Cost effective encoder solutions

[mgb]

Hey guys,
  Just looking for tips on the most cost effective solutions for an input encoder for my latest project.
This build will be a simple 2 player vertical head to head so it'll be one player at a time. Though possibly I will use some simple 2 player simultaneous games such as Neo Bomberman in cocktail mode.
I'm gonna have very simple controls of just one 4-way joystick and 2 buttons for each player as well as player 1 and 2 start.
I'm planning on setting all games for free play and not using any coin, admin or pause buttons.

I am however planning on using Hyperspin for the frontend.
So I'd love to hear any tips or advice on encoders to consider.
I'm trying to keep costs low on this build.
My original plan was to go total old school and do a keyboard hack using a usb keyboard.
I understand there is a six button limit on this but for this build, I'm thinking maybe that won't be a problem.
But encoders are cheap enough that maybe it's not worth it.
Anyway, I'd just like as much input as possible before I make any decisions.

Thanks

[PL1]

You can easily "roll your own" KADE miniArcade/microArcade from a Minimus atmega32u2 AVR.

One AVR will easily handle all the controls you mention with room for more.   

See my sig for a list of vendors. (LMK if you find another source.)


Scott

[mgb]

Thanks Scott,
  I really haven't looked into the Kade yet.

Quick question'
Can I simply purchase the Minimus AVR and just use that, provided of course that I can fix lines to its termination points?

thanks

[PL1]

Can I simply purchase the Minimus AVR and just use that, provided of course that I can fix lines to its termination points?

Yes. The Minimus AVR models specified and linked in my sig are the ones that the KADE guys use.

They are plug-and-play compatible with the easy-to-customize KADE Loader software.

In addition, you can compile the source code to create firmware hex files for other AVR models, but the precise steps involved in that are beyond my limited coding skills.   

The through-holes on the Minimus board can accept up to 22 AWG stranded wire. (Video shows Jon's original AVR encoder that eventually became KADE)



You can also solder on 0.1" pin headers (or right angle ones for low-profile) and use these (or similar) pre-fab harnesses from Paradise if you want an easy-to-connect/disconnect setup.

   


Scott

[BadMouth]

Thanks Scott,
  I really haven't looked into the Kade yet.

Quick question'
Can I simply purchase the Minimus AVR and just use that, provided of course that I can fix lines to its termination points?

thanks

I bought a few Minimus AVRs a while back for applications that didn't need that many buttons.
Before the KADE software was officially released, you had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get set up to program it.

I used the KADE Loader software on the last one I did.
Point and click easy peasy.

http://kadevice.com/loader-software/

If you're using small enough wire and have a decent soldering iron, you're set.

[JDFan]

+1 on the minimus if you can find them and can solder  -- another cheap option for the type of setup you are looking for would be the ZD encoders (about $10) including all wires needed and USB input - main drawback is they are seen as a gamepad with 12 buttons ( so sometimes need joytokey depending on the games you are including if they do not support gamepads) and only 16 inputs but would work well for the setup you mention with 8 inputs for the 2 joysticks leaving 8 ( 4 for the 2 buttons per player and 4 for admin (1 and 2 player start and credit) and if you wire and setup using proper setup can also use Joystick up and down and left and right combinations for pause and other admin functions)

[yotsuya]

The cheapest, most hassle-free way to do it is to get a Minimus AVR and run the KADE firmware. Since it looks like a keyboard to your system, you don't have to hassle with any programs running in the background or anything like that. They made me a believer. Since it's tough to find the minimus right now, I'd just order one from the KADE guys.

[mgb]

Yeah,
I'll probably go the Kade route.
I have no problems with soldering and all that.
My main goal here is for something small and inexpensive so this seems to fit the bill.

It's important that it's see as a keyboard because I don't want any problems with hyperspin and I'm trying to keep everything running light so I'd rather not run joy to key.

[yotsuya]

Yeah,
I'll probably go the Kade route.
I have no problems with soldering and all that.
My main goal here is for something small and inexpensive so this seems to fit the bill.

It's important that it's see as a keyboard because I don't want any problems with hyperspin and I'm trying to keep everything running light so I'd rather not run joy to key.

That's the #1 reason why I'll stick with the KADE or IPAC2 myself.

[JDFan]

Since it's tough to find the minimus right now, I'd just order one from the KADE guys.

Didn't realize they had them - seems to be the only US location that has them in stock - a bit more than the last ones I bought at $14.50 + $5.00 flat rate shipping but not a bad price and in stock !!

Linkie -
http://northamerica.emukade.com/product/minimus-32k-avr/

[yotsuya]

Since it's tough to find the minimus right now, I'd just order one from the KADE guys.

