The introduction of wireless controllers and reduction in accompanying cable mess has been nothing but a boon for this console generation, but with one persistent caveat: forgetting to charge the bloody things.
Although most of you will have your battery juggling routine down by heart at this stage, Konnet’s Power Pyramid looks to simplify matters with a permanent charging base that houses two PS3 controllers and two 360 controllers at any one time, requiring only that you remember to plug them back into the stand at the end of your session.
The box specifications are as follows:
- Charge 2 pairs of PS3 and Xbox 360 controllers on the same dock simultaneously
- Centralized controller storage in one stylish dock
- LED indicator displays charging status for each controller: Red = Charging / Blue = Fully Charge
- Eliminates the use of charging cables
- No game console required to power up
-Intelligent charging technology prevents over-charging
First Impressions:
The Power Pyramid comes in a sturdy-looking cardboard cube with a minimal amount of packaging inside. You get the charging stand, a power cable and a small manual. The plastic packing insert is of the non-clamshell variety, which is something that’s always appreciated around these parts.
The materials used in the stand itself seem to be a medium-grade plastic quality throughout, and the Power Pyramid is by no means a cheap-looking device. The design tapers towards a twisted spire at the top, and a couple of small Konnet logos adorn the base on either side. It’s hardly a work of art or something you’ll be wanting to show off in a gallery of industrial design, but it is certainly a cut above the usual standard of third-party peripheral.
Hooking it up is simplicity itself, and you simply need to attach the power cable to the base, find yourself a suitable surface and plug your controllers in. 360 owners should note that the Power Pyramid doesn’t come with any battery packs however, so you’ll need to use your existing kit in your controllers.
Performance:
There’s not much to write about here other than that the Power Pyramid certainly manages to charge your controllers successfully! A subtle red light indicates when each of the controller slots is charging, and it shifts to blue once it’s done. PS3 controllers live on the top rung, whilst your 360 pads live below, and charging times seemed about on a par with regular methods. Console owners with no existing mains-charging facilities will undoubtedly benefit the most, with the need to tether your controller to a USB cable eliminated entirely.
The charging docks themselves are sturdy enough to seem like they’ll withhold a good amount of use, and I had no problems plugging any device in. There’s a good amount of pliability in the charging locations themselves, which should ensure that nobody forces the inserts and causes damage to either controller or the Pyramid itself.
Final Thoughts:
The Power Pyramid is a good alternative to traditional charging cables, and might even be of use to those of you with an existing wall-charger setup. It does exactly as it promises and consolidates your existing PS3 and 360 charging needs into one fairly tidy structure, whilst the base station is made from decent-enough plastics and certainly doesn’t look as horrific as most third-party peripherals on the market.
Whether or not you like the design is subjective of course, but in terms of pure functionality, there’s little to fault here. Worth a look.
