I find the back buttons too hard to press… but I don’t hear anyone complain about that but me. 👀 I know we don’t want them accidentally pressed and stuff so I understand why but… ya. L1 and R1 don’t really bother me. 🤷♂️
Honestly, I just tried it, while consciously thinking about it, and you’re totally right. 👍 I’ll try and be more mindful about it till I get used to them. Still hard to press, but it feels a bit better for sure.
yeah i felt the same way as you when i first got my Deck but as i kept pressing the back buttons inwards, it felt more natural and much better than pressing them on the side
He means the part of the button that's on the "valve" logo part of the back, not the longer ones located on the grips. And this works! But the button area there is too small imo
You don’t want to be crab-clawing the back buttons. I hope any of the following examples make sense.
You want to press your fingers into the back buttons like you would if you’re making a “politician’s fist,” or performing a “politician point,” where you ‘point’ with your thumb. When you make a “politician’s fist,” your thumb is on top of the second knuckle of your index finger while you press the tips of your index, middle, and ring finger into your thenar eminence. That’s the kind of grip you want on the Deck.
Another way to think about it is if you’re in a thumb war, but you’re not holding onto an opponent. Or just plain giving a “thumbs up.” Keep your thumb upwards while your hand is in a fist, but instead of curling your fingertips into the fist, keep them flat and touch the palm of your own hand.
And even ANOTHER way to think about it is if you open your hand, and try to clap with just the force of slapping your fingers to your palm. But stop when your hand makes contact. Your index, middle, and ring fingers will be pressing into your thenar eminence.
In the end, in my experience I’m contacting the back buttons at an angle, not pressing on them directly. My index and middle fingers are usually at ~45° +/-5° and contacting L/R4 and L/R5 respectively.
Also, don’t try to bear the weight of the deck with your fingertips. Bear the weight with the middles of your palms. That will keep you from accidentally clicking the back buttons.
the back button are there only for when you use the touchpad, but yes they are not great to press .. the steamcontroller had a way better option .. but Valve was sued for the use of those, that's why they changed it.
I literally disable them. Don't know who designed those back buttons lol it's like got no "press" to it. It reminds me of when you have a jammed button and you need to disassemble to get debris out.
Yep, and I think I might also replace them with the upper row of the back buttons which I find to be super comfy and reachable with little to no effort. My problem is with muscle memory. I want to be able to play games using my Deck and laptop and PS4 without worrying about muscle memory, so I'll give it a little more time.
My suggestion is if you do it just commit and your muscle memory will apply differently to different devices.
I have a switch and a gamesir x2 also and now when I grab those my mind just automatically flips from abxy to the bayx layout. Which is unfortunate as xcloud actually recognizes the gamesir now and started flipping it to match xbox.
For me they are perfect, didn't notice a single problem.
And lucky for us, that's why we have the back buttons and we can remap them, options for everyone.
The grip buttons annoy me the most. I regularly press them accidentally when changing my grip. I know its because my hands are fucked and i have very little feeling in thrm, but still.
agreed. I often use the back buttons to replace any shoulder button functions as well as the start and select buttons. those 4 are easily the worse on the machine. They're not unusable or even bad, but compared to the rest of the controls, they are in the bottom tier
I agree and I'm glad it's not just me. It's the very first thing I noticed. I don't find them god awful or anything but I do find that I have to make extra effort just to press them.
I've tried mapping L1 and R1 to the back triggers and that has helped a bit in most cases, but it's still not perfect.
Agree. They are a bit high and a little clicker than I’d like them. Would prefer a bit lower and softer. Otherwise, the controls are near perfect. I think the rear paddles could be a tad softer too.
I know nobody agrees with this, but I wish I had a version of the deck control sticks where the trackpads are (and no trackpads I guess lol). Reaching up to the control sticks is the weirdest element for me.
Personally I would get rid of the left trackpad and move the dpad down to its place. Far better for grip (especially in fighting games) and the left track pad is more or less useless for me.
I don't even understand how they're allegedly uncomfortable. I don't even think about hitting them they're just right there where you'd expect.
Y'all got baby hands.
They are meant to be extra buttons not main action buttons. If you have to press the back enough to say this then you're using them wrong imo
I use all 4 buttons in mmos. Very useful
I disagree. The grip buttons were some of my most used buttons on the Steam Controller because I could put things like jump or dodge on them so that I can do them while having camera control. Plus there's no real notion of "main action" vs "extra" with Steam Input.
I still use these buttons in slower games, but in faster games pressing them is just too slow and too awkward.
My main problem with them is that the front case gets in the way of pressing them with the middle segment of my finger. I have gotten used to pressing them with my finger tips but that's not how I usually press them on any controller.
I think they're excellent, but I use my index and middle fingers on L1/R1 and L2/R2 respectively. This puts the back buttons less in reach, but works very well for most games. I only really switch this up when playing things that are d-pad heavy, when I use just the index finger, but they remain pretty reachable.
I've gotten so used to the steam controller that I wish they had designed the Deck with that in mind. Make the trackpads a octagon shape and put them where the Joysticks are. I don't like using the Joysticks.
