Analog sticks question

[dommer]

I cant seem to find much information about analog joysticks.  My cab has 5 digital sticks (4 8 way and 1 4 way), and I'm interested in adding 2 analog sticks for games that take advantage of them, as well as potentially for pc games (madden 2k4, etc).  Can someone who has done this recommend what controllers to use, and how to interface them?  Thanks.

[Minwah]

You can just use PC joysticks, they plug straight in...but they tend to be pretty platicky as a rule.

The best way IMO is to use a real arcade analog stick, and interface using either 1UP's Dual-Strike hack (http://www.1uparcade.com/projects-dualstrike.html), or using 100k pots > gameport (http://www.gunpowder.freeserve.co.uk/wheels/wiring.htm).  Hopefully there will be an analog interface available soon, haven't read much news of it lately tho...

Arcade analog sticks are very expensive new, and fairly difficult to find - ebay is your best chance.

 

[Lilwolf]

btw, there is a new interface coming out soon.  Its AKI... A very nice little board.  It will take 5 axis and 14 buttons all at once.  

But, after saying that.. and having an analog flight stick... I never use it... I use a bunch of OTHER analog controllers but not the flight stick for emulation.

And I haven't seen any good analog ball top sticks.  There are the 49way joysticks for games like the football ones... but there isn't currently an interface for that (that will act like a joystick).  

Your best bet is probably get a cheap flight stick on ebay... then try and find a joystick handle to replace the stick.  

Or... Wait for someone to create a 49way -> usb converter... I'm still hoping!  

[Minwah]

I have a Happ analog stick with flight-style grip, and there is no difference in 'feel' between the X and Y axis, unlike many flight sticks.  It has a very smooth feel, as the whole thing rotates from a big ball-socket.

I haven't cleaned it up or interfaced it yet but I hope it will work pretty well for most (non-flight) analog stick games, like Road Runner and Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters

[dommer]

ouch, well not being the electronic pioneer, I'm going to look for a good pc joystick.  The problem is that they for the most part wont come close arcade durability or looks.

[GroovyTuesdaY]

Here is a HAPPS brand ANALOG on ebay.  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3271761930&category=13718&sspagename=STRK%3AMESSE%3AIT&rd=1

Those things sell for a fortune new.  I remember seeing one for like 150.00 OUCH.    Heck even on the pc for a GOOD thrustmaster stick its gonna run you a good 75.00, so choose your death lol.

groovy~

[paigeoliver]

I have a couple of TINY analog arcade joysticks out of a Baseball game, they have a great feel, but are spring loaded towards one direction.

[dommer]

Lol groovy, I read your message, and thought "sweet, another one on eBay..." and clicked it, and saw that I was already the high bidder on it.  I bid yesterday before I read your post

Hmm, well, I was thinking about this:  For a song I can get 2 psx to usb converters, and then mount 2 of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3074833449&category=21188

Only thing is I wonder how sturdy those are... probably not very.

Well, Thanks for the advice.

[GroovyTuesdaY]

Wow, i don't know man, those ps joys don't look very sturdy at all. actually they look kinda chinsey.   I can't imagine trying to play tekken on something that dinky.  I need my room to groove lol.

groooooooovy ~:D