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DualShock 4 build quality. This is baffling.

SiniisteR said:
Apparently the Elite Xbone controller feels worth it's $150 price. Hopefully Sony will release a similar version for the DS4 at some point.
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Or how about fix the build on their standard controller, MS have updated their current controller. It's time Sony did with the sticks and triggers being the main problem in terms of quality.

Can't believe people asking for Sony elite. Let them fix their current controller first.
 
Had nothing but issues with my DS4, have 2 of them and both have excessive wear for the usage time. Wish they fix it or put out a premium controller like MS is doing.
 
My O and X buttons are so fucked that they don't even click anymore. I bought another and even the new one is going to shit. I can't afford to buy a controller every year. I feel scammed.
 
Dualshock 4s have had quite a significant price reduction at many retailers here in the UK recently, from £60 down to £40 or even £35.

Is this happening in other regions? Could this be an acknowledgement that the quality isn't great, or even a stock clearing measure ahead of improved DS4s on the way?
 
Surprised my launch DS4 is still fine. However, you can tell the build quality is a good notch below the Xbox One's controller after playing with both of them. I'll be looking into getting another controller soon. Sony really needs to release an updated controller.
 
fastest finger said:
Dualshock 4s have had quite a significant price reduction at many retailers here in the UK recently, from £60 down to £40 or even £35.

Is this happening in other regions? Could this be an acknowledgement that the quality isn't great, or even a stock clearing measure ahead of improved DS4s on the way?
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We can only hope. My sticks are fine after 6 months but I've got some squeaky triggers on one controller. At the very least give us the option to turn off the light bar. I've yet to use it once, other than to confirm the controller is charging.
 
i think my controller died. it won't charge anymore which is bs because it was charging before and i haven't used it in a month.
 
Well I just had to replace the silicone grommet on the right trigger. Charing attacks in ESO killed it. The silicone was almost entirely cut in half.

Whoever designed the trigger contacts should he ashamed.


I salvaged a replacement from another controller I don't use but I ordered 10 replacements for $6. This is ridiculous.
 
EnVy_CaLiBeR said:
Surprised my launch DS4 is still fine. However, you can tell the build quality is a good notch below the Xbox One's controller after playing with both of them. I'll be looking into getting another controller soon. Sony really needs to release an updated controller.
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This is funny to me because I do think the xbox one controller feels higher quality but I've used my ps4 controller more and my xbox one controller still broke first. My launch DS4 is still going strong. I had to drop 60$ on a new controller which definitely makes me not want to put more money in MS pocket for that elite controller, especially at 150 with zero wireless.


lol joystick breaking really made me salty. I raged around the apt for a good 5 minutes just because I hardly used the thing. -_-
 
The DS4 fascinates me. Never had a major or unreasonable issue with any of my DS2s, Sixaxis or DS3s, and I used them for years. Due to lousy battery life, I've been swapping the pack-in controller with one I bought with the system at launch. The pack-in's thumbstick rubber started to shred almost instantly. Threw on some third-party grips. Servicable, but annoying. The second controller seemed fine, and remained so until a few months ago - when the left stick started to shred rapidly out of the blue.

The pack-in had an R1 button that occasionally got stuck, but the problem fixed itself. One of them also developed a squeaky R2 for a while, which also fixed itself.

I love the DS4's ergonomics, but the battery life is shameful, and the build quality is the worst of any controller I've ever used.
 
Probably my favorite controller ever except the horrible build quality the sticks always peel the triggers break. I still have the other dual shocks from previous systems in great working condition
 
Right trigger broke on launch ds4 last year. Bought a blue ds4 to replace it and it seems to be holding up better (in regards to the rubber on the sticks and the triggers). Battery life still terrible of course. I do prefer my xb1 controller even tho the xb1 isn't my main system. I still can't figure out why the battery life is so bad on the ds4. The xb1 with its fancy ass rumble last me almost a week even with cheap no name Chinese AA batteries (I have a bunch stockpiled from various RC vehicle radios). It's gotta have at least 4 motors for the rumble (2 in the handles and 2 in the triggers), and they have to draw more power than the multicoloured light on the ds4. Considering how well the ps4 is engineered (compared to the xb1 at least), the ds4 build quality is indeed baffling.
 
The PS4 in our household has been here since March of last year, and gets used frequently by 3 different people. We still have the same DS4 that came with the console, and it's in good shape. Guess we're lucky, because nobody wants to drop money on another one lol.
 
nikos said:
Still using my launch day DS4 without an issue. Probably has thousands of hours of use on it.
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Same here. And I have friends over for FIFA once a week. We play for like 4, 5 hours straight,
 
Both my original DS4s are in perfect working order. I did buy thumb covers though because my hands get sweaty. I also mainly use them on my PC with Input Mapper now, so I have it turn the LED off while in use. Easily get 12+ hours on a battery charge with it.
 
