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Author Topic: What interface would I need for a trackball+tron like analog stick + spinner  (Read 1267 times)

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jimmy2x2x

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+ some buttons

I thinking of making 2 control panels, first one will be a standard 6 button and stick X2
and the second one will be (from left to right on the control panel)

Tron like analog stick
3 action buttons
3" Quality trackball
High quality spinner

+ a few admin and coin/start buttons

I have never bought or wired most of those controls, what kind of interface would I need, what are some good examples of quality controls (not buttons)

A few links with prices (UK is possible please) would be most appreciated

Thanks

DashRendar

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Not sure about an analog Tron stick - I've seen things kind of like that, but they definitely look different.

The standard for Tron sticks is the Happ 8 Way Trigger Stick:
http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50997000.htm

(Divemaster sells these cheaper than Happ btw)

And Randy from GroovyGameGear sells the Tron stick shell that fits the Happ stick:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=319&zenid=c8729fc2cd1cb1eb40a9498f2cf348c8

Since this isn't analog, it uses microswitches.  So to interface with a PC, you'd want to use something like an IPAC or Keywiz to get it to work with MAME.

It's an expensive set up, but it's (IMO) the Holy Grail of controls.  :)
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shrunkenmaster

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Ultimarc Mini-Pac Opti - http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html

My current work-in-progress is a Tron Cabaret/Mini using this. It drives an original Tron spinner, plus a converted Xenophobe joystick. As DashRender pointed out, the Tron sticks aren't analog, but regular switch-based.

I also used the same interface on my Mystery Machine cab, which drives an Ultimarc spinner, trackball, plus 2 joysticks, 6 buttons per player, start buttons, etc.

I'm sure I can speak for a load of people in recommending this interface. Let me know if you need any further info.

« Last Edit: July 14, 2010, 03:32:27 pm by shrunkenmaster »

jimmy2x2x

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My mistake, thought it was analog - its been a while!

Ok, that sounds like the interface for me

And that stick with replacement housing looks incredible

Now, what spinner and trackball do I want

Im looking for excellence, with no corners cut for these two

When I breathe on them, I want them both to spin for 20 mins ;)

Is the Beston HI-Ring Universal Arcade Trackball a decent 3" option?

and for spinners, I have no idea

DashRendar

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If you want to play regular Tron, a regular spinner is fine.

If you want to play Discs of Tron (DoT), you need a push-pull spinner.

The one I use and can highly recommend is GroovyGameGear's Turbo Twist Hi-Lo spinner. 

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=311

The spinner knob looks like a stainless steel Tron disc.  :)

Like the Tron stick, it's pricey, but it's a thing of beauty.
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ahofle

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The standard for Tron sticks is the Happ 8 Way Trigger Stick:
http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50997000.htm

A normal 8 way joystick alone does not work well for Tron.  The actual Tron had an unusual restrictor that made hitting diagonals more difficult (so you would not zig zag all over the place on the 4-way suited light cycle phase).  So you will also need a repro Tron restrictor like this:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86520.0

The other alternative is to use an analog flight stick and use a special MAME analog joystick map to make the diagonals harder to hit.  This actually works quite well.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86315.msg908608#msg908608