good' caps, because I’m finding the feel and texture to be the same as the originals, or near enough to......

The path of righteousness is never easy Jim. Thanks for being pro-consumerS. AKNES RULES

Your welcome Jim. I said this based on lot of people experiences. Aknes got on par quality with Gulikit and HallPi but so much better with QC and aftersales.

Really grateful to wee and jim for this opportunity! It was fun nerding out with you all as we tested the controller. Had a great excuse to do a bit too much gaming too lol.

Will miss this all. Thanks everyone!

Still follows my point if you order one direct from Guli and AKNES, and they are dif, something screwy has happened in the distribution chain or other bits, Afaik the light mode change is a newer firmware thing, and QC easily explains the sticks too

Jim's truly a remarkable man with 1000% integrity.

It was an absolute pleasure and a great joy testing with all of you, l really hope to do it again!

Thank you again for the opportunity! This has easily been the highlight of my year thus far.

Guys, why does life have to be so cruel!
just when l found my new best pad ever,the kk3 max, only "aknes" gulikit, it is no longer available on earth but l have to go and collect it on betelgeuse.

My timing in needing the best "Aknes" pad at the wrongest possible time is incredible!

Picked up a set of AKNES Gulikit TMR stick for my as it had horrible left stick drift. These new sticks are awesome.