Gamestop Red Samurai controller - same controller different result

I'm using a new Gamestop Red Samurai controller paired via bluetooth to my mac, and it's been working great. I can play a PS1 emulator and map all the keys and it's excellent. So I thought "How about getting some 2 player action going", and I bought another controller (same brand and model number). The new controller will not stay connected to the mac for longer than 5 seconds. The original doesn't disconnect until I manually turn it off. When I bought the new controller I actually bought 2 because a friend also wanted one. I tested his and it's the same issue of 5 seconds, then the connection goes away. I can hit any button on the controller and it will connect again, but in another 5 seconds it's gone. I can manually reconnect via my mac settings, but again in 5 seconds, you can guess what happens. So is there anything I can try to get this new controller to stay connected. I've tried using the controllers gaming mode and keyboard mode (switch on the back) but the connection continues to drop either way. I've removed all previous controllers from my mac bluetooth preferences, but it still will only stay connected to the original controller when I add them back 1 by 1. I'm completely stumped by how 2 out of 3 seemingly identical products could behave so differently. If there were any more in store, I'd go try them out and find another that stays connected, but it's a big gamble to buy online hoping for better luck. I'm open to any possible solutions.

I'm on Mavericks 10.9.5. I should also mention that both controllers pair with my amazon fire tv stick, and stay connected just fine. The new controller that disconnects from the mac, also stayed paired to a windows computer just fine.