New Wii Dual Charger Comparison

[PenguinUnited]

Hi Guys,

We are developing Dual Wii Remote charger and attached pictures are prototype of how it will look. I have listed down the pros and cons of both items, I was wondering if you guys could take a look at it and tell me which one you would prefer.


Dual Charger Type A- Front and Back One

Advantage: Can Charge Any AAA Batteries allowing user to choose their own battery capacity and easily replace dead batteries, Can Charge from Wii's own AC adapter(thus can charge from any AC outlet), Can charge when Wii is on(use USB cable or use Wii power source) and when Wii is off(using Wii power source only).

Disadvantage: Forces the use of AAA batteries instead of the AA batteries from Nintendo's orginal Design. AAA batteries are relatively more expansive, thus will not make economical sense to include as part of the package. Entire Package lacks AAA batteries so user cannot use immediately. Hard for user to understand its advantage at a glance.

Dual Charger Type B- Left and Right

Advantage: Complete package including batteries, better overall value, uses AA battery as per orginal design.

Disadvantage: Can only charge with USB port, standard battery cannot be used as substitute. Need to buy the batteries we sell when battery dies.

[Peench]

I voted for Model B. It looks cleaner and the batteries you provide hold a charge for a long time (therefore requiring less charges and in theory increasing the life of the battery).

Being able to charge for any outlet might be a big plus for people who don't want to tether their controllers to their Wii (or if they don't have room). Is there a way to add that functionality to Model B?

[PenguinUnited]

Well these two models are designed from completely different concept. We could couldn't add the Wii AC concept to design B.

The best way I think is to include 4 AAA batteries with Concept A. However, those cost about $2 a piece retail and at least $1 a piece our price. So its going to be hard to justify such a dramatic increase in cost.

[lovekeiiy]

I know it's late, but are these models supposing to using those rechargable batteries you can buy at any store, and not that current rechargable being use with the current rechargable battery and dock solution being offered?

I like the look of B, but like the use of one USB port being used. I'm just not digging that stacked look. Maybe a wiimote back to back look, where power source is on the side could give one USB port option, and could still use your current battery solution. I haven't tried it, but I've done it with the 360, but could let people try to use the USB ports in the PC's to charge instead of the Wii.

[PenguinUnited]

Yeah we agree being forced to us provided battery is not the best option, but the thing is that there are significant modifications that needs to be done to make wii remote chargeable. Unlike Xbox360 controller, it was not intended to be rechargeable.

So say the back to back/side to side is not an issue, just looking at the functions. Which would be the best one?

[Peench]

Setting apart aesthetics, the functionality of A is nice b/c we can use our own batteries. Having a complete out of box experience when you get the product is also key though and I'd be upset if I had to go out and buy rechargeable batteries after I got my charging station.

Having the ability to simply plug the charger into the wall is also a very nice features. As far as feature sets, Model A is nice. As far as aesthetics and what I'd want hanging around my home theater, model B is best.

[alter_ego_trip]

Question. Can these chargers be used with the controller skins? It would really suck to have to peel the skin up every time I needed to charge it.

[Applecroissant]

I like model B better. I have a Wii and I think that would match the Wii nice beside it.

[laxgod]

I see that you have released the new dual charger. Do you have any plans to release a bundle of that plus 2 extra batteries? One suggestion I would like to make is to allow users to buy X number of extra batteries all at a discounted price when they buy any of the charging units. That way someone who has 3 controllers or someone who has 5 can still have a bundle that works great for them. I understand it's not hard to just buy the dual charger and an extra battery but I think it's a nice incentive to get people to buy extra batteries when they are buying the charger.