Auto Switching 4-8 way gates for joysticks - Glens Retro Show

[negative1]

this will be coming out later this year.

an auto switching, or manual switch for 4 way to 8 way joystick

50 minute mark:



later
-1

[javeryh]

The way he said "auto-switch" made me think you still need to press a button? 

EDIT: Well, he says if the software supports it so I assume it will switch automatically using MAME like a ServoStik does. 

[BadMouth]

The way he said "auto-switch" made me think you still need to press a button? 

EDIT: Well, he says if the software supports it so I assume it will switch automatically using MAME like a ServoStik does.

50:18 he says that you'd press a button to switch

[javeryh]

The way he said "auto-switch" made me think you still need to press a button? 

EDIT: Well, he says if the software supports it so I assume it will switch automatically using MAME like a ServoStik does.

50:18 he says that you'd press a button to switch

51:14 he says if your machine supports it they have a driver which will do it automatically all by itself.  Whatever that means.  Really curious about price on this.  If it is cheaper than a ServiStik and works exactly like one it could good to throw into some low-budget cabs.

[Mike A]

Hopefully it plays better than a servo stick.

They ---smurfing--- suck.

[StefanBurger]

It supports
- manual switching with an iluminated arcade button that changes color to indicate actual orientation
- automated switching, based on selected game for Retropie platforms (while manual operation is still possible to overrule)
- automated switching, based on selected game on Windows platforms (-"-)
- comes with free configuration utility to configure appearance (color scheme button, repurpose of button, fine tune orientation degree...)

The price will be lower than the competition.

BR Stefan Burger (the guy Glen mentions at 51:50)

[StefanBurger]

Short Update:

A first limited batch will be sold over Amazon, starting in mid February (afterwards selling will continue via a new online store).

All in One Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R3SDY8G?fbclid=IwAR0NBcS_jjQr11gfFeM0t037OKm49Tb6g7QQSlpZe6zpQ8OvMZWX0ex7R0E

Extension Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R3V158M?fbclid=IwAR33KiUi2T3aL8bb0AnxVtHYCjcs3sfp4CrVXOteWeuN0lZYCrdrSiGbVIU

[Zeosstud]

I will be buying a few of these.. I am a little confused by what the difference is..  I will need one for my GRS Tron Stick and 2 for one control panel and then 2 more, each for its own control panel, any advice on which items I should order?

-Zeosstud

[StefanBurger]

I will be buying a few of these.. I am a little confused by what the difference is..  I will need one for my GRS Tron Stick and 2 for one control panel and then 2 more, each for its own control panel, any advice on which items I should order?

-Zeosstud

Well we actually start with 2 packages, both for Sanwa compatible joysticks (compatible in terms of restrictor plate mount):

• All-in-One Kit: contains everything to support 1 cabinet with 1 Sanwa compatible joystick (1 motorized restrictor, 1 2-in-1 arcade button, 1 microcontroller board, 1 Micro-USB cable, 1 JST-cable, printed manual). The price is not yet final it might be subject to change but a reasonalbe forecast is somewhere around 30 US$.
  
• 2-in-1 Kit: this is an extension kit to the all-in-one, it provids support for one additional joystick and 2-in-1 button within a cabinet. It includes 1 additional motorized restrictor, 1 additional 2-in-1 arcade button, wire harness and a printed manual. The price is not yet final and might be subject to change but a reasonable forecast is somewhere around 17 US$.

The software packages for automatization and configuration are free downloads

We already have working prototypes for the GRS Tron stick, but those are not yet in production but are planned for release later this year.

Here is a short video, showing the prototypes for Sanwa and GRS Tron stick:


Here is a short video, showing the usage and functionality of the configuration utility:


BR
Stefan

[negative1]

more comprehensive video:



later
-1

[Zeosstud]

I think it is kind of interesting that the idea was originally a fix for the Tron stick, but is being released first for the Sanwa sticks..  I have a need for both, so I am super happy this is going to be hitting the market in any form, will simplify my control panel layouts a lot.. As someone who will not make a control panel for a arcade cab with a horizontal screen that can not play Robotron, this solves so much. Yes I have a dedicated Robotron, with sticks I like a lot with a JROK, but I have 2 other cabs where this solution would have saved me some design issues and money.. I like a Sanwa joystick with a 2.5 or 3 pound spring. Hope you guys sell a bunch of these and they hold up for a long time.

Zeosstud

[StefanBurger]

I can asure you that is not the case. I already developed and distributed the Sanwa version when Glen Planamento approached me and asked to develop also a Tron compatible version. I have YouTube videos for the Sanwa version dated long before I or Glen released the first videos for the Tron version.

