Topic: Dualshock 4 - wear & tear

@BLP_Software I have had many consoles throughout my life. NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and I can go on and I can say the only systems I replaced controllers for due to normal ware and tear are Sony controllers. I have replaced an N64 controller but that's cause my roommate at the time smashed it into a wall cause of Smash Bros. But normal ware and tear only Sony.

I can't even begin to count how many PS2 controllers I have gone threw and I am taliking about Sony made first party ones. I didn't have a PS3 so I can't comment on that but the PS4 DS is turning into the PS2 DS all over again. At this rate I am thinking of getting an Xbox One just because they controllers are sturdier. At this rate I have spent as much as an Xbox One would cost on PS4 controllers.

@Tasuki Ive bout a second pair of Joy-Con and a Pro Controller? More exoensive? Slightly. Better battery, charging, used features (Minus IR Camera) and significantly more durable? Yes. Works on my PC from the off? Yes.

That extra £10 would be an extra £50 for a new controller that would later die in a few months if I used my PS4 as anything but a door stop half the time. I dare to dream what your controllers are like with frequent use.

Now I think about it, looking back, I cant see a Sony controller that didnt die on me. Sony is the only time I had to buy more controllers NOT to facilitate multiplayer but rather to continue playing the damn machine. Every other system it was simply for convenience.

So...about that PS5. I think we all know the controller will be bad. Now we can speculate on how. Bet it wont use USB-C and have an angled port again so the cable breaks if you put it down.

But really, Im gonna wait on the PS5. Not for the same reasons I waited on PS3 (Price) and PS4 (Games). Simply to avoid the damn controller.

@MadchesterManc Yup same, I really dunno what these guys are doing with theirs, I've literally never had a PS controller fail on me on PS1, 2, 3 or 4! The four is a bit cheapo in places, mind you, but it's my favourite of the lot overall.

@kyleforrester87 Oh its certainly my favourite to hold.

I mean this is me so I accept Im cursed with technology. Or maybe its a UK thing.

@BLP_Software I'm UK too

@kyleforrester87 You must get lucky then.

As I said i barely use my controllers for PS4 so I think its random

It must be random. I use it quite a lot and it still works fine. I've never had anything break on me actually, no controller, no console, nothing. Maybe my GBA, but I think that's just a small issue with the battery connector pins, should be an easy fix. But I'm not in a hurry to fix it, since my GameCube and DS also play GBA games.

@KratosMD @Octane Here's the thing. I barely use my PS4 controllers. So it cant be gentle or aggressive use its lack of use.

Damned if ya do. Damned if ya dont

@kyleforrester87 I am not doing anything out of the ordinary with mine, just using them on games. Maybe it's how much use mine get, maybe gremlins at night come out and play hacky sack with mine, I don't know. All I know is this is my 4th and 5th controller I have to replace since I got the PS4 at launch.

@BLP_Software I am in NA.

@Tasuki Just odd is all, it feels like mine are rarely out of my hands but have held up absolutely fine. All my PS2 and PS3 ones still work. I don't have my PS1 ones unfortunately anymore

Maybe I've just been lucky with PS hardware, the only issue I've had is my PS3 getting YLOD after about 8 years of use.

Edit: oh and the rubbish laser unit in the PS1 that seemed to affect all units after so much use!

@kyleforrester87 I guess. My PS I never had any problems with the controller, and I didn't own a PS3. But 2 and 4 yeah.

The Only console I have had die on me was my Day 1 PS3 - YLOD. I had about 5-6 DS3's too during that Era. Some because the Battery could no longer hold its charge. Its why I hate no battery compartment - at least you could buy a rechargeable pack and swap these out as required with the Xbox controllers or even use rechargeable AA's or standard AA's too.

I also game in the same way on Xbox as I do on PS4, and apart from general wear and tear, my XB360 controllers outlasted my DS3's. The DS4's though are far worse - despite being overall more comfortable.

By comparison, I go through a DS4 every 3-4months compared with a Standard XB1 controller that lasts around 6-8months and my Elite is still 'perfect' - as good as new. No wear and tear on thumbsticks - like a groove worn in or some 'drift' or slackness so it proves overall that its down to build quality. Obviously it may be that I play a lot of games that require a lot of thumb pressing and pushed forward onto the ring - hence the big groove and worn out thumbsticks. 3-4 months could someone elses year or two of playing - particularly games that require a lot of 'click to sprint'. To put m 'gaming' into perspective, I beat Horizon:ZD in less than a week to platinum level (75hrs ish), I beat ME:A in less than a fortnight - around 100hrs on my second start - played around 5-10hrs with a different character but didn't like the in game face so started again. I beat the Witcher 3, inc both DLC's in around 3 weeks - don't know how many hours though as I can't see that - however that may shed light into the reason mine only last 3-4 months but either way, they are built to last the consoles life expectancy!

If they carry this principal into the PS5 gen too, they could make a £700 console, sell it for £400 and get their money back by all the sales of extra and replacement Controllers!!!

I had the PS4 since launch and never had any issues with wear and tear. I traded it in for my PS Pro, and so far no wear or tear issues.

Battery life still is pretty bad though.

@Kvally why have you got bree display pic :')

On second thoughts don't answer that haha

Because I love her. She just doesn't know it yet.

@kyleforrester87 The laser wasn't rubbish at all in the PS1. It gave you the opportunity to stand the console vertically to magically read disks again and therefore also saved a bit of space around the TV

To be honest it must just be down to how each individual uses their controller. I've very rarely ran into controller issues, even my Mega Drive ones still work perfectly after 20+ years, and thinking back the only controller I've had that worn down & broke was for the X360. At the time I was playing FIFA quite a lot, so the left analogue got worn and broke in half - the wire also needed to be taped down on the back of the controller otherwise it would lose connection. Never really had any issues with controllers for any console other than that one blip....

I just joined this forum, but it doesn't seem to be very active

@Kvally Its so so, steady regulars.

@Bamozzy makes up the word count for us

@kyleforrester87

So for science I did a little test. I left both my SPC and DS4 running and timed both of them. For the DS4 I left it at max light bar, so default settings for both.

So, for reference, the dates and prices I got these two controllers:

SPC - £59.99, March 2nd 2017 (1340 mAh)

DS4 (20TH Anniversary) - £54.99, October 26th 2015 (1000 mAh)

DS4 lasted 4 hours and 34 minutes from a full charge, just left running.

SPC lasted 41 hours and 12 minutes, again from full charge just left running. Doing its knight rider impression.

Now that. That shocks me. And given the PC compatability of the SPC, thats an extra £5 worth it. And I dont even think the SPC is that comfortable (I barely use it, less than my DS4).