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Comment by kbenson | Hacker News Reader

I'm confused. The switch has a screen and accelerometers. How does that that result in a situation you can just let your arms drop that you can't when playing the PS4?

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Joycons are the game controller equivalent of a split keyboard. If you're using a stock PS4 controller, your hands need to be close together, and your legs obviously can't be in the way.

For what it's worth, it's possible to use joycons with a PS4, if you have the appropriate adapters and chain them together just right.

If he's playing the switch docked, the split controllers mean that the arms can be moved freely. Normal controllers don't allow that

Doesn't technically have to be docked to do this. It's how I use it on an airplane often. Screen on the tray table with it's little kickstand, arms to my sides maybe in my hoodie pockets. It took a little bit of getting used to strangely but once you do :thumbsup:

Ah, I see. I really don't prefer having them split for a single game, so wasn't even thinking of that (in fact, I vastly prefer the pro controller if it's docked). Not that I've played it in quite a while. The kids usually have it and the docking capability broke a year or two ago (not the dock, other docks don't work either).

The answer is twofold:

- The PS4 controller's range is VERY limited, even playing crouched on the sofa with your legs interrupting LOS between the console and the controller can cause connection issues.

- The Switch's tiny split controllers (the JoyCons, though there is also a traditionally-shaped Pro Controller) have very good reception, and being small and split means your arms can be in different positions.

I sometimes play lying on the bed with the console on a stand in front of me, and my arms under the sheets, when it's cold, for example. It's a tiny thing but is mighty convenient when you feel like it.

> The PS4 controller's range is VERY limited, even playing crouched on the sofa with your legs interrupting LOS between the console and the controller can cause connection issues.

Odd, I’ve never once experienced any sort of issue like this with my PS4 controllers.

Makes me wonder if there could be something else environmental going on, or if I’m just lucky…

EDIT: Just double checked and they use Bluetooth with no obvious need tor maintaining line of sight? (I should have remembered this as I’ve used my PS4 controllers with Raspberry Pis over Bluetooth before). So I guess localised radio interference will have the potential to affect range.

It's probably interference then, when I had access to a PS4 I lived in a big apartment block with tons of WiFi and probably Bluetooth devices around.

In any case, the Switch's controllers fared much better, even though both consoles were on basically the same place. YMMV, I suppose?

Funny, I've never had issues with PS4 controller range but my joycons have trouble with dropped inputs if I use them more than a few feet away from the switch

Not to say the PS4 controllers are good... they just love to drain their batteries when I'm not using them, and they only seem willing to charge on the PS4 and only when its in sleep mode. TBH this hassle makes me use the PS4 pretty much never, which makes the problem worse

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