Does this have a Common Ground for ALL buttons?

[bsktbllmn23]

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=258

Any body used this from GGG? I am about to put an order through and would love to hack a USB gamepad to save some money, and I have hacked around on a pair I got from Amazon and think that my practice is REALLY paying off.

[paigeoliver]

Gamepad hacking tends to be false savings. If your time has any value you immediately saved nothing at all. Multiple identical gamepads will swap positions randomly on each reboot, and hacked gamepads are very fragile compared to a real encoder and there are all sorts of other problems using them.

I started out in the hobby hacking gamepads and I was good at it. But after building enough projects I quickly realized that gamepad hacking was way more trouble than it was worth. Your control interface is not the best place to skimp on your project.

[bsktbllmn23]

well said. I have really been considering just biting the bullet and forgetting the hacked gamepads, but I am so DIY that it is difficult to NOT go that route.

What encoder would you suggest?

The front runners to me are: iPac, GPWiz-40, Vigo's boards?

[opt2not]

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=258

Any body used this from GGG? I am about to put an order through and would love to hack a USB gamepad to save some money, and I have hacked around on a pair I got from Amazon and think that my practice is REALLY paying off.

I'm sure RandyT (the guy who owns/runs GGG) could answer this. He's a member here, and is really good with communicating his products.

[bsktbllmn23]

Yeah, I emailed through the Contact Us on GGG, but didnt think about PM'ing him here.

Thanks for the thought.

[paigeoliver]

Whichever you wish, I have never used a commercial encoder I was unhappy with and I have used almost all of them (haven't tried Vigo's yet, but that is because I am still sitting on a half dozen other encoders).

I vastly prefer the ones where you insert the individual wires to the kind you plug an IDE cable into.

well said. I have really been considering just biting the bullet and forgetting the hacked gamepads, but I am so DIY that it is difficult to NOT go that route.

What encoder would you suggest?

The front runners to me are: iPac, GPWiz-40, Vigo's boards?

[CoryBee]

I have hacked quite a few gamepads and had no issue with them switching IDs on boot and if soldered properly wont be so fragile. Gamepad plus terminal strip makes a descent arcade controller. No doubt though a commercial encoder wins over all, but I am a huge DIY guy and love to cut costs on personal projects

. Couldn't personally turn my head to these $3.80 gamepads I found on ebay

If I start putting more money into a larger arcade with 4 player I think I would use an encoder.

Also, almost all of the cheap Chinese controllers have an odd "secret" ground. I went through at least 4 different models and about 15 gamepads altogether.

[PL1]

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=258

Any body used this from GGG? I am about to put an order through and would love to hack a USB gamepad to save some money, and I have hacked around on a pair I got from Amazon and think that my practice is REALLY paying off.

If you want an inexpensive gamepad-style encoder with wires included, Vigo is the man. (check his sig or his 2 threads in Buy/Sell/Trade)

If you want an inexpensive keyboard-style encoder, Degenatron's encoders are hard to beat.  You can buy the encoder from him with the screw terminals, or download the firmware from him and buy the board here stateside without terminals. (He's in the UK)  If you buy a board from 404, he'll even program and ops check it before sending it.  Details in this thread including several stateside commercial vendors.




Scott

[CoryBee]

Now that I look at some of my controllers, I have that exact one.



And no it does not use a common ground for all buttons. The Up and Right use a shared special ground.

[capsule]

If your time has any value you immediately saved nothing at all

Well, if our hobby time had any value, we wouldn't even be here discussing this...

[CoryBee]

 

If your time has any value you immediately saved nothing at all

Well, if our hobby time had any value, we wouldn't even be here discussing this...

[bsktbllmn23]

I was able to get a sanwa jlf, but how should I (or can I) wire the 5 prong off the sanwa which I believe is just a single common ground across all directions, to something that doesn't share a common ground?

[RandyT]

Now that I look at some of my controllers, I have that exact one.

That's very interesting.  They are the same on the outside, but not inside.   Looks like the shells are produced by another company and sold to companies who manufacture the rest of the parts.

In any case, the gamepads on our site do, in fact, have a common ground.  See below;



The places I marked with numbers are handy soldering points.   We can also supply these without the shell, to make them easier to start working on.  Just indicate in the comments box that you want them that way.

RandyT

[bsktbllmn23]

RandyT - You are the MAN!!

My order is going to be placed as soon as I finish typing this out!!

I am getting very excited. Thanks GGG!!!

[CoryBee]

Now that I look at some of my controllers, I have that exact one.

That's very interesting.  They are the same on the outside, but not inside.   Looks like the shells are produced by another company and sold to companies who manufacture the rest of the parts.

