Sixaxis controller issues

  • Thread starter G.T
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G.T

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Paganisterr
Ak Paganister
Since I've heard quite a few of you guys talking about issues with your controllers, I thought a thread would be appropiate.

I think my one is about to go downhill. I've hardly used it, and already I can't drive smoothly while taking fast left corners in GT5:P. Any small left movement you make with the stick isn't smooth anymore, it sticks. So when exiting a corner I can't smoothly make the car straight again, it's always a jerk. Going right is fine... Is there any ways of sorting this? I'm prepared to open it since it's a rather large replacement cost...
 
Well I've got an original 6axis, about 1 year old, and an imported DS3, maybe 3 months old. With a good 4 days on F1, 3 days on CoD and change on all the other games I've got zero mechanical problems to report. I did have a software problem with the first DS3 I received, but it was replaced and no issues since then.
 
Has anyone been able to charge it in another way than "PS3 ON"?

That's got to be the most idiotic "standard" USB port I've seen... can't charge it on a PC USB port or a mobile charger, or with the console off.

So, since I play pretty far from it and can't charge it while I use it, I end up having to leave the PS3 on just for that.

I guess I'll have to buy a USB cable extension.
 
Has anyone been able to charge it in another way than "PS3 ON"?

That's got to be the most idiotic "standard" USB port I've seen... can't charge it on a PC USB port or a mobile charger, or with the console off.

So, since I play pretty far from it and can't charge it while I use it, I end up having to leave the PS3 on just for that.

I guess I'll have to buy a USB cable extension.

I've got my DS3 charging from my PC right now Hornet.

I haven't tried it with the play charge cable that came with my PS3 but if you try a generic USB cable with the appropriate ends it should work on a PC.

If you take your play charge to a PC or camera shop, they'll definitely be able to sell you the right one! I'm using a cable from a Fuji Finepix camera, so try asking for one of those!
 
Wasn't using the PS3 cable, but a small one I use to connect the PSP, and a small Motorola mobile charger. Maybe neither was good enough, although the 5v where there.

Now that I know its possible, I'll try all options I can get my hands on and post results here.

Thanks again!
 
I can charge my SIXAXIS on my PC fine using its cable...

As for the quality, I haven't had anything major happen yet although it doesnt feel as well made as the DS2... As long as the L3 button doesn't wear out (damn you COD!) it should be ok.

Robin
 
Thanks, I'll try different cables.

How to you know it's charging, how do the leds behave?

No worries.

When the controller is charging, all 4 controller numbers will flash on and off. when the charge is complete the lights will remain on.

As long as the L3 button doesn't wear out (damn you COD!) it should be ok.

I know what you mean! COD really hammers it! Although, in theory if your L3 button breaks, you should be able (with some steady hands) be able to take the SIXAXIS apart, remove the defective stick and L3 button and replace it with one from an old DS2. They had the button, just most games didn't use it!

OR, as is probably the wiser move, get a DS3! They feel much better constructed than the SIXAXIS, the sticks and triggers have a little more resistance and the weight of the motors make it sit better in your hands! :)
 
Well, here's what I gathered:

- does charge via USB. Beware of cable quality.
How to know: LED beahviour
a) PS3 POWER ON and CONTROLLER ON: one controller led blinks
b) PS3 POWER OFF and CONTROLLER ON or OFF: all controller leds blink
c) PS3 POWER ON or OFF and CONTROLLER OFF: all controller leds blink. Note: having the PS3 and/or controller OFF and charging, you won't be able to turn the controller ON. You have to unplug USB cable first.

Motorola 3G charger does not work. I'll try some more and some Blackberry as well. I dislike charging via USB as the power is not very "clean", and would prefer a dedicated power supply to optimize battery life.
 
-> I sometimes use my DS2 with the Mad Catz USB adapter while my Sixaxis is on charge mode, works perfectly. Although the lag is non-existant compared to the Six, but due to the age of my DS2 (my PS2 is the old 10001 model) my controller gets stuck going to the direction in which I press my d-pad at. It also has the same issues with Six too, I've only encountered this on GTP not on other games.

:confused:
 
The sixaxis is definitly not as well made as the DS2 or original PS1 controllers

The SIXAXIS that shipped with my PS3 didn't even last a year
 
My Sixaxis' left stick is creaky and often stays in the forward position. Not impressed at all. :grumpy:

edit: does anybody know if there's any kind of warranty for these?...
 
i have 2 controllers and for the most part they work fine. i only have 1 problem, sometimes the controller stops responding for like 3 or 4 seconds then it works again. not a major problem, but it gets annoying if it happens during an intense cod4 battle. does this happen to anyone else?
 
Only after it dies and I rush to plug it in. ;)

Sometimes the controller gets very unresponive though, and I can't figure out what's causing it. For example, having to repeatedly press buttons to navigate menus. It's pretty rare but I figured I would mention it.
 
My Sixaxis' left stick is creaky and often stays in the forward position. Not impressed at all. :grumpy:

edit: does anybody know if there's any kind of warranty for these?...

Warranty should be the same as the std HW one on the PS3. Especially if it is the one that came in the box.