The rubber started peeling off the right stick one day when I was playing Evolve so a few weeks later while playing Bloodborne I thought fuck it I need a new controller anyways and smashed it against the ground (after losing to amelia for the 10th time). The controller basically came apart into 2 halves but I was able to snap it back together and it still works and looks perfect, the only problem is still the rubber on the right stick lol.

Still haven't bought a new one but am going to wait until I am positive the problem has been fixed and all old stock has gone from store shelves.
 
My launch dpad is now pretty messed up, the right in particular is always counted as down so that sucks. Any guides out there on repairing/replacing dpads on ds4's?
 
I feel like a repair man, this is my list of ongoing issues...


-R2 has been replaced on both my DS4's

-Sent in for Stick peeling twice before replacing both controllers' sticks with Xone sticks

-Replaced the battery in one that mysteriously stopped holding a charge

-Fixed sticky R1 multiple times

-Micro USB port no longer works on one so I bought the Power A charger

-Electrical tape to cover the light from glaring off my TV and projector


I've found it's cheaper to pay for the parts and fix myself than send back with $15-20 postage each time.
 
Now my left trigger is losing sensitivity and I'll have to replace that silicone grommet too.

I may as just wait for my replacement parts to get here and fix it all at once.

I wish someone with the knowhow could manufacture modified trigger buttons to get rid of that damnable blade that is destroying the silicone contacts.
 
TheTurboFD said:
Or buy the original sticks on amazon or even the xbox one sticks.
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I wouldn't recommend the XB1 stick. The neck of the thumbstick is actually shorter than a DS4, so you can't get a full range of motion on movement in certain games. It doesn't impact all games, but for things like Bloodborne where controls are key it makes a huge difference for your character to walk instead of run, etc.
 
rubber came off my stick and i got some covers for them off amazon. Also my right trigger broke and I had to rebuild it myself from amazon parts because it was out of warranty. I went to my friends house last week and his trigger and rubber was gone also. Sony really disappointed me with the controller. My console is fine but I never play a disc so i don't know if I have the eject problem.
 
Since I had to open two of my controllers this morning, I thought I'd take the time to share my badass broken triggers collection with you all.

Please consider the fact that I threw like four of those away before I started to keep them.

8bz10CL.jpg


The ones that have a metal hinge are failed repair attempts.
 
BoxManLocke said:
Since I had to open two of my controllers this morning, I thought I'd take the time to share my badass broken triggers collection with you all.

Please consider the fact that I threw like four of those away before I started to keep them.

8bz10CL.jpg


The ones that have a metal hinge are failed repair attempts.
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Where do you get the replacement trigger parts and how easy is it to fix? My R2 moves sideways, it's not solid in place. Are they the same as the originals or even cheaper quality?
 
Ebay. Those are the cheapest I could find, at 1€ for four triggers. There's a pretty wild variety of prices for those so make sure to compare before you buy. They're exactly the same. I don't think that you could have worse than the original part anyway.

If you've never opened a DS4 before, I'd say this would take you 20 minutes for the first time, and less than five minutes once you know how it works.

It's extremely easy, open the controller, take out the broken trigger, replace with new one (don't forget to put the little metal spring back), and you're done. All you need is a screwdriver.
 
BoxManLocke said:
Ebay. Those are the cheapest I could find, at 1€ for four triggers. There's a pretty wild variety of prices for those so make sure to compare before you buy. They're exactly the same. I don't think that you could have worse than the original part anyway.

If you've never opened a DS4 before, I'd say this would take you 20 minutes for the first time, and less than five minutes once you know how it works.

It's extremely easy, open the controller, take out the broken trigger, replace with new one (don't forget to put the little metal spring back), and you're done. All you need is a screwdriver.
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I bought a bunch of sticks and bumpers... I think it cost me around $6 for enough to fix a lifetime of controllers. (Enough to fix all of mine 4-5x and all my friends). I think I went a little overboard.... but they are so cheap the biggest drawback is the 1+ month wait for them to arrive. (hence why I bought more than I needed). I replaced the sticks on one controller with the aluminum ones that were posted (they are pretty neat). Took 10-15 mins to replace the first time. Now that I know how to do it, I think it will only take 5-10.
 
Yeah I'd suggest buying a shitload of them too so you don't have to worry for the next few years.

