A Yahoo Christmas guide singles out PS3's pad and makes a few complaints about the captive battery.
"It's all fun and games until the battery dies," says the guide (thanks 1up). "Unlike its competitors, which use replaceable AA batteries, the PS3's remote control is glued shut. When the battery goes, Sony customers have to blow $55 on a new controller.
"Sony says there's an 'environmental benefit' since gamers don't have to toss their batteries on a regular basis, but Isidor Buchmann, president of battery-equipment maker Cadex Electronics, says captive batteries are becoming common because it's cheaper for companies to eliminate the battery housing and hatch."
Which begs the question, has your PS3 controller battery died yet or is it still going strong? Ours are.
Still going strong, and the Ł35 RRP for a new controller is still a lot less than the costs of the batteries that would have to be bought in between. The Wii costs me somewhere around Ł20 a month in batteries, and my DualShock 3 has lasted me since at least February so I am definately saving money here.
Unless you take Dtoid's view, which is that people are actually buying a new controller every time their battery runs out.
never had a problem with any of mine and they are over 2 years old. if 1 died tomorrow id have spent the same money on replacement batteries so wouldnt be too unhappy.
Just a few points..... 1) Clearly it's a slow news day. 2) Who cares what Yahoo thinks. 3) Since when is a Dual Shock 3 called a remote control. 4) Gavin, you actually put your name to this article?!
Ehhh no my controllers are still going strong since 2007 much cheaper than paying for the amount of batteries you'd need to keep anything going for that long.
Stupid Yahoo I don't think they really know what they were talking about...
most bulls**t s**te ever, this is redundant. the pad not needing batteries is a huge selling point. the wii is bad at blitzing batteries and the 360 is just a p**s take. usb charged pads out of the box all the way.
My original SixAxis broke not even a year after I bought my PS3! Since then i've bought 2 dualshock controllers while taking apart the sixaxis, which isn't hard. The only problem I find is, getting a replacement battery. Although people DO sell them, they seem a bit chinesy to me and no way am I risking blowing my house to rubble
A few things about the controller, I vacuumed up one of them black screws which holds the controller together, then lost it. I also have no idea how to start at putting it back together. I mean, what's the point? Sony don't sell replacement batteries...
I used the SixAxis everyday, 1,000 hours on burnout and who knows how long on GTA IV. I was very unhappy when it broke, considering how long my PS2 controllers are lasting. I thought Sony were meant to make quality products, not shabby ones like Xbox.
From a consumer perspective I have never understood how anyone could possibly justify Sony's decision to not allow the paying consumer to easily recharge or replace the battery section of its controllers as being beneficial to the customer. The only people it benefits are Sony and the companies that manufacture the controllers. It's a waste of natural resources and it's an unnecessary added expense for the customer.
At least give consumers the choice as to whether they want to invest in rechargeable batteries (which do not have to cost a fortune,) or whether they simply want to throw out a perfectly good-and-still-functioning controller so they can buy a new one for far more money every couple of years compared to buying rechargeable batteries and enriching multi-national corporations while impoverishing themselves further!
Speaking of which, if you are looking for a recharging system for the Xbox 360 controllers that doesn't use MS's obscene pricing scehme check out Nyko's Xbox 360 Charger Base.
Still going strong, and the Ł35 RRP for a new controller is still a lot less than the costs of the batteries that would have to be bought in between. The Wii costs me somewhere around Ł20 a month in batteries, and my DualShock 3 has lasted me since at least February so I am definately saving money here.
Unless you take Dtoid's view, which is that people are actually buying a new controller every time their battery runs out.
Seriously, why not just buy some standard rechargeable batteries with a simple charger? Depending on how much you play I'd wager it's not too difficult to recoup the initial investment costs within a year's time. Now consider that such a system could last for years and that after the initial investment has been covered you are essentially saving yourself money; money that doesn't have to be spent on the same product again and again, but which you could spend on other things for yourself or those for whom you care.
Also, in light of the current environmental summit in Copenhagen, it would be less polluting than the mindless re-purchasing of a new controller every few years to replace one that might well still work quite well if it weren't for a depleted battery. It's not like the technology to recharge or replace it without too much hassle doesn't already exist. Sony has no good excuse on this occasion other than it's yet another way to milk the customers.
I've had my controllers for 2 years and they're still going strong. Unless you have them on 24/7 all year round (why the f**k would you?), they're gonna last you!
From a consumer perspective I have never understood how anyone could possibly justify Sony's decision to not allow the paying consumer to easily recharge or replace the battery section of its controllers as being beneficial to the customer. The only people it benefits are Sony and the companies that manufacture the controllers. It's a waste of natural resources and it's an unnecessary added expense for the customer.
