What controller(s) do you use on your PC?

[IAmAndre]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to figure out which controller(s) I should get. I'm currently using 2 wired X360 controllers and I want to get more controllers to be able to play with my friends/family in the living room using a Steam Link.

- I love the Xbox One controller but I don't like the price (about twice the price of an X360 controller, requires a receiver), and they are not supported yet on Linux (which is a big deal for me).

- I want to get at least one Dual Schock controller just to play fighting games, and in case a friend feels more comfortable with controllers of this type.

- I'm too cheap to try the exotic Steam controller

 

For now, I think I will get wireless 360 controllers because of the price and compatibility. Do you think these controllers will be supported for a long time? I have only had wired ones though, do you think buying rechargeable batteries and stuff is worth the hassle?

Finally, what controllers do you personally use, and why?

 

Thanks

[Droidbot]

The Steam Controller is actually on sale at Amazon atm. $35. Almost picked one up but the Australian Rupee is super duper low compared to USD.

[pckid]

I use rechargeable aa batteries for my xbox 360 controller.

[IAmAndre]

1 minute ago, pckid said:

I use rechargeable aa batteries for my xbox 360 controller.

How much play time do you get out of one recharge?

[pckid]

Maybe a week or sometimes longer.

[PokeCatz]

I use mouse and keyboard.

[IAmAndre]

1 minute ago, pckid said:

Maybe a week or sometimes longer.

That's a lot. How many hours do you play in a week? How often do you need to replace the batteries?

[pckid]

43 minutes ago, IAmAndre said:

That's a lot. How many hours do you play in a week? How often do you need to replace the batteries?

I may play a few hours a day max, I usually have 4 batteries so I can use 2 while I charge or have the other 2 sitting by.

[Noyu]

DS4 here. It poses problems, especially if your BT adapter is unstable as fck.

(Countermeasure: get a good BT adapter, plug it in a good USB port)

But other than that, it's very comfortable and can last a whole day of non-stop play.

 

I think as of the moment people will suggest either the XB1 or the DS4.

XB1 because of the 100% support,

DS4 because of, uh, price/comfort/preference?

[IAmAndre]

52 minutes ago, pckid said:

I may play a few hours a day max, I usually have 4 batteries so I can use 2 while I charge or have the other 2 sitting by.

What do you use to charge your batteries? A play-and-charge kit? How often do you have to buy new batteries (don't they lose their lifetime or something?)

[IAmAndre]

53 minutes ago, Noyu said:

DS4 here. It poses problems, especially if your BT adapter is unstable as fck.

(Countermeasure: get a good BT adapter, plug it in a good USB port)

But other than that, it's very comfortable and can last a whole day of non-stop play.

 

I think as of the moment people will suggest either the XB1 or the DS4.

XB1 because of the 100% support,

DS4 because of, uh, price/comfort/preference?

Is the DS4 officially supported? I'm still using Windows 8 and the X1 controller is not supported so unlike you said, the compatibility is not that great. That said, I'm planning to use these controllers with a Steam Link, which does have Bluetooth. I personally like DS3 controllers better as they are a lot more durable (the rubber on the DS4 gets damaged very quickly). They have a nicer shape, don't feel cheap and should cost less. So maybe I should get one DS3 and one or two wireless 360 controllers?

[Noyu]

9 minutes ago, IAmAndre said:

Is the DS4 officially supported? I'm still using Windows 8 and the X1 controller is not supported so unlike you said, the compatibility is not that great. That said, I'm planning to use these controllers with a Steam Link, which does have Bluetooth. I personally like DS3 controllers better as they are a lot more durable (the rubber on the DS4 gets damaged very quickly). They have a nicer shape, don't feel cheap and should cost less. So maybe I should get one DS3 and one or two wireless 360 controllers?

It is not officially supported. I use this: http://ds4windows.com/

 

Re: DS3

Honestly I can't say much. The DS4 is my first legit controller.

For my purposes, the DS3 would work just as much as a DS4 (since I have no use for the touchpad thingy).

Only thing better on my DS4 would be the LED lights, which can indicate charging, battery life, active profile, etc.

I'm not sure about the DS3 support on PC though, you might wanna check on that.

 

Re: XB1 on Windows 8

I thought they already fixed this? Please recheck.

 

Remarks:

If I'm gonna buy another one, I'm gonna get an XB1 so I can switch anytime.

Soooo if I may suggest,

get one DualShock and one XB controller (both wireless coz it is just so much better)

 

on which models to go for, personally I'd get the DS4 and XB1.

