Microsoft Quick Charge for Xbox 360
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Console: Xbox 360
- Brand: Microsoft
- Type: Accessories Kit
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The only way to go for your 360 wireless controllers
Pros
Fast charge, looonnnggg charge, looks matching that of the 360 console
Cons
No second battery (not for me, but for folks who might actually need it)
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Don't waste money on AA batteries. Get this system and you won't be disappointed.
I just purchased an Xbox 360 Pro console (yes, I know I'm late) a few months ago and wireless controllers were just killing AA batteries. I wouldn't consider myself to be the heaviest of gamers either; I average maybe around 1-2 hours max per day (contingent upon whether or not I have a big time exam I need to be studying for). My Energizer AA batteries were lasting about 2 weeks before needing to be replaced, and that was becoming entirely too expensive.
The most popular choice of a rechargeable system for the 360 has been the Play 'n Charge system. This requires for you to connect your controller to one of your console's front USB ports and also allows you to play as you are charging. I avoided this system because 1...what's the point of a wireless controller if you are going to be having it connected to your console for power? And 2...I heard many complaints online about the charge times and durations with this system, and a friend of mine has it and told me it needs to be charged every 3-4 days (even though it is rated as having up to 25 hours of play on one charge). This seemed like a bit of an inconvenience for me, and more complicated than it should be.
The stand-alone quick charge system received better opinions wherever I read them online, and uses a more traditional process. You disconnect the battery pack from the controller and place it on the charging base. This much greater appealed to me because of its simplicity and a lack of extra wires/cables for connecting it to my 360 console for charging.
Looks
This thing matches the coloring scheme of a stock Xbox 360 to a "T". The base is the exact color of the console, and also features a sort of rounded shape like the console. The color and build of the power cable leading from it to your wall outlet/surge protector even matches the cables used for the 360. Though the small dresser in my room doesn't allow for placement next to my console, those with more room for their setup will find this charging base to be right at home next to their Xbox. The base has room for two battery packs to charge in their own respective docks.
Charging time
The single rechargeable battery included with the system came practically drained and required a full charge before being able to use it. I was impressed with how fast the initial charge was. The convenient status light below its respective charging dock changed from red to green within an hour and a half. This unit does not have the capacity to simultaneously charge two battery packs. Once it gets done with the first, it proceeds to begin charging the second. Simple math means this equates to around 3-4 hours to completely charge two battery packs.
Charge duration
I am astonished at how long the included battery pack lasts. As mentioned earlier, I game about 1-2 hours per day on average, meaning at least 7 hours or more in any given week. I have had this set for over three weeks now, and I am still on my first charge. Checking the battery status in the Xbox 360 Dashboard reveals that I still have 3 out 4 "bars" of battery charge left. Even if this reading is an overstatement and the battery is going to give out on me tomorrow, I am still extremely pleased with the performance of this charging system. The rated 25 hours of play time per charge is definitely not a marketing ploy, and I consider it to be an accurate estimate by Microsoft to advertise to folks looking to buy this system.
Conclusion
Some folks might complain about the fact that this system has capacity to charge two batteries, but only includes one. I say that this is a good thing because it keeps the product cost down. Including the second battery pack would raise the cost of this product by at least $10, forcing people to pay a higher price for something they might not necessarily make full use out of (me, for instance). Giving consumers the ability to decide whether or not they need to spend the extra money on more batteries was a good idea, because Microsoft sure as heck wasn't going to include the second one for the same price.
Given the performance and decent price of this recharging system, I recommend it to EVERYONE who owns an Xbox 360 system using wireless controllers. Outstanding charge duration and the ability to completely charge a drained battery in under two hours make this product a sure winner in my book.
The most popular choice of a rechargeable system for the 360 has been the Play 'n Charge system. This requires for you to connect your controller to one of your console's front USB ports and also allows you to play as you are charging. I avoided this system because 1...what's the point of a wireless controller if you are going to be having it connected to your console for power? And 2...I heard many complaints online about the charge times and durations with this system, and a friend of mine has it and told me it needs to be charged every 3-4 days (even though it is rated as having up to 25 hours of play on one charge). This seemed like a bit of an inconvenience for me, and more complicated than it should be.
The stand-alone quick charge system received better opinions wherever I read them online, and uses a more traditional process. You disconnect the battery pack from the controller and place it on the charging base. This much greater appealed to me because of its simplicity and a lack of extra wires/cables for connecting it to my 360 console for charging.
Looks
This thing matches the coloring scheme of a stock Xbox 360 to a "T". The base is the exact color of the console, and also features a sort of rounded shape like the console. The color and build of the power cable leading from it to your wall outlet/surge protector even matches the cables used for the 360. Though the small dresser in my room doesn't allow for placement next to my console, those with more room for their setup will find this charging base to be right at home next to their Xbox. The base has room for two battery packs to charge in their own respective docks.
Charging time
The single rechargeable battery included with the system came practically drained and required a full charge before being able to use it. I was impressed with how fast the initial charge was. The convenient status light below its respective charging dock changed from red to green within an hour and a half. This unit does not have the capacity to simultaneously charge two battery packs. Once it gets done with the first, it proceeds to begin charging the second. Simple math means this equates to around 3-4 hours to completely charge two battery packs.
Charge duration
I am astonished at how long the included battery pack lasts. As mentioned earlier, I game about 1-2 hours per day on average, meaning at least 7 hours or more in any given week. I have had this set for over three weeks now, and I am still on my first charge. Checking the battery status in the Xbox 360 Dashboard reveals that I still have 3 out 4 "bars" of battery charge left. Even if this reading is an overstatement and the battery is going to give out on me tomorrow, I am still extremely pleased with the performance of this charging system. The rated 25 hours of play time per charge is definitely not a marketing ploy, and I consider it to be an accurate estimate by Microsoft to advertise to folks looking to buy this system.
Conclusion
Some folks might complain about the fact that this system has capacity to charge two batteries, but only includes one. I say that this is a good thing because it keeps the product cost down. Including the second battery pack would raise the cost of this product by at least $10, forcing people to pay a higher price for something they might not necessarily make full use out of (me, for instance). Giving consumers the ability to decide whether or not they need to spend the extra money on more batteries was a good idea, because Microsoft sure as heck wasn't going to include the second one for the same price.
Given the performance and decent price of this recharging system, I recommend it to EVERYONE who owns an Xbox 360 system using wireless controllers. Outstanding charge duration and the ability to completely charge a drained battery in under two hours make this product a sure winner in my book.
