Brook StarRay Wireless Controller: PS5 and PC Gamepad With Hall Effect Sticks and 1000Hz Wired Mode

What Brook announced​

Brook's launch release is dated October 6, 2026. Players can connect the StarRay to PS5, a PC through Steam, iOS and Android, using Bluetooth or a USB-C wired connection. Brook's specification page also says it works with all Brook converters. The page doesn't list any further consoles as natively supported, so don't assume support beyond PS5, Steam/PC, iOS and Android.

The pitch is a hybrid: a layout familiar to Xbox players, with native PS5 behavior. On PS5, the HOME button can power on the console. The retained PlayStation touchpad is another reminder that this is a PS5-first design in a different body.

The hardware, as specified​

Hall Effect sticks and "drift-free"​

Hall Effect sticks sense position magnetically instead of through a physically wearing contact. In theory that reduces the wear that causes stick drift. Brook's store listing goes further and calls the sticks drift-free. The company has published only a lab cycle rating, not real-world failure data or independent long-term testing. Treat "drift-free" as a marketing claim and "reduced risk" as the fair reading.

Buttons and triggers​

Brook says the mechanical buttons respond up to 30% faster than traditional buttons. Techtroduce notes that real differences will depend on the game and the player. The 0.7 mm button travel is a separate figure from the 0.3 mm trigger mode, and the two are easy to mix up.

The triggers switch between two modes:

• Linear, 15 mm: a long pull that Brook likens to accelerator and brake pedals, aimed at racing games.
• MicroSwitch, 0.3 mm: an ultra-short pull for shooters and action games.

The 1000 Hz figure​

The 1000 Hz polling rate is listed for wired PC mode only. Techtroduce likewise notes it is limited to wired PC mode rather than Bluetooth. Brook makes no such claim for Bluetooth or PS5. Polling rate is also not the same as measured end-to-end latency, and Brook hasn't published latency numbers.

Setup: what Windows and PC users should know​

Firmware first​

Brook warns that some StarRay controllers need a one-time firmware update from a PC before the app will work. After that, later updates can be done through the app. Brook's firmware page lists these requirements and details:

• The update tool runs from a Windows or macOS PC. The web version works only in Google Chrome. Phones, tablets and Linux are not supported.
• The current listing is v1.2.0.7, dated September 2026, build V12_20260812_0900. It adds support for the Brook Controller Center app.
• Don't touch the analog sticks during the update, or while pressing PS to log in to a PS5.

Pairing with the app​

Brook's documented sequence, once the firmware is current:

1. Turn on Bluetooth in your phone's settings.
2. Hold Create and PS together until the status light flashes. This is pairing mode.
3. Pick "Brook Wireless Controller" or "DualSense Wireless Controller" in the phone's Bluetooth list. The light turns solid when connected.
4. Open Brook Controller Center.
5. Press R3 and L3 together. The light flashes again, which is app pairing mode.
6. When paired, the app opens its settings screen automatically.

In the app you can remap buttons, set up Macros and Turbo, adjust stick response and dead zones, and manage firmware. Brook's own materials also use the name "StarRay App" for the same tool, so expect both names. Vibration settings are adjustable. The lighting modes are breathing and clockwise or counterclockwise ring marquee.

The firmware history​

Brook's changelog shows the product has been updated repeatedly this year:

• March 17, 2026: improved dead zones and automatic calibration.
• April 29, 2026: fixed an input conflict between the L2 button and the left stick, plus general stick optimization.
• May 29, 2026: fixed an update failure on computers with AMD CPUs that stalled at "Now Preparing".
• June 1, 2026: optimized joystick response time to reduce input lag.
• September 2026: v1.2.0.7 added Brook Controller Center app support.

The fixes are good news. They also show that early units had real software issues. That doesn't prove every problem is resolved.

Is it new, and is it available?​

The "launch" framing needs context. Brook's product page links several reviews, and YouTube reviewers and a ZTGD hardware review were circulating months before the October 6 press release. Reviews on those pages date to roughly May 2026. This announcement looks like a wider, formal availability push rather than a first reveal.

ZTGD's reviewer found the buttons stiff and hard to press fully down. That is one reviewer's experience, and it is the sort of thing a spec sheet can't show. It is worth weighing against Brook's marketing before you buy.

Availability is also mixed. The press release says the controller is available now through Brook's Amazon store and official shop. The official Brook store listing captured during research showed $74.99 but also "Out of stock". That listing also says the item ships from Taiwan and that import duties may apply. Stock and shipping terms can vary by region and change over time.

Analysis​

This is a niche product with a clear audience. It suits PS5 owners who want an Xbox-style layout, and PC players who want Hall Effect sticks, rear buttons and a switchable trigger. For PC use, the wired 1000 Hz mode is the headline feature. Bluetooth is more convenient but has no such claim.

Before buying, check these points:

• Evidence: nearly everything above comes from Brook itself. No independent test here confirms the speed, drift or durability claims.
• Setup: you may need a Windows or macOS PC and Chrome for the first firmware update, even if you mainly play on a console.
• PC behavior: Brook's store listing mentions X-Input support when switching between PS5 and PC modes. Check the exact Windows behavior in your own games, because the evidence here doesn't cover per-title compatibility.
• Price and stock: confirm the current price and delivery terms in your region before ordering.

The StarRay looks like a well-specified, reasonably priced option, and its firmware history shows Brook is actively supporting it. The performance claims still need independent testing, and for now they remain Brook's word.