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Dualshock 4: Feels great, made like garbage

Bought a DS4 to play Demon's and TLoU on PS3.

Use the long cable to hook up to PS3 ($10 / Sony) and some 3rd party caps for the thumb sticks. Works great.

My R1 got sticky towards the outside edge at one point. Popped it out and put it back in. Issue resolved. Did not need to unscrew anything, just exercise a bit of care is all. After that I changed my grip very slightly to tap R1 more centrally rather than leaving pressure on the outside of the button. Seems to help.

My impressions are:

D-pad, buttons and shape of grips are awesome. Reminiscent of the feel and balance of the very first PS1 digital-only controllers (which I still collect and use for 2d games, and. btw, are epic controllers if you ask me.)

The analog sticks are also great. Very precise. The caps help, if anything, by raising the profile slightly. Really helpful in 3d games. Really nice balance between analog and access to d-pad and R/L buttons and triggers. Turning your view and moving simultaneously is absolutely great. Demon's with a DS4, for this reason, is just absolute silk.

No dead spots that I've found. Definitely my preferred controller for games that work for it on PS3.

And, yeah, on TLoU, just leave your DS3 next to you and you can pop out, switch controllers, shake your flashlight back on, and pop back over to DS4 if you really want/need your flashlight. :) It's no big deal and kind of fits the gameplay anyway.

If Sony does need to improve the build quality / quality control a bit, I hope they do, because this controller is up there.

I'd say DS4 / Digital only PS1 / Graphite DS2 have been my favorite Sony controllers so far.
 
@vicoakland

They just need to raise the share and options button a little. They're too flush making them require extra effort to press.
 
I've had 2 controllers for 2 months now. No kids, used by 2 caring adults.

Controller 1: Weird dead zone when stick L stick is pointed just east of North
Controller 2: The loudest, squeakiest triggers in all the land
The fix: Pay up to ship the controllers to Sony for a few weeks and probably have this happen again

Can't take it to a Sony store, no "we'll send you a prepaid label," just garbage treatment.

Are there any loved 3rd party controllers out there?

just out of curiosity where did you buy them from? i complained about some issues with my ds4 to amazon and they credited me and just said "buy a new one". and my ds4 wasn't even standalone it was the one that came with my ps4 :D
 
The rubber on my left stick is breaking off, there's a pretty big slit in it.

I only have one controller so sending it in for the warranty isn't really an option right now.

I'm hoping it'll last until the white controllers release and then I'll try and get it fixed.

Does anyone know if it would still be under warranty? Its from my launch day PS4.
Yes. As a matter of fact, I just got done speaking with Playstation Support today. They are going to replace both of my launch Dual Shock 4s with the faulty rubber.
 
I'm hoping the controller that comes with the Destiny bundle doesn't have these problems. Other than that, some of the fixes that are done for these are kinda funny.
 
Agree with the OP.

My first impression of this controller was pure love. Amazing FPS accuracy, it looks great, feels amazing, plays just as good.

But the build quality is terrible. All three controllers I've have, have had issues. Peeling analogs, sticky B button, sticky PS button. It's just a poorly tested and constructed controller, and it worries me that there isn't a quality, reliable first party controller for the system. I'm sure Sony will fix it, but until then...
 
I am so scared some shit is gonna happen to my DualShock 4 with all the reports I keep reading, but it has kept and played in perfect shape so far. But I just sold my PS4 and am waiting for the White Destiny PS4 so... fingers crossed >_<
 
I am so scared some shit is gonna happen to my DualShock 4 with all the reports I keep reading, but it has kept and played in perfect shape so far. But I just sold my PS4 and am waiting for the White Destiny PS4 so... fingers crossed >_<

You and me both :)

In the meantime though, I bought a new DS4 today for PS3 Dark Souls 2 and also for getting a feel for what Bloodborne will be like with the controller.
Pretty sure its some sort of revised version as the analogs have a smooth DS3 kind of texture to them, as opposed to the sticky feel of the originals.

