Analog controls question

[TheManuel]

I'm thinking about incorporating an analog flightstick, a steering wheel, a trackball (besides the regular mouse), a game pad and the I-pac on my upcoming control panel.
Of course, that will involve a lot of inputs.
Can I split the mouse port or the game port and use either input device going in through the split?
I don't expect to use both at the same time but would want to switch between them without having to diconnect anything.

Thanks.

[Minwah]

If all your devices are PC devices, then you could do something like: Mouse in PS/2 port, Trackball in Serial/USB port, Steering Wheel & Flightstick in USB ports.

OR If you need an interface for the controls then I guess the Opti-Pac would be a good solution.

Either way, you should be able to use any of these devices without disconnecting/connecting anything.

PS you forgot about a spinner

["The Manuel"]

... as far as they work on windows?

I figured I could do without a spinner since I don't think I play any games that used one (I could probably use the trackball or steering wheel if I need it).
The connections I'll have to make will have to depend on what devices I get for a good price.

Are

If all your devices are PC devices, then you could do something like: Mouse in PS/2 port, Trackball in Serial/USB port, Steering Wheel & Flightstick in USB ports.

OR If you need an interface for the controls then I guess the Opti-Pac would be a good solution.

Either way, you should be able to use any of these devices without disconnecting/connecting anything.

PS you forgot about a spinner

[Minwah]

The way I described will work perfectly in Windows, if you're using DOS then the USB devices will go out the window...

I guess you can use >1 serial device & gameport as well if neccessary (to cut down on USB devices).

I'm thinking dedicated PC devices will be cheaper than say proper arcade devices + interface.  Unless you can get a cheap (eg) arcade steering wheel from ebay & make your own interface (?).  Not all PC devices will be suitable tho - eg you might want a 360degree steering wheel, but most PC ones are 270deg.

The trackball will be fine for spinner games btw.

Hope that helps

["The Manuel"]

Thanks for the help.
I do plan to but PC devices.

Do you know anything about whether there are splitters for mice and game ports?

[Minwah]

You can certainly get splitters for game ports, BUT the game port only supports 4 buttons in total - so if you use a splitter that will be 2 buttons per joystick/pad.  Hopefully this wouldn't be a problem, as you can use keys for buttons using the I-Pac.

I don't think you can get a splitter for a PS/2 mose port, but I'm not 100% sure.  I've never seen one anyway.

You could use a serial (COM) port for a mouse/trackball.  I believe you can get a PS/2 to serial adaptor for this if necessary.

I think you may have to use the USB port(s) as you have so many devices to plug in.  I'm guessing but I bet most wheels/analogue sticks are USB now anyway.

["The Manuel"]

Very good points:

I believe you can get a PS/2 to serial adaptor for this if necessary.

I'm guessing but I bet most wheels/analogue sticks are USB now anyway.

Thanks.