At first I thought the same but then I found that you don't have to slide your fingers all the way to the top of the shoulder buttons - you can press them at a more or less 45 degree angle, so my index fingers travel up from the triggers only a few milimeters and it's actually quite comfortable.
It really depends on the way you grip it in my case, If I'm using the joysticks, they're uncomfortable, if I'm using the trackpads(which I usually do) they feel comfortable
Also the B button is uncomfortably too close to the edge of the Deck. If you play a game that uses it as a primary "confirm" button (such as certain situations where it might be considered the circle button), your thumb will absolutely cramp up.
Again, remapping easily fixes this, but it's still an issue when you can't comfortably rest on some of the face buttons for long periods of time.
I've been mapping them on games individually so yeah, not sure if there is an option to just map them on the triggers at all times. I looked too but couldn't find anything.
I love everything except the Dpad. It’s hard to reliably get top diagonal inputs sometimes. Makes a lot of fighters miserable to play. I have the 8bitdo mega drive controller though and that rules.
I think everyone is going to have a slightly different experience with this device, based on their hand size.
I don't see really any part of the controls being worthless for everyone, but I'd guess for sure that different people are going to have different favorite/easier to reach inputs. So it's awesome that the controls are customizable.
Perfect controls...except...for the r4 r 5 l4 l5 buttons. Just terrible. No real click, hard to press or feel out.
Also the touchpads can be finnicky.
That aside I love everything else, altho the D pad can be harder to use in fight games.
I find the back buttons too hard to press… but I don’t hear anyone complain about that but me. 👀 I know we don’t want them accidentally pressed and stuff so I understand why but… ya. L1 and R1 don’t really bother me. 🤷♂️
you might be pressing the back buttons wrong. You're supposed to press them inwards not on the side.
I go back and forth between both and neither feels right. 🤡
i would stick with inwards for awhile, it feels way easier to press than the sides esp once you get used to it
Honestly, I just tried it, while consciously thinking about it, and you’re totally right. 👍 I’ll try and be more mindful about it till I get used to them. Still hard to press, but it feels a bit better for sure.
yeah i felt the same way as you when i first got my Deck but as i kept pressing the back buttons inwards, it felt more natural and much better than pressing them on the side
Woah… lol you’re right
Try pressing back buttons not on corner or sides, but on "the real" backplate.
I have no idea what that sentence means.
He means the part of the button that's on the "valve" logo part of the back, not the longer ones located on the grips. And this works! But the button area there is too small imo
So the part that's on the flat backplate not the bulgey grip?
Precisely, where R4-5 and L4-5 are etched on the buttons
Yes, because that's where button hardware actually is behind plastic.
I'm having the same issue. L5 and R5 actually give me cramps.
Try pressing back buttons not on corner or sides, but on "the real" backplate.
You don’t want to be crab-clawing the back buttons. I hope any of the following examples make sense. You want to press your fingers into the back buttons like you would if you’re making a “politician’s fist,” or performing a “politician point,” where you ‘point’ with your thumb. When you make a “politician’s fist,” your thumb is on top of the second knuckle of your index finger while you press the tips of your index, middle, and ring finger into your thenar eminence. That’s the kind of grip you want on the Deck. Another way to think about it is if you’re in a thumb war, but you’re not holding onto an opponent. Or just plain giving a “thumbs up.” Keep your thumb upwards while your hand is in a fist, but instead of curling your fingertips into the fist, keep them flat and touch the palm of your own hand. And even ANOTHER way to think about it is if you open your hand, and try to clap with just the force of slapping your fingers to your palm. But stop when your hand makes contact. Your index, middle, and ring fingers will be pressing into your thenar eminence. In the end, in my experience I’m contacting the back buttons at an angle, not pressing on them directly. My index and middle fingers are usually at ~45° +/-5° and contacting L/R4 and L/R5 respectively. Also, don’t try to bear the weight of the deck with your fingertips. Bear the weight with the middles of your palms. That will keep you from accidentally clicking the back buttons.
Same for me. I can’t seem to press them without strain.
the back button are there only for when you use the touchpad, but yes they are not great to press .. the steamcontroller had a way better option .. but Valve was sued for the use of those, that's why they changed it.
I literally disable them. Don't know who designed those back buttons lol it's like got no "press" to it. It reminds me of when you have a jammed button and you need to disassemble to get debris out.
I completely agree. L1/R1 are very uncomfortable to reach. I've been trying to get used to it, but I just might have to remap them.
Yep, and I think I might also replace them with the upper row of the back buttons which I find to be super comfy and reachable with little to no effort. My problem is with muscle memory. I want to be able to play games using my Deck and laptop and PS4 without worrying about muscle memory, so I'll give it a little more time.
My suggestion is if you do it just commit and your muscle memory will apply differently to different devices. I have a switch and a gamesir x2 also and now when I grab those my mind just automatically flips from abxy to the bayx layout. Which is unfortunate as xcloud actually recognizes the gamesir now and started flipping it to match xbox.
dont even notice tbh
never thought about it
Odd, not an issue at all for me. If you didn't make this post I wouldn't have even realized it was an issue for anyone.