FCC ID: AK8CUHZCT1F1
 
I thought the peeling of the back sticker was because I left the controller on the ps4 (upper right...the hot side) but nope - must be from the oil on my fingers. Its kinda annoying because it looks run down. If you're not gonna make a scuf style controller - I would suggest getting a wrap/skin for it.
 
My PS4 controller that came with the system started to have the rubber peel off the left stick. Pretty dissapointed considering how much they cost. I'll just replace my sticks, but I shouldn't have to do that after less than a year since release. I don't even play my PS4 that much, mostly a PC guy.
 
My PS4 controller that came with the system started to have the rubber peel off the left stick. Pretty dissapointed considering how much they cost. I'll just replace my sticks, but I shouldn't have to do that after less than a year since release. I don't even play my PS4 that much, mostly a PC guy.

I have this problem too (Launch day PS4). The rubber on L3 has practically worn off the stick. And not from my fingernails. Just like our fellow Gaffer here:

The rubber on my left stick developed a tear so I decided to do a stress test by rubbing it firmly with my thumb to see just how cheap the rubber is. Here's the result.

BEFORE
IMG_20140124_122052_zpsufi9uuys.jpg


AFTER
IMG_20140124_232847_zpskkqozb9x.jpg


This was after only 3-4mins, started falling apart within a minute. I did the same to an old sixaxis, this time using my nail and there's not a scratch on it. Sony, fix this shit.

I predict by the time I'm deep in Destiny next month, the rubber will be completely peeled off.
 
just out of curiosity where did you buy them from? i complained about some issues with my ds4 to amazon and they credited me and just said "buy a new one". and my ds4 wasn't even standalone it was the one that came with my ps4 :D

That's beyond awesome. I bought my PS4 and controller from Gamestop, so doubt I'll get that kind of awesome service if I tried. Then again I can't complain too much, their PS3 trade in deal a few months ago was phenomenal.
 
I've experienced the same dead zone issue in the same position that you described, OP. It was happening for about 3 or 4 days and then magically fixed itself and I haven't seen it since. This was maybe like a two weeks ago. My thumbstick is also shot to hell but I've come to accept that.
 
Knock on wood, both of my launch controllers are perfectly fine.
I tend to place a light thumb on my joysticks when i play anyway
 
The rubber on both the sticks on my launch DS4 is completely peeling off and worn down to the plastic. Beyond that though, the build quality seems to be top notch, IMO.


So beyond a major defect in manufacture they seem to be built well? Uhh ok.

So far so good with mine, but there do seem to be some serious issues with some batches especially the early ones.
 
I have two controllers and one of them has the rubber peeling a bit. I just got my xbox analogs in the mail today and I will be trying to install them soon.
 
Controller 1: Weird dead zone when stick L stick is pointed just east of North

Glad I'm not the only one that got this. Sadly mine got worse though I literally can't play Strider as it won't go right, and don't want to play Last of Us because of the diagonal camera compromise.
I'm getting a new one tomorrow hopefully it lasts longer.
 
Easily the best controller Sony has DESIGNED.

But the worst controller they have MADE.

Basically the opposite of previous Dualshocks. I've swapped 2 already for the sticky R1. My sticks have been fine though thank god.
 
Please don't tell me you really think the 59,99 for the current version of the DS4 and its bad build quality is justified?

Has there actually ever been a official 1st
party controller this badly build?

I guess, I don't know how much the electronics, etc cost. I assume we're taking a bath to sony's benefit, yes.

but if I'm getting fucked, I'd like to be fucked in style with high quality materials. I guess there's always custom controller mods.
 
I must be doing something wrong. I don't have any issues with my two DS4's or my 3 DS3's. They've all worked flawlessly for me.
 
