A query for X360 owners.

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

I'm a pretty casual console gamer, so I am only on my second controller. Thing is, the old one works fine. But for some reason, the right analogue stick is almost worm completely down despite being one of the least used buttons on the controller. All the others are fine. Curious if anyone else out there has had to replace a controller due to this one stick getting worn out despite very little use.

 

[OneCatch]

I'm a pretty casual console gamer, so I am only on my second controller. Thing is, the old one works fine. But for some reason, the right analogue stick is almost worm completely down despite being one of the least used buttons on the controller. All the others are fine. Curious if anyone else out there has had to replace a controller due to this one stick getting worn out despite very little use.

If you think about it the right stick is generally pushed from an angle rather than straight on top like the left stick, so you can get more wear on the edges of it.
Anyway, I've known friends who wore them down, but that was from pretty extensive use (like 4 hours a day, every day, at least). Is yours a Microsoft branded one?

I know you can get replacement stick covers, some of which just pop on the top of the stick like a thimble. Might be worth doing instead of buying another new controller next time round.

 

[Bertylicious]

I've not had that issue and all my mates who have owened XBoxs had the units die on them before the controllers gave up the ghost. Well, apart from when they got covered in beer or jam.

Perhaps it is the way you hold them?

Actually, thinking about it, there's a lady in my office who uses moisteriser and all the letters are worn away on her keyboard. Could that be a factor?

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Anyway, I've known friends who wore them down, but that was from pretty extensive use (like 4 hours a day, every day, at least). Is yours a Microsoft branded one?

I know you can get replacement stick covers, some of which just pop on the top of the stick like a thimble. Might be worth doing instead of buying another new controller next time round.

Yes, they are the official ones that came with the consoles. First console died from exposure to lasagne so I had to buy a new one, started using it's controller instead of the old one. Didn't know they sold replacement covers, local stores don't seem to carry them.

Actually, thinking about it, there's a lady in my office who uses moisteriser and all the letters are worn away on her keyboard. Could that be a factor?

I don't moisturize, but I do avoid most forms of physical labour.

 

[OneCatch]

Anyway, I've known friends who wore them down, but that was from pretty extensive use (like 4 hours a day, every day, at least). Is yours a Microsoft branded one?
I know you can get replacement stick covers, some of which just pop on the top of the stick like a thimble. Might be worth doing instead of buying another new controller next time round.

Yes, they are the official ones that came with the consoles. First console died from exposure to lasagne so I had to buy a new one, started using it's controller instead of the old one. Didn't know they sold replacement covers, local stores don't seem to carry them.

Bit weird it's worn out then.
But anyway, here's an example of the kinds of covers you can get:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TRIXES-Controller-Thumbstick-Covers-Gaming/dp/B008PPIKAE

Those are about the cheapest I could find online (£1.85 is about $3), so there are probably nicer ones. And I can't imagine them being in shops apart from those aiming at gaming enthusiasts.

You can also get ones that replace the entire stick, but they're usually more expensive and require some disassembly of the controller so I wouldn't necessarily recommend.

 

[Saregon]

Never had a controller stick die on me since the N64 (Thanks, Mario Party). I still have the controller from my 360 Elite, which died a couple years ago. Still works flawlessly. Same with the two controllers I got with the Slim I got to replace it. Nowadays I switch which one I use when they run out of batteries, to avoid that exact problem. As to use, it depends on the game, but generally it used to be a few times a week for a couple hours (more for some games). I'm mainly a PC gamer though, but I use a 360 controller there too, which is also in mint condition. Mind you, I'm a stickler for only using my desktop PC or consoles with clean hands, to avoid extra wear from dirt and such. Anyway, for the N64, we got replacement sticks and my dad opened the controller and replaced it. Might be a solution for you?

 

[Tom_Pladgett]

Well, I'm on my fourth 360 controller (and second 360) now, and every single one I've had has been disqualified from use due to the left thumbstick not centering properly anymore. Really odd hearing about someone having problems with the right one. Maybe it's just different touches people have on their controllers?

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

I had one where the rubber thing on top of the thumbstick wore down to the point where part of it was completely gone (and the rest of it fell apart as that small hole worked its way into a big hole) but no never had that specifically. Though yeah i guess they do start feeling a bit loose after a few years

 

[Xarathox]

Well, I'm on my fourth 360 controller (and second 360) now, and every single one I've had has been disqualified from use due to the left thumbstick not centering properly anymore. Really odd hearing about someone having problems with the right one. Maybe it's just different touches people have on their controllers?

I've actually had both the right stick and the left stick go out on the two 360 controllers that came with my original Xbox. Mind you, it took years and some pretty heavy gaming for those issues to develop between the two before I replaced them with my current controller, but it did happen.

 

[GoaThief]

My controllers from around launch are still functioning as intended, although the inner edge lip thing that's inside the thumbstick is now smooth instead. Is this what you mean by worn down? If so isn't that a little pedantic or has something else happened?