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First project - desktop controls

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Tiger-Heli:

Right website, wrong product -

Check out the GGG GP-Wiz32, USB 32-input gamepad encoder.  $19.95 if you want to practice your soldering or $23.95 if you don't.

Stobe:


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on June 29, 2005, 10:00:22 am ---Right website, wrong product -


--- End quote ---

His preference really.  I forgot this was a desktop project.  USB would probably be the better route.  But if it was a matter of hacking a keyboard versus a keyboard encoder....  that's what I was really getting at.

-Stobe

(Good catch Tiger-Heli)

Tiger-Heli:


--- Quote from: Stobe on June 29, 2005, 10:15:16 am ---His preference really.  I forgot this was a desktop project.  USB would probably be the better route.  But if it was a matter of hacking a keyboard versus a keyboard encoder....  that's what I was really getting at.

-Stobe

(Good catch Tiger-Heli)

--- End quote ---
Agreed, his preference, but the original post said he was partial to USB.

cbmeeks:

I assume you  have the wood, glue, etc already??

Here is what I would do.  But if you are on a really tight budget, then it might be hard.  You said you are into old "retro" games.

You could always buy a cp but we are assuming you want the total experience of building one.

I would build a small box (in a cool shape) that would hold enough for two players.

I would get 2 joysticks (OMNI-Stik BASIC $13.50) - $27
I would do 6 buttons each (12 buttons @ $1.85) - $22.20
Player 1/2 start - $3.70
Pause,Exit buttons - $3.70
Coin 1/2 buttons - $3.70
mounting plates for joysticks - $25.00 (may not need this)
encoder - $20.00

So, you are looking at around $80 - $120 plus shipping/wood/glue/screws/etc.

Then, I would just plug it in the computer and play on the monitor.  It would basically be a USB keyboard in a big, fat, box...lol

If you are super cheap (or poor like me), you MIGHT save $10 - $50 by hacking stuff, eBay, etc.



n3rrd:

Thanks for the replies everyone, I appreciate the input.

cbmeeks, the cost you listed is more than likely in USD, and I would be spending CAD, but that doesn't look to be brutally expensive.  :P  I am currently nineteen, working full time and putting some money away for school;  no bills leaves that within my price range.

You can see my situation though.  I am not only trying to build a controller to play games on, but learn a few things, and try something a little different than usual.  I have plenty of free time, so hacking stuff might not only save me a few bucks, but would end up benefitting me in other ways.  Haha, have to do something while the girlfriend is working and I'm not, right?

Stobe, I may end up just purchasing an encoder like you suggested.  I might still attempt to hack one just for the hell of it.  I've basically finished hacking this USB gamepad I snagged for $8.95 CAD, and it's working... just need the arcade controls now.  :(

I am sort of just trying out my options and playing around to see what I prefer.  Still in that learning/planning stage before I tackle the bigger project.  For some reason I find the hacking things idea to be very interesting.  *shrugs*

Thanks again.
  n3rrd.

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