DS4 pads crumbling?

[XorpiZ]

According to several reports, the rubber on the analogue sticks appears to be crumbling.

 

http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-Peripherals-Support/Dual-Shock-4-Joystick-Rubber-Wear/td-p/42208703

http://www.gamereactor.eu/news/105384/PS4+controllers+are+crumbling/

 

Let's hope it's not a widespread issue. I can't remember my PS3 having that problem, so with some luck it's just a faulty batch.

[Gerowen]

Everything has quirks when they are first released.  I try to never buy first-gen stuff.  Think back to how the XBox fat boy controllers got replaced with the "S" controller, the XBox 360 RRoDing because there were no heat sinks on the GPU, the XBox One consoles that had defective drives, etc.  There are always some quirks to work out that you don't think about until large scale manufacturing begins and millions of people are using your product for hours and hours and hours on end.

 

Maybe they should sell some kind of replacement "cap" to snap onto the joysticks for a couple dollars for people who don't want to deal with the hassle of packaging up their controllers and mailing them back, or work out a deal with places like Gamestop where users can return affected controllers with a receipt for 75% off the price of a newer, improved controller.

[trooper11]

No problems for me yet. I haven't noticed any signs of wear like that. There is always the chance of a bad batch.

[McKay]

Mine isn't in the bad batch if its true, and my PS4 controller gets a lot of wear.

[XorpiZ]

Everything has quirks when they are first released.  I try to never buy first-gen stuff.  Think back to how the XBox fat boy controllers got replaced with the "S" controller, the XBox 360 RRoDing because there were no heat sinks on the GPU, the XBox One consoles that had defective drives, etc.  There are always some quirks to work out that you don't think about until large scale manufacturing begins and millions of people are using your product for hours and hours and hours on end.

 

Maybe they should sell some kind of replacement "cap" to snap onto the joysticks for a couple dollars for people who don't want to deal with the hassle of packaging up their controllers and mailing them back, or work out a deal with places like Gamestop where users can return affected controllers with a receipt for 75% off the price of a newer, improved controller.

 

Agreed. And this kinda belongs in the "small stuff" category - like the HDMI-issues.

 

But I'd expect Sony to replace the controllers for free (and paying for the postage), if it turns out to be a widespread issue.

[HawkMan]

Everything has quirks when they are first released.  I try to never buy first-gen stuff.  Think back to how the XBox fat boy controllers got replaced with the "S" controller, the XBox 360 RRoDing because there were no heat sinks on the GPU, the XBox One consoles that had defective drives, etc.  There are always some quirks to work out that you don't think about until large scale manufacturing begins and millions of people are using your product for hours and hours and hours on end.

 

Maybe they should sell some kind of replacement "cap" to snap onto the joysticks for a couple dollars for people who don't want to deal with the hassle of packaging up their controllers and mailing them back, or work out a deal with places like Gamestop where users can return affected controllers with a receipt for 75% off the price of a newer, improved controller.

 

Your list includes the duke as if it was bad... it wasn't, it was big but it was awesome, and frankly it was more comfortable than the newer ###### sized controllers :)  sure you could kill someone with it, but it was comfortable to hold. 

[Showan]

Your list includes the duke as if it was bad... it wasn't, it was big but it was awesome, and frankly it was more comfortable than the newer ###### sized controllers :)  sure you could kill someone with it, but it was comfortable to hold.

I loved the duke..

[Tarvis123]

My DS4 did this almost a week after I got my PS4 at launch, although not to the extent as in those images. Mine just has a small triangular-shaped piece come off the left thumbstick's lip. Kind of annoying, but not enough to really bother me.

[xendrome]

But I'd expect Sony to replace the controllers for free (and paying for the postage), if it turns out to be a widespread issue.

 

Widespread issue or not, there is a warranty on the hardware, they will replace it if you contact their support.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

My DS4 did this almost a week after I got my PS4 at launch, although not to the extent as in those images. Mine just has a small triangular-shaped piece come off the left thumbstick's lip. Kind of annoying, but not enough to really bother me.

 

You'd be best advised to get it replaced, minor damage or not just now if it's a bad batch you're clearly in it.

 

No issues so far with my 2 DS4's bought as part of the gamer pack (with Killzone/Camera), made in China. One controller has been used more than the other, the 2nd one only being used when my GF plays co-op.

[XorpiZ]

Widespread issue or not, there is a warranty on the hardware, they will replace it if you contact their support.

