PCA Forums

What do you guys use for a gaming controller on your PC? I'm still using a mouse, but if I play too long, my shoulder starts to get sore and the pain will last for almost a week. My Chiropractor suggested I get a different controller than using a mouse.

Still use a mouse. Thankfully I've never had issues with arm, shoulder or wrist.

Yeah, sometimes after a particularly long and grueling session my hand might start cramping, but that's it.

What's REALLY important is ergonomics. You really should NOT be using your shoulder so I don't think it's the controller, it's the way you're seated. Only thing I move is my wrists and pivot my arms at the elbow while they sit on the arm rests.

- You should have a chair with arm rests (mine has wide ones and they can be angled in and out).

- Your arm rests should be level with the desktop (assuming both your mouse and keyboard are on the desktop). Your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle when resting on the arm rests. My arm rests are individually height adjustable.

- To avoid upper back and neck pain, the center of the monitor should be nearly at eye level.

This is exactly the position I sit in, except I don't use a foot rest. I used to, but didn't like it:



It's really import to get a good chair. Honestly, if you spend a lot of time in it, a $120 Office Depot chair won't cut it.

I posted in another thread the chair I use. I got it for a bargain, but when it wears out I will happily replace it with a new one for the full price. It's a Hon 7800 series and retails for $600, but you can find them on Amazon for $400 - $500 and used on Craigs list or surplus office supply stores for $200. These are commercial quality chairs and they last a LONG time and take a lot of abuse. You can also find parts for them online fairly easily - especially the gas cylinder.

Amazon lists some models starting at $340 with free shipping:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i ... Caps%2C211

Some stuff I play with a wired Xbox 360 controller as I find it pretty comfortable. If you have Bluetooth you can use a PS4 controller as well. If it's mouse/KB stuff I use a wrist wrest for my right hand as I have had crpal tunnel surgery once already, and my left, rather than the KB, I use a Logotech G13 pad. Lets my hand rest very comfortably and has more than enough keys for whatever I play.

Yeah, didn't mention, I use a mouse pad with a gel rest otherwise I do start cramping up sooner.

My mechanical keyboard has a wrist rest as well, but not padded - a solid one.

I'll have to post a picture of how I'm seated. I think my setup is fine. The only item I can think of is tension. I may be applying tension that goes through the hand, up the arm, and into my shoulder. I do have a mouse pad with a gel piece that keeps my wrists straight and level. My right arm rests on my furniture. I'll have to post a pic so you can see what I'm talking about.

I use mouse and keyboard for the most part unless there's driving involved, like if I hop into a car in GTAV, then I've got the wired XB360 controller for more precise driving.

Mouse and keyboard for most things. For anything that needs a controller, I use a wireless Xbox 360 pad with one of the USB to Wireless Xbox adapters plugged into the PC. Every once in a while I'll whip out the G27, but it rarely gets used as I don't have the space. Moving next week, so it may be able to find a home.

As for how I'm seated, I use an old car seat converted into an office chair. I pulled one of the Captains chairs with both armrests out of a conversion van from the pick a part. Bolted the bracket of the seat to an old office chair base so it leans back, and it's the most comfortable chair I've ever had. It weighs a ton, but oh well. Unfortunately, one of the arms fell off (left, thankfully still have the right for mousing) but I just need to weld it back on to be happy again.

GuardianAsher wrote:Mouse and keyboard for most things. For anything that needs a controller, I use a wireless Xbox 360 pad with one of the USB to Wireless Xbox adapters plugged into the PC. Every once in a while I'll whip out the G27, but it rarely gets used as I don't have the space. Moving next week, so it may be able to find a home.

As for how I'm seated, I use an old car seat converted into an office chair. I pulled one of the Captains chairs with both armrests out of a conversion van from the pick a part. Bolted the bracket of the seat to an old office chair base so it leans back, and it's the most comfortable chair I've ever had. It weighs a ton, but oh well. Unfortunately, one of the arms fell off (left, thankfully still have the right for mousing) but I just need to weld it back on to be happy again.

Just need to weld it back on again > +1 for hardcore

I completely forgot to mention the CH Products Flightstick Pro and Pro Throttle for playing flight/space sims.