Microsoft Releases Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit

[Glockstar]

Microsoft today announced the availability of the Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit at retailers nationwide. The Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit provides gamers the fastest way to recharge battery packs for wireless controllers and other Xbox 360 accessories. In less than four hours, it fully recharges up to two battery packs at a time.

The Quick Charge Kit allows for continuous gameplay without the hassle of cords being connected to the console. The device automatically powers down when charging is complete. For $29.99, the kit includes a charging stand for two batteries, one NiMH Rechargeable Battery Pack, and an AC adapter. The Quick Charge Kit is currently available in North America and will soon be available in other regions.

http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/rdonlyres/2C90E4C4-609A-459F-AA63-8D2ABACC2239/9079/charger.jpg

-Bryan Vore; GameInformer Online
POSTED: 4/21/2006 12:04 PM


This isn't really all that newsworthy, I realize - except for one thing: I saw one of these in a store over 2 months ago! At the same place and on the same day that I went ape and bought just about every 360 accessory there was, plus 2 games. I distinctly remember seeing it, because I distinctly remember that there was only one left, and that I took several minutes deciding on whether I should get it or not. (I didn't, opting to go with the just the Play-n-Charge Kit for the moment.) Since then I've wanted one. And have been looking for one. But haven't seen them anywhere.

Now this. Like it never existed before, until now. And I double checked the date of when this article was posted; and double checked IGN news to see if they posted it too. They did. Weird huh?

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Was this (slightly pricey) accessory supposed to be available at launch?

[Glockstar]

Things that make you go hmmm....

I bought this Quick Charge Kit yesterday. It doesn't work.

When I plug it in, the two lights on the front flash green for a second, then go blank. They're supposed to light up red while the battery is charging, then go green when it's finished. And no, the battery does not charge anyway; other than that brief flash when I first plug it in, it's dead.

I just Googled the thing to see if there were any known issues or announcements, and even checked the Xbox.com forums to see if there was any chatter, but there's nothing. So I guess I'm just going to return it... and chalk it up to my bad luck with electronics.(?)

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Are you going to try another Quick Charge Kit or get a refund?

[Glockstar]

I want it... but I just don't trust it. There's too many peculiarities going on here, you know? So I'd rather just get my money back and wait a bit, than chance another being defective - I don't need that kind of aggravation right now.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I see what you mean. Who knows, after a while, you may not even want/need the Quick Charge.

[Fivespot]

The play and charge kit works well - haven't used this new device however.

Minus being connected to the 360 temporarily while the battery charges, the play and charge kit is perfectly functional. As a matter of fact, you can even trickle charge wireless controllers while you're not playing if you prefer to never be connected via a wire.

[Mochan]

How many milliamps is the battery for the 360 controllers, anyway?

[Fivespot]

How many milliamps is the battery for the 360 controllers, anyway?

I think it's 450mA

[Glockstar]

I see what you mean. Who knows, after a while, you may not even want/need the Quick Charge.

Oh I'll want it alright.


The play and charge kit works well - haven't used this new device however.

Minus being connected to the 360 temporarily while the battery charges, the play and charge kit is perfectly functional. As a matter of fact, you can even trickle charge wireless controllers while you're not playing if you prefer to never be connected via a wire.
Today 04:19 PM

Oh yeah, the PnC Kit is cool too; no way I'm getting rid of it. (In fact, to make optimal use out of this Quick Charge Kit you're going to need the PnC Kit as well - because you're going to need two rechargeable batteries.) It's just that I hate cords. Once you go wireless... To me it's like high speed internet access: once you experience it you can never go back.

[Fivespot]

It's just that I hate cords. Once you go wireless... To me it's like high speed internet access: once you experience it you can never go back.

I hear that. Have you tried trickle charging? Plug in towards the end of a gaming session before shutting down the 360.

After shut down, the controller should still display the red light indicating it's being charged. Go to bed, go to work, or whatever and when you return it should be near fully charged. You may need to fire up the 360 and play 10-20 minutes or so to seal the deal but I find this method of charging the least instrusive to my wireless experience :)

[Glockstar]

Yeah. Kind of.

I once turned off my 360 - and everything else, shutting down for the night - with the controller still plugged in via the PnC... but as I started walking away I heard something still running. It kind of freaked me out, but I soon realized that it was just the 360 continuing to charge the battery, even tho' it was turned off. When I unplugged it, whatever it was that was running stopped. I thought about plugging it back in and letting 'er go to see what would happen (like the next morning), but got chicken. (I don't have an extended warranty or service plan or anything, you understand.)

You don't think it would've been fully charged even after a full night of "trickle charging"?(!)

[Fivespot]

You don't think it would've been fully charged even after a full night of "trickle charging"?(!)

In my experiences, it never seems to fully charge while in shut down mode. It comes really close but requires a few minutes back on before completing the process. I don't quite get it either.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Yeah. Kind of.

I once turned off my 360 - and everything else, shutting down for the night - with the controller still plugged in via the PnC... but as I started walking away I heard something still running. It kind of freaked me out, but I soon realized that it was just the 360 continuing to charge the battery, even tho' it was turned off. When I unplugged it, whatever it was that was running stopped. I thought about plugging it back in and letting 'er go to see what would happen (like the next morning), but got chicken. (I don't have an extended warranty or service plan or anything, you understand.)

You don't think it would've been fully charged even after a full night of "trickle charging"?(!)

I went through something similar. The first time I had to charge my battery via PnC, I tried charging it at night, hoping the thing would finish before I went to bed. Well, since my system was still brand new (I treated it like a newborn), I really didn't want to go to sleep with the thing still charging, since I had no idea the 360 would shut down after fully charged (plus that charging noise while sleeping just doesn't help with the ZZZZZZzzzzzs). The instruction for the PnC was/is crap, so I ended up unplugging the cord right before I went to sleep.

I have yet to get a 2nd controller (need sports games to make it worth getting), but when I do, I'm considering a wired controller, especially since my 360 isn't tooooo far from my seat. It will really depend on how much co-op or multiplayer gaming I plan on doing. I really don't want to buy a 2nd wireless controller and a battery pack (damn another PnC kit) just for occasional multiplayer gaming.