Author Topic: Atari Star Wars yoke (Read 11880 times)

Wolfman · « **on:** November 11, 2002, 02:54:46 pm »

I would really like to get an Atari Star Wars yoke. Any ideas where I could get it, and how hard it is to find one? This is the yoke I am talking about

Thanks for your help

(I am not sure if this is the right forum for this message, but its the main one so I figured most people would be here.)

eightbit · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2002, 03:39:01 pm »

Ebay would be a good place to watch. I found one in the completed auctions that was listed for $9.95 and it didn't sell.

You could build a twisty grip-
http://members5.boardhost.com/TwistyGrip/

It wouldn't look authenticate but its supposed to give an authentic feel. I'd be interested to hear from guys that have built this.

Wolfman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2002, 04:15:35 pm »

Thanks for the help, I'll have to watch ebay then. About TwistyGrip, it wouldn't serve my purpose well. The Atari Star Wars yoke is a replica of tank gunner's handles, very similar to the ones found on M1A1 Abrams. I would hook it up to a PC and use it for gunnery practice. TwistyGrip is not close enough in shape. But thanks for the tip anyway!

wee beastie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2002, 05:48:05 pm »

That's so cool. Are you seriously using it for gunnery practice? Do you have some sort of tank simulator software you are running, or are you just going to "practice" using mame games?

Wolfman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2002, 06:26:46 pm »

Quote from: wee beastie on November 11, 2002, 05:48:05 pm

That's so cool. Are you seriously using it for gunnery practice? Do you have some sort of tank simulator software you are running, or are you just going to "practice" using mame games?

I'll be using Steel Beasts with it. Its a PC tank sim, also used by the US Army. They use it for platoon to company level tactics training, as they don't have any gunner's handles that can be hooked up to PCs (in order to train gunnery). But Danish tankers use Steel Beasts with spare Leopard 1A5 gunner's handles.

You can check it out at www.eSimgames.com if you are interested, there is a demo available for download.

Most people I know use joysticks for gunnery in it, but it just doesn't give you the kind of accuracy provided by gunner's handles.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2002, 06:34:24 pm »

Well, you could modify the twisty plans to what you need.

Wolfman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2002, 07:29:03 pm »

I have only the basic tools (screwdrivers, a set of wrenches, a couple of files, soldering material). How complex is TwistyGrip to make?

SirPoonga · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2002, 08:30:42 pm »

I hear it can be difficult, but that is due to the instructions being a little hard to understand sometimes. I am going to make one using IUP's dual strike hack.

BTW, can you redefine the joystick keys in the demo? If not that is sad.

Wolfman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2002, 08:54:13 pm »

Quote from: SirPoonga on November 11, 2002, 08:30:42 pm

I hear it can be difficult, but that is due to the instructions being a little hard to understand sometimes. I am going to make one using IUP's dual strike hack.

BTW, can you redefine the joystick keys in the demo? If not that is sad.

Good luck with your project.

If you mean Steel Beasts demo, then no you can't reassign keys. It will be a welcome feature in Steel Beasts 2, when it comes out in Q1 2003.

How often do Atari Star Wars yokes show up on ebay? Is it reasonable to expect to find one anytime soon?

SirPoonga · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2002, 09:00:16 pm »

Quote from: Wolfman on November 11, 2002, 08:54:13 pm

Good luck with your project.

If you mean Steel Beasts demo, then no you can't reassign keys. It will be a welcome feature in Steel Beasts 2, when it comes out in Q1 2003.

How often do Atari Star Wars yokes show up on ebay? Is it reasonable to expect to find one anytime soon?

Once and awhile, just not cheap. Repairing will be a pain.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2002, 09:22:25 pm »

btw, they aren't cheap on ebay. The 10 dollar one you saw I looked at and didn't get it..

why? it had $20 shipping added AND it was missing many parts... so many that he didn't even say what.

they go from 50 - 150 depending on the quality/week on ebay.

Wolfman · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2002, 10:12:00 pm »

What should I search under on ebay? "Star Wars yoke", or "Atari yoke" etc. I wouldn't want to miss it just because I didn't type in the right name.

wee beastie · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2002, 12:39:42 am »

anyone at hanaho, act-labs, or happ controls thought of manufacturing these things? I figure that if they get enough emails expressing interest, they might just take a serious look into it.