I bought 24 new triggers and I'm pretty sure I'll have used most of them in a couple of years. At least the R2s which get fucked up much more regularly.
 
Ok dude maybe it's the white controllers? I have a white one and my R2 was making a click sound so I went to take it apart and it was like the thing was glued together, I was honestly worried I was going to break it when I was separating it.

Of course I've had two black DS4s and both had the rubber peel off the sticks. I picked up the white DS4 because white electronics are super sexy, but it's not been much better.

Other than the R2 issue, the right hand side of the controller feels separated on the inside grip. It felt like that before I took it apart and I thought that resetting the two halves together would fix it but the overlap is still there. Ever since day one most charging cables kept falling out, like they were to small for the plug, after buying like 4 different cord I found one that fits perfect, except that it won't charge unless the controller is resting face down, propped up by the analog sticks.

It's a shame because the DS4 is beautiful and very comfortable, yet I haven't had one controller that hasn't had issue.
 
MrJoobJoob said:
I wouldn't recommend the XB1 stick. The neck of the thumbstick is actually shorter than a DS4, so you can't get a full range of motion on movement in certain games. It doesn't impact all games, but for things like Bloodborne where controls are key it makes a huge difference for your character to walk instead of run, etc.
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um. what?
dbfg18x.jpg
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Hint: Left is PS4, right is XBO
 
My launch DS4's left stick teared last autumn, and I've been using another DS4 from then on. No issues so far, and I dunno if I've been keeping shorter gaming sessions now, but I haven't had a need to recharge it in the middle of gaming. No issues with the shoulder buttons on either one, by the way.
 
protomouse said:
dA5IUA1.png


It's not only the DS4 itself, but the PS4 build quality as a whole is below every other Sony-made console I've ever owned. My sticks are still fine though.
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Now this just sounds like an exxageration. The controller complaints I get but not sure the console itself can be lumped in.
 
It seems the press just don't care about the issues with the PS4 controller. If this had blown up on all the Kotakus and IGNs I think sony would actually have done something.
 
I've been playing my DS4 since launch. I've replaced the R1 silicon pad because the rubber wore out (probably from me furiously tapping R1 all the time while playing FFXIV). Other than that I've had no issues, my sticks aren't peeling nor cracked, though they are smoothed out from years of use.

I guess I can count myself lucky.
 
They must be making a killing on the margins for these things because it is dirt cheap.

For 65 bucks I expect better.

At least its easy to repair and work on. Parts are bountiful.

You would almost be better off rebuilding cheap ones on ebay than buying new

Plus it lets you customize it. It is damn easy to disassemble and swap components.
 
I've had some bad luck with controller too. My launch controllers rubbers got absolutely fucked in a matter of months. And I barely played my PS4 as I didn't buy many games for it. Ended up buying some rubber analog protective nub thingies which make it usable.

Bought the white Dualshock when it was released individually and that now has a dodgy right thumbstick. It isn;t smooth anymore and doesn't register input in the top left corner of the stick every now and then. My white DS4 is basically worthless unless I'm playing a game that doesn't rely on the right analog stick too much.

I need to buy another one but I don't want to be burnt again lol.
 
Sodding_Gamer said:
I've had some bad luck with controller too. My launch controllers rubbers got absolutely fucked in a matter of months. And I barely played my PS4 as I didn't buy many games for it. Ended up buying some rubber analog protective nub thingies which make it usable.

Bought the white Dualshock when it was released individually and that now has a dodgy right thumbstick. It isn;t smooth anymore and doesn't register input in the top left corner of the stick every now and then. My white DS4 is basically worthless unless I'm playing a game that doesn't rely on the right analog stick too much.

I need to buy another one but I don't want to be burnt again lol.
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They are so damn expensive new to be having these types of problems

You are almost better off repairing it by replacing the bad stick
 
My one year old DS4 haven't given me any trouble untill last week when I left a younger cousin to play some Batman, found out the day after that the thumbsticks one of them got a cut :( , have to buy some grips now, maybe I was being careful with it as I knew the issues that's why it didn't happen to me, Still Sony should be ashamed.
 
Love the controller, I did get two pairs of stick covers from the start so I did avoid the peeling grip a lot of people were having. Out of the two controllers I have the R2 trigger in one did end up having problems. In fact I didn't even notice it until halfway through playing Batman AK. I swapped to my other one while I had the first one charging and right away noticed that the batmobile was now going way faster. lol. I guess something happened with the trigger where fully pressing it down still didn't register as full acceleration. Weird...

Do I have to open it up and clean something out? I just hope I don't have to change a spring or something.
 
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