At least give consumers the choice as to whether they want to invest in rechargeable batteries (which do not have to cost a fortune,) or whether they simply want to throw out a perfectly good-and-still-functioning controller so they can buy a new one for far more money every couple of years compared to buying rechargeable batteries and enriching multi-national corporations while impoverishing themselves further!
Speaking of which, if you are looking for a recharging system for the Xbox 360 controllers that doesn't use MS's obscene pricing scehme check out Nyko's Xbox 360 Charger Base.
That was a typo, I actually own a recharger thing for my Wii. I should have said it used to cost Ł20 a month in batteries. But I have to disagree, KFD, I love how my PS3 controller is rechargeable. It makes it far easier when you are in, for example, an online game, and rather than having to faff about finding batteries I can just plug my wire in. Out of interest, do you think the same about the current set of handhelds? I would actually argue against those having rechargeable batteries, especially the PSP. When you go, for example, on a long-haul flight, you run out of power after 4-6 hours, whereas with the old GameBoy Colour I could just put in a new pair of batteries. the DS has longer battery life, but the same fundamental problem still exists.
Or am I just weird and am being awkward because everyone likes the other way around. Either way, retro FTW.
That was a typo, I actually own a recharger thing for my Wii. I should have said it used to cost Ł20 a month in batteries. But I have to disagree, KFD, I love how my PS3 controller is rechargeable. It makes it far easier when you are in, for example, an online game, and rather than having to faff about finding batteries I can just plug my wire in.
But why couldn't Sony do what MS did with the 360 and put the battery on the outside of the pad, that way when the battery starts to lose it's longevity you can buy another rechargable battery pack instead of having to shell out for a new pad.
I think we all know the reason why they didn't, and it's got nothing to do with being green.
Funny how you dumb fan boys are cool with this. You claim you would have spent the same amount in batteries if they were replaceable. Ever heard of rechargable double A batteries? This will kill the "collectors" market for PS3s (an idea I find stupid anyway). How will you get the controller to work ten years from now when they have redesigned it for the PS4 or 5? Probably by happily spending $100 on some repair solution.
Must be a slow day in the office (idle slobs may want to consider working for a living) I've 36 AA batteries in a bowl from my xbox pad. My ps3 pad has worked flawlessly for 18 months (since getting dual shock) and warns me onscreen not with pointless flashy lights you rarely notice until the pad stops working. Ah well more flamebait I guess and a pretty pointless story.
typical fanboy sh*t, 3 years and my original sixaxis is still a beast, no problems with it at all, what a sad yet pointless jab at sony, yes yahoo are owned by microsoft...shocker! jeez
Ha ha. I've still got my launch model Sixaxis pads and they work just fine. AA batteries cost a bloody fortune to replace and rechargable AA's degrade with each charge. It probably works out at a similar price to replace a controller after 4 or 5 years, hang on, it's probably bloody cheaper. Hang on, who cares anyway? Oh yeah, 360 fanboys, zzzzzzzzzzzz
since when does using technology owned by microsoft make yahoo owned by microsoft bunneyo? typical paedostaition fanboys too busy with the lil kids too know the facts
Not only are the batteries rechargeable and last for years before needing replacement, they are user-replaceable, and replacements cost under US$5. There are even instructions for replacing the battery in the owner's manual, along with instructions on how to get the old battery recycled.
they reckon you get 1000 charges out of the ps3 battery.. i probably charge mine 25 a year at most.. normally i play with the controller wired anyway as i sit clost to ps3 so its not an issue.
I've got rechargable batteries for numerous things and a plug in charge kit for the 360 which connects to the USB ports so you can continue playing whilst they are charging up.
Anyone buying standard batteries for their Wii or 360 should seriously consider going that route.
From a consumer perspective I have never understood how anyone could possibly justify Sony's decision to not allow the paying consumer to easily recharge or replace the battery section of its controllers as being beneficial to the customer. The only people it benefits are Sony and the companies that manufacture the controllers. It's a waste of natural resources and it's an unnecessary added expense for the customer.
At least give consumers the choice as to whether they want to invest in rechargeable batteries (which do not have to cost a fortune,) or whether they simply want to throw out a perfectly good-and-still-functioning controller so they can buy a new one for far more money every couple of years compared to buying rechargeable batteries and enriching multi-national corporations while impoverishing themselves further!
Speaking of which, if you are looking for a recharging system for the Xbox 360 controllers that doesn't use MS's obscene pricing scehme check out Nyko's Xbox 360 Charger Base.
