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nn23
Up and Coming
January 4, 2014

To all broken Razer Hydra owners

Hi,

there is an easy and simple fix for the broken Hydras.
Found here: http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=120&t=18703#p143922

Problem:
- Hydra is on and connected
- Sensors "kind of" work
- But unable to really control anything
- Simple3D looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsW9_GDEANQ
- Simple3D download & install (SDK) http://sixense.com/hardware/sixensesdk


Cause:
- The two connectors of the blinking LED are swapped

Fix:
- You need to open the base station (really no big deal!)
- Look at http://howiem.com/wordpress/index.php/2013/04/18/razer-hydra-base-station-teardown/ for pictures and a detailed description
- nibble off the rubber on the bottom
- Screw out the 4 screws under the rubber, another 3 screws & unplug plastic
- Screw out 2 more screws to release the controllerboard
- There are two connectors, at the assembly someone has put them on the false spot.
- http://howiem.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HydraBaseTeardown-howiemnet-125.jpg
- These two need to be swapped. Note: The polarity was ok!
- Be careful doing this! There are some thin wires, don't hurt them!

Plugged on USB, instant working Hydra!

All those links above are not my work!
Thanks at those guys.



Greetings

    15 replies

    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    January 4, 2014
    It seems really strange that swapping "blinking LED" connectors could cause this problem, or resolve it. I could understand this behavior if the coils were reversed (such as by installing the ball backwards), but not just LED connectors.

    I guess I will have to break open one of my hydras to swap those connectors and see what happens...
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    nn23Author
    Up and Coming
    January 4, 2014
    I "read in the thread" that this is probably the LED power.
    Can't say, since I'm not an engineer, but it worked for me.

    Since I bought it on ebay I haven't any real warranty at all.
    And I'm lucky that it works now.

    As far as I read about a lot of not working Hydras,
    this may be an assembly mistake, 50% chance of getting a working one (maybe not 50%, but the support answered immediatly: "Please send in.").
    reBoot185
    Up and Coming
    January 15, 2014
    when the cover to the seek button on my girlfriend's SUV falls off the car thinks the doors are open when turning.
    marcosedu
    Up and Coming
    April 12, 2014
    I had the exacly same problem.
    This fix solved it :D.

    tks for the tip.
    ElectricMucus
    Up and Coming
    April 21, 2014
    Unbelievable, and they want to become the status quo of VR controllers.

    Do they even have quality control?
    zalo
    Up and Coming
    April 30, 2014
    That would be Razer so... no?
    cybereality
    Inspiring
    April 30, 2014
    If it means anything I've had a Hydra since they came out (got it in the first pre-order batch) and it's still working. I also have one at work, and it's fine. I don't think this was a widespread problem.
    AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | MSI X370 Titanium | G.Skill 16GB DDR4 3200 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 | Corsair Hydro H110i Gigabyte RX Vega 64 x2 | Samsung 960 Evo M.2 500GB | Seagate FireCuda SSHD 2TB | Phanteks ENTHOO EVOLV
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    April 30, 2014
    "ElectricMucus" wrote:
    Unbelievable, and they want to become the status quo of VR controllers.

    Do they even have quality control?
    "zalo" wrote:
    That would be Razer so... no?

    Three of my five Hydras have been tested (including one sent to a member in Argentina) and they all work fine. Two are still new-in-box and untested, but I expect them to work fine too. If a problem, I will try swapping coil polarity. I suspect that was a fairly rare problem considering how many have been shipped.

    I have other Razer peripherals, and the only one I have grief with is the Razer Naga Molten mouse. The side buttons get so hot my thumb literally feels like it is getting slow-roasted, within a few minutes of continuous use. It would be nice if much less heat leaked out of those side button openings...

    I would not say Hydra is worse than other manufacturers. I have had grief with Logitech products as well, and other manufacturers too. My biggest failure rate has been with Seagate products. Razer has been good to me so far.
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    kojack
    kojack
    Honored Contributor
    May 1, 2014
    "geekmaster" wrote:
    I have other Razer peripherals, and the only one I have grief with is the Razer Naga Molten mouse. The side buttons get so hot my thumb literally feels like it is getting slow-roasted, within a few minutes of continuous use. It would be nice if much less heat leaked out of those side button openings...

    I'd be disappointed if I bought a "Molten" mouse and it didn't have heat leaking out. :)

    My Hydra (one of the early ones) is fine too, no problems.

    When it comes to Razer, it's the software that's more annoying. Mouse/keyboard drivers that need you to log into an internet account to configure them? NO! They screwed up the software for the Nostromo when they bought it from Belkin and the Sixense software for the Hydra is better than the Razer stuff.
    The hardware is usually fine (I'm typing this on a razer black widow ultimate keyboard, using the old software so no internet crap).
    Author: Oculus Monitor , Auto Oculus Touch , Forum Dark Mode , Phantom Touch Remover , X-Plane Fixer Hardware: Threadripper 1950x, MSI Gaming Trio 2080TI, Asrock X399 Taich Headsets: Wrap 1200VR, DK1, DK2, CV1, Rift-S, GearVR, Go, Quest, Quest 2, Reverb G2, Quest 3
    geekmaster
    Up and Coming
    May 1, 2014
    "kojack" wrote:
    I'd be disappointed if I bought a "Molten" mouse and it didn't have heat leaking out. :)


    "Slow Roaster" side-button array! Extra immersive molten lava simulation?

    "kojack" wrote:
    When it comes to Razer, it's the software that's more annoying. Mouse/keyboard drivers that need you to log into an internet account to configure them? NO! They screwed up the software for the Nostromo when they bought it from Belkin and the Sixense software for the Hydra is better than the Razer stuff.
    The hardware is usually fine (I'm typing this on a razer black widow ultimate keyboard, using the old software so no internet crap).

    I have software problems with Logitech and HP devices too (like Logitech/Rift USB conflicts). Great hardware (with generic drivers) but truly burdensome and somewhat flaky software (just like the Razer Hydra software).
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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