Storing Controllers

September 19, 2004 4:59 AM

Any suggestions on storing game controllers for quick use and preventing their cords from getting tangled or permanently coiled? (outside of purchasing wireless controllers)
posted by the biscuit man to sports, hobbies, & recreation (4 comments total)

I cringe whenever someone starts winding the cord around a controller.

I try and 'fold' the cord like they come in the box. Then I set the controller on top—not the neatest or fastest way, but it keeps the cords nice.
posted by mealy-mouthed at 6:01 AM on September 19, 2004

If you'd like to keep the cords nice, gently loop them into large-radius loops, and apply a velcro riptie.
posted by majick at 8:29 AM on September 19, 2004

On my xbox, I like to always unplug the extender cables when I'm finished, and not have all four plugged in when I don't need them. No matter how carefully I am with keeping them untangled, having them all plugged in seems to lead to trouble.
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 11:00 AM on September 19, 2004

This is a common problem for anyone who deals with ropes, lines and cables - sailors on pirrrrrrrate ships, network technicians, and the like.

if you hold two ends of a cable in each hand and coil that cable without letting go you will have introduced a half-twist in the cable for each large loop you make. This becomes apparent when the big loop of cable tries to turn into a figure-8 or just a big snarl.

Instead, grasp one end of the cable (the end near the controller) firmly in your left hand. Make a single loop of cable with your right hand, holding the cable loosely between your fingers. Move slowly and pay attention to the feeling in your fingertips. After a few tries, it should be obvious which way the cable "wants" to turn. Now make additional loops, but also add a half-twist with your right hand for each loop in the same direction that the cable "wants" to twist in.

If you do it correctly, you will have a coil of cable that will lie flat and not require any ties. When you uncoil the cable, it will lie flat. As a bonus, the wires *inside* the cable don't get unnecessarily tweaked.
posted by b1tr0t at 12:14 PM on September 19, 2004