Hell, if it goes for $100 on ebay, I'm sure happ could sell new ones for quite a bit more.

Wolfman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2002, 02:29:04 am »

Quote from: wee beastie on November 12, 2002, 12:39:42 am

anyone at hanaho, act-labs, or happ controls thought of manufacturing these things? I figure that if they get enough emails expressing interest, they might just take a serious look into it.

Hell, if it goes for $100 on ebay, I'm sure happ could sell new ones for quite a bit more.

I am not sure about other applications, but as long as the design remained close to gunner's handles, I know for a fact that many Steel Beasts users would buy it, and most importantly, the US Army (and likely some European). The Army needs a cheap training tool to train tank gunners in the field. Right now the only options are their few full scale simulators, or live fire with tanks on the range. Both options are expensive, and allow only a small number of training hours per individual crewmen. Since they already are using Steel Beasts, all they need are some handles (the spare ones from real tanks cost up to $18,000). So I think a product of this kind would sell well.

By the way, the similarity between the Atari Star Wars yoke and tank controls is not a coincidence, Atari was going to build an M2A2 Bradley simulator for the Army, but the project was never completed, so they ended up using the controllers on the Star Wars arcade game.

eightbit · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2002, 08:47:55 am »

I would have bought that off ebay. $20 shipping isn't bad for something that size and weight. It should be easier to replace what was missing than to build a twisty grip from scratch.

wee beastie · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2002, 11:17:11 am »

perhaps you could email act-labs product dev. I already did about a week ago. Unfortunately I got no response

email: development@act-labs.com

happ controls would be another potential candidate. Unfortunately I don't know their email address, but I'm sure it can be found. I seriously think that if we show enough interest in an analog SW yoke, they might really take a look into it. Anyone else with me on this one?

Lilwolf · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2002, 12:00:32 pm »

I dont' think happs would do it... Why? They don't seem to like emulation crew. They don't
seem to want to make us happy as customers.

Act labs might... but they wont' make any money on it.

I think the only one around here that could do it would be someone like Oscar.

As for the 20 bucks shipping. That wasn't the big thing. It was in crappy shape and there are parts that are VERY hard to get. I considered getting it and ripping most of the insides out and hacking something for myself. But put it off.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2002, 12:27:42 pm »

Here is a good looking one thats currently 51 bucks... They messed up the
topic (didnt' mention starwars)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=731220624

this is the search I do for them
(star wars, firefox, hydra, empire strikes back, lock on, flight yoke)
I miss some, but not many (I don't know... but I've found some in other searches)

btw, wolfman... what is the brand of those yokes? They seem like they would be perfect (but expensive... especially if they were designed for the military).

thanks

Brax · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2002, 12:38:32 pm »

Brand?
Its from a Leopard Tank! hehe

We're going to have to add Military Surplus stores on our list of arcade parts vendors heh

rampy · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2002, 12:54:05 pm »

Quote from: Lilwolf on November 12, 2002, 12:27:42 pm

Here is a good looking one thats currently 51 bucks... They messed up the
topic (didnt' mention starwars)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=731220624

this is the search I do for them
(star wars, firefox, hydra, empire strikes back, lock on, flight yoke)
I miss some, but not many (I don't know... but I've found some in other searches)

btw, wolfman... what is the brand of those yokes? They seem like they would be perfect (but expensive... especially if they were designed for the military).

thanks

Lilwolf, didn't you argue with me (succesfully) that Roadblasters WASNT a star wars yoke about a month ago?

old thread

EDIT:
BTW you can probably use the roadblaster for some parts though for a star wars unit in a pinch (triggers, buttons, possibly other stuff) *shrug*

wee beastie · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2002, 01:16:37 pm »

part of me thinks that the roadblasters one would be real easy to modify into a sw yoke, though.

Buy a few gears from tower hobbies and a pot from Radio Shack, and you've got a second axis.

Brax · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2002, 01:17:29 pm »

Thank god I was sniped!!! I was in it for 80 bucks... I come back and read its not the same as Star Wars. ACK!!!!