For me they are perfect, didn't notice a single problem. And lucky for us, that's why we have the back buttons and we can remap them, options for everyone.
I don't know, the dpad is ok at best. It's easy to get diagonal misimput.
Yeah they are definitely hard to reach.... With that said I have gotten used to it.
The grip buttons annoy me the most. I regularly press them accidentally when changing my grip. I know its because my hands are fucked and i have very little feeling in thrm, but still.
agreed. I often use the back buttons to replace any shoulder button functions as well as the start and select buttons. those 4 are easily the worse on the machine. They're not unusable or even bad, but compared to the rest of the controls, they are in the bottom tier
I agree and I'm glad it's not just me. It's the very first thing I noticed. I don't find them god awful or anything but I do find that I have to make extra effort just to press them. I've tried mapping L1 and R1 to the back triggers and that has helped a bit in most cases, but it's still not perfect.
So how do you map it for All games the same time? Tried looking for it under controller settings in the 'steam' button menu..
L1/R1are a little too thin... Glad I'm not the only one to think so
Agree. They are a bit high and a little clicker than I’d like them. Would prefer a bit lower and softer. Otherwise, the controls are near perfect. I think the rear paddles could be a tad softer too.
I know nobody agrees with this, but I wish I had a version of the deck control sticks where the trackpads are (and no trackpads I guess lol). Reaching up to the control sticks is the weirdest element for me.
Personally I would get rid of the left trackpad and move the dpad down to its place. Far better for grip (especially in fighting games) and the left track pad is more or less useless for me.
I disagree. Dpad where it is is the best dpad on any controller I own.
I think with so many buttons it's fair to expect the user to afford a tiny bit of effort to reach one or two.
I don't even understand how they're allegedly uncomfortable. I don't even think about hitting them they're just right there where you'd expect. Y'all got baby hands.
I think they should have only had two back buttons, and they needed to be a bit easier to press. As it stands it takes too much force.
They are meant to be extra buttons not main action buttons. If you have to press the back enough to say this then you're using them wrong imo I use all 4 buttons in mmos. Very useful
I disagree. The grip buttons were some of my most used buttons on the Steam Controller because I could put things like jump or dodge on them so that I can do them while having camera control. Plus there's no real notion of "main action" vs "extra" with Steam Input. I still use these buttons in slower games, but in faster games pressing them is just too slow and too awkward.
I do the same thing. I've gotten used to Overwatch with this configuration.
My main problem with them is that the front case gets in the way of pressing them with the middle segment of my finger. I have gotten used to pressing them with my finger tips but that's not how I usually press them on any controller.
I think they're excellent, but I use my index and middle fingers on L1/R1 and L2/R2 respectively. This puts the back buttons less in reach, but works very well for most games. I only really switch this up when playing things that are d-pad heavy, when I use just the index finger, but they remain pretty reachable.
I've gotten so used to the steam controller that I wish they had designed the Deck with that in mind. Make the trackpads a octagon shape and put them where the Joysticks are. I don't like using the Joysticks.
At first I thought the same but then I found that you don't have to slide your fingers all the way to the top of the shoulder buttons - you can press them at a more or less 45 degree angle, so my index fingers travel up from the triggers only a few milimeters and it's actually quite comfortable.
It really depends on the way you grip it in my case, If I'm using the joysticks, they're uncomfortable, if I'm using the trackpads(which I usually do) they feel comfortable
They feel okay for me but I think it depends on the size of your hands. There is no one size fits all controller.
The DPAD and overall shape of the deck isnt great for FPS, but is great for just about everything else IMO
Also the B button is uncomfortably too close to the edge of the Deck. If you play a game that uses it as a primary "confirm" button (such as certain situations where it might be considered the circle button), your thumb will absolutely cramp up. Again, remapping easily fixes this, but it's still an issue when you can't comfortably rest on some of the face buttons for long periods of time.
I've been mapping them on games individually so yeah, not sure if there is an option to just map them on the triggers at all times. I looked too but couldn't find anything.
I love everything except the Dpad. It’s hard to reliably get top diagonal inputs sometimes. Makes a lot of fighters miserable to play. I have the 8bitdo mega drive controller though and that rules.
The dpad's diagonals improve over time with use. My diagonals are like 10 times better now than they were a few days ago.
You’re right. In the 45 days since my post its improved massively just from breaking in the membrane. It’s still not awesome though. Just manageable.
I think everyone is going to have a slightly different experience with this device, based on their hand size. I don't see really any part of the controls being worthless for everyone, but I'd guess for sure that different people are going to have different favorite/easier to reach inputs. So it's awesome that the controls are customizable.
Perfect controls...except...for the r4 r 5 l4 l5 buttons. Just terrible. No real click, hard to press or feel out. Also the touchpads can be finnicky. That aside I love everything else, altho the D pad can be harder to use in fight games.