Using detented encoder as spinner controller?

[Spicules]

I have a rotary controller for Jaguar (like these here: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/atari-jaguar-controller). Works awesome.

A few sites have directions on how to make these - looks real simple.  (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/191571-building-a-cheap-rotary-controller/)

I wanted to make something like this for my MAME machine, so I got a detented encoder from Digikey, and tried to hook it up to a Zero-delay encoder (i.e., cheap Ipac) and it doesn't work like I'd hoped.  I also tried a cheap Logitech USB controller with common grounds, like as was done in the instructions for the jaguar controller, but still, no dice. 

I figured it would act like if you turned it a direction, it would act like you clicked the joystick left or right.  It doesnt.

- turning it seems to treat the direction like it is being held down, and turning it back stops the turning.  In MAME, it binds as 2 buttons - as if both directions are being pressed at teh same time. 

Is there a way to get something like this to work, software, or something I can wire in?  I really like the detented encoder feel for tempest , vs. the originals' analog control. 

Is it just that the software for T2K was made to work with this type of control? 

[PL1]

Looking through the links you provided, the Jaguar spinner and parts linked in that thread appear to use a mechanical circuit that produces two out-of-phase square waves like a trackball/spinner.

I think an optical encoder like an Opti-Wiz, Opti-Pac, or mouse hack should be able to translate the square waves into mouse X- or Y-axis movements.


Scott