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Playstation 4, Dual Shock #5

Spinluck said:
The controller is cheap as fuck.

No excuse for that garbage battery and it has the weakest build quality when compared to its competitors.
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What kills me is the DS4 is widely complained about everywhere there is a clear quality issue going on and if someone still uses their original congrats but it doesn't change the fact people have problems with them. It's like PSN's shitty speeds if you get your full speeds cool, i have gigabit service and get 10down on PSN.

Back to the controller there is no excuse for it's horrendous battery life or it's cheap build i have been through 3 controllers and the only reason it hasn't been 4 yet is because i refuse to buy another one so once a week i have to take it apart and clean it because for some reason my circle button likes to stick even though i treat my controllers like new born babies and i keep them in a place where dust and stuff can't get collected. I never had the rubber peel thing luckily but my friend has had it happen to him twice.
 
Zoba said:
Yea it's weird. My original, two blue ones, and now the gray one all have the exact same issue of the left stick no longer being responsive. One of the blue ones also had problems with R2.
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I would suggest mapping the sprint button to another button, your doing something wrong if its the same analog breaking.
 
I've burnt through a bunch as well, through heavy use. Those saying its not a problem don't use them as often as those running into the issues. I'm hoping the one that came with the Pro lasts longer. So far so good.
 
nullpoynter said:
People keep saying the build quality is cheap, but my launch day PS4 controller has been great. My sticks haven't peeled and I have had no other issues. It has held up way better than my Xbox 360 controllers.
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yup :)

Im still using my red ds4 controller (2,5 year old i think), best playstation controller ever!
 
Got two controllers at launch, only problems I've had with them is the rubber on the sticks wearing down, and 5 minutes with a screwdriver and some aftermarket sticks from Amazon fixed that pretty easily.
 
I've gone through a couple. My standalone anniversary controller has been holding up for over a year with no sign of wear so that's promising.
 
There have been a few threads here since I joined about how bad the build quality is, so you're not alone OP.
 
I own 4 of them, all used regularly, including the original from launch, all fine.

If you've gone through that many that quickly with similar faults, then yeah, you might be the root of the problem. Learn to be more gentle maybe?
 
Still on my first, but I know why people say that the build quality is bad.

My L1/R1 buttons tend to stick a bit. Really unfortunate, cause I hate using the L2/R2 triggers for primary fire in Overwatch.
 
Stilton Disco said:
I own 4 of them, all used regularly, including the original from launch, all fine.

If you've gone through that many that quickly with similar faults, then yeah, you might be the root of the problem. Learn to be more gentle maybe?
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I've played piano for 20 years. I have gentle fingers lol.
 
I had the stems on the trigger hinges snap on me several times on the original DS4, to the point that I eventually just ordered a bunch of replacement triggers. I haven't had the issue with the revised model yet, but I haven't been using it a particularly long time either.
 
I have two PS4 controllers, each with separate issues.

Technically, one of a replacement from Sony because my first one had a faulty RT that didn't want to properly work most of the time. I sent that in and they sent me a new one.

The new one's USB port isn't seated properly so when I plug in a USB cable it can be jostled loose very easily.

The second controller, which I've had near launch has a circle button that sometimes sticks (this may be my fault) and a touch pad that seems to get "caught" on the right side when you click it. That's been like that since the first day.

As for the sticks, I've had grips on them since the start to avoid the wearing down of the rubber that's been super common since launch day.

They're great controllers but the build quality leaves something to be desired.
 
The DS4 that came with my PS4 (in Feb 2014) it was actually the right stick that started giving me trouble. For some reason, pushing up wouldn't work anymore. I managed to fix that and then the square button stopped working.

I bought a 20th anniversary PS4 controller after that and it's been fine so far. Here's hoping it stays that way.

I have a few friends that have launch PS4s and ALL of their launch controllers have the weakest analog sticks now. What I mean by that is that there's pretty much no resistance to pushing (not clicking) the sticks in any direction anymore.

It's obvious that the first few rounds of DS4s were manufactured like shit. The new ones seem better though.
 
I feel ya OP, I've gone through around the same amount of controllers myself either with issues on sticks or R2 button. Had really terrible service through Sony one time as well when I sent it to get it fixed and ended up not getting the controller back for near 3 months. I just ended up getting myself one of those Cronusmax things that allow you to use other controllers on PS4, now I just use xb1 or Elite controller for ps4
 
I'm "only" at number 3 (at no cost, since I got the last two under warranty), and this one has lasted a bit longer than the first two, but now the left stick rubber is completely falling apart on this one too. Gonna have to get a new one soon (or a Pro). I really like the DS4 overall, but this issue is ridiculous. Yes, they improved the rubber mix or whatever, but while it might be better it's still SHIT. Utter SHIT. As you say, I've never experienced anything like this with any other controller. People who say they haven't experienced it must not have played a lot of stick-intensive games. I've played TONS of Rocket League. Many hundreds of hours. And while that might take a toll on any controller, what happens to a DS4 after some heavy use is just inexcusable.

As a related anecdote, the other night I was at a gaming bar where they have a few PS4s and you can borrow controllers. Both of the ones we borrowed had zero rubber on the left stick. Just bare plastic.
 
I'm not crazy about the DS4 sticks, but I have 3 that I tend to use on a cycle (use one for a day or two until the battery dies, switch to the next one, etc) and they're all still fine. A buddy of mine seems to break his every couple months tho. I really just think some people are too hard on them :shrug:
 
I'm on controller #3.
First one was my fault: I spilled water on it and the lightbar stopped working.
Second controller's analogs were getting ran down and it made my characters move in game when I didn't want them to so I had to replace it. The new controllers are fine as fuck.
 
