49-way joystick interface

[daveb]

Hi everyone,
My USB interface for 49-way joysticks is finally complete!

To reiterate, it supports the following:
1 49-way joystick (either Happs/Midway or Sinistar type via autodetection)
10 Buttons
Switchable linear/exponential scaling for the joystick axes.

Check it out at http://dave.bit2000.com

Thanks,
Dave B.

[paigeoliver]

Rock on dave!

Now, do Arch Rivals sticks work?

I need to verify that before I order these bad boys!

[daveb]

Yep, Arch Rivals sticks work too!

Dave

[paigeoliver]

Great, then  will take two of the 49-way interfaces with different hardcoded IDs, and one of the analog interfaces.

I don't do paypal, so please PM me payment information so I can send a money order. Also please verify the exact total, since three of them can pretty much ship for the same price as one.

I will quickly install these and provide a review for the community. I have multiple analog devices available to test the AKI out on, and one set of Arch Rival sticks for the 49-way interfaces.

[paigeoliver]

Also, for other interested parties. I will be testing the AKI out on the following

Star Wars yoke
Road Blasters controller.
Stunt Cycle controller
POT based spinner
270 wheel
Sprint Two pedals (if they have a pot that is).

[Aceldamor]

That will be sweet...especially since it wires up pot based pedals...

Can you wire up a full Ivan Stuart config? i.e. 3 wheels and 3 pedals?

[paigeoliver]

Ivan Stewart uses 360 wheels, they need an Opti-Pac, or other spinner interface.

I am also hoping that the 49-ways will also be great for 8-way games, if so, then my upcoming machine will use 49-ways instead of 8-ways.

[Aceldamor]

bloody hell...I knew that...that's what I get for trying to ask a question in between doing other things at work...forgive my retardedness...

[GGKoul]

I have the AKI interfaces for my Hyderdrive Yokes and they work GREAT!!

Great Product!

Dumb question:  What's the difference in using a 49 way joystick vs. a 8 way?

-GGKoul

[Tailgunner]

I have the AKI interfaces for my Hyderdrive Yokes and they work GREAT!!

Great Product!

Dumb question:  What's the difference in using a 49 way joystick vs. a 8 way?

-GGKoul

A 49 way is an eight way stick with six distinct points of contact per direction.  The end result is that it acts like an analog stick, while being easier/cheaper to interface as it's still a digital stick.

[Xiaou2]

ok,  i think im confused...

 so this takes the optical data and translates it to an equivilent analog pot value??

 so you can not use it as a true optical switch set w/ analog +

[Minwah]

Also, for other interested parties. I will be testing the AKI out on the following

Star Wars yoke
Road Blasters controller.
Stunt Cycle controller
POT based spinner
270 wheel
Sprint Two pedals (if they have a pot that is).

The RoadBlasters controller uses optics, so unless you've swapped the optics for a pot that won't work with the AKI...

[Lilwolf]

Yes.  No need for analog+ (other then ALL the other advantages)..

but it's just considered an analog joystick.  And should work great for the PC version of Blitz ect along with mame.  (still waiting for the mine in the mail!  I'm VERY !@#!@#$ EXCITED to play sinistar with a REAL sinistar joystick... the 8ways really killed the game!

ok,  i think im confused...

 so this takes the optical data and translates it to an equivilent analog pot value??

 so you can not use it as a true optical switch set w/ analog +

[paigeoliver]

Also, for other interested parties. I will be testing the AKI out on the following

Star Wars yoke
Road Blasters controller.
Stunt Cycle controller
POT based spinner
270 wheel
Sprint Two pedals (if they have a pot that is).

The RoadBlasters controller uses optics, so unless you've swapped the optics for a pot that won't work with the AKI...

Oh, didn't know that, I never opened mine. Oh well, I forgot to mention that I do have a pair of Cinemtronics spring loaded analog baseball sticks to test.

[Minwah]

Oh, didn't know that, I never opened mine. Oh well, I forgot to mention that I do have a pair of Cinemtronics spring loaded analog baseball sticks to test.

Yeah, it's pretty unusual that it uses optics - you should be able to see the encoder wheel without taking it apart...I'm pretty sure you could replace the little shaft with the gear/encoder wheel on with a pot, should you feel the need.

I have one myself but I'm in two minds whether to use it or not now - I just obtained a yoke  

[Lilwolf]

btw, the KAI works GREAT with two T2 controllers!

Its not just for one joystick you know!

I've tested it with a hydra controller, 2 t2 controllers and a flight stick.

I'm hoping to get a program someone has out on the net for configuring / switching your joystick configuration... because when that happens, hotswapping should also work... (right now it works, but the calibration is off since the range of motion changes stick/stick.... Anyway, not officially supported... but I haven't blown anything yet  

[paigeoliver]

Well, mine is on a very nice working Roadblasters machine (System One upright, originally Marble Madness going by the sheet inside the cabinet, although it has serial number plates on the back for all the system one games). I was just going to test it on that controller as a service for other BYOAC member.

[SirPoonga]

ok,  i think im confused...

 so this takes the optical data and translates it to an equivilent analog pot value??

 so you can not use it as a true optical switch set w/ analog +

http://epg3.tripod.com/sinistar.html

Go to the joystick section it has the pinouts.  It doesn't produce and analog output, it produces a bit pattern.

To correct tailgunner, you have 7 positions on each axis (7x7=49 cell grid) in which a grid of optics determin the joystick position.

[daveb]

Hi Guys,

Xiaou2:   If I understand what your asking, the SJC interface reads the bit pattern from the 49-way joystick and translates it into joystick coordinates.  It's not really analog, it's just mapped to the joystick axes.  It's more versatile that way.

GGKoul:  Glad everything is working out for you!!

Pageoliver: I'm looking forward to hearing about all those controls you're trying

Any other questions?

Dave

[Minwah]

Well, mine is on a very nice working Roadblasters machine (System One upright, originally Marble Madness going by the sheet inside the cabinet, although it has serial number plates on the back for all the system one games). I was just going to test it on that controller as a service for other BYOAC member.

You're a lucky man, I love RoadBlasters

I've just ordered a couple of AKI's, so I will also be testing a few controls: Happ analog trigger stick, paddle and SW yoke.  I'm really looking forward to trying these, unfortunately I haven't built the panels for the controls yet tho...

[paigeoliver]

unfortunately I haven't built the panels for the controls yet tho...

Story of my life there.

I have so many homeless controls it isn't even funny. I keep switching plans between a zillion replaceable panels for the Defender, a frankenpanel for the Basketball, and double decker control panel for the Battlezone.

[Minwah]

Story of my life there.

I have so many homeless controls it isn't even funny. I keep switching plans between a zillion replaceable panels for the Defender, a frankenpanel for the Basketball, and double decker control panel for the Battlezone.

LOL

I've decided just to get 1 panel totally finished (just digital sticks + buttons) and forget the rest until that's done.  Unfortunately I have developed a nasty habit of buying controls from ebay...I think I have a way to go to catch up with your control collection tho paige

[Lilwolf]

lol!

I'm the same here.  I have 5 complete control panels right now.  3 more that are ALMOST done... and the parts more...

now Im trying to finish them off to save floor space..  And my wife is making me take all unfinished parts to the basement...