After Hours

PlayStation Move navigation controller teardown

By // September 24, 2010, 8:49 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Cracking Open the PlayStation Move navigation controller

    In September 2010, Sony released the PlayStation Move motion and navigation controllers--hoping to duplicate Nintendo's success with the Wii's motion control Remote and Nunchuk.

    After cracking open the PlayStation Move motion controller, we moved on to the Move navigation controller. Like the larger Move controller, the small navigation controller is very easy to disassemble. All you need it a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Box - Top

    The PlayStation Move navigation controller is available separately for about $30 (US). The Move navigation controller can be used in conjunction with the Move motion controller on games such as SOCOM 4.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Box - Bottom

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Blister pack

    Opening the PlayStation Move navigation controller requires breaking out the scissors or a knife to cut through the blister pack.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Front

    On the Front of the PlayStation Move navigation controller are the left stick and the Cross, Circle, directional and PS buttons. Like the Move motion controller, the navigation controller also has an indicator light.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Back

    On the back of the PlayStation Move navigation controller are the L1 and L2 (trigger) buttons.

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    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Bottom

    On the bottom of the PlayStation Move navigation controller are the charging contacts and the USB connector.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Removing the case screws

    The PlayStation Move navigation controller has four Phillips #0 screws that hold the bottom half of the case in place.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • First look inside

    The button assembly in the bottom half of the PlayStation Move navigation controller is connected to the main PCB with a thin ribbon cable.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Bottom half of the case with buttons



    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • L1 and L2 button buttons removed

    A single Phillips #0 screws holds the L1 and L2 button assembly to the bottom half of the case.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Bottom half of the case



    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Internal components

    The inside of the PlayStation Move navigation controller is very similar to the Move motion controller. The Li-ion battery covers a significant portion of the main PCB and reset in a black plastic housing.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Internal screws

    Five Phillips #0 screws hold the internal components in place. One screw is hidden under the battery.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Internal components removed

    With the five screws removed, the PlayStation Move navigation controller's internal components can be easily removed from the top half of the case.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Top half of the case

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Main PCB - Top

    The top of the main PCB contains the battery connector, button contacts, left stick, and several chips.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Battery and charging contacts PCB connectors

    The PlayStation Move navigation controller's Li-ion battery and charging contacts PCB are attached to the main PCB with connectors.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Charging contacts PCB

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    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Main PCB - Bottom

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Directional buttons contact pad

    The four contacts for the directional buttons are located on a thin plastic strip.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Battery housing

    Like the PlayStation Move motion controller, the Move navigation controller's battery rests in a black plastic housing. You can remove this housing by gently prying its tabs loose from the main PCB.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Li-ion battery

    The PlayStation Move navigation controller has a 3.7V Li-ion battery.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Comparing the Move navigation and motion controller batteries

    The PlayStation Move motion controller has a significantly larger battery than the navigation controller.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Main PCB - Top



    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Main PCB - Bottom

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Toshiba T6UN6EFG

    On the top of the main PCB is the Toshiba T6UN6EFG-003 chip. This chip is similar to the Toshiba chip found in the DualShock 3 controller. Above that chip is a Texas Instruments chips with the markings B029A 06T G4 AGH0.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Bluetooth chip

    On the bottom of the main PCB is the Bluetooth chip--covered by the large metal shield. To the left of that is a small chip with the markings VHC 20 E0 23.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Completely Disassembled

    Thanks to the screws, cracking open the PlayStation Move navigation controller was extremely easy. If you take your time during the process and don't lose any of the pieces, you should be able to disassemble and reassemble the controller with out much trouble.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the PlayStation Move navigation controller

In September 2010, Sony released the PlayStation Move motion and navigation controllers--hoping to duplicate Nintendo's success with the Wii's motion control Remote and Nunchuk.

After cracking open the PlayStation Move motion controller, we moved on to the Move navigation controller. Like the larger Move controller, the small navigation controller is very easy to disassemble. All you need it a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Related Topics:

After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work

By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...