User blog comment:Allgorhythm/My New Controller Toy/@comment-26175346-20150525103200/@comment-26175346-20150525152827

I've only had to replace the thumbsticks on my older controller (the plastic part, not the mechanism). I can see thumbstick mechanisms sold on ebay so I guess this could become damaged after a long time in the hands or an angry FPS gamer.

My damage was that the thumbsticks were deformed - I think a combination of age (6 years old controller) and the pressure applied for sprinting in DD:DA as I don't always depress the stick after initiating the sprint.

During the weekend I replaced the buttons on another controller - just to verify that I can and to satisfy my daughter's curiosity for "what's inside".

Wireless is 2.4 GHz on xbox and bluetooth on PS3. It's not affected by line of sight.

I find Play & Charge packs to be a bad choice: they only work with the controller and have the problems you mentioned. They also don't have the Stay-Charged technology that good batteries have.

I instead use good rechargeable batteries such as Sanyo (now Panasonic) Eneloops. They're fantastic and you can always have a spare pair around so you never need to play with the controller plugged.