All I can say is WHEW!

eightbit · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2002, 01:24:27 pm »

Where can I get this steel beasts sim? I've heard of this program that the military uses but I can't find it.

wee beastie · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2002, 01:34:12 pm »

www.eSimgames.com

Wolfman · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2002, 05:54:04 pm »

Quote from: Lilwolf on November 12, 2002, 12:27:42 pm

Here is a good looking one thats currently 51 bucks... They messed up the
topic (didnt' mention starwars)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=731220624

this is the search I do for them
(star wars, firefox, hydra, empire strikes back, lock on, flight yoke)
I miss some, but not many (I don't know... but I've found some in other searches)

btw, wolfman... what is the brand of those yokes? They seem like they would be perfect (but expensive... especially if they were designed for the military).

thanks

Thanks for the tip, I'll use that to search.

Those handles are from a Leopard 1A5.

Frostillicus · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2002, 08:51:57 pm »

The roadblasters yoke is the same, but the x-axis was locked down - so it was just a glorified steering wheel. You could prob add a pot and get it to rotate somehow...

I actually read in a reputable source that Atari was commissioned to design a tank simulator along the lines of Battlezone(KLOV says it is a legend. *shrug*). Apparently they were uncomfortable doing that and only worked on the one project.

Anyways, I also recently lost an auction for a whole roadblasters cab - so then I was looking at alternatives and twistygrips came up of course.
The plans for the twisty grip don't look too difficult - I got them yesterday before I even found this particular thread - my interest in building a star wars yoke is pretty strong. This seems like a viable solution. In them the narrator explains each step and gives really good tips - apparently its' gone through a rewrite recently. There are new and improved variations for parts. Construction looks like it would be a solid sat afternoon - might as well give it a shot!

I don't feel like shelling out $104 bucks for a used yoke I'd have to modify anyways - be it a genuine starwars or roadblasters, they'd both have to be retrofit somehow to work on a PC.

eightbit · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2002, 10:29:52 pm »

When you get it built post your thoughts here, I'm interested in building the twistygrip.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #27 on:** November 13, 2002, 06:55:10 am »

Quote from: Wolfman on November 11, 2002, 10:12:00 pm

What should I search under on ebay? "Star Wars yoke", or "Atari yoke" etc. I wouldn't want to miss it just because I didn't type in the right name.

I just search for "yoke", but in the correct category: http://listings.ebay.com/pool1/plistings/list/all/category13715/index.html

You also might be interested in my idea for modifying a twisty-grip yoke, although I haven't done anything with it yet: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=2699;start=40

Frostillicus · « **Reply #28 on:** November 13, 2002, 08:13:46 am »

Quote from: eightbit on November 12, 2002, 10:29:52 pm

When you get it built post your thoughts here, I'm interested in building the twistygrip.

Will do - won't be till thanksgiving probably, though. Then I'll have access to some good power tools.
I'll put stuff on my website when I get it done.

wee beastie · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2002, 09:19:28 am »

I think I'm going to give a it a shot. I'm not going to give the twistygrip a shot yet, as I've got a good concept in my head right now. Hopefully this weekend I can run out to lowe's and see if they have everything I need.

Wolfman · « **Reply #30 on:** November 14, 2002, 10:48:39 am »

Are STUN Runner and Star Wars yokes the same?

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #31 on:** November 14, 2002, 11:17:17 am »

Quote from: Wolfman on November 14, 2002, 10:48:39 am

Are STUN Runner and Star Wars yokes the same?

I think so!

Brax · « **Reply #32 on:** November 14, 2002, 12:09:19 pm »

You can get an entire working STUN Runner for $100 on Ebay right now, ha! They'd make more money if they ripped the controls out of it and sold it piecemeal hehe

eightbit · « **Reply #33 on:** November 14, 2002, 02:31:43 pm »

Theres another one in Texas thats up to 200, how come these deals are never any where near my house? I live between Detroit and Chicago, I'd be willing to drive either direction to pick it up. I bought the cab I have now in Detroit.