Hugstable said:
I feel ya OP, I've gone through around the same amount of controllers myself either with issues on sticks or R2 button. Had really terrible service through Sony one time as well when I sent it to get it fixed and ended up not getting the controller back for near 3 months. I just ended up getting myself one of those Cronusmax things that allow you to use other controllers on PS4, now I just use xb1 or Elite controller for ps4
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I'd hate to do that because the Dualshock 4 is the best default controller this gen in my opinion.
 
Zoba said:
I've played piano for 20 years. I have gentle fingers lol.
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That doesn't really mean anything when you play video games though. Maybe your just unlucky.

Me and my wife have not had a problem with our controllers like that. I have had a problem with the deadzone in one messing up my launch controller. I replaced it once and have had no problems.

My sister in law had all of her controller peel off and when we gave her ours they peeled off while she was using them as well but not while we used them.
 
Zoba said:
This is ridiculous. I have Gamecube controllers that have been flung across the room during Smash tournaments (no pun intended) and they still work fine. Yet here I am ordering my fifth Dualshock because Sprinting is too much for the left stick to handle.

What is the secret? Do you guys just look at your controllers?
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Brook USB converter and use a Xbox controller honestly. It sucks having to be wired but I rather spend $15 than another $50-$60

I did that after going through 2 controllers (one that came with the system and an additional purchase). Those sticks are not meant to be used rigorously it seems. Even though it doesn't seem to be having that much pressure applied to be honest.
 
Gaz_RB said:
Have you tried whispering gently into the controller speakers as you press the sprint button?
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I think my Xbox One is just jealous it doesn't get played as much and secretly sabotages my dualshocks while I sleep.

GodOnlyNose said:
Brook USB converter and use a Xbox controller honestly. It sucks having to be wired but I rather spend $15 than another $50-$60

I did that after going through 2 controllers (one that came with the system and an additional purchase). Those sticks are not meant to be used rigorously it seems. Even though it doesn't seem to be having that much pressure applied to be honest.
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I'm literally not doing anything other than pressing it to Sprint. I might be arsed to believe that pressing it a certain way makes it less likely to deteriorat; otherwise, these things have only lasted 6-9 months and that's really unacceptable.
 
I was using my original launch controller and it worked perfectly. I recently picked up the Pro so I'm using that controller now.
 
I don't know what people are doing to go through controllers so fast. I've never had any controller break on me, and I've treated some of them like shit.

I've had plastic break off of my controllers, and the battery life go down, but never have I actually had to go through to a new controller.
 
I've had 3. First 2 were launch units, both had peeling rubber (just bought those stick covers) and one has a sticking LB. The other's battery maybe lasts a couple of hours. My newest came with my Pro. Rubber feels different, no sticking, but it doesn't feel too sturdy and the plastic groans a little.

The DS4 is my least favorite controller of my current daily drivers: Xbox One with headphone out, Xbox Elite (the GoaT but used rarely), and my new Switch Pro controller. I'm not counting the joycons as I rarely use them unless undocked (also gotta send it in eventually to fix the left joycon Bluetooth issue, but need to beat Zelda first).
 
My controller from September 2014 had a problem on the d-pad. I have replaced the internal d-pad rubber to a Dualshock 2, it was usable again, but too hard to play fighting games, that were the ones I played the most at the time.

Now I've acquired a new model Dualshock 4, but I'm not sure if it is more durable because I'm not playing d-pad intensive games at the moment.

Aside from that, I think it's very comfortable and one of my favorites.
 
I still have either the DS4 that came with the system or the one I bought extra the week before. It works fine.

I guess you have bad luck or you are pretty rough on the controllers and they aren't tough enough for it.
 
I haven't had issues with any of mine outside of the Battery life. I have rubber stick pads on all of my DS4's, and a recharge dock for the horribly small batteries.
 
I'm also on my fifth. Broken L2 or R2 triggers on 4 of them, and now on the latest, the square button has lost it click when pressing down. The latest 3 don't seem to have peeling sticks anymore, though, so that's nice.
 
Xe4 said:
I don't know what people are doing to go through controllers so fast. I've never had any controller break on me, and I've treated some of them like shit.

I've had plastic break off of my controllers, and the battery life go down, but never have I actually had to go through to a new controller.
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Now that would confuse me - how do you break the plastic off? I don't throw or smack my controllers. Worst case scenario, it falls off a chair onto the carpet.
 
Still on the original that came with the ps4. Luck of the draw I suppose OP. Fifth controller seems like insanity though lol. My roommate went through Xbox 360s at that rate.
 
I went through 3 and decided that's plenty, moved over to xbox one. It's not just you, OP.


Edited to add my problem on all is broken R2 triggers.
 
Zoba said:
I'm literally not doing anything other than pressing it to Sprint. I might be arsed to believe that pressing it a certain way makes it less likely to deteriorat; otherwise, these things have only lasted 6-9 months and that's really unacceptable.
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You can get a two paddle Sony scuff and have them program L3 as sprint. It's a game changer. (Or get the converter and Xbox elite controller with 4 paddles)

But seriously, the damage comes from pressing it in all the time to sprint. Playing Destiny on there right? You spend half the game sprinting, probably 600+ hours of game time, that's a lot of damage to the left stick. If you think about it even more, that's the button that is pressed the hardest on the whole controller.

So yeah, controller with paddles and L3 mapped, it changed my life (and I believe) extends a controllers life.
 
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