I use a dual shock 4 via Bluetooth on my PC (Windows) and I’m tired about the workarounds required to have it working all the time. Sometimes it needs steam open, sometimes instead having steam open will confuse the game, and so on. And by default the light is off when connected so I never know if it’s o, off, low battery. I have a limited amount of time to play and I don’t want to waste 1/4 of it troubleshooting the controller.
I saw an e-waste recycler selling brand new stadia controllers for $15. Some of them in a nice mint green tint that I never seen before. Once flashed with the new Bluetooth mode firmware are they good to play on PC (Windows)? Or I should just use Xbox controllers if I want something that “just works”?
The most reliable that I’ve found is an Xbox controller connected via the Wireless Xbox Adapter. I’m not sure they make it anymore though. You will probably have to buy a used one (if interested).
That same e-waste recycler has new boxed Xbox360 wireless controllers for $20 - I almost bought that then I realized that it needs to buy the proprietary battery pack, the proprietary charging cable and the proprietary USB receiver and it will become the same price of the new Xbox bluetooth controller.
I took a gamble and bought the stadia controller for $15, hope I can find time to flash it to the Bluetooth mode before they close the service
The latest xbox controllers just correct though Bluetooth, no dongle required. Ave with Design Labs you can get it in any colour scheme you want.
That said, I prefer the Sony controllers and reWASD is an excellent tool to get them to work.
My experience with the Bluetooth on PC is that it was a bit flakey. That may have improved in the last few years though. I ran into a couple of games where it wouldn’t work on BT but worked fine via the wireless adapter.