New Analog Joystick easily integrated into CP?

[zero-one]

Hi All,

Just got back form the mall where I spotted a new(?) joystick from Saitek. Have a look here http://www.saitek.de/prod/st90.htm. I did't find it on any other Saitek site so that's why the link points to the German site.

I saw it at a Radio Shack in Markham, ON, CANADA where they were selling it for $30 CDN (~$20 USD).

What I liked about it was:
- USB connector
- 1 trigger + 2 thumb buttons
- It looks like it would be VERY easy to install into a control panel.
- It's works for lefties and righties.
- Not too expensive

What I don't now about it:
- How well it works.

If I was furhter along in my cab/control panel building I would have purchased one to try out but I'm at least a month away from buying parts.

What do you people think of it?

Cheers,
Zero-One.

[menace]

I have 3 saiteks and have had no problems with any of them--they also hack very easily to be used on mame machines.  My next cab will have a USB port for the saitek to be plugged into for some pc games as well as some mame games where i like the feel of it.

[zero-one]

I particularly like the fact that the legs could be easily removed thus allowing the very small base to installed in a control panel. I figure the handle would easily be removed to allow the shaft to pass through a small hole in the control panel.

I've never seen a joystick that would be this easy to hack/install into a control panel. I've been looking into analog sticks for some time now and the only ones that were readily available to me were the Logitech Attack 2 and the low end Microsoft stick. Both of these sticks look like they would be a major pain to cut up the bases to install into a control panel.

The more I think about it the more I have the urge to go buy it now!

[SirPoonga]

I'd like to see how one would hack this into a control panel.

[zero-one]

I'd like to see how one would hack this into a control panel.

It's hard to detect sarcasm in print so I'll assume you're curious and not putting me or my idea down.

Well one day soon I'll try to show you. I'm thinking I might build a prototype panel - a board really with a hole in it as proof of concept.

BTW, It would appear that I'm a newbie from the number of posts I have but I can assure you that I've been around here for more than 6 months under a different name (Civilan) and I've built a one player control panel as prototype. I'm now designing a cab to match my needs. I hope to share my experience with you all and contribute to this community as best I can.

Cheers,
Zero-One

[SirPoonga]

No, I'm serious, how are you going to attached it to a control panel?  Make a mounting plate?

[zero-one]

SirPoogna,

Sorry for doubting you...

I'm thinking of something like this...

Once the legs are removed (easy). The joystick bottom is screwed to a wood (or bolted to a metal) plate which it then attached to the bottom of the control panel. See the attached rough sketch. It should strudy enough.

[MiKman]

It looks like it would be very easy to attach to a control panel, but what games whould benefit from an analog joystick.  I wasn't aware of any games that used. Would it be a substitute for a trackball?

Edit:
Ok after a few searches I see sinistar will use an analog control, how do I enable that in mame32 for sinsitar or is there a 'special build' of mame specifically for sinistar analog? I would love to play sinistar correctly.

Edit again:
Ok I solved my own problem, enable joystick in mame man I been trying to play sinistar with my 8way and wondering how I played this thing when I was a kid, it's virtually impossible with only an 8 way :-)

[paigeoliver]

I put a Microsoft Sidewinder 3D pro into a panel, and it was a huge pain in the butt. They are not designed to come apart and they are very complicated inside (hall effect I believe, and lots of plastic bits), and you have to snip and then reconnect some wires to get the handle off.

[Tiger-Heli]

It looks like it would be very easy to attach to a control panel, but what games whould benefit from an analog joystick.  I wasn't aware of any games that used. Would it be a substitute for a trackball?

Edit:
Ok after a few searches I see sinistar will use an analog control, how do I enable that in mame32 for sinsitar or is there a 'special build' of mame specifically for sinistar analog? I would love to play sinistar correctly.

Edit again:
Ok I solved my own problem, enable joystick in mame man I been trying to play sinistar with my 8way and wondering how I played this thing when I was a kid, it's virtually impossible with only an 8 way :-)

Afterburner is the main one that comes to mind.  Probably Top Gun and other Flying games also.

[paigeoliver]

I thought Top Gun was a Vs. game and used a standard 8-way.

Anyway, there are TONS of analog stick games in Mame. More than spinner games that is for sure.

Don't forget Space Harrier.

[Tiger-Heli]

I thought Top Gun was a Vs. game and used a standard 8-way.

Anyway, there are TONS of analog stick games in Mame. More than spinner games that is for sure.

Don't forget Space Harrier.

I think you're right about Top Gun, but there are a lot more games than the two Afterburner ones.

[ErikRuud]

I know that Tail Gunner used an analog stick. A very small one.

Red Baron was analog according to the descrition at KLOV.

World Series Baseball used two analog sticks accoring to KLOV.

[zero-one]

I've since purchased the ST90 and played around with it a bit.

The legs come off easily enough - just remove 3 bolts - done.

The remaining small base comes apart be removing three screws. You are then able to remove the shaft (sort of).

Unfortunately, there is a BIG problem. The USB cable goes through the side of the shaft and therefore you can't fully separate the base and the stick(with shaft). The way around this is to cut the wire but I haven't figured out what type of connectors to use for the re-attachment.

I'm planning to use this stick for all games that require trigger and thumb buttons. Not only the anolog stick games but even the games that were designed for 8-way (i.e. Tron). Sinistar is also on my list of games that I want to play with the stick.

I've put this small project aside for now but I do plan on posting pics once I've done a test install. Of course if you want pics of the disassembled stick now I could do that too.  

Cheers.

[hyiu]

not to pour cold water to your idea....

merely want to discuss some pitfalls I am thinking when checking out your pics...

it seems like a do-able idea... but the stick originally is supported by the 3 flipped legs... right ??... since you take the legs off , and only mount the small bottom piece to a small bottom plate... will that piece able to handle the torque ??....

I'm afraid it might break when you "play rough" on the stick....

some better quality pic might help....
I always love pics....