I haven't had the rubber peel off yet, but the R2 and L2 triggers are pretty squeaky. I put a little bit of WD40 on a q-tip and dabbed the hinge while pushing down on the trigger and now they're fine. I didn't put too much though, just enough so that it stopped squeaking.
 
PS1 and PS2 classics disconnect the controller at launch even for DS3s. You have to reconnect/turn on the controller. Not sure if it's supported or not, DS4 support is game-by-game since it's treated as a generic input device.

Thanks for the info! Unplugged it and plugged back in and it works fine, apart from the PS button not doing anything. Can't win them all I guess.
 
I've had 2 controllers for 2 months now. No kids, used by 2 caring adults.

Controller 1: Weird dead zone when stick L stick is pointed just east of North
Controller 2: The loudest, squeakiest triggers in all the land
The fix: Pay up to ship the controllers to Sony for a few weeks and probably have this happen again

Can't take it to a Sony store, no "we'll send you a prepaid label," just garbage treatment.

Are there any loved 3rd party controllers out there?

Squeaky triggers is an easy fix. Mine never had this issue till I fitted the Xbox One sticks and went back to the DS4 default sticks. Turns out all that causes it is over torqued screws on the back of the controller. Just slightly loosen the one closest to the trigger squeaking (or others if required) and the issue will go away.

I disagree btw, aside from the durability of the rubber on the sticks, I think the DS4 is very, very well made. I've taken it apart enough times. Solid piece of kit.
 
exactly, what else do u guys do with ur controllers????

I may have had a squeaky trigger though.

Play games.

Never had issues with my 8 year old x360 controller. And my Wii U pro controler is in perfect condition after much Mario Kart abuse. In fact the last controller I had issues with was an N64 controller.

My DS4 has a tearing analog stick, a sticky R1 and the battery lasts 1/10 of the time of my pro controller.
 
Squeaky triggers is an easy fix. Mine never had this issue till I fitted the Xbox One sticks and went back to the DS4 default sticks. Turns out all that causes it is over torqued screws on the back of the controller. Just slightly loosen the one closest to the trigger squeaking (or others if required) and the issue will go away.

I disagree btw, aside from the durability of the rubber on the sticks, I think the DS4 is very, very well made. I've taken it apart enough times. Solid piece of kit.
The other easy fix that's probably a better long term solution is to pencil the hinges. Works great and very easy to do.

I also disagree. The DS4 build quality leaves much to be desired. I've had to get sick covers, pencil the triggers and replace the battery just to get it up to, OK.
 
Picked up a blue DS4 today at Gamestop with D3. but I'm waiting to see if someone else cracked the seal to see if the rubber is better than the launch day units.
 
i treat my controllers with supercare... but i also game on it 5-10 hours a day if not more.

the rubber gets smooth after a few weeks...

I have a "controller rental sevice" with walmart right now though... so... i just return it and exchange it for a new one every month... no paying for new ones until the rubber quality is changed or i replace the sticks with XB1 hard plastic sticks..

Assuming this picture of the new white PS4 controller is accurate, can anyone say if the thumbstick texture looks different/improved?

nope its exactly the same... i have two sitting here... one old (rubber is slick,) and one i havent touched yet and it looks exactly like it does in that white controller picture
 
You people with all your controller issues. It's crazy. I've had my PS4 and DS4 controller since launch and they still work flawlessly.
 
You people? Glad your controller works flawlessly. This thread is proof that the build quality of the DS4 is dubious at best.
You people as in you people with controller issues. This isn't the first thread with controller complaints. I'm just curious what these controllers to go through that they get like this. I play on my PS4 all the time and haven't had a problem.
 
You people with all your controller issues. It's crazy. I've had my PS4 and DS4 controller since launch and they still work flawlessly.

like i said... i keep my stuff immaculate. but im a stay at home dad with 12 hours to kill before my wife gets home... i play more than most kids do... playing 10-12hours a day 7 days a week will wear out a controller a little bit faster than someone who plays 10hours a week.
 
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