That was a typo, I actually own a recharger thing for my Wii. I should have said it used to cost Ł20 a month in batteries. But I have to disagree, KFD, I love how my PS3 controller is rechargeable. It makes it far easier when you are in, for example, an online game, and rather than having to faff about finding batteries I can just plug my wire in. Out of interest, do you think the same about the current set of handhelds? I would actually argue against those having rechargeable batteries, especially the PSP. When you go, for example, on a long-haul flight, you run out of power after 4-6 hours, whereas with the old GameBoy Colour I could just put in a new pair of batteries. the DS has longer battery life, but the same fundamental problem still exists.
Or am I just weird and am being awkward because everyone likes the other way around. Either way, retro FTW.
I can appreciate the potential frustration of needing to replace the batteries at, shall we say, an inopportune time (such as during online multiplayer). However, as I do not care to use my Xbox 360 for online gaming that is a moot issue for me perosnally though it could clearly affect others. I've recently ordered the Nyko charger mentioned previously, yet until it arrives I will continue to use a simple, cost effective system of keeping four rechargeable AA batteries and a charger. Since I primarily only use one controller at a time that allows me to effectively rotate the batteries for use and recharging as needed. Should the second controller ever end up in heavy use I could opt to buy another two or four rechargeable batteries to be on the safe side. This would be cheaper in the long run and it would also be better for the environment than buying new packets of non-rechargeable batteries year in and year out.
The above system would also work quite nicely for a handheld and therefore I do support removable/replaceable battery systems for both console controllers and for handhelds. Now, if a company were to combine that with an ability to charge the batteries from a USB connection that would be an added bonus providing it didn't balloon the costs.
That was a typo, I actually own a recharger thing for my Wii. I should have said it used to cost Ł20 a month in batteries. But I have to disagree, KFD, I love how my PS3 controller is rechargeable. It makes it far easier when you are in, for example, an online game, and rather than having to faff about finding batteries I can just plug my wire in.
But why couldn't Sony do what MS did with the 360 and put the battery on the outside of the pad, that way when the battery starts to lose it's longevity you can buy another rechargable battery pack instead of having to shell out for a new pad.
I think we all know the reason why they didn't, and it's got nothing to do with being green.
Must be a slow day in the office (idle slobs may want to consider working for a living) I've 36 AA batteries in a bowl from my xbox pad. My ps3 pad has worked flawlessly for 18 months (since getting dual shock) and warns me onscreen not with pointless flashy lights you rarely notice until the pad stops working. Ah well more flamebait I guess and a pretty pointless story.
Rechargeable AA batteries? A simple and straight forward solution from a consumer perspective. Oh, and it's cost effective to boot!
Mmm ,since Microsoft and Yahoo joined against Google Yahoo is increasing their attacks on the PS3 and Sony products ....
Coincidence?
I dont think so.
Regardless of whether that is actually what is happening here or not, can you in all honesty deny that there is sound logic in being able to recharge and/or easily replace batteries in a device that is not broken when the batteries expire? Sometimes it behooves us to focus on the message instead of on the messenger.
Ha ha. I've still got my launch model Sixaxis pads and they work just fine. AA batteries cost a bloody fortune to replace and rechargable AA's degrade with each charge. It probably works out at a similar price to replace a controller after 4 or 5 years, hang on, it's probably bloody cheaper. Hang on, who cares anyway? Oh yeah, 360 fanboys, zzzzzzzzzzzz
Or perhaps there are some people who still have the common sense to realise that money not spent on Company X's product over and over again means more money in their own pocket to spend on other things. How exactly that is a bad thing from a customer perspective is something I'm sure would make for an entertaining explanation...
What a ridiculous and pointless article. It's unlikely that the pads go wrong that regularly, unless the guys at Yahoo don't realise that they got a USB charging cable with the pads. It takes a hell of a lot of charges before a solid state battery degrades a noticeable amount.
i havent got a problem with batteries, just the actual controller itself, change the shape to be more comfortable and do away with the convexed R2 and L2 buttons and make them concaved to be more comfortable and less slippy....
@Dajmin: True, nonetheless I see little reason not to allow the customer the option of easily replacing that solid state battery...Other than to help pad Sony's coffers even more that is.
@headspin: Aye. Personally I find that the PS3 controller's buttons are too tightly packed together for my large hands - especially in regards to the front buttons. I consider the Xbox 360 controller a masterpiece as these things go.
why doesn't anyone call AA batteries 'pencil' batteries any more? or is it just me?
even though i think the 360 pad is probably the best pad ever i have to say well done to sony because their pads last bloody ages before needing a recharge.
yahoo must have been unlucky that's all i can say.
