Topic: Sony Controller disposable?

[Pugnate]

Can not be true, can it?

linky

[idolminds]

Its true. They are rechargable batteries, but they cant be replaced. So when it stops holding a charge, thats it.

However, I did read that you can use the controller while its charging. It then is a wired controller like we've always had. I imagine you can use a controller with a bad battery like that, so you dont have to throw it away...you just cant play wirelessly.

[Pugnate]

That is bullshit. What is the point of having a wireless controller if you can't use it in its wireless form beyond 30 hours?

[gpw11]

It's not a 30 hour lifespan...the batteries are rechargeable, but like all rechargeable batteries they'll eventually stop holding a charge after many cycles. Seems like a non issue.  It's the same deal as an ipod, except it only costs $40 to replace your controller after maybe four years instead of hundreds for the ipod.

It honestly seems this generation that Sony has lost a ton of support.  They're pretty much in the camp where microsoft was before the xbox came out...everyone sort of expects them to fail in one way or another.

[WindAndConfusion]

Pug, surely you know better than to trust the Inq? At least, to trust what the Inq says on its face?

A controller would draw a very small, fairly constant current, which is about the ideal duty cycle for a battery. I'd give these an average lifespan of 3-6 years, less depending on how bad Sony fucks up. But this *can't* be any worse than the Dreamcast VMUs. (Gah, that friggin' beep still sends chills down my spine. Not to mention four of those friggin' beeps, simultaneously...)

[TheOtherBelmont]

Controllers don't use much power at all, like WindAndConfusion said, I can see them lasting for many years as long as you don't leave them on all the time when you aren't using them.  This is still kind of a bummer, but nothing to get riled up about, it's a fair trade off for wireless, which Sony has been needing for too fucking long. The wireless Logitech PS2 contollers are nice but I hate the Xbox style D-pad.

[Xessive]

Controllers don't use much power at all, like WindAndConfusion said, I can see them lasting for many years as long as you don't leave them on all the time when you aren't using them.  This is still kind of a bummer, but nothing to get riled up about, it's a fair trade off for wireless, which Sony has been needing for too fucking long. The wireless Logitech PS2 contollers are nice but I hate the Xbox style D-pad.

Oh I loved the Logitech Wireless PS2 controllers! And I'm so happy that my Logitech Rumblepad 2 has the same D-pad I've preferred that D-pad since the days of Sega Megadrive versus SNES. My favourite controller is still the Sega Saturn one.. It was awesome.

[Pugnate]

Pug, surely you know better than to trust the Inq? At least, to trust what the Inq says on its face?

A controller would draw a very small, fairly constant current, which is about the ideal duty cycle for a battery. I'd give these an average lifespan of 3-6 years, less depending on how bad Sony fucks up. But this *can't* be any worse than the Dreamcast VMUs. (Gah, that friggin' beep still sends chills down my spine. Not to mention four of those friggin' beeps, simultaneously...)

Yea I know, I was just wondering if it could be true. 30 hours sounds nuts.

[Cobra951]

The problem is that rechargeables don't hold their charge (almost) indefinitely, like non-rechargeable Alkalines do while not being used.  "Use it or lose it", basically.  And the older the batteries get, the quicker they'll lose their charge while idle.  I would probably keep them plugged in constantly, making the extra expense of wirelessness a waste.  And when the batteries crap out completely, the controllers will be useless, plugged in or not. I've gone through a couple of Norelco shavers that way.  Even plugged in, they don't run once the batteries degrade away.

Said it before, and once again:  I hate batteries.  I have always passed on wireless controllers, and now it looks like that choice is being taken away from me completely.

[Xessive]

I really don't mind the wire, as long as it's a nice and long wire so I can sit comfortable on my couch.

[Quemaqua]

I find wireless devices to be entirely stupid and worthless.  I just don't see the need.

[Xessive]

I consider them a luxury rather than a necessity.

[Pugnate]

I find wireless devices to be entirely stupid and worthless.  I just don't see the need.

As things are sure, but I'd love for everything to be wireless and yet get the same performance I currently do from my devices.

I hate wires. The only wire I like is W7re.

[Cobra951]

Hehe!  Some things have to be wireless, like cell phones and other portable computing gadgets.  Controllers for a very wired home console don't need to be, and I can think of several arguments why they should be wired.  (1) You can't lose them.  (2) No batteries (a biggie for me).  (3) Constant performance, irrespective of battery power, location, or unpredictable RF or IR interference.  (4) Plenty of power and room in the shell for feedback devices.

[Quemaqua]

Cobra says what I'd say.  And I didn't mean all wireless devices, just most of those meant for use in the home.  You're at home... where the hell are you going to go?  My PSP, for instance, is always plugged in when I'm at home.  I pull out the battery and plug it into the wall jack so as not to waste charge.  I save the battery for when I'm on the can at work, on the subway, whatever.  Away from a power source.  If I play with it at my desk, same deal.  Pull out the battery, plug in the wall jack.  And because of the battery thing with wireless controllers, I actually find them *less* appealing than a wired controller.  Again, I just don't get it.  Why would you want to have the bother of having to charge it all the time, especially since when its charging... it becomes a wired controller again, meaning that its only wireless maybe 80% of the time you're using it?

[WindAndConfusion]

The controller probably only takes about an hour to charge from 0-90%. And also, I'd rather have a "wired" controller plugged into a nearby outlet, than still have cables dragging across the living room.

I think we've reached the point where wireless makes sense, especially for a $2000 console coming out in '08.

[scottws]

I had no problem with wired controllers.  Then the Wavebird came along and set a whole new standard.

That said, what's wrong with the Xbox 360's controllers?  When my brother was in town, I think we changed batteries in one of the controllers twice.  This was over the course of a month.  I've changed my Wavebird's batteries twice ever.

[poomcgoo]

Yeah, I fucking hate playing Fight Night and having the controller die.  It's already happened 3 times over the past month or two.  Totally unacceptable.

We bought a Gamecube last year for our new apartment with a wavebird.  Since last May we've had it, and we haven't once changed the batteries.

[Xessive]

As things are sure, but I'd love for everything to be wireless and yet get the same performance I currently do from my devices.

I hate wires. The only wire I like is W7re.

Haha I shall invent the wireless refrigerator!