Which encoder for a driving game?

[southpaw13]

Got a gutted driving game.  2 steering wheels, 2 gas pedals (using pots), 6 buttons.  Which is the best encoder to get?

Thanks!

[Slippyblade]

I'm a fan of the Kade, but you'd need to use the mysterious and (apparently) not available Kade+ to interface analog controls.

That actually begs a question, are there any off-the-shelf analog encoders?

(edited for spelling - oops)

[yotsuya]

I'm a fan of the Kade, but you'd need to use the mysterious and (apparently) not available Kade+ do interface analog controls.

That actually begs a question, are there any off-the-shelf analog encoders?

I always figured that if I did MAME my racing cab, that I'd use one of these:

http://www.ultimarc.com/a-pac.html

[southpaw13]

That's nice!  Does it have input for a trackball which is the steering wheels?

[yotsuya]

That's nice!  Does it have input for a trackball which is the steering wheels?

Well, if I were doing a trackball, then I'd go this route...

http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html

[southpaw13]

Ok.  So who sells one that does both optical (steering wheels) and analog (pots)

[yotsuya]

PM AndyWarne. He runs Ultimarc and might be a great source.

[adder]

maybe this below, perhaps andy warne can confirm

http://www.u-hid.com/home/index.php

[yotsuya]

Yeah, I was going to post a link to the U-HID, but I really don't know much about it.

[PL1]

Got a gutted driving game.  2 steering wheels, 2 gas pedals (using pots), 6 buttons.  Which is the best encoder to get?

Assuming that the steering wheels are 360 optical instead of potentiometer.

You'll need connections for the following:
  * 4 optical inputs - 2 optical steering wheels
  * 2 analog inputs - 2 gas pedals
  * 8 digital inputs - 6 buttons, 2 coin slots
  * 5v
  * GND

AFAIK, U-HID is currently the best for optical and analog on one board, but it's priced accordingly.

The U-HID Nano or U-HID-G (used one in the pin controller -- see sig) is a less expensive choice, but they only handle 8 inputs.

KADE has two beta optical firmwares for the miniArcade/microArcade/Minimus AVR.

One assigns the non-optical inputs to keyboard keystrokes and the other assigns them as gamepad buttons.

For KADE analog, you'll need either one of the prototype KADE+ boards or you can use the KADE+ spinoff KADESTICK. (see sig)

Right now, your best (and easiest) solution is probably to use two encoders, a U-HID Nano for the optical+analog and another inexpensive encoder for the buttons.


Scott

[southpaw13]

The game only has 6 buttons and 2 more for coin so it might work !!!

[PL1]

If you want an inexpensive source for the minimus AVR and don't mind soldering wires, check out this thread.


Scott

[southpaw13]

I think it is a little too mimimal for me.  Probably going to try the U-HID.

Thanks!!!