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I wish the Steam Controller used AA batteries (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
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Based on the description on their site, the controller includes a built-in battery: "8.39 Wh Li-ion battery​, 35+ hours of gameplay... "

That was disappointing for me. Specially condidering the Steam Frame's controllers make use of AA batteries: "​One replaceable AA battery per controller, ​ 40hr battery life​"

AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage. All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3' Dualshock 3s.

The official docking station could be used to recharge (rechargables) AA batteries so the functionality could remain the same.

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[–] 24 points 10 months ago (17 children)

The overwhelming shortsightedness of thinking highly polluting AA or AAA batteries are a better choice over a LiON solution pack because one needs to unscrew a couple of screws to replace it is completely unreasonable. AA or AAA are a stupid ask for a controller, it's unnecessary waste.

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  • [–] 20 points 10 months ago (11 children)

    The overwhelming ignorance of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries is completely unreasonable. It's so nice when my Xbox One controllers die to just simply swap batteries, and throw the existing batteries on the charger. That said, you're not alone with that ignorance, those massive packs of single use AAs at Costco must sell to someone.

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  • [–] 6 points 10 months ago (7 children)

    Heck, the Xbox One and newer controllers have replaceable battery packs that charge using the controller's USB port. You don't even have to swap them. All the advantages of a built-in battery, but when they crap out, it's like $15 and 30 seconds of work to replace them.

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

    Only for so long as the manufacturer makes them. AAs don't have that problem.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (3 children)

    Or they could have included them with the controller at-cost instead of making us pay $15 to $30 (the official battery packs are $30) PER CONTROLLER - many of us have more than one.

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

    Considering the price difference between an Xbox Series controller ($40 on frequent sales) and a DualSense (rarely below $70), maybe they did.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (1 child)

    Let's compare against msrp please.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago

    Why? The price you're actually going to pay is what matters. Though even if you insist on MSRP for some reason, the DualSense is $75 and the Xbox controller is $65, and you can get these for $25 MSRP ($18 actual) for two, making the Xbox controller barely more expensive if you have an even number of them.

    If you compare the prices today, the Xbox controller is $50 compared to its $65 MSRP and the DualSense is $74 with a $75 MSRP, so you can get two battery packs and a controller and still pay $68, $6 less.

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  • [+] -6 points 10 months ago* (2 children)

    Classy, tfw when people who don't understand energy density and recharge cycle count, pitch in. Moar stuff, moar polution. Don't know how to lower the bar further on the point.

    edit: love the US defaultism, I guess I shouldn't expect much...

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  • [–] 5 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    We're talking about a controller here, not a smartphone. Rechargeable AAs are more than capable enough for these kind of devices. Not everything needs to have the energy density that Li-ion batteries provide.

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  • [–] 0 points 10 months ago

    No they are not, some of us left mom's basement and live normal lives, that means we can only play every once in a while. Rechargeables hold charge like shit, even modern ones. My old F710 or G305 were experience enough with Li rechargeable batteries. Never again.

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  • [–] 15 points 10 months ago (2 children)

    Huh? Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries and chargers are highly affordable and work great. I only have a few items where I don't use them like smoke alarms. For everything else I use rechargable and absolutely love having devices with easily swappable batteries.

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  • [–] 5 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    Yeah but most people don't buy them. If you release a product that uses aa batteries most people are going to buy disposable ones and most of them will not dispose of them properly and just throw them in the trash. Some people using rechargeable AA batteries is nice but it's better to just remove the option for disposable batteries and make it with a builtin rechargeable battery.

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago

    So make disposable AAs illegal or tax them like cigarettes, or charge a core fee like they do car batteries. Those same people you're talking about will throw the controller in the trash when the battery craps out. We're making disposable junk either way at this point.

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