Looking at the pictures a bit more, that soldering point on the antenna trace does not look ideal:
Just speculating a bit, but the fact that some people are having issues and others don't, suggests that it might be a manufacturing issue which could be related to this soldering. It looks hand soldered so it's possible that some Joy-Cons have a bad solder where the antenna trace is not well connected. It seems unlikely, but anything is possible.
Also, the "impedance matching" components do in fact appear to be for the radio and not for the antenna. Since there is no bandpass filter component, this appears to be an LC bandpass filter implemented using discrete components. Looking up the datasheet for the Broadcom/Cypress chip used, it does require extra filtering to get rid of harmonics from the transmitter, so that is likely what those components do (aside from the fact that you want to filter out out-of-band signals that could saturate the receiver anyway). Also, the chip is capable of output power of 9/12dBm depending on the required datarate, compared to the 4dBm that the Joy-Con is certified for.
What is the likelihood of Nintendo doing something as drastic as some people think like recalling controllers? I'm not optimistic about it.
I don't see how this couldn't have been picked up in testing. I've only had my Switch since Saturday and it's happened 10 times at least, where I just have no control with the left controller and then it comes back again. Sometimes it means that Link just keeps walking in a certain direction, it's like it locks up completely.
I've had the exact same issues with Link continuing to run in one direction whilst I'm not touching the stick, sometimes it's 4 or 5 seconds before I can take back control.
I'm finding the issue is much more frequent when I have my mobile phone nearby which is going to be a big problem if voice chat for online games is going to be handled by a mobile app!
If there is no way to boost signal through firmware they will release some sort of fix or offer a voluntary recall. Anything that gets send back will likely be stripped apart and used for new controllers.
Mine have been fine, thankfully, but it looks like Nintendo will replace your left joycon:
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/5xqpvu/psa_nintendo_will_replace_malfunctioning_left_joy/
Well I would still like to use the Joy Cons while my Switch is docked behind my TV (on the very far corner of the TV). Should it really be acceptable that the Dock needs to be in plain view even though you are sitting a mere 2-3 meters away from the system?
Serious question here. Because it seems like Nintendo deems this normal.
Just buy new joycons for $80 only.
/s
good thing i bailed out of my preorder..
bad thing is that if this turn out to be a faulty (quite large) batch or to affect the large majority of the first SKU, it will take a WHILE for the stock to be cleaned up of this first version..
sooo breath of the wild wii u, or wait for 6 months???
Technically nintendo could approach this by simply starting a joycon replacement program, but it will take time, and basically buying a new console knowing that you'll have to pronto send a piece of it into RMA is a bit anticlimatic..
Coming soon: the joy con sleeve
What is the likelihood of Nintendo doing something as drastic as some people think like recalling controllers? I'm not optimistic about it.
Wtf is that. Okay now I'm back to manufacturing error. Bad PCB and someone at Foxconn(?) thought he could fix it by hand?Looking at the pictures a bit more, that soldering point on the antenna trace does not look ideal:
Just speculating a bit, but the fact that some people are having issues and others don't, suggests that it might be a manufacturing issue which could be related to this soldering. It looks hand soldered so it's possible that some Joy-Cons have a bad solder where the antenna trace is not well connected. It seems unlikely, but anything is possible.
Also, the "impedance matching" components do in fact appear to be for the radio and not for the antenna. Since there is no bandpass filter component, this appears to be an LC bandpass filter implemented using discrete components. Looking up the datasheet for the Broadcom/Cypress chip used, it does require extra filtering to get rid of harmonics from the transmitter, so that is likely what those components do (aside from the fact that you want to filter out out-of-band signals that could saturate the receiver anyway). Also, the chip is capable of output power of 9/12dBm depending on the required datarate, compared to the 4dBm that the Joy-Con is certified for.
Seems like they have a ton of potential design issues they really should have picked up at launch
- dodgy left joycon connection issues
- bad dock design causing units to get scratched
- flimsy kickstand (not as big an issue)
Plus whilst not faults some other weird design problems such as
- charging cable being positioned at the bottom of the unit
- people having issues when putting straps on the wrong way
I am glad I have decided to wait. Hopefully they can clear up some of these issues in future revisions as I love the concept
Mine have been fine, thankfully, but it looks like Nintendo will replace your left joycon:
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/5xqpvu/psa_nintendo_will_replace_malfunctioning_left_joy/
Welp. had no issues for 2 days, tonight my left joycon was NOTICEABLY disconnecting/hanging, even had the chance to glance down and see the lights cycle while it reconnected once or twice. This was in the grip (was playing docked zelda) the entire time, with the switch like, less than 3 and a half feet from my controller, though slightly out of line of sight.
made some custom hotfix
That wrist strap is one stupid ass desing choise. It's very easy to put it in a wrong way and then it will get stuck forever. Designs like that should be idiotproof on console that is marketed as being kid friendly. Or do they really expect 6 year old to first carefully to read instructions before doing anything. :'D
Still that is lesser problem than the left joycon connection issues because that one makes playing games on tv mode pretty much impossible.
The difference between left and right is what is infuriating. It's always the damn left one. The concept works, why the difference between the 2?
i think it's due to reverse placement of sticks. so antenna on left joycon is lower
Eurogamer
I think this test is interesting and shows the difference with left and right joy-cons. This chart is pretty much accurate for me as well. Sitting cross legged is enough to obstruct the signal and making Link to run from the cliff.
- people having issues when putting straps on the wrong way
For me at least It's not desyncing or disconnecting completely but the signal is so weak that there is huge lag and when playing Zelda, Link does not always respond the movement correctly and he could randomly just run from the cliff (this happened to me). So basically making games unplayable.I tried to make my joycons desync and failed.
Good for me, I guess.
For me at least It's not desyncing or disconnecting completely but the signal is so weak that there is huge lag and when playing Zelda, Link does not always respond the movement correctly and he could randomly just run from the cliff (this happened to me). So basically making games unplayable.
You can also test this by going to system settings -> controller and sensors -> calibrate controller sticks. Move the left stick and try to obstruct the signal if it still moves correctly then congratulations you were lucky at hardware lottery! Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky and I'm going to send my left joycon to warranty and meanwhile use my pro controller.