Tron restrictor on Xenophobe Joy

[coasternuts]

Is it possible to replace the bottom restrictor on a Xenophobe joy with a Tron one?  Would it be worth it without the diamond shaped restrictor on top? 

Here is a link to a picture of the restrictor:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=d583b6e9bebfb12bc92ce07661dd31de&topic=31088.msg264294#msg264294

Here is a picture of the restrictor on the Xenophobe.  The reason I am asking is that I might be able to get a Tron base unit without the handle, but for around $30.   Is it worth it?

The top part of the Xenophobe has a square opening and the bottom is also square.  Though you can't see that in these pictures,  I want you to see the entire base to see if there is anything else I need to be wary of.

Thanks.

[armax]

coasternuts.  Did you just buy this joystick on BST forum from a set of 3?  I just recieved what looks like the same type of joystick and was wondering the same thing..

[coasternuts]

No, but I did ask him for one.  I got mine of eBay.  ~$31.  I thought he would part with one for the same price so I would have two, one to tinker with.  I didn't get it.

My other thought was to find some galvanized? rubber at  local hardware or automotive store and cut it up to have the diamond restrictor. 

I haven't mounted the stick yet to try it out  without modification, though, I know from previous posts that the light cycle stage will suck with the Xenophobe stick.   But I feel I have to try it anyway.   I like to set myself up for disappointment.   

[armax]

I swear that Oscar needs to offer restrictor plates again.  They seem more in demand than ever...If you find a solution, post it here.  I'm curious as well.

[Patent Doc]

Coasternuts

Could you take another picture of the bottom restrictor with the actuator off.  I'm betting it's possible to switch out the restrictors, but I can't tell from the pictures you posted.  Alternatively, one of these guys with far more experience may no off the top of their head.

[coasternuts]

I knew I should have taken better photos.  Sorry.

I am concerned about two things:  that the restrictor on bottom would not fit, and the second is that the top is a square restrictor and without replacing that too, there would be no point.

[NoOne=NBA=]

You've got a few choices as to how to attack this.
The easiest is to just buy a Tron bottom, and be done with it.

The second is to modify your existing stick, and MAKE it a Tron Stick.
I haven't actually DONE that mod, but I measured everything for it, and it will work.

To do it, you need to rotate the top restrictor 45 degrees, hack the corners off, and remount it, and also turn the bottom restrictor.
I measured the DOT/Xeno top restrictor, and it has the same dimensions as the Tron stick, but different orientation.
Rotating the bottom restrictor is really easy.

[Kremmit]

The bottom restrictor from an original Pac stick has the diamond orientation already, if you want to find one of those.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I think you and I are amongst the few that would have one laying around though, Kremmit.

[coasternuts]

I sucked it up and bought the Tron base.($30 ouch.)  Now having done that, I'm tempted to by the specialtyplastics repro handle, though I'm concerned about getting the proper switching and mounting accessories for it.

I'll post whether the restrictors match.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The restrictors match fine, but given that you have to disassemble the joystick anyway, why not just mount the handle you have onto the Tron base?

[Kremmit]

NoOne- Maybe he's trying to keep the Xenophobe intact- he could sell it to re-coup some of the costs of a Tron base, coupled with a Specialty Plastics repro handle, plus all the parts he needs from Happs to make it whole. 

Coaster- on the one hand, it'd probably be cheaper to do as NoOne suggests.  But, if you really want the authentic Tron look, this post has a list of the parts you need from Happ.  The post is from 2003, though, so expect the prices to have changed.  Also note that 1UP used the thumb plate with 2 holes, and 2 thumbswitches. They sell a one-hole and a no-hole plate too, so you can cut down on the cost if you don't need the thumbswitches on your Tron stick. 

I'd love to see pics and measurements of the Tron restrictors.  I've got a junked flightstick base here I'd like to have a go at converting some day.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The lower restrictor on the Tron stick is identical (at least as far as I can tell with a tape measure) to the Pacman ones.
Not surprising, given that the designs are similar, and both come from the same company.
The lower restrictor on the DOT/Xeno sticks is the same SIZE as the Tron ones, but fits in a circular hole, whereas on Tron/Pacman the hole is diamond shaped.
This isn't really an issue because the Tron/Pacman restrictor will fit into the circular hole perfectly, or you can rotate the DOT one, and redrill holes to align it properly.

The upper restrictor on the Tron/Dot sticks are identical (again as far as I can tell with a tape measure) other than orientation.
The rubber part is diamond shaped on the Tron stick, and square shaped on the DOT stick, when seated properly in the holder.
The piece that holds them is identical, and has a round cutout just below the rubber piece.

As far as the hardware goes, it'll run about $12+shipping at Happs, for the trigger assembly without any thumb buttons.
I've been using some Radio Shack buttons for thumbswitches because they are quieter than the originals.
I'm not sure of the Catalog number on them, but they are a two pack one red/one black momentary button, both with a black shroud on them.
The thumb pressure required to activate them is a little lighter than the Xeno (short cone) buttons.

I personally would sacrifice the top of the Xeno stick to make a Tron one.
My black sticks have run me about $15 shipped, on average.
The black handles (usually with trigger and/or thumb switch assemblies) go pretty cheap if you watch the auctions.
Full sticks are usually a little more, but still ALOT less than the Tron repro handles alone.

[coasternuts]

You both hit the nail on the head.  If I could get the Tron working I might feel compelled to sell the Xeno stick as it is in nice condition( or make a Xeno CP  )  Also, the Torx screws do look a little rusty so I'm guessing once I take them off, I won't be putting them back in, and I don't want to ruin the stick.

I was looking at the parts list for the Tron repros from the post, here it is again:

43-0013-00  2-56 X 3/8 SCR SLOTTED ROUND HEAD MS ZINC PLATED  (4) $0.28
95-4278-00  SWITCH ASSY DA3 TRIGGER  (2) $2.40
90-1012-00  SCREW,#4X3/4 PHIL.PAN HD SHEET METAL TYPE AB  (4) $0.36
96-4101-00  TRIGGER SWITCH BRACKET HD J/S  (2) $4.41
50-8357-00  SPRING RETURN F/TRIGGER SWITCH F/ ANALOG JOYSTICKS  (2) $1.52
95-4400-06  THUMBSWITCH ASSY,BLK, DA3  (2) $10.49
96-2542-02  BACKPLATE HD J/S BLACK 2 HOLES  (2) $2.30

Either I don't know how to use Happ's search function, or they have renumbered everything.  I am having trouble finding most of this even if I search by name.

When the base arrives, I'll have a look over it and take some measurements and post back here.  Then I can think about what to do.

[Kremmit]

They may have renumbered, that list is from 2003.  However, their web store doesn't have every single part that Happ sells- try calling them with that list, the numbers may be fine, just not in the web catalog.  And post back any new #s and prices, of course.

[Chris]

Either I don't know how to use Happ's search function, or they have renumbered everything.

[mahuti]

Yeah, that worked for me about 6 months ago. I couldn't FIND any of the parts, but entering them in worked out well.

[Chris]

I just added all of the above numbers to a Happ shopping cart and found them all.

[Kremmit]

Ah, that works.

Also, found the part #s for the thumb plates with 1 or no holes:

96-2542-00 - no holes
96-2542-01 - 1 hole
96-2542-02 - 2 holes

[mahuti]

I have a PDF web grab of 1ups old tutorial linked above (with pictures) if anyone needs it.