In any case, the gamepads on our site do, in fact, have a common ground.  See below;



The places I marked with numbers are handy soldering points.   We can also supply these without the shell, to make them easier to start working on.  Just indicate in the comments box that you want them that way.

RandyT

I stand corrected. Nice site. 

[CoryBee]

I was going to buy some but noticed your shipping costs were pretty high. Would have to be willing to purchase a bunch more. Neat site regardless.

[Blanka]

I don't know what all the Hoopla is about.
FIRST: YOU DON'T NEED A COMMON GROUND: all gamepads can be used. Just wire similar to the PCB. Your first buy is perfect usable.
SECOND. Next time buy a MiniPac (or a Keywiz) with harness right away. Time IS money, even for hobbies.

[capsule]

Time IS money, even for hobbies.

OK then buy an all finished cabinet, why bothering building it? What a waste of time! 

[CheffoJeffo]

Time IS money, even for hobbies.

OK then buy an all finished cabinet, why bothering building it? What a waste of time!  

Lighten up, Francis!



One thing that really grinds my gears is the folks that seem to think that their way is the only way.

Time is money ... if you don't feel that pressure (I, for example, do ... I have obligations that cut very heavily into my hobby time), then count yourself lucky and build your cab the way that suits you best.

Just don't be an ass about it.

Damned kids bitching about BYO and shipping costs are missing the point -- does it fit in your basement ?

[capsule]

CheffoJeffo , you're absolutely right but have you ever considered we might also ENJOY hacking gamepads? Which means it's not time-wasting IN the hobby but a hobby by itself.

This topic is about how to find the (common) ground on a gamepad. First answers? "go by an ipac", "don't waste your time". Who's bitching?

Talking about time: I hacked one yesterday evening. I don't have much time either and I have all the money I want to buy an i-pac but I find convenient to do it that way and i ENJOY it. Total time for wiring (with terminals) and hacking? 1h30. That's pretty decent.

Now could we go back to the topic?

[CheffoJeffo]

You seem to be mistaking me for someone who condemns hacking gamepads. You are wrong.

I have no problem with those who don't take shortcuts, just as I don't have a problem with those who do.

[capsule]

You seem to be mistaking me for someone who condemns hacking gamepads. You are wrong.

Nope, "Who's bitching" was not directed at you 

[opt2not]

I was going to buy some but noticed your shipping costs were pretty high. Would have to be willing to purchase a bunch more. Neat site regardless.

Wow, the condescension in this post is so thick you can cut it with a knife. "Neat site" ---my bottom---. Randy's site is an awesome site, his products and his service are equally rated. I have no problems stepping up to bat for Randy and what he does for this community. It's also impressive that he even bothered to take apart one of his products and take the time to visually outline how you are wrong.
Neat site...hah! Good one.

@op:  if you wanna hack a pad apart for the fun of it, go for it.  But consider listening to some of the veterans here, you can save time and eliminate human-error by just buying a proven working product that is really not that much more expensive. Believe me, you'll want to spend your time on polishing up other things than just this one portion of your build.

[CoryBee]

CheffoJeffo , you're absolutely right but have you ever considered we might also ENJOY hacking gamepads? Which means it's not time-wasting IN the hobby but a hobby by itself.

This topic is about how to find the (common) ground on a gamepad. First answers? "go by an ipac", "don't waste your time". Who's bitching?

Talking about time: I hacked one yesterday evening. I don't have much time either and I have all the money I want to buy an i-pac but I find convenient to do it that way and i ENJOY it. Total time for wiring (with terminals) and hacking? 1h30. That's pretty decent.

Now could we go back to the topic?

 

I like hacking the gamepads, in fact I love to solder in general. Even if I had quick disconnects I would still solder onto the buttons.

I was going to buy some but noticed your shipping costs were pretty high. Would have to be willing to purchase a bunch more. Neat site regardless.

Wow, the condescension in this post is so thick you can cut it with a knife. "Neat site" ---my bottom---. Randy's site is an awesome site, his products and his service are equally rated. I have no problems stepping up to bat for Randy and what he does for this community. It's also impressive that he even bothered to take apart one of his products and take the time to visually outline how you are wrong.
Neat site...hah! Good one.

Relax  Tis' an awesome site

[bsktbllmn23]

I was going to buy some but noticed your shipping costs were pretty high. Would have to be willing to purchase a bunch more. Neat site regardless.

Wow, the condescension in this post is so thick you can cut it with a knife. "Neat site" ---my bottom---. Randy's site is an awesome site, his products and his service are equally rated. I have no problems stepping up to bat for Randy and what he does for this community. It's also impressive that he even bothered to take apart one of his products and take the time to visually outline how you are wrong.
Neat site...hah! Good one.

