Thanks for the update, it's interesting to follow your way to a working solution.
Yeah, it seems that it is a kind of game of chance to get the right BT controllers for the Pi, may it be that I was lucky or you and @gpmcty were unlucky.
And yes, it seems to be either direct connection without the home key, or using an adapter. Ironically, I'm fine with my adapter although I don't use the home key anyway. :)