On my 60GB model I have had the original 6axis drop out (in wireless mode) while playing F1:CE a few times. From then on I only raced with it plugged in and never had another problem. Interesting though, most of my CoD4 playtime has been in wireless mode and I can't recall ever having a drop out. Maybe one of the OS updates addressed a little known issue.
 
This sixaxis thing is starting to get on my nerves.

DPAD:
With the DS2 I could control steering progressively using the DPad. With this I can't. Is this a controller or game issue (GT5P)?
Also it's really hurting my left thumb. I mean, I know I was out of practice, but I've been playing for a month and it still hurts. A couple of day with the DS2 where enough to get me back into shape.

Action Buttons:
I'm having some trouble controlling the throttle a lot controlling the brakes. And also my right thumb is getting sore.

L2+R2:
I can't shift using this as my hands end up almost cramping up after a couples of hours playing. Had to change gear shifting to L1+R1.

So all in all, I'm feeling this piece of hardware is probably ok for most games and players, but not for a GT addict.

I don't appreciate to buy a PS3+GT5P package and being served this sub-standard controller.

Since I do not have the room yet to use a wheel, question to you all with experience in GT5P with both the sixaxis and the six DS3: Is the DS3 worth it? Will I get more progressive pressure in the Dpad and the action buttons, and better materials that won't pain my thumbs as much?

Or is it "just" better built (read: looking) and the added vibration?
 
This sixaxis thing is starting to get on my nerves.

DPAD:
With the DS2 I could control steering progressively using the DPad. With this I can't. Is this a controller or game issue (GT5P)?
Also it's really hurting my left thumb. I mean, I know I was out of practice, but I've been playing for a month and it still hurts. A couple of day with the DS2 where enough to get me back into shape.

Action Buttons:
I'm having some trouble controlling the throttle a lot controlling the brakes. And also my right thumb is getting sore.

L2+R2:
I can't shift using this as my hands end up almost cramping up after a couples of hours playing. Had to change gear shifting to L1+R1.

So all in all, I'm feeling this piece of hardware is probably ok for most games and players, but not for a GT addict.

I don't appreciate to buy a PS3+GT5P package and being served this sub-standard controller.

Since I do not have the room yet to use a wheel, question to you all with experience in GT5P with both the sixaxis and the six DS3: Is the DS3 worth it? Will I get more progressive pressure in the Dpad and the action buttons, and better materials that won't pain my thumbs as much?

Or is it "just" better built (read: looking) and the added vibration?

I dont have a DS3, but I do use the sixaxis for GT5P. I think the Dpad is useless for steering. So I use the left analog stick, which is far far better. With the trottle and brakes mapped to X and Square I do find my thumb getting a bit sore but they can be mapped to the trigger buttons, but as you said this can cause your fingers to cramp or you could map them to the right analog stick. I personally put up with the sore thumb because I cant change without losing a load of time trying to learn the new setup.

PS: We had a little "incident" last night in GT5P, it was probably my fault, three a brest through 130R wasnt a great idea!!:ouch:
 
I dont have a DS3, but I do use the sixaxis for GT5P. I think the Dpad is useless for steering. So I use the left analog stick, which is far far better. With the trottle and brakes mapped to X and Square I do find my thumb getting a bit sore but they can be mapped to the trigger buttons, but as you said this can cause your fingers to cramp or you could map them to the right analog stick. I personally put up with the sore thumb because I cant change without losing a load of time trying to learn the new setup.

PS: We had a little "incident" last night in GT5P, it was probably my fault, three a brest through 130R wasnt a great idea!!:ouch:

So I'll have to learn to drive with the stick?
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

No worries about last night, it was all good fun! No harm done.

EDIT:
I've bought a PS2/PS3 controller adapter, so I can use my old DS2. Hopefully my thumbs will be less sore at the end of the night than they are with the sixaxes. I'll let you know how it works tomorrow or maybe tonight.

EDIT2:
It just works! Vibration included.



And to me confirms that the SIXAXIS is a bit sub-standard quality hardware. But only for the heavy duty usage I (and many of us here) do with it.
For the following reasons:
- D-Pad and function buttons sensitivity (Square triangle, X and O) is worst than DS2.
- Materials seam a bit more "rough"
These 2 combined made my thumbs a sore mess.

Back to the DS2 everything was a lot smoother (including my driving/steering). My thumbs are now recovering, and I can use L2+R2 for shifting since on the DS2 they don't run so deep, which ended up cramping my hands with the sixaxis after say... 5 ou 6 hours of manual shifting on GT5. And gained the vibration. Although it kinda sucks in my experience in GT5... maybe it will be more relevant and better on other games.

Only thing you have to do is press "analog" when you boot the PS3, as this replaces the PS button (or is it the other way around?), and you must assign it every time. But you also had to power the wireless 6axis with a button press anyway, so I think it's the same.

You lose wireless and lightness, gain no need to charge, vibration and (in my opinion) better materials, which in the long run will make your playing experience physically more pleasant.

Hope this is useful for someone, and before you ask I do not know the manufacturer, the is little or no info on the package, and found nothing on the web about it. But if you are in PT, it costs 14.90 euro and you can buy it at that orange store... you know, ends in "ten" and starts with a W? :dopey:
 
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