[Zeosstud]

Hey even better.. I will be buying a number of all of them.. :-)

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[csnow]

What springs do you use in your joysticks?  I have read the stock springs/throw in the Sanwa sticks aren't that great with classic arcade games.  Is there an adapter plate on the market for use in a Midway Ms Pac control panel?

I am definitely down on buying some of these to try on my upcoming projects - great work.

[StefanBurger]

The joystick is not part of the product. It is a drop in replacement for Sanwa compatible joystick restrictors. You can combine it with any joystick of your choice, as long as the restrictor mount at the bottom is Sanwa compatible.

[Zeosstud]

They are here!!

[javeryh]

They are here!!

Cool - didn’t see that they were up for already.  Test them and report back!

[StefanBurger]

They are here!!

Be aware of the configuration utility that allows to finetune the restrictor orientation if needed and also to customize the color settings:
https://thunderjoystick.com/products/GRS-TOS/tos428config_setup.zip

[Zeosstud]

What springs do you use in your joysticks?  I have read the stock springs/throw in the Sanwa sticks aren't that great with classic arcade games.  Is there an adapter plate on the market for use in a Midway Ms Pac control panel?

I am definitely down on buying some of these to try on my upcoming projects - great work.

I like both a 2.5lb and 3.0lb spring as a replacement for what comes as default, sadly right this moment I can not remember which ones I am using.. :-(

Plan on doing some work with these this weekend, will see how it all turns out. I have a mister pedestal that I want to redo the control panel on to make it much more 2 player friendly.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[Zeosstud]

Got this all hooked up and working.. Really cool..  Now I need to drill out a new control panel which will have to wait as the wife is painting stuff and would kill me if I created any dust right now. But it is useable as it sits, just ugly.. You can see I used to have the far left and far right joysticks up above the modified Stargate button layout, this allowed me to play Robotron and allowed me to use the right Robotron joystick and button for 2 player games, specifically Joust, Mario Bros, Wizard of Wor and Tetris. Thing is it was not very comfortable for 2 players because the player on the left stood pretty close to the middle, now however, I can lower the far left and right joysticks and spread them out, now 2 people should be much more comfortable using this setup and with the push of a button, I can still play Robotron. So, clearly Sanwa joysticks with the original square gate are not Gods gift to Robotron, that is why I have a dedicated Robotron cabinet, with proper leaf switches, but in a pinch, this will get the job done.

[csnow]

What springs do you use in your joysticks?  I have read the stock springs/throw in the Sanwa sticks aren't that great with classic arcade games.  Is there an adapter plate on the market for use in a Midway Ms Pac control panel?

I am definitely down on buying some of these to try on my upcoming projects - great work.

I like both a 2.5lb and 3.0lb spring as a replacement for what comes as default, sadly right this moment I can not remember which ones I am using.. :-(

Plan on doing some work with these this weekend, will see how it all turns out. I have a mister pedestal that I want to redo the control panel on to make it much more 2 player friendly.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

Thanks man

[Justin]

FYI, if you are using HyperSpin as FE, I am working on a way to autoswitch based on the game utilizing a simple .BAT script solution.  Its already working, just need fine tuning.  I will post a separate thread on this once ready.

Edit: done!
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=167355


Keywords: TOS GRS TO-GRS Thunderstick 4 8 way script hyperspin auto switch

[bollwerk]

FYI, if you are using HyperSpin as FE, I am working on a way to autoswitch based on the game utilizing a simple .BAT script solution.  Its already working, just need fine tuning.  I will post a separate thread on this once ready.

Edit: done!
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=167355


Keywords: TOS GRS TO-GRS Thunderstick 4 8 way script hyperspin auto switch

Very cool!

Does the script care/know whether the plate is currently in 4 or 8 way before it attempts to change it?
Just curious.

[Justin]

When the game starts, if the plate is already in 8 way, and the game is 8 way, it send the 8 way command anyway ... but it WONT change because that's how the circuit works. Sending a command to the same way it's set at does nothing.

Also on exit game you can define how you want it. Look at the script header for instructions.

[bollwerk]

oh ok. I must have misunderstood how the hardware worked. I (mistakenly) assumed it's just switching back and forth with know knowledge of an "8-way" or "4-way" position.
Based on what you're saying, this seems like an even more impressive solution!

[BlueGhost]

I picked up a pair of these, and have some JLFs on the way to go with them.  I tried the batch script from the GRS website, and it's working for me.  I wasn't able to command individual servos with the batch script, it was all or nothing.  Not that big of a deal, as I don't see a need for mixing 8-way and 4-way. 

It seems simple enough and should be easy to integrate into a front end.  I've seen on the Big Box forum where someone is switching to 4-way for 4-way games and back to 8-way on game exit.  I think that would cover everything I need them to do.