Then again neither auction is over yet and they could still go for a lot of money.

botez · « **Reply #34 on:** November 14, 2002, 04:35:27 pm »

Keep looking on Ebay and something will come up. I got a great looking/working Stun Runner yoke for $34 on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=718707797

Troy Olson

eightbit · « **Reply #35 on:** November 14, 2002, 04:39:45 pm »

Botez, how did you interface it to your pc?

rampy · « **Reply #36 on:** November 14, 2002, 04:49:21 pm »

Quote from: botez on November 14, 2002, 04:35:27 pm

Keep looking on Ebay and something will come up. I got a great looking/working Stun Runner yoke for $34 on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=718707797

Troy Olson

hehe.. I'm *still* bitter about that, btw =P

Lilwolf · « **Reply #37 on:** November 14, 2002, 06:39:41 pm »

hahaha, I had that bookmarked and was going to snipe it... and forgot...

glad someone around here got it!

Quote from: botez on November 14, 2002, 04:35:27 pm

Keep looking on Ebay and something will come up. I got a great looking/working Stun Runner yoke for $34 on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=718707797

Troy Olson

btw, on how to interface it. There is two ways. You can replace the 5k pots with 100k pots (which PC gamepads use) and hack it into a game port

-or-

go to the 1UP's starwars hack. Fast easy and you don't modify the analog controllers.

botez · « **Reply #38 on:** November 14, 2002, 06:50:44 pm »

I'm going to use the 1up dual strike hack. I just ended up getting the yoke yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to set it up. When I do, I'll post my "exciting" results.

Troy Olson

Wolfman · « **Reply #39 on:** November 16, 2002, 01:04:48 am »

What are the grips made of on the Star Wars and STUN Runner yokes?

kspiff · « **Reply #40 on:** November 16, 2002, 06:06:03 am »

Star Wars yokes -- as far as I know -- all have metal/steel handles.

If there is any interest I could likely check my RoadBlasters yoke to see if the handles could be made to rotate (but it looks like it would be mucho trouble to do and require many parts). Keep in mind, however, that RoadBlasters yokes use optic boards/encoder wheels rather than pots so there's more hardware you'd have to purchase (extra optic board, gears, encoder wheel) and the hack would be different (Opti-Pac or a mouse hack).

As for TwistyGrip, I got started on one of these and ended up just scrapping it and getting a SW yoke instead -- it didn't feel right, wasn't very sturdy, looked akward, and the buttons (that they suggest, anyways) feel crappy. I guess it works for some, but it would look kind of stupid on a cab.

Wolfman · « **Reply #41 on:** November 16, 2002, 03:23:37 pm »

Thanks, I'll need to add 2 pairs of buttons, so I was wondering how much drilling I'd have to do. As for the Roadblasters yoke, I don't think I could convert it to rotate if its fixed, not with my limited amount of tools anyway.

kspiff · « **Reply #42 on:** November 16, 2002, 04:34:12 pm »

2 more thumb buttons? That might be possible, but the hole would likely have to be drilled on the seam between the handle pieces like the other button (which might be a pain unless you have a drill press or Dremel tool). Also, while there should be enough 'real estate' left in the handle for another microswitch and button assembly, there wouldn't be any rails to guide the button's shaft or place to mount the microswitch. I wouldn't want to undertake a project like that -- seems like a lot of trouble and I'm not even sure what you'd hack it with, with that many buttons.

If you do undertake such a project, try to get a few pairs of classicade.com's replacement thumb buttons. That guy is awesome and so are his buttons (besides that I have no idea where else you'd get them

).

You may want to look at Xiayou2(?)'s yoke.. it's completely/mostly made of wood.. would leave room for flexibility and probably be inexpensive.

k-spiff

Wolfman · « **Reply #43 on:** November 16, 2002, 09:43:17 pm »

I will rewire the buttons serialy so that 2 buttons perform the same fonction, one on each grip. The Atari yoke has 4 buttons (not sure about the S.T.U.N. yoke), in Windows this gives you 4 functions. I'd install another button for each. So for example, the 2 triggers would be rewired so that both are connected to the wire from the left trigger, while the wire from the right trigger would be connected to another pair and so on. This would give me 8 buttons which perform 4 functions.

This means that I would have to install 2 buttons, and 2 special switches, called Palm Switches (the big red ones with finger indents, check the photo on the 1st page of this thread). I already have the parts with finger indents, just need to see if there is enough room in the grips on the yoke to stuff them in there. If not, I'll settle for just 2 extra buttons.

Thanks for the tip on where to get the buttons, I was already starting to wonder about that one.


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