FWIW, I still like my CH sticks. I had a spiking issue with my new one, and they sent me 2 free new pots, but it turns out all I had to do was clean the old pot (soak in isopropyl alcohol and blow out with a compressor). So I have 2 spare pots. Since I've never had to replace a pot (for at least 10 years, but see "rod" wear issue below), I see no need for hall effect sensors. I do like my CH Combat Stick better than the new T-16000M I just bought, as the latter is a bit sticky, and reportedly gets more so with age.
Note that the new CH sticks have an internal polished metal rod at the base of the shaft, presumably to fix the wear issue. Wear on the plastic rod on my old Combat Stick is what motivated me to buy the new one. I plan to do a mechanical repair on the old one, and also surgery to make it left-handed, for use in another on-line game (SC).
MH