Analog Joystick Idea

[Trimoor]

I have nothing better to do, so I came up with an simple idea for a cheap analog joystick.

Take a classic leaf switch joystick, and replace the leaf switches with flex sensors.  That's pretty much it.  The flex sensors are just like the leaf switches, but they vary in resistance depending on how far they are bent.  They can attach directly to the joystick/game port without any modification.

Well, what do you think?

[Tritoch84]

It's little more complicated then that.

[rdagger]

The sensors cost around $10 each.  I believe they only bend 1 way, so you would need 4, which is rather expensive considering you can buy a Happ 49-way for $36.  Also I've never worked with joystick ports on a PC, but I doubt you could plug it directly in.  You would probably need to build a HID interface.  You couldn't connect it with a DualStrike hack because instead of 2 pots you have 4 sensors.

[hooded_paladin]

Could you find a way to mount them so that they're medium-bent at rest, and less/more bent at the sides?  Or do they not have enough range for that?

[RayB]

What do the sensors cost when purchased in bulk?

[Trimoor]

You will need four, but it can still interface to the game port without extra hardware.  Connect one pin of the sensor to ground, and the other to both the other sensor and the analog input.  Connect the other pin of the other sensor to +5v.  I'll make a diagram soon.

The best price I've found so far is $6 from Digikey, but there must be cheaper sources on less precise sensors.  Think of the nintendo power glove.