Review: MaeckerVR Direct-Charge Controller Grips
One element I have missed from my Quest 2 controllers is the extended grips, so when MaeckerVR reached out about their grips for the Meta Quest 3/3S, I was excited to see the extended grips and also a feature I have wanted in grips for a long time.
Release Date: August 2024
Brand: MaeckerVR
Price: US $45.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Product Provided For Review *
What’s In The Box?
Inside of the box you get 2x extended controller grips, 2x rechargeable batteries, a USB-C to Split USB-C cable and an instructions booklet.
Attaching To The Controllers
Attaching them to the controller is a simple and quick process. All you need to do is remove the current battery covers, the wrist straps and battery. Then insert the rechargeable batteries provided, and slide your controller into the grips and make sure the rubber edging is around the face of the controller. You are now ready to go and get back to playing your favorite games.
Benefits
As mentioned previously one thing that had me excited was seeing the extended grips, this is something I loved having on my Quest 2 controllers. This is because I have quite large hands, and although the standard controllers do fit into my hands, I find extended grips much more comfortable.
Add to the extended grips the knuckle strap design, and again this massively improves the comfort of the controller, and been my preferred grip since the Valve Index Controllers introduced them. Not only do these improve the comfort but, also add to the immersion in VR, because you can open your hands and the controllers don’t drop to around your wrist.
Now the final element that I’ve wanted for a while with grip accessories is direct charging. With the provided cable that is USB-C at one end and splits into 2x USB-C’s, allows you to connect the cable to your Quest charger or any other charger with USB-C input and that connect directly into the bottom each controller to charge. Meaning no need to remove the grips or batteries or need to have a stand that are used to re-charge the batteries that other accessory companies use – making the charging so simple, to go with the comfort benefits.
Testing The Product
My first test was one I have done with every type of controller grip accessory, and that is the straight up shake test, which involves putting my hands through the grips and shaking and moving my hands rapidly. With the knuckle straps on the controllers being identical to the Index Controllers, with the elastic threaded through the actual grip, as expected there was no issues here and the grip on the hand always felt sturdy.
From here the next tests were playing different styles of games that allowed me to test the tracking, overall comfort and if they still felt like sturdy on my hand. For the test on the tracking and the move active games, I went into Smash Drums, Ultimate Swing Golf and yet to be announced game (coverage to follow at later date). All the these use different types of movements but are very active movements. While playing these games I had no issues with tracking, they we still sturdy on my hands and offered fantastic comfort.
I then moved onto shooters, to check if the grips caused any occlusion issues when playing these games. For this I jumped into Zero Caliber 2, Contractors: Showdown and Onward. Again I found the grips did not cause any extra occlusion issues that I haven’t faced without the grips on the controller.
With these two tests passing perfectly, I did not expect any issues with standard games but, I still did some testing on PowerWash Simulator VR, Silent Slayer, Escaping Wonderland and Infinite Inside. Again the extra comfort mixed with perfect tracking were prevalent in these games.
The Verdict
MaeckerVR Direct-Charge Controller Grips are by far my favorite controller grips I have used to this day. The extended body, knuckle straps and the rubber grips make them the most comfortable straps I have ever used, all the materials feel top-quality and this makes a massive difference. Add to the perfect comfort the direct plug in at the bottom of the controllers to re-charge the batteries provided – and the ease of charging the controllers when required comes to the forefront. This is a feature I have always wanted the grips, and now I have it I won’t find myself going back on the MaeckerVR grips, as every element of them has seriously impressed me.