Mini joystick&buttons for Android Smartphone powered minicab

[gent4ro]

Hi all

I'm looking for a minicontroller bluetooth (a microUSB will do the trick, too) for a minicab that I'm working on. The minicab will have an Android smartphone running mame4droid and I'm looking for something similar to a Sega Nano Arcade thing. Can you recommend me any minijoystick with this specs?

Thanks in advance and regards

[Generic Eric]

This is the thread you want.  I believe it has part numbers towards the bottom.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131852.0.html

[gent4ro]

Thanks, it was quite difficult with so many (and useful) information 

Cheers

[PL1]

If USB connection is OK, the KADE/AVR Encoder would be the way to go -- links that GE mentioned are here.
   

If you want the wireless, look into the Bluefruit.



Scott

[gent4ro]

Thank you PL1. I was looking at the Minimun AVR just right now and the Bluefruit could be what I'm looking for, but I assume both solutions will work because the main issue was the size.
Using anyone of them, I'm assuming the way of doing it is the same: soldering a minijoystick (I'm thinking about 04A-B01), a bunch of minibuttons (still looking, maybe these) and then reprogram the controller with the software that the vendor provides, right?

Thanks again and cheers

[PL1]

Not sure about the Bluefruit, but you can easily program/customize the Minimus using the free KADE Loader software.

The Grayhill stick you linked is pretty good.

BTW you don't need to solder on the Grayhill joystick pins. The joystick pins fit snugly into .100" header sockets like this or this.  The spacing is wrong to fit more than one pin to a connector, but 5 individual connections works great.  These box-style socket pins can be easily removed from the connector body.



CAUTION:  The joystick pins aren't quite long enough to work properly with the commonly used ramp-style KK100-type contacts like this.



If you're interested, I also designed an under-mounting method for the Grayhill sticks that allows you to easily remove/replace them.


Scott

[gent4ro]

Thanks again PL1. So, Do I have to purchase also the KADE or I can program the Minimus AVR 32 just with the KADE software? Also, I'm looking for where to buy the Minimus and I found it in CK3 and MrConsoles but I couldn't find any online store to buy all things needed (Minimus, Grayhill stick, 6mm minibuttons...) in one purchase.

Besides, a mounted solution to plug the mini joystick&buttons will definitely help but I want to try and make the first minicab by myself   But if you can show me a picture to have an idea, I'll appreciate it.

Thanks and cheers

[PL1]

Do I have to purchase also the KADE or I can program the Minimus AVR 32 just with the KADE software?

KADE is Open Software/Open Hardware so you can program any Atmel AT90USB162 or ATMEGA32U2 board with the KADE Loader or recompile the source for the AVR of your choice -- that's why I provided links for both the KADE store and other vendors.

Also, I'm looking for where to buy the Minimus and I found it in CK3 and MrConsoles but I couldn't find any online store to buy all things needed (Minimus, Grayhill stick, 6mm minibuttons...) in one purchase.

Odds of finding everything for a micro build in one place is pretty much zero.

Expect to order from at least four vendors/sellers by the time you finish the build.

Make a list of all the parts you will need and buy spares so you don't have to order twice from the same place if you mess something up. (IIRC someone cooked their Grayhill stick when they took too long soldering wires onto the pins   )

I use MS Excel to make lists of needed parts/prices from various vendors.

Besides, a mounted solution to plug the mini joystick&buttons will definitely help but I want to try and make the first minicab by myself   But if you can show me a picture to have an idea, I'll appreciate it.

I'm close to finishing a detailed how-to on this one. Done.


Scott

[gent4ro]

Understood. I'll start to make a list and order all the required elements. With a bit of luck, I'll post pictures of my progress in a few weeks 

Thanks again and cheers.