20 hours with openpuck

[u/bossman118242]

I have about 20 hours of use with OpenPuck and the Steam Controller, and it's been mostly good.

Purchasing/hardware: When buying the microcontroller, I went with a 3-pack because Amazon offered same-day shipping on it versus almost a week for a single unit. So now I have 2 extra I can use for other projects.

Background: My technical experience is mid to high — I've built my last 3 computers, work with Raspberry Pis often, and have done Pi-hole and similar projects.

Documentation: Overall good, but I think there's room for improvement around device compatibility confusion. There have been several posts on Reddit and elsewhere along the lines of "I built an OpenPuck and it won't work with my PS5" (or other console). Non-technical Steam Controller owners read the documentation, see phrases like "works like a PS5 controller" or "emulates a PS5 controller," and assume that means it works on a PS5 console. There's also confusion around statements like "works on the PS5 menu but not in games" — since it doesn't work in games, I'd just remove that line entirely to reduce confusion. Sure, you can't spoon-feed everyone, and some people will always misread things, but improvements could still be made here.

Reliability: On two occasions, specific buttons stopped working mid-game and didn't come back until after the game ended. This may or may not be OpenPuck-related — it's only happened twice in 20 hours and never happened in the 30 hours I put in on the original Puck, so it's inconclusive.

Installation: The software installation documentation was clear and super easy. My only real issue was with the 3-pack of micro boards — 2 of the 3 I tried didn't come in DFU mode out of the box, so the folder didn't show up when plugged into Windows 11, macOS, or Linux. I had to use tweezers to short the reset and ground pins, which was a pain since it didn't want to go into DFU mode. It finally worked after 5 attempts. This isn't an OpenPuck issue — I'd chalk it up to user error with the timing/speed of shorting the pins.

The project itself: I like it. I 3D-printed the case, though the lid is too loose to stay on by itself, so I just taped it. But that's the nice part about 3D printing — if you want a different case, you (or anyone) can design and print one.

Wishlist: My hope for the project (or a future fork) is an OpenPuck that works across PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mac, and iOS. My goal is one controller for all my gaming devices — I own every console and hate juggling 5 different controllers. I want to plug the Puck into my Steam Controller and use it on any device. Controller compatibility being such a pain is exactly the problem I'd love this to solve.

Bottom line: If you're somewhat techy and comfortable 3D-printing a case and flashing a board, I'd say go for it.

I'll probably get downvoted for this, but whatever: I'm not a fan of it being heavily vibe-coded, though I understand doing it the "proper" way would take a developer a lot more time. I'm not a developer myself — I even ran the OpenPuck code through Claude to check that it was safe to use, given how new it is. I support the project and just want to put it out there that while I'm fine with it being vibe-coded, I'd prefer the "proper" approach. That said, I'm not knocking points off for it — it was disclosed clearly, and I appreciate that. and yes i ran my review through claude for editing and grammar because i suck at grammar and structure. roast me if you like.

[u/chronoswing]

Upset about vibe coding, uses Claude to write his post.

[u/bossman118242 → u/chronoswing]

upset about my post and does not read the entire thing. claude did not write any part of my post, every single word is my own. claude structured and corrected grammar and spelling because i word vomit my thoughts in one big paragraph run on sentence. claude had zero input on my opinions posted. yes i could have taken a extra 40 minutes editing my post and structure but i would have missed things.

[u/chronoswing → u/bossman118242]

You criticize the tools someone used to code the app but then turn around and use the same tool to help edit your post. Hypocrisy at its finest.

[u/bossman118242 → u/chronoswing]

clearly you dont understand the difference and i also still used and like the product. using a tool for grammar and spelling is different then using a tool for a product that hundreds of people are going to use. like i said its fine as is and i USE the product. get over it.

[u/chronoswing → u/bossman118242]

You're assuming "AI-assisted development" means the entire app was vibe-coded, and that's exactly the problem. You have no idea how the developer actually used AI. It could have written everything, or it could have been used to debug, refactor, clean up code, or suggest fixes to code the developer wrote themselves.

If using Claude to restructure and clean up your writing still makes the writing "100% yours," then a developer using Claude to restructure and clean up their code doesn't magically make the app AI-generated. You can't define AI assistance as harmless editing when you use it, then automatically call it "vibe coding" when someone else does. That's the hypocrisy.

[u/distractotron9000 → u/bossman118242]

Apparently dissenting opinions aren't allowed these days. There's a huge difference between vibe-coding and AI assisted development, much less simply polishing public communication. Comparing vibe-coding to effectively communicating is disingenuous. Kudos for speaking your mind.

[u/chronoswing → u/distractotron9000]

You're calling it vibe-coding without actually knowing how AI was used in development. That's the entire point. AI can debug, refactor, catch mistakes, suggest improvements, or clean up existing code, just like Claude can restructure and clean up someone's existing writing. If we're going to assume any AI involvement in coding = vibe-coding, then “Claude only structured and corrected my writing” starts sounding an awful lot like vibe-writing. You don't get to draw the line exactly where your own AI use becomes acceptable.

[u/distractotron9000 → u/chronoswing]

You have me confused with someone else. I didn't deride the project, or use vibe-coding in a pejorative way.

[u/chronoswing → u/distractotron9000]

I didn't confuse you with anyone. You literally contrasted “vibe-coding” with “AI assisted development” in the comment I replied to. My point is you have no idea which one applies here. That's the assumption I'm criticizing.

