Steam controller feels cheap? (Teardown)

[LeKzero]

I saw many reviews calling the steam controller a cheap controller, I decided to research and eventually I came across with this teardown, I am not a electronics engineer, only a technical, but the simplicity of the design and quality of the pcb and materials of steam controller seems far superior to the Xbox One. So I wanted to share this with you guys:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Steam+Controller+Teardown/52578

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Wireless+Controller+Buttons+Replacement/36845

[RealityQuotient]

There are definitely fewer components to the SC...can't break whatcha ain't got.

And yet, the SC is much more versatile, go figure.

[TheJorro]

Anyone who thinks it feels cheap never actually held the controller.

[cammelspit]

It is at least on par with any other controllers quality. I edpecially love the idea of a secondary and tertiary micro. One under each pad. Genius.

[daaw_gees]

Originally posted by LeKzero:

I saw many reviews calling the steam controller a cheap controller, I decided to research and eventually I came across with this teardown, I am not a electronics engineer, only a technical, but the simplicity of the design and quality of the pcb and materials of steam controller seems far superior to the Xbox One. So I wanted to share this with you guys:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Steam+Controller+Teardown/52578

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Wireless+Controller+Buttons+Replacement/36845

Interesting article. I would hope that I wouldn't need to repair mine before, ya know, SC2 comes out. LOL

[Cim]

I read a comment somewhere from someone who seemed to know what they were talking about. Basically they said that the plastic used in the SC was significantly harder than that used in other similar controllers. Not bad quality or anything just a harder type of plastic.

That makes a lot of sense to me, and could be why so many perceive it as "cheap".

[cammelspit]

Originally posted by Cim:

I read a comment somewhere from someone who seemed to know what they were talking about. Basically they said that the plastic used in the SC was significantly harder than that used in other similar controllers. Not bad quality or anything just a harder type of plastic.

That makes a lot of sense to me, and could be why so many perceive it as "cheap".

You would have to open it up and find the stamp on the plastic to be 100% sure but I don't think it being harder would feel cheaper. It is mostly about the balance of it. With every other controller, the weight is in the middle, with the batteries while the rumble motors are in the handles to make it not feel so super top heavy, even though they are still top heavy. The SC has the VAST majority of the weight, including the batteries in the handles and has as little as possible in the middle of the controller. This has two effects. Firstly, gives the user a mechanical advantage so moving it around for long hours like when using gyros causes little to no fatigue. Secondly, when holding the SC and then an XBOX controller as an example the SC feels much lighter when in reality it is actually 10 grams heavier, yes I weighed them myself, 360 controller is 280 grams vs ~290 grams for the SC, both with batteries of the EXACT same brand and capacity used. To most people light equals cheap when it most certainly does NOT, at least not all the time.

[RealityQuotient]

I also read a post somewhere saying that the board inside is actually made of the same material reg'lar PC motherboards are made of, instead of standard circuit board stuff.

[cammelspit]

Originally posted by digital_trucker:

I also read a post somewhere saying that the board inside is actually made of the same material reg'lar PC motherboards are made of, instead of standard circuit board stuff.

All modern PCBs have a fiberglass substrate, copper layers and solder masks (The green stuff). The only difference on a PC motherboard is the fact that they have many many more layers and may, depending on size, have reinforcement built in. Obviously, quality also plays a BIG role there too. If you can dig it up, I might be curious as to what they are referring to specifically with regards to the PCB. I will also try to hit google and see what I can find.

[Styromaniac]

So ABXY, start and select wiggle a tiny bit. It's easy to ignore. I don't see why they think it's cheap or cheap-feeling. Shills? Just extremely hard to satisfy people?? It's a mystery. They don't even say in reviews why they think it feels cheap. I don't get it.

[daaw_gees]

Originally posted by Styromaniac:

So ABXY, start and select wiggle a tiny bit. It's easy to ignore. I don't see why they think it's cheap or cheap-feeling. Shills? Just extremely hard to satisfy people?? It's a mystery. They don't even say in reviews why they think it feels cheap. I don't get it.

Just looking for something to complain about because it won't, to sum up all complaints, "play the game for me." I mean geez, you might have to configure this controller. lol

[Styromaniac]

Originally posted by daaw_gees:

Originally posted by Styromaniac:

So ABXY, start and select wiggle a tiny bit. It's easy to ignore. I don't see why they think it's cheap or cheap-feeling. Shills? Just extremely hard to satisfy people?? It's a mystery. They don't even say in reviews why they think it feels cheap. I don't get it.

Just looking for something to complain about because it won't, to sum up all complaints, "play the game for me." I mean geez, you might have to configure this controller. lol

Agreed and I'd love to see you get on the nerves of the baseless bashers on YouTube.

[daaw_gees]

Originally posted by Styromaniac:

Originally posted by daaw_gees:

Just looking for something to complain about because it won't, to sum up all complaints, "play the game for me." I mean geez, you might have to configure this controller. lol

Agreed and I'd love to see you get on the nerves of the baseless bashers on YouTube.

Pretty sure I could get on anyone's nerves, but I'll pass and thank you for the vote of confidence.