The Yahoo article was titled something like "Gifts you DON'T want for Christmas". What a Joke. Had mine for 3 years now and they are as good as new.
How can anyone say putting AA batteries in a controller is better, it's the biggest ball ache ever having to put Duracel on the list of your weekly shop.
Internal Batteries are the future, any gadget that takes AA's just seem cheap and out dated. How would you feel if you had to change the battery on your mobile phone every time it ran out.
Wish people like Yahoo and now Time magazine stick to what they know and keep their noses out of the game industry and leave it to people who know what they are talking about.
since when does using technology owned by microsoft make yahoo owned by microsoft bunneyo? typical paedostaition fanboys too busy with the lil kids too know the facts
haha your such a pr*ck, unlike you dorian before I went spouting off I had quick gandar across the net(research) and found that M$ has a controlling share in yahoo, hmm yep gutting! Be abit more careful in future, unless you like making yourself out to be a fool, fine be me either way!
when the batteries go on my PS3 controller I plug it in and recharge it. Its a fascinating and wonderful process, obviously a bit too complicated for the Yahoo boys.
I'd have been pretty disappointed if i'd been stupid enough to drop Ł35 on a new controller every 5 days, when the batteries 'ran out'.
So do Yahoo also suggest you shouldn't buy any mobile phone? Shouldn't buy any iPod or most other brands of MP3 player? Shouldn't buy a DS or PSP? etc.
when the batteries go on my PS3 controller I plug it in and recharge it. Its a fascinating and wonderful process, obviously a bit too complicated for the Yahoo boys.
i have 2 sixaxis controllers and 1 DS3, and the batteries is the least of the problem with the ps3's gamepads.
one thing that is very annoying though is that Sony expects you to not play games when your controller is charging, as the USB they provide you with is incredibly short. 2 possible solutions: buy another controller and rotate (thats what they want of course), or buy a USB extension cord which is cheaper (but still not cheap). i bought the cord, i hate Sony and wont be giving them any money unless i feel i have to.
So do Yahoo also suggest you shouldn't buy any mobile phone? Shouldn't buy any iPod or most other brands of MP3 player? Shouldn't buy a DS or PSP? etc.
if you apreciate music whatsoever, stay away from ipods and everything else beginning with "i"
To all you xbots out there, go pay your Ł40 a year to micro duff for xbox live and still accuse ps3 owners of filling sony's coffers every five years for a new controller. You MUPPETS. END OF
To all you xbots out there, go pay your Ł40 a year to micro duff for xbox live and still accuse ps3 owners of filling sony's coffers every five years for a new controller. You MUPPETS. END OF
rrrrigght.... ummm, ive just.. got to go annnnd... do that thing...... yeah.... i got to go and do that thing, byee *quickly grabs coat on way out and slams door securely shut behind self*.....
Since MAY 2007 my orginial SixAxis has been going for now, still works, battery life is excellent. Though I now use a DuelShock 3 and that is just as good.
I've not had to replace the batteries in my 360's pad yet, but it ain't used as much as my PS3.
i havent got a problem with batteries, just the actual controller itself, change the shape to be more comfortable and do away with the convexed R2 and L2 buttons and make them concaved to be more comfortable and less slippy....
Got to agree with you... The controller is designed for the average Japanese hand. I'm forever getting cramps in my hands mainly because my pinky fingers cant rest on the pad. A bigger space between the shoulder buttons would give a place to rest your index fingers as well.
my controllers have worked perfectly for my ps3 since i bought them. Shame i couldn't say the same about the blu ray drive. Apparently the drives dieing is an increasingly common problem with the 60gb models.
Good to see after 15 years in the biz Sony still make machines with s**te optical drives!
yeah my controllers have never died, still working from launch day, i really dont understand this peice of news because its acting as if the ps3 controllers always fail or something, but when going by the comments in this thread, they never do.
I charge my controllers off a Laptop - a standard PC laptop...
No need for sitting a foot away from the TV to charge em... and the laptop stays on more often than the PS3 - so I can charge them when the PS3 is off.
Dorian, if you dont shut your fcuking mouth calling all playstation users peados im gunna hunt you down and screw your girly little butt personally with a dualshock 3 on vibration.. actually forget the dualshock maybe a 360 pad would fit snugger seeing as u seem to have been molested already
i've got the same sixaxis controller that i got with my ps3 in november 2007. never had an issue with it, and this is the 1st time i ever heard about them breaking =/
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