Inexpensive panel mount analog sticks?

[gork]

I am looking for a panel mount arcade joystick with a PC interface (gameport or usb) that is less expensive than the multi-hundred dollar ones from Happ. I know I can hack up any ol' USB joystick to get what I want, but while I am technically able to do it, I would enjoy the simplicity afforded by a bolt-in addition. The handle should at least have a trigger button or two on it, but I'd be more willing to do a handle hack/swap than try to fit the whole analog beast into my cpanel.

By the way, I'm using 3/4" MDF (melamine). My primary goal is not to cut a large hole that would require me to re-laminate the panel.

[SirPoonga]

I've been in search for that for along time.  What most people so is hack a PC joystick and make it panel mount.

[Minwah]

Your best bet is ebay.  In the UK (where I am) I haven't seen many, but one does appear every so often.

I was lucky enough to pick up a Happ one from ebay, although I haven't interfaced it yet...

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I am looking for a panel mount arcade joystick with a PC interface (gameport or usb) that is less expensive than the multi-hundred dollar ones from Happ. I know I can hack up any ol' USB joystick to get what I want, but while I am technically able to do it, I would enjoy the simplicity afforded by a bolt-in addition. The handle should at least have a trigger button or two on it, but I'd be more willing to do a handle hack/swap than try to fit the whole analog beast into my cpanel.

By the way, I'm using 3/4" MDF (melamine). My primary goal is not to cut a large hole that would require me to re-laminate the panel.

Sorry man, its the brass ring that all who love tron and want a cheap fix for it are after lol.   Best bet..?   watch on ebay for good complete tron control panel and be ready to spend anywheres from 65 -100+ for it lol.  sorry, thats about all anyone here is going to be able to help ya with  

groooooovy~:D

[Tailgunner]

Another option will be auctions. I got a Tron/Gorf style 3 button analog stick for $10 at an auction. I even got a useable cab as part of the deal.

[Oldskool]

Your best bet is ebay

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3268374003&category=13718

[gork]

That one is an 8-way with leaf springs, but this one is a real analog one. Ugh. converting and restoring it would be hard...

[Oldskool]

this one[/url] is a real analog one.

I stand corrected.

[Minwah]

That one is an 8-way with leaf springs, but this one is a real analog one. Ugh. converting and restoring it would be hard...

That's the same model Happ stick I got from ebay  Haven't started restoring / interfacing it yet tho...

[gork]

Minwah: can you tell me the dimensions of it? Is the mounting plate 5 1/2" ? That is too big for the space I have left over for such a beast...

[Minwah]

Minwah: can you tell me the dimensions of it? Is the mounting plate 5 1/2" ? That is too big for the space I have left over for such a beast...

I don't have it to hand, but I measured previously (very approx) the size of the stick not including the plate (the plate is of course larger) as 11cm (depth) x 16cm (width).  That's ~ 4.4"w x 6"h.

You might be able to squeeze it on if you move the small circuit board which is on one side elsewhere (not really sure what this 'pot-amp' board does!)

If you need some more accurate figures or whatever let me know

Edit: there is a mounting diagram at www.happcontrols.com, part #95-0179-00.

Seems the pot amp allows for variable output - maybe it will be easier to interface than I thought

[ErikRuud]

I'd like to find something like the analog stick from Tailgunner.

http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/T/nTail_Gunner.jpg

It is hard to see in the picture, but it is in the center of the CP.  It is a lot like the joystick from an RC Plane transmitter.

I might have to hack one from an RC Tx if I can't find a suitable PC ready substitute.

[crashwg]

They make rc-type controls for PC simulation games.  I'm not quite sure why you would want to simulate an rc device, but anyway.  
I haven't seen these lately, but they do exist.  Of course I'm not exactly sure that the control you're looking is out there due to the realy crappy picture and all...

[GroovyTuesdaY]

They make rc-type controls for PC simulation games.  I'm not quite sure why you would want to simulate an rc device, but anyway.  
I haven't seen these lately, but they do exist.  Of course I'm not exactly sure that the control you're looking is out there due to the realy crappy picture and all...

Simulating RC devices such as remote control airplanes , really make it nice for the new learner,because if you crash your plane in real life its gonna cost BIG BUCKS, but if you crash it in a simulation , the only thing you hurt is your pride heeheh.    My friend has one of those RC simulation joysticks that came with some rc flight simulation software , but he paid something like 250.00 for the whole setup.  I thought that was kinda nuts, but he swears by it. Whatever works i guess

groovy~

[Zathras]

 I thought that was kinda nuts, but he swears by it.

Looks over at RC USB controller on my desk and slowly backs away from thread...



I haven't used it in a while so never thought of the possibility of hooking it into a cabinet (could be fun for the RC friends).  

[ErikRuud]

I'm not really trying to simulate an RC plane in my cab, but I do have FMS.

I would like a small compact analog joystick for my cab.  Taligunner was one of my favorite games in High Scool and that was the type of joystick it used.

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I'm not really trying to simulate an RC plane in my cab, but I do have FMS.

I would like a small compact analog joystick for my cab.  Taligunner was one of my favorite games in High Scool and that was the type of joystick it used.

Off the thread topic, but i am curious. Anyone know where you can get one of those RC analog  joysticks for a reasonable price?   I looked at that FMS software and realised it was free hhehe.  Would be fun to fly the sims.  
thanks,
g~

[Tiger-Heli]

I'm not really trying to simulate an RC plane in my cab, but I do have FMS.

I would like a small compact analog joystick for my cab.  Taligunner was one of my favorite games in High Scool and that was the type of joystick it used.

PC Joysticks used to ALL be like that.  (I am talking 1986-1989, roughly).  CH products made one that was almost identical.  Not sure where you could find one now (E-bay???) but they do exist and would be easy to convert.

[crashwg]

holy caca, that FMS program is hard, I can't fly for crap

[Tailgunner]

Personally I prefered the bigger stick in the Tailgunner2 Sitdown cab.

CH does still make their old style joysticks, though they no longer market them as PC joysticks. You can see all the variants of it on the OEM half of their site.

http://www.chproducts.com/oem/trad_home.html

[Tiger-Heli]

This is what I was referring to (amazing what's on E-bay), not my auction, btw:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2782657889&category=4601

This one looks like it's SERIAL port, but it could be converted to gameport using the pinouts on the web, or I know there were similar gameport versions of this type of stick.

[ErikRuud]

Thanks Tiger-Heli,

I had forgotten all about those old analog stick.  The old Apple II joystick were like that as well. I'll have to look around and see what I can come up with.

Groovy,

The least expensive way to get a controller is to a buy a "Buddy Box" and a Joystick adapter.  Buddy boxes are used to train people to fly real RC planes.  They are essentially an RC TX, without the transmitting hardware.  They plug into the trainers TX and work like a second set of controls.  This let's the trainer take over if the trainee runs into trouble.