 

Wouldn't that depend on whether or not Sony considers the damage done "mis-use" (in lack of better words)?

 

Also, I'm surprised to hear that Sony wants consumers to pay the freight-cost themselves. At least they won't be able to pull that stunt in the EU (because of consumer-protection legislations).

 

edit:

 

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711160

 

Seems Sony does replace them, under warranty. 

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up already. It was well known even before the PS4 released and people received their pre-orders early. Many were using them on their PS3 etc and the grips wore away in a week :/

 

Nothing wrong with mine yet so think I'm in the good batch category.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Wouldn't that depend on whether or not Sony considers the damage done "mis-use" (in lack of better words)?

 

Also, I'm surprised to hear that Sony wants consumers to pay the freight-cost themselves. At least they won't be able to pull that stunt in the EU (because of consumer-protection legislations).

 

edit:

 

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711160

 

Seems Sony does replace them, under warranty. 

 

They have to, all hardware in the EU is covered for a year minimum I believe.

[madd-hatter]

so with some luck it's just a faulty batch.

 

It looks like improperly dried material during molding.

(I'm an injection molding technician.)

 

It's also possible that they brought in a new material for the DS4 and it wasn't properly tested.

 

Another +1 to the patient.

[HawkMan]

They have to, all hardware in the EU is covered for a year minimum I believe.

Not if the controller is considered a toy.

[XorpiZ]

They have to, all hardware in the EU is covered for a year minimum I believe.

 

If they can cover it up as "wear and tear" or faulty user handling, they don't need to - afaik.

 

Besides, there's no such thing as warranty in the danish law, at least. Well, there is, but no products have a forced warranty.

[firey]

Haven't had any issue with my DS4.  Though it does creak from time to time (almost like the two halves aren't tight).  Was worried about the grips when playing tomb raider (having to push side to side really quick), but they seem fine.   My buddies PS1 grips used to wear off, I think that's just the price you pay for extended use, and such.

[Showan]

Hopefully this is a fluke thing...

 

I baby my controllers.  I still have the plastic on the DS4 that's sits on the face buttons and D-Pad...

[LaP]

Agreed. And this kinda belongs in the "small stuff" category - like the HDMI-issues.

 

But I'd expect Sony to replace the controllers for free (and paying for the postage), if it turns out to be a widespread issue.

 

It is still under warranty so if the excessive wear is from normal usage then they don't have any choice but to replace them.

[Shadrack]

Widespread issue or not, there is a warranty on the hardware, they will replace it if you contact their support.

 

Indeed.  It does not need to be widespread for warranty replacement.  However, if it is widespread it typically takes less effort with support on the phone as they are already well aware of the issue.  Also, widespread issues can sometime force manufacturers to extend their warranty (for example, MS extended their warranty support of the RRoD issue once it was classified as widespread).

[Hedon]

Everything has quirks when they are first released.  I try to never buy first-gen stuff.  Think back to how the XBox fat boy controllers got replaced with the "S" controller, the XBox 360 RRoDing because there were no heat sinks on the GPU, the XBox One consoles that had defective drives, etc.  There are always some quirks to work out that you don't think about until large scale manufacturing begins and millions of people are using your product for hours and hours and hours on end.

Exactly. Just like all the dying 60gb Fat PS3's with YLOD, or the PS4's with the BLOD, or the PS2's with the dreaded disk read errors. It's never going to be a perfect scenario. It happens with tons of products, including clothes to automobiles.

 

That said, no issues with my DS4 pads.

[XorpiZ]

It is still under warranty so if the excessive wear is from normal usage then they don't have any choice but to replace them.

 

Not necessarily. If its working "as intended" and the wear can be attributed to usage, they could escape the warranty. At least in Denmark. It's no different than tires, brakes and other parts that gets worn over time.

[HawkMan]

Not necessarily. If its working "as intended" and the wear can be attributed to usage, they could escape the warranty. At least in Denmark. It's no different than tires, brakes and other parts that gets worn over time.

rubber grips are not supposed to be worn off from normal usage(gaming with it) within warranty period, or in europe, mostly within 5 years. it's not a wear part. 

[D. S. Veteran]

Maybe we'll get an updated DS4 pad in the future with the same kind of material of the PS3 ones. It wouldn't be something new, some people still have PS3s around with SIXAXIS controllers.

[+Matthew S. Subscriber²]

This happened to the PSone's DS too.