Wanted -- Cheeziest old PC analog joystick possible

[Justin Z]

Yes, you read that right.  I want one of those stupid old one or two button gameport analog joysticks for the PC to use as a secondary analog stick for a couple games.  Non-topfire is preferred.

You know the type.  A light grey block with a skinny metal stick coming up from the middle with a thicker plastic handle.

If you have one please let me know, and I will be HAPPY to take it off your hands.

~Justin

[NoBonus]

This posting begs the question, "What exactly are you going to do with the old crummy analog joystick?" Maybe use it as an interface device or on a control console or maybe for picking and flicking boogers?


NoBonus

[TheGatesofBill]

I have an old two-button (trigger and top) flight stick joystick. If you are interested let me know.

[NoBonus]

I think Justin Z is looking for those really old school joysticks that are essentially a box with a button on it and a metal rod sticking up out of the middle.  I used to have one, but it went away years and years ago.

[NoBonus]

You know, the kind of joystick that would fit in your nose or ear... am I right?

[AlanS17]

Check this:

http://www.redoctane.com/atarigamejoystick.html

[paigeoliver]

Check this:

http://www.redoctane.com/atarigamejoystick.html

Cool item, but absolutely nothing like what the poster is asking for.

I have seen these sticks quite a bit at the thrift store, and they were very common on the 286 days.

I actually have a couple of the arcade versions of these, but I am keeping them.

[Justin Z]

This posting begs the question, "What exactly are you going to do with the old crummy analog joystick?" Maybe use it as an interface device or on a control console or maybe for picking and flicking boogers?

Heh Bonus, that's a good one.

What I am going to use it for is the Leland games that used a potentiometer to guide the flight of the ball (like in Quarterback, for example).  It requires a spring-action release to launch the ball and that's exactly how those old joysticks behaved (if you let go of the stick from one of the corners it would quickly return to center).

Alan,

Thanks for the link, and that joystick is classic, but not what I need.


Bill,

I would definitely be interested, and you may e-mail me at Opossum412@hotmail.com with maybe a little bit more of a description if possible, so I can see if that's what I'm looking for.

Paige,

We discussed the potentiometer on the other board, and I believe that's what you're talking about.  I figured I could do the job with a mod of one of these joysticks, so we'll see.  I'll let ya know how it turns out.

Thanks all (except Bonus :-P) for your replies.

~Justin

[paigeoliver]

I actually HAVE the Leland joysticks. Mine were only $10 for a set on ebay. I have seen them on there many times in the past. Search around, and post on RGVAC, you should be able to find the real deal.

[Justin Z]

I actually HAVE the Leland joysticks. Mine were only $10 for a set on ebay. I have seen them on there many times in the past. Search around, and post on RGVAC, you should be able to find the real deal.

You're probably right.  But I'm severely hardware-challenged, and don't trust my ability to get it right.  So if I just do some minor spring work so that the joystick stays in the top position rather than returning to center, and upon pulling it back and releasing it, it returns to top, I'll have a decent reproduction that I can certainly live with.  That way, I don't have to hack any wiring.

~Justin

[SirPeale]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4610&item=4127042558&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4610&item=4127229496&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=170&item=4127261345&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4193&item=4128363344&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[Justin Z]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4610&item=4127042558&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4610&item=4127229496&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=170&item=4127261345&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4193&item=4128363344&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Peale,

Thanks for the effort!  I appreciate you going to that trouble.  The first two (especially the first one) joysticks listed there are exactly what I am looking for, but unfortunately they are for the Apple.  #3 is not at all what I would like.  #4 looks very cool, of course it's a minicomputer joystick from the 70s.

If anyone has a PC joystick that looks similar to #1, please let me know!  Thanks!

~Justin

[SirPeale]

They may be for Apple, but you can change the connector, you know.

[DarkKobold]

I have a bunch of bases for Analog PC joysticks. They are free if you pay S/H. It doesn't have a handle, so you'd have to figure something out. Pictures can be available on request.

[paigeoliver]

You don't have to hack ANYTHING to use the real deal. They just came out with that new interface board for them (and other POT based controls). I ordered one.

Also, the real ones have a VERY strong spring in them, and are built like a tank compared to the PC ones. The PC ones feel chintzy, these don't.

[Stingray]

A lot of those old Apple sticks have a splitter at the end and have plugs for both Apple and PC. I have a few like that myself. It's worth asking the seller if his are also dual platform.

-S

[Justin Z]

You don't have to hack ANYTHING to use the real deal. They just came out with that new interface board for them (and other POT based controls). I ordered one.

Also, the real ones have a VERY strong spring in them, and are built like a tank compared to the PC ones. The PC ones feel chintzy, these don't.

Paige,

That's really cool.  I didn't realize there was an interface board.  Where did you order it from?  Is it something like a PCI board or does the potentiometer simply plug into the board and then the board into say the game port or USB?

Thanks a bunch.

~Justin