So which is the Sony chip?
The security chip or the main encoder?
I think the main encoder is under that epoxy blob and the smaller IC in the top right corner could be the security lock out.
I also yet to probe out the PCB for available solder points for mods.
This is just a visual inspection, and not a final analyst. So don’t expect me to know where to solder for start or anything like that.
Overall are you guys happy with your V4’s? Noticed they went up for preorder on Amazon.
I like it enough to say it was worth importing it since I needed a ps3 stick asap. Just wished the body was redesigned instead of using an older body. Pretty cool that its up on amazon already for pre-order, for $150 I say go for it since that’s a pretty great price for a basic functional ps4 stick. If you want something new and customizable wait for the madcatz te2.
The body not being redesigned is most likely the reason they can keep the price down.
d3v,
I tend to agree with you about Hori NOT jacking the price up BUT Hori really didn’t increase the prices when they released the HRAP V3/VX and HRAP N3/NX brand new, either.
The HRAP V3/VX prices were in line with what they charged with the ‘full-up’ Sanwa button-equipped HRAP 3 SA and earlier generation HRAP 2 SA (import, Japan-only).
The Hori Soul Calibur V joystick introduced the HRAP N3 SA-style case and that was $129.99 brand new. A lot of us were able to get that joystick for $100 during the Hori sales a few months after that stick was released (January 2012). Right now, Arcade Shock is selling the rebranded (generic art, no USB ports for headphones and keyboard) HRAP N3 SA edition for $100, too.
(Hori USA sells the HRAP N3 SA on its site for $139.99 but you can easily find it available for less elsewhere on the web…)
I hope Hori does keep the joystick prices down in general for the PS4 and XBox One era. With the cost of the consoles being what they are, it’s a much-appreciated break. I don’t expect that Mad Catz will change its general pricing but they likely will give some breaks in pricing around Tournament times for the TE 2 eventually.
The main micro is the epoxied die.
The security chip, is as far as I can tell, a bluetooth low energy device with an embedded antenna for short range. The two test points (TP2 and TP3) are the UART, broken out. Just like on the actual dual shock, but this must be something specific handed to devs by sony because the BT chip on the DS4 is different and has an external antenna. Probably for the simple reason that these are designed for wired use so they will be close to the system. I can’t find a single chip online for sale that matches that though. Doesn’t matter regardless, according to Frank Zhao (http://eleccelerator.com/blog/) there is encrypted security, beyond even being a wireless transmission.
Well, at least according to @MarkMan the price on the TE2 (and I believe the Atrox) is the cost of having all these additional new features. Plus having to pay for new die and tooling to manufacture them.
From what I figure, Hori gets to keep their prices down, not only due to not adding in anything new and fancy, but also likely to them reusing their shells for longer than MCZ does. The original Astro-like HRAP shell lasted for quite awhile and I expect that they’ll be doing the same for the V series and AX/NX series (we’ll probably see a next-gen NX once Namco announces a new Tekken).
I wonder if the work that Frank did for his Keyboard/Mouse adaptor can be used to create an adaptor to get older sticks to work on the PS4. That said, the diagram on his site seems to indicate that ever bit of data is being passed through via Bluetooth in his setup. I’m guessing that the smaller security/BT chip is because, for these sticks, the data is being passed through the wired connection now.
So wait, Sony came up with some dumb bluetooth authentication system to keep the PS3 controllers from working? Didn’t they say it was the devs choice whether they would work or not? This sounds like the opposite of what they told everyone when people were trying to find out if the controllers were backwards compatible. I looked at his site and the diagram shows it being used as an authentication source. http://eleccelerator.com/wiki/index.php?title=DualShock_4
Sure, that’s totally possible to fit his application to sticks, it’s similar to a cronus in that it needs the DS4 for bypassing the authentication while it injects the data. Instead of having the KB/M it would just be adjusted to act as a host to some stick. The effort involved in buying all those parts and setting it up, cost wise, is probably not worth it though. Better off just grabbing a v4 and gutting it.
I’m assuming it sends the data over wired, but has that authentication Frank talks about over wireless to control licensed peripherals.
Meaning Sony can allow PS3 controllers by not only accepting it’s descriptor but also removing the need to authenticate over BT.
Bluetooth authentication does not keep devs from making controllers such as arcade sticks and racing wheels (the controllers that Sony mentioned in their post) from working. It’s just up to the devs to tell the game/console to recognize specific periperals that are plugged into the system while their game is running.
I agree. Good to see Hori is selling this in the States. I own one of these, and $150 is a good price for a PS3/PS4 stick that you can use right out of the box with no modding (I really like the Hayabusa lever).
How’s the weight on these? I remember people complaining that the V3-SA was too light.
V3-SA was too light? What?!
I say the weight of the Hrap V4 is the same as the Hrap V3 SA and Hrap V3 SA kai.
Which by the way the Hrap V4 weight close to what the TE-S weighs.
I’ve never actually used an HRAP of this body type, I just remember some people complaining about it. If it’s weight is about the same as a TE-S I think it’ll be fine.
Its light compared to the old Hrap 1,2,3 and EX
very nice 
Something I wanted to get opinions on - is the V4 comparable to the MadCatz Tournament Edition 2? The V4 is on Amazon for pre-order for US$150 right now, and for some reason it promises to ship to Australia for only US$10, which seems like a hell of a deal given the weight. The TE2, on the other hand, is supposedly going to be the equivalent of about US$210 in Japan and (I’m assuming) will likely be similar in the US or Australia before any shipping is taken into account. What I wanted to know is, does the MadCatz have anything to justify the extra expense? Does MadCatz generally trump Hori on build quality or something? Or would the V4 really just be giving me the same thing for a lower price?
Body design and flexibility vs cost.
The Hrap V4 is the same as a Hrap V3/VX but designed with the PS4 in mind. The Hrap V4 has the exact same body as the V3 with an addition of another switch (to switch between PS3 and PS4 modes).
The TE2 is a whole new body/case design and thus calls for a higher price as Mad Catz re-cope development costs.
It is a easy access case with a flip top lid/top panel, the art is easier to swap in the TE2 compared to even the TE - S.
You can also easily swap buttons, ball tops, and joystick gates with very few tools. The Hrap V4 has a series of screws that have to be removed before you can gain access.
The PS4 version of the TE2 also has a switch for PS3 and PS4 modes.
Amazon now has Sept 30 as the release date for US
http://www.amazon.com/HORI-Real-Arcade-Hayabusa-PlayStation-4/dp/B00L6AVN5E
It is much lighter than the TE S (4.8lbs vs 6.5lbs for the TE) The old HRAPs were 5.7lbs