Didn't realize they had them - seems to be the only US location that has them in stock - a bit more than the last ones I bought at $14.50 + $5.00 flat rate shipping but not a bad price and in stock !!

Linkie -
http://northamerica.emukade.com/product/minimus-32k-avr/

Yeah, all the suppliers seemed to have dried up.

[PL1]

Yeah, all the suppliers seemed to have dried up.

Good news: CK3 (UK) has almost 200 in stock.

Bad news: The foundmy website is down.

If anyone knows another seller (other than Alibaba), I'll add them to the list in my sig.   


Scott

[two40]

If you're ok with joystick instead of keyboard, the Xin-Mo encoders are great value. Picked up a couple recently and I'm really pleased with them.

http://www.xin-mo.com

[DeLuSioNal29]

MGB,

Come on over and I can give you a KADE controller I'm not using.  I soldered screw terminals to it so it's ready to go as a cheap encoder and will be perfect for your project.

Del

[mgb]

 
Awesome. Thanks
I definitely will.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here are pics of it.  It's currently programmed as an HID Joystick encoder,  but let me know if you need me to make it a keyboard. (You could also easily program it yourself at home with whatever keys you want).

PS - You can pick it up when you help me move my 3 cabinets. Lol.

Del

[Slippyblade]

I can never find a decent price on those screw terminals.  Ever time I go looking they are stupid expensive.  I'd love to just order a whole bucket of em.  Currently I use the euro-terminal strips; I solder wires to the AVR then clip them to the strips and then mount the 2 strips on a small board - this gives me a placeable unit.

[yotsuya]

I solder mine to the receiver end of an Atari Mindlink and use my brain to control my games.   

[mgb]

Here are pics of it.  It's currently programmed as an HID Joystick encoder,  but let me know if you need me to make it a keyboard. (You could also easily program it yourself at home with whatever keys you want).

PS - You can pick it up when you help me move my 3 cabinets. Lol.

Del

You got it. When do want to do that?

[mgb]

I solder mine to the receiver end of an Atari Mindlink and use my brain to control my games.   

Ya know that must have been one of the things Atari employees thought up during one of their famous hot tub, weed smoking sessions

[pbj]

Anyone else remember that real cool dude that bought the first xin mo and reviewed it here?

 

I have so many extra encoders laying around these days it's not even funny.  Hacked game pads, some paradise arcade crap, kade, etc etc.  I have yet to encounter one that doesn't work 100% as advertised except for JPACs.

[JDFan]

I can never find a decent price on those screw terminals.  Ever time I go looking they are stupid expensive.  I'd love to just order a whole bucket of em.  Currently I use the euro-terminal strips; I solder wires to the AVR then clip them to the strips and then mount the 2 strips on a small board - this gives me a placeable unit.

These are the ones I used ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pin-5PCS-2-54mm-Pitch-Panel-PCB-Mount-Screw-Terminal-Block-Connector-YG-/111323143255?hash=item19eb605c57 ) - fit nice and tight (almost do not need soldering) $3.00 for 5 pcs. and you need 4 pcs per minimus ( I ordered 4 sets for $12 and had enough for 5 encoders)

[Slippyblade]

Awesome, thanks for the link JD!  Just bought some.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yup. Those are the same ones that I bought. They work great!

[mgb]

Parts harvesting is a great way to get parts like that too.
I remove terminal like that from old fire alarm panel and other equipment.

[pbj]

I've got thousands of PCB mount female connectors.  Thought I was gonna get rich selling them to people repairing pinball machines.  Misread the part number on that surplus auction.  Oh well.

Kind of like this:



Single row, eight connectors, and the copper pins are long and straight.  I messed around with using them on a Kade - I bent out the pins, soldered a wire to them, and put some heat shrink tubing over the whole abortion.  Made some ghetto connectors but hey.

I still think one of the primary failures of the Minimus was that they did not key the pinout.  Very easy to plug things in the wrong way.

[mgb]

I still think one of the primary failures of the Minimus was that they did not key the pinout.  Very easy to plug things in the wrong way.

I've got an easy fix for that.
Be careful and don't plug things in the wrong way.


Of course now if I do, I can not admit it here 

[woosdom]

If you're ok with joystick instead of keyboard, the Xin-Mo encoders are great value. Picked up a couple recently and I'm really pleased with them.

http://www.xin-mo.com

I just bought a kit from Amazon that came with the xin-mo dual joystick controller encoder.  came with USB and premade wires for two players.  working really well for me. 
Arcade Game Controller USB Interface PCB Kit for PC (MAME) / PS3 to Mame.


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[djfender]

I've got a bunch of the Minimus AVR's they're actually pretty impressive little units.

Yeah I got some sealed ones too, they're really useful even for non-Kade purposes and it's always nice to have a spare .

Jamma Harness/American Style Button for Scale