I broke my Xbox Elite Controller like 3 weeks ago, and have not been able to find a new one in stock since then in any stores.
Wonder if they stopped producing them in mass quantities because of this.
Hope V2 hits retail stores soon.
When the X came out Best Buy was selling Elite Controllers for $99 with the purchase of the console. I think that was the last time I was able to find an Elite Controller in the stores, but, even then, I don't think any of my local stores had one for sale.
So, I like your theory and it makes a lot of sense.
Eneloops are just so much better. I always have 4 of them on the charger that is always on the sofa on the side where I always game. Whenever my battery dies I just replace them and already put to charge the drained ones, so they are ready the next time.
And, once I finish playing, the controller stays in the sofa.
You put your controller in the sofa, when done? ;-)
CTRL+F "Eneloop" and watch the results pop up. There's so many posts about these wonderful amazing batteries, because they are both wonderful and amazing. I'm 52 hours into FFXV (only game I've been playing) and I've had to swap out my Eneloop AA batteries twice (having just done so within the past 5 hours or so). Going the standard battery route is such the better option. First, Microsoft can sell their own branded rechargeable battery packs ($$$). Second, the batteries are replaceable and not intrinsically tied to the device as a failure point. And third, consumers can choose to use their own choice of standardized batteries. E.g. Eneloops.
That bag: First one comes with a whole case, not just some dust avoiding cloth bag. WTF?
The Grips: First thing that comes off from your Elite thanks to the expanding silicone over time. Microsoft doesn't offer replacements, it's just normal wear for them. Seemingly unchanged, the biggest flaw of the controller.
I can understand removing the case, since it'd be an easy cost-saving measure. Still, that would be much nicer than a bag.
I've read countless stories, in this thread and others, where the build quality of the Elite is suspect. The bumpers are the most common point of failure I've read; not much on the grips, though.
All in all, though, I'd happily throw down on an Elite controller. After the X becoming my main 3rd party system, the Elite has become much more attractive.
