Analog Joystick with Trigger Handle Pots & Hack

[andrewonawall]

Got two brand new analog joysticks with trigger and top fire buttons for under $100. These go for $200 a piece!!!  http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95006500.htm
I know about the Dual Strike hack, but I need to know if the pots for the Happ joysticks are also 5K or whatever that means. If so, then I'll go ahead with it.
I tried doing some searching through the forums and also found this and was wondering if it would work: http://dave.bit2000.com/aki.html

Any help is much appreciated!

[Minwah]

I have one of these too.  I am not 100% what the pots are, I guess they are 5k, but I am not sure as the stick features a 'pot amp' board with some tiny adjustment pots on it (I'm not sure what this does exactly).

I have just ordered a couple of Dave's AKI's, so I will post back when I've given it a shot...I am certain it will work fine

[andrewonawall]

I have just ordered a couple of Dave's AKI's, so I will post back when I've given it a shot...I am certain it will work fine

Thanks, I am very anxious to start playing with these. Dave's AKI looks much simpler to use than the Dual Strike hack; however, I would feel cooler for preforming the hack. Plus, I also already bought two of the Dual Strikes, but they will make good X-mas presents too.

[Lilwolf]

I have both... and cabled them both so I can swap them in / out quickly...  But this was because I was beta'ing the cards and wanted to see the difference between the AKI and the DualStrike.

the AKI is MUCH MUCH easier to cable.  No questions there at all.  No worrying / soldering the board to remove the pots.  But as hacks go... the dual strike isn't all that bad either.  So expect an extra hour or so of time hacking a dual strike.

AKI's only 'issue' for cabling is that you have to short all the extra axises.  But that is such a non-problem really... oh crap.. I have to cut a 2" wire, and plug them in....  IE, super easy.

next... features...

5 axis for the AKI so you can have 2 T2 controllers.  Or 1 hydra + 1 pot pedel... or 2 270steering with 2 pedals.  I haven't used the 5th yet myself...  

14 data inputs vs (what was it... 6... I didn't hack them all)
This isn't a big deal to me since I always have a MK64 accessable.  I use it, but I didn't need that many.  

The both play great in the end.

[Minwah]

Thanks, I am very anxious to start playing with these. Dave's AKI looks much simpler to use than the Dual Strike hack; however, I would feel cooler for preforming the hack. Plus, I also already bought two of the Dual Strikes, but they will make good X-mas presents too.

I don't have a Dual Strike and I'm getting a bit lazy so I can't be bothered to do the hack.  The AKI should be great

[andrewonawall]

Also about these joysticks, which wrench size does the handle take. One of mine has a sticking top-button that I would like to adjust.

[daveb]

You probably figured this out by now, but I believe it's a Torx size T-20 bit.  I've had to free up a button this way myself.
Dave

[andrewonawall]

I don't have a Dual Strike and I'm getting a bit lazy so I can't be bothered to do the hack.  The AKI should be great

Have you had a chance to use the AKI yet? How did the it work out?

[Minwah]

Have you had a chance to use the AKI yet? How did the it work out?

I haven't quite got it yet.  The postie brought it on Tuesday but I have to go to the depot and pay some customs charge - I should get it today.  I expect I will be able to give it a shot at the weekend or early next week, I'll post back then...

[Minwah]

Well I have the AKI ok, and I couldn't wait to give it a try...

It is a piece of cake to wire up the Happ analog stick to the AKI.  Assuming the wire colours are standard (they should be), here's how to do it:

[at the molex connector]
Wire the 2x Red wires to +5v
Wire the 2x Black wires to GND
Wire the Purple wire to J1X (or J2X)
Wire the Blue wire to J1Y (or J2Y)

I haven't wired the buttons yet as I have only done it temporarily.  Presumably Black = GND, Red = One button, White = Other button.

Also make sure you wire to GND the 3 axis you are not using (unless you are using them for other controls of course).

The pots are actually wired to the AKI via the 'POT AMP' board on the stick.  I haven't messed with it but there are 4 small pots on the board which can be adjusted, I am guessing for the min+max resistance of the main pots (?).

Plugged the AKI in which was straight away recognised by XP, and it appears in the game controller list.  I calibrated the stick and tried a couple of games and it seems to work great.  The cursor in the test screen doesn't jump or twitch at all, unlike gameport devices often do.  I'd highly recommend the AKI so far

Not a great pic, but it proves I did it at least

[andrewonawall]

Glad it went so well for you. I have decided to purchase it even though it will cost much more than a couple of Dual Strikes. I think that I am going to order mine today.  Thanks for the wiring info too. I actually will be keeping the molex connector and wiring the AKI to a female end that you can find from therealbobroberts.  I think that this is the correct one: 0.093 Plug & receptacle 12 position w pins & sockets.
http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/conectas.html