@op:  if you wanna hack a pad apart for the fun of it, go for it.  But consider listening to some of the veterans here, you can save time and eliminate human-error by just buying a proven working product that is really not that much more expensive. Believe me, you'll want to spend your time on polishing up other things than just this one portion of your build.

Thanks opt, I appreciate your input. I'm still infatuated with doing everything myself with this new found hobby so I really actually enjoy the time and experience of hacking the game pads.

I put my order through with Randy at GGG, and I can see why he has a great reputation around here. Super quick emails about the order. I can wait to get my stuff and get this thing started!!!

@CoryDee - I have started to really enjoy doing the soldering. I havent ever soldered before doing the first gamepad I got from Amazon, and now I want to solder everything!

[CoryBee]

SOLDER ALL THE THINGS! 

[CheffoJeffo]

CheffoJeffo , you're absolutely right but have you ever considered we might also ENJOY hacking gamepads? Which means it's not time-wasting IN the hobby but a hobby by itself.

This topic is about how to find the (common) ground on a gamepad. First answers? "go by an ipac", "don't waste your time". Who's bitching?

Talking about time: I hacked one yesterday evening. I don't have much time either and I have all the money I want to buy an i-pac but I find convenient to do it that way and i ENJOY it. Total time for wiring (with terminals) and hacking? 1h30. That's pretty decent.

Now could we go back to the topic?

 



I like hacking the gamepads, in fact I love to solder in general. Even if I had quick disconnects I would still solder onto the buttons.

I didn't pick on you for wanting to hack gamepads.

I didn't mock you for your "secret" solder point, which would have been obvious to ANYBODY who knows anything about electronics or can follow a circuit.

If you choose to mock, best that you actually know some ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

haruman can mock, because he has skills that transcend his ---smurfy--- RatShack equipment.

You don't.

EDIT: I posted it, so I have to let this stand. I think that Cory needs to stand down a bit. He is new, he is young and he doesn't know ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. No real need for me to go off on him, but he is the kinda guy who posts his projects in the main thread and perhaps needs to be kicked in the ass.

[CoryBee]

CheffoJeffo , you're absolutely right but have you ever considered we might also ENJOY hacking gamepads? Which means it's not time-wasting IN the hobby but a hobby by itself.

This topic is about how to find the (common) ground on a gamepad. First answers? "go by an ipac", "don't waste your time". Who's bitching?

Talking about time: I hacked one yesterday evening. I don't have much time either and I have all the money I want to buy an i-pac but I find convenient to do it that way and i ENJOY it. Total time for wiring (with terminals) and hacking? 1h30. That's pretty decent.

Now could we go back to the topic?

 



I like hacking the gamepads, in fact I love to solder in general. Even if I had quick disconnects I would still solder onto the buttons.

I didn't pick on you for wanting to hack gamepads.

I didn't mock you for your "secret" solder point, which would have been obvious to ANYBODY who knows anything about electronics or can follow a circuit.

If you choose to mock, best that you actually know some ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

haruman can mock, because he has skills that transcend his ---smurfy--- RatShack equipment.

You don't.

EDIT: I posted it, so I have to let this stand. I think that Cory needs to stand down a bit. He is new, he is young and he doesn't know ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. No real need for me to go off on him, but he is the kinda guy who posts his projects in the main thread and perhaps needs to be kicked in the ass.

was all of that needed? I wasn't mocking anyone. jesus christ

[opt2not]

EDIT: I posted it, so I have to let this stand. I think that Cory needs to stand down a bit. He is new, he is young and he doesn't know ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. No real need for me to go off on him, but he is the kinda guy who posts his projects in the main thread and perhaps needs to be kicked in the ass.

Lots of that going around lately.

[CheffoJeffo]

was all of that needed? I wasn't mocking anyone. jesus christ

Nope ... was out of line, but I posted it originally, so I have to take the hits.

[CoryBee]

was all of that needed? I wasn't mocking anyone. jesus christ

Nope ... was out of line, but I posted it originally, so I have to take the hits.

Well I admit to not being an electrical engineer, I wanted to give it a name because I am not familiar with gamepads not having a common ground. Following the traces or using a multimeter would tell you this right away. Also, am fairly new to this site and was just posting my builds where I saw others. Anyways I didn't mean any offense to you guys or Randy's legit awesome site and will continue to post my builds on this BYOAC because it is just plain awesome. 

[HaRuMaN]

Wha?  Someone summoned me?

[CoryBee]

Wha?  Someone summoned me?

Thanks for the move