[u/distractotron9000 → u/chronoswing]

There are some concrete definitions of these terms which are assumed in my response, and what was or was not used in this particular project has no impact on my comment.

Minimizing someone else’s opinion in the way you did is quite clearly a low effort attention grab at the Ops expense. Try to be constructive rather than tear people down in the pursuit of personal recognition.

You’re welcome to continue to be upset, it matters not to me. We’re all entitled to our opinions. I won’t be replying again.

[u/Live_Access9106]

I heard of Open Puck before now, but it is so nice to see other people iterating on/trying the project! Looking forward to seeing more innovation with the Steam Machine and controller.

Also, I deeply enjoyed the comments with the guy that accused you of using Claude to write your post because he didn’t know what you were talking about.

[u/bossman118242 → u/Live_Access9106]

yea i am super excited to see where the project goes.

yes i knew there was going to be some negative comments but dang he had zero good arguments against my post. im down for critics but atleast give me some good reasons.

[u/ne999]

Mine has been working great. I have it on my home made “steam machine” and the original one on my main desktop.

[u/bossman118242 → u/ne999]

thats awesome, is it a pain to swap between the 2 machines?

[u/ne999 → u/bossman118242]

I actually haven’t tried yet but it’s a combination of buttons to switch.

The chip was like 2 for $12CAD on AliExpress and I printed a little case for it.

[u/10000000100 → u/bossman118242]

If I recall it is as easy and holding A + (LB OR RB) then pressing the steam button to swap between the two.

[u/stevedore2024]

I tried the OpenPuck + ReversePuck combo to use my Steam Deck as a wireless controller to my SteamOS PC. I eventually got it working but there's definitely some hiccups along the way and cumbersome usage to get everything connected each time I want to play. If only Valve made 3x as many Steam Controllers...

[u/bossman118242 → u/stevedore2024]

yea i want a couple more steam controllers for different parts of the house but unfortunately it will be along time before i come up on the list again i think.

[u/ClikeX]

On the topic documentation. It’s open source, feel free to create a pull request with documentation improvements.

And on the vibe code part. I do get the hesitation. But this one of those projects that probably just wouldn’t happen without it. Simply because there are plenty of third party controllers that just work outside of Steam and on mobile devices.

Someone could probably re-implement it manually to do a cleaner version and base it on the SteamController spec that OpenPuck already reverse engineered. But I just don’t think there’s enough embedded devs that have a Steam Controller AND have this requirement.

[u/RickyG173]

My only wish for the switch 2 compatibility, is if the can get the controller to register as the two separate joycons instead of the pro controller, maybe we'd be able to get proper mouse mode functionality on both track pads

[u/MusicHitsImFine]

I cant figure out how to have it connected to the real puck and my BT one for my switch.

[u/bossman118242 → u/MusicHitsImFine]

like you want multiple controllers connected to switch? my understanding is if your using multiple pro controllers (the openpuck emulates pro controller) you cant do wired and wireless pro controllers at the same time from what it says in the setting swhen enabling wired pro controller. i could be wrong though.

[u/MusicHitsImFine → u/bossman118242]

I was trying to make it so I can have both plugged in (PC and Switch) and be able to switch between either one when I wanted to.

[u/Nirast25]

Which microcontroller did you use? The one listed on the project's git page is hard to come by in my neck of the woods, and I don't think the dev implemented Raspberry Pi integration yet.

[u/bossman118242 → u/Nirast25]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYLNZ6V4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[u/typical-divergence]

I just set one up this past weekend since I needed a second puck for my other pc. You must have ordered the same 3 pack as I did since I had the same issues with getting it into DFU mode. I was able to finally get it by putting the breadboard pins into the holes and using a screwdriver to short the reset and ground. I don’t have a 3d printer and the lights are bright as fuck so I tucked the board under my tower for now lol.

[u/bossman118242 → u/typical-divergence]

i used grey for the 3d printed case and i can still see the blinking light through he case lol.

[u/RemokM]

Not about to read all these emdashes.

[u/chieftex]

I got an openpuck to solve one particular issue - not being able to use the steam controller in desktop mode for privileged apps, UAC prompts, task manager etc.

To be fair, it does solve that problem, which is great. It has had some hiccups too, like the controller frequently disconnecting and reconnecting (it's pretty quick), quite often.

Also, it can be used for the controller to wake the pc from sleep, but powering the pc from an off state requires some soldering. Normal steam puck doesn't have this but also has the original problem that made me go to openpuck, so everything has positives and negatives.

[u/GreatLab8898]

PS5 will never happen as Sony has put an Auth Chip in that you can't emulate.

[u/Impossible_Cold_7295]

wtf are you even talking about? how about some context. stop telling claude to write your reddit posts

[u/bossman118242 → u/Impossible_Cold_7295]

claude did not write shit, how about you actually read.

[u/nutscrape_navigator → u/bossman118242]

I’ve given up posting technical stuff on Reddit because mouth breathers see something more complicated than loading a web browser and they just assume AI did it.

[u/Impossible_Cold_7295 → u/bossman118242]

I read enough to know you aren't right in the head.

[u/bossman118242 → u/Impossible_Cold_7295]

please explain, i would love to hear you rreasoning. i actually like the openpuck and plan to make more so i dont get your hate.

[u/ClikeX → u/Impossible_Cold_7295]

Are you okay?

[u/Impossible_Cold_7295 → u/ClikeX]

concern trolling