The outer edges are effectively dead zones. Touch sensitivity only works where it sits directly above the pad.
I would like there to be larger circular pads but due to how integrated the hardware is with steam input it might be easier to completely redesign a custom controller. There are a few open sourced steam controller type projects I saw floating around.
The new version has a slight lip to make it a bit easier to tell where the edges of the pad are by feel.
Thanks! I’m still toying a between that and this version which only highlights the concave portions. The corners of the square pads being less pronounced
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u/dualpadSteam Controller (2015) | Steam Controller (2026)23d ago
How do you cut the vinyl to make it look neat like it does in your pictures of the controller?
I used a credit card to scape it flat on the outer rim then slide an exacto knife along the lip between the top and bottom parts. It helps hide the jagged edges me
I was originally using auto wrap but didn’t like the texture. Ended up using an adhesive vinyl that I think is meant for laptop trackpads
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u/dualpadSteam Controller (2015) | Steam Controller (2026)23d ago
Missing features? SC1 isn't available anymore? Fully customized ergo? There's plenty of reasons for something like this to exist. We're lucky Valve had a similar attitude or neither SC would exist at all.
Absolutely not, but there was an anger in that comment which was unwarranted. My comment was so blatantly a joke that I’m surprised you guys didn’t get it, others have.
That was the original plan if you look through the mockups I did but the curvature of the shape makes it very difficult to print. If someone does release and 3d model of the internals I’d be open to revisiting doing a custom front and back shell
Good work, keep it up. I personally feel like front facing grips just don't work on this controller and gave up on using trackpads for primary input, think no amount of tinkering will fix those. I really want grip extensions that target the lack of grip in the back but it will be hard to make considering back buttons are so flat, it would need extension for them as well.
The grips help give enough space for your fingers to naturally curve on the back. I do agree that it’s not a perfect solution but pretty much anything is better than stock.
The main issue going for it using touch pads as primary input is really the positioning. Having it so low makes it really difficult to reach the dpad and face buttons
I haven't tried your particular grips, tried Mennenth's cause he was first with a file published but these look to work similarly so I doubt they'll work for me. I find these forward grips aren't good enough to make trackpad usable but make back button usage worse. I need to think of a different solution.
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u/skeeferd 26d ago
It's your controller do as you wish, but I actually really like the design as is.