If however the XB1 is still not supported on W8, XB360

 

[BuckGup]

360 all the way but after feeling the elite I want one but they are way too much

[Technous285]

DualShock 3 is a right PITA to get working on Windows, either wired (using Mini-USB to USB cable) or wireless (via Bluetooth), and if you're wanting to use it you might as well get a third-party DS3 clone like what Rock Candy provides (which comes with a pre-paired wireless dongle and uses 2x AA's) as in the long-run trying to set up a official Sony-made DS3 with Windows isn't worth the pain and hassle of doing so (compared to the DS4 and using DS4Windows, which works on Win7 and newer).

 

Personally, I use my Rock Candy DS3-clone (for when I'm too lazy to use my DS4) or one of my X360-clone controllers if I'm going to play something on PC without using my keyboard or mouse (eg: homebrew software in a GBA/DS emulator).

[Gale]

I mostly use the Steam controller nowadays. If I feel lazy, I'll use my wired XB360 controller.

[B16CXHatch]

I use either an Xbox One controller or a wired 360 controller. I think I like the One controller more so I tend to use it most. I used to use a Dual Shock 3 ages ago cause I already had some laying around when my old Logitech F310 broke.

 

Getting the DS3 to work in Windows isn't that hard with the right software. All I had to do was install the official Xbox 360 controller drivers manually and then install some X-input wrapper (can't remember what it was called exactly). From there, just plug the DS3 in with a mini-USB cable and hit the PS button. Worked beautifully. All newer games saw it as a 360 controller. The Xbox controllers are my preferred controller now though since they are pretty much plug and play. Well plug, Windows Update, and play actually but you get the idea.

[Dash Lambda]

Normally I'd urge you to try the SC, but you said your purpose is playing with friends and family, and I get the feeling very few of them would want to take the time to get used to it just because you have it.

In light of that, you should probably just get X360 or Xbone controllers, since they're the standards that most people are used to.

 

I would highly suggest you try the SC for yourself, though.

[Pesukarhu]

12 hours ago, IAmAndre said:

How much play time do you get out of one recharge?

Just a thought, i have noticed that unplugging the battery pack when not playing helps with battery life.

[Verne]

I like the DualShock layout so I am currently using DualShock 4. With DS4Windows you can turn the touch pad into a handful of extra buttons which is great (8 in total) or just use it as a mouse. I use it in wired mode since the battery life in wireless mode is pretty short.

[minibois]

I use a PS3 controller, but it's far from the best experience (in terms of software) and I would not recommend it.

[IAmAndre]

17 hours ago, B16CXHatch said:

I use either an Xbox One controller or a wired 360 controller. I think I like the One controller more so I tend to use it most. I used to use a Dual Shock 3 ages ago cause I already had some laying around when my old Logitech F310 broke.

 

Getting the DS3 to work in Windows isn't that hard with the right software. All I had to do was install the official Xbox 360 controller drivers manually and then install some X-input wrapper (can't remember what it was called exactly). From there, just plug the DS3 in with a mini-USB cable and hit the PS button. Worked beautifully. All newer games saw it as a 360 controller. The Xbox controllers are my preferred controller now though since they are pretty much plug and play. Well plug, Windows Update, and play actually but you get the idea.

Thank you all for your replies. After reading all your feedback, I've decided to get a wireless 360 controller and a Logitech F710. What's so cool about these Logitech controllers is they don't need an adapter. Do you have any feedback on Logitech controllers? The reviews online are rather positive and I'm currently using a Logitech mouse and keyboard and I'm pretty happy with them.

[IAmAndre]

10 hours ago, Pesukarhu said:

Just a thought, i have noticed that unplugging the battery pack when not playing helps with battery life.

 

22 hours ago, pckid said:

I use rechargeable aa batteries for my xbox 360 controller.

I'm going to buy one these battery packs for the wireless controller. It's pretty cheap and has great reviews, so is it a better option than the more expensive Duracell rechargeable AA batteries?

[givegomezthegun]

I use a wired 360 controller.  I bought a steam controller and gave it a fair shot, but I wound up going back to the 360 controller.  I'm ok with wired, as I have no plans to ever try to sit across the room or anything, and it's nice not having to worry about batteries.

[pckid]

I think the aa batteries have more mAh and will last longer per charge.

[handymanshandle]

I have a DS4 from my PS4 that'll I'll use sometimes. But usually I just keep that for my PS4. Though I might eventually get a separate DS4 for my planned PC build, not sure right now.