The lost submarine “Titan” is controlled by a $40 game controller that has received hundreds of bad customer reviews on Amazon. Customers mainly complained about “connection problems”. The “Titan” has been missing since Sunday.
In a CBS piece, OceanGate founder Stockton Rush boasted that he used “off-the-shelf” materials for his capsule. According to the owner, who is also among the missing, the hardware store boat is controlled by a modified Logitech G F710 wireless controller that went out of fashion a decade ago. OceanGate has extended the two thumbsticks with cones, which is apparently intended to allow for more accurate input.
The gamepad – which runs on two AA batteries – has an overall rating of 4.2 out of five on Amazon, but has hundreds of one-star reviews, some of which are more than a decade old. Users claim that the device suffers from annoying and regular connection issues.
One buyer reported more than five years ago, “As soon as I move more than 12 inches (no joke, no exaggeration) from the receiver, the signal transmission starts to fail.”
Controllers are not made to last forever
Other issues brought up by the negative reviews include issues with the controller’s analog sticks and that pressing certain buttons would mess up the entire pad. Several customers also state: The Logitech F710 is not made for “eternity”.
In addition, the wireless gamepad is only compatible with decades-old Windows and Chrome systems. Still, it is not uncommon to fall back on these “old” controllers.
The US military also uses similar technology
They are technically simpler than modern controllers and can often be more easily integrated into more complex systems. That’s why similar gamepads are used by the US military to control reconnaissance drones and periscopes on nuclear submarines.
The submarine has been missing since Sunday morning (local time). The “Titan” was on its way with five people on board to the wreck of the “Titanic” that sank in 1912 at a depth of approximately 3800 meters. Contact with the mothership was lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the dive.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
