Valve please: Steam Controller needs an inner Battery

[Zarafan]

I was soo into geting the Steam controller, till i saw that 2xAA batterys dependency... that killed me completly. So i hope we get a new revision (some hardware update) for this =(

Edit: i think i must clear the reason why:

1- The consumption of disposable batteries is more costly over time, and more harmful to the planet.

2- Dramatically improve the gaming experience , avoiding unnecessary pauses to reload , or bad time to discharge unexpectedly.

3- Rechargeable batteries have a longer life , and can also be changed. Being a today Standard , it is wrong to continue trying to innovate with inefficient technology.

[just.kamk]

AA is a common battery format. There's also really high capacity ones out there, and there certainly will be for ages - unlike some pricy proprietary battery pack.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

4xPack of Energizer Lithium Rechargables (2300mah) and a Wall Charger works great.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

Can you not rig up a power cable to draw power from USB?

[Zarafan]

Originally posted by The Muppet Surgery Special:

Can you not rig up a power cable to draw power from USB?

You can, but that will not recharge the AA Batterys, u must either charge them in another devise, or use the wired controller

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

Originally posted by Zarafan:

Originally posted by The Muppet Surgery Special:

Can you not rig up a power cable to draw power from USB?

You can, but that will not recharge the AA Batterys, u must either charge them in another devise, or use the wired controller

I don't see where the problem is. Can you point it out?

Just plug in AA cells with inductive charging circuits on them.

http://powerbyproxi.com/wireless-charging/#battery-operated-devices

http://powerbyproxi.com/consumer-electronics/proxi-3d-in-device-charging-system/

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yea you can just run it off USB cable but even so, you can not use USB power to charge any rechargeable AA while they are inside the controller.

Overall I don't see what the issue is. While Valve does not recommend rechargeable AA, those are fine, if you get the better quality ones with higher MAH. If you use lower quality ones, or low MAH, good luck with that.

I owned multiple controllers that take disposable batteries (like Xbox 360 and One) and never had a problem using Recharge AA; but I always use good ones like Energizer Lithium Rechargables (2300mah) as I have found cheaper ones just will not last as long. But most often do not look at the MAH of the batteries either. And usually a single 4pack of Energizer Lithium Rechargables should last you a few years worth of repeated charging/using over that length of time before they get run down to the point where they need to be disposed of cause they fail to hold good charges any longer after a certain point. So while the up-front costs for say 4 or 8 of those batteries + a Wall Charger for AA Rechargables might seem a bit much, you will save tons compared to just using regular AA and then disposing of those.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Yea you can just run it off USB cable but even so, you can not use USB power to charge any rechargeable AA while they are inside the controller.

Overall I don't see what the issue is. While Valve does not recommend rechargeable AA, those are fine, if you get the better quality ones with higher MAH. If you use lower quality ones, or low MAH, good luck with that.

I owned multiple controllers that take disposable batteries (like Xbox 360 and One) and never had a problem using Recharge AA; but I always use good ones like Energizer Lithium Rechargables (2300mah) as I have found cheaper ones just will not last as long. But most often do not look at the MAH of the batteries either. And usually a single 4pack of Energizer Lithium Rechargables should last you a few years worth of repeated charging/using over that length of time before they get run down to the point where they need to be disposed of cause they fail to hold good charges any longer after a certain point. So while the up-front costs for say 4 or 8 of those batteries + a Wall Charger for AA Rechargables might seem a bit much, you will save tons compared to just using regular AA and then disposing of those.

Get their Industrial branded ones, not the consumer cells.

[Air]

I'd much ratherr see expandibility for a battery pack(like those for the Xbox 360 controller).

If you're stuck with one battery, that means you'd definitely have to replace the whole controller in the future rather than just the battery, as rechargable batteries lose their maximum capacity over time until they die completely.

Besides, replacing batteries is no big deal with the Steam Controller, seeing that it has amazing battery life compared to other controllers.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

Originally posted by Air🐺:

I'd much ratherr see expandibility for a battery pack(like those for the Xbox 360 controller).

If you're stuck with one battery, that means you'd definitely have to replace the whole controller in the future rather than just the battery, as rechargable batteries lose their maximum capacity over time.

Everything has a wear level. HDD's, ODD's, SSD's, even your memory cells breaks down batteries... Your point?

[Air]

Originally posted by The Muppet Surgery Special:

Originally posted by Air🐺:

I'd much ratherr see expandibility for a battery pack(like those for the Xbox 360 controller).

If you're stuck with one battery, that means you'd definitely have to replace the whole controller in the future rather than just the battery, as rechargable batteries lose their maximum capacity over time.

Everything has a wear level. HDD's, ODD's, SSD's, even your memory cells breaks down batteries... Your point?

The batteries would be the first to go, and it doesn't matter if the controller is used or not, it will still happen.

I've had rechargable batteries that have died after five or so years, but you still see, for example, old game systems that still work just fine, even those from the 80s(the batteries that held save data in cartridge games are a different story, however).

[[☥] - CJ -]

Its better to be able to use batteries that you can change out rather than batteries you cant change yourself.

At some point the battery is going to stop holding a charge, and when that happens youll either have to send the controller in to get the battery replaced or youll have to buy a new controller.

Modern batteries can last quite a long time with proper usage, and they dont cost all that much. 2 batteries is really nothing to complain about.

[Zarafan]

Main Post Edited, to clear my point

[Bad 💀 Motha]

And sealed LiPoly / Li-Ion are a fire hazard.
U dont want AA, use USB. Or buy an XboxOne controller + battery packs