[Justin]

I picked up a pair of these, and have some JLFs on the way to go with them.  I tried the batch script from the GRS website, and it's working for me.  I wasn't able to command individual servos with the batch script, it was all or nothing.  Not that big of a deal, as I don't see a need for mixing 8-way and 4-way. 

It seems simple enough and should be easy to integrate into a front end.  I've seen on the Big Box forum where someone is switching to 4-way for 4-way games and back to 8-way on game exit.  I think that would cover everything I need them to do.

I never could find a script at the GRS website.  Can you share a link please?  Thanks!

[BlueGhost]

The links to the software and command line script are about half way down the product page: https://thunderstickstudio.com/products/tos-grs-4-to-8-way-restrictor-all-in-one-kit

tos428cl is the command line version you'd wan to use in a batch file:https://thunderjoystick.com/products/GRS-TOS/tos428cl_setup.zip

[BlueGhost]

I picked up a pair of these, and have some JLFs on the way to go with them.  I tried the batch script from the GRS website, and it's working for me.  I wasn't able to command individual servos with the batch script, it was all or nothing.  Not that big of a deal, as I don't see a need for mixing 8-way and 4-way. 

It seems simple enough and should be easy to integrate into a front end.  I've seen on the Big Box forum where someone is switching to 4-way for 4-way games and back to 8-way on game exit.  I think that would cover everything I need them to do.

I never could find a script at the GRS website.  Can you share a link please?  Thanks!

Just looked at your script, it looks like you are using the command line tool I was talking about. 

Here's the instructions I found for Launch Box:https://forums.launchbox-app.com/topic/67776-automatically-switch-between-4-way-and-8-way-joystick-depending-on-loaded-game/

[Justin]

Oh ok I see what you mean.

Yes there is a plug-in for LaunchBox. I use hyper spin so I created my own script.  And it's fairly generic so would work with any emulator I believe.   

[Justin]

The links to the software and command line script are about half way down the product page: https://thunderstickstudio.com/products/tos-grs-4-to-8-way-restrictor-all-in-one-kit

tos428cl is the command line version you'd wan to use in a batch file:https://thunderjoystick.com/products/GRS-TOS/tos428cl_setup.zip

A word of caution... I am almost positive that the tos428cl application (required to control the switching via commands etc) is a 64bit app.   Normally not a problem but many of us like myself have very light builds based on 32 bit OS like Windows  XP.     It won't run on any of my XP builds unfortunately. 

This is an easy fix if Stefan can compile a 32 bit version.  I have been in touch but so far I don't have a definitive answer if this is actually the problem, or if there could be a fix for us with older systems.

And yes I can confirm that you can't switch directly restrictors 2,3,4.  Only number 1.   Seems like a software bug.  I tested thoroughly on my Win 7 desktop.

It's an amazing hardware and Stefan is incredibly talented putting together such quality and top notch products- I'm very impressed.  Seems the software needs some tweaking and I'll be in heaven.

[leapinlew]

Nice to see the conversation about this here!

I just upgraded my mame machine on Jan19th. I'm using Mala and I'm using a simple batch file to send to the file into 4 or 8 way. I also have Dragons Lair/space Ace in my mame list, so I switch to 4 way for those.

You can see in the batch file, I use different software, and even different versions of mame. Basically, for 4 way games, I make the call to "TOS428cs.exe com4 setway,1,4" and for 8 way it's "TOS428cs.exe com4 setway,1,4". I definitely wanted something easier (more plug and play), but using a batchfile got the job done. 

I did have to fine tune the unit so I could hit the upper corners, and it got me wondering if there was a way to have it stop diagonal for Qbert?

[Justin]

I was thinking about Qbert too but it cannot be done is what I think.   

If you think about it, 45 degrees means hitting the diagonals ONLY.   The plate can move to give you diagonals but that is essentially the 8 way position.  The up down left right are still possible in this position of course.

Net, the only way to achieve Q Bert mode is to rotate the SWITCHES by 45 degrees along with a 4 way oriented plate.    Not with this solution...

[leapinlew]

I thought there was a way, in mame, to tell QBert to only move when diagonals were pressed.

I found the thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,25958.msg214145.html#msg214145

[Justin]

That's clever.    It's a software solution and a great one at that!
One must set up the restrictive to 8 way for this if I understood correctly!   

[skr]

Just in case anyone is also having issues with the software for the restrictor switches: the config tool and the command line tool worked flawless on my laptop for testing purposes, but refused to work on the desktop PC in my cabinet....
I got a number of errors concerning missing .dll's etc. In the end I had to install the MS Visual C++ Redistributable package and everything is running as it should.

[StefanBurger]

Try „tos428config for Windows - compatibility version“. It installs C runtime libraries that seem to miss on your PC.

https://thunderstickstudio.com/products/tos-grs-switchable-4-to-8-way-restrictor-all-in-one-kit-1