Author Topic: RAM Controls - Star Wars Yoke (Read 30900 times)

whynotpizza · « **on:** April 18, 2007, 09:16:23 pm »

Ok, didn't mean to get you all excited, but was wondering if anyone has any update from RAM Controls regarding their status on the Star Wars Yoke?

I emailed last week and didn't hear anything back and was wondering if others have heard if this is close or not.

From my discussions with David (RAM Controls) he seems like this is a real-deal - soon to be released control, but that was a earlier last month.

Anxious to see this puppy when it gets complete.

David

Havok · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:15:53 pm »

I haven't received any updates either - I even sent an e-mail to them via their contact page. Hopefully this goes through, if not I'm out $200...

polaris · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2007, 01:17:51 pm »

i'd say he's a busy guy from looking at the site, the major havok controllers are being sold by independent retailers i believe , so i really think its genuine, i can see it easily being behind schedule as the guy seems to have very high standards for his final products.
the real issue that all should be concerned with here, is how i get one to the uk.

has anyone bought anything in production and recieved it? the cones etc.

grantspain · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2007, 01:23:54 pm »

is this not the same as the original yoke-http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95070100.htm

horseboy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2007, 01:26:35 pm »

Quote from: grantspain on April 19, 2007, 01:23:54 pm

is this not the same as the original yoke-
http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95070100.htm

Nope

polaris · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2007, 01:27:31 pm »

Quote from: grantspain on April 19, 2007, 01:23:54 pm

is this not the same as the original yoke-http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95070100.htm

get out of the midday sun its affecting you

grantspain · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:21:36 pm »

yes i see what you mean,too much sangria me thinks

Kremmit · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2007, 11:41:40 pm »

Quote from: polaris on April 19, 2007, 01:17:51 pm

i'd say he's a busy guy from looking at the site, the major havok controllers are being sold by independent retailers i believe , so i really think its genuine, i can see it easily being behind schedule as the guy seems to have very high standards for his final products.
the real issue that all should be concerned with here, is how i get one to the uk.

has anyone bought anything in production and recieved it? the cones etc.

I have some of the cones. I actually bought them through one of his re-sellers, but they're his. Very nice.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2007, 06:32:40 am »

David is a genuine enough guy..... I strongly suspect he's got a hell of a lot on his plate right now. No need to panic chaps. Just be patient. Delays on something like this are inevitable.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Havok · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2007, 09:33:30 am »

Yeah, I believe this will happen, but I would at least like to see some communication - even if it's just an entry on his project blog...

polaris · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2007, 10:09:36 am »

this is all good , but nobodys answering the real issue here, how am i gonna get one.

shorthair · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2007, 05:19:07 pm »

You can pre-order at the site. Or, you can wait till we get ours, then order one.

polaris · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2007, 05:53:34 pm »

im in the uk, they dont ship here

rovingmind · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2007, 06:24:36 pm »

have somebody stateside forward it.

shorthair · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2007, 07:43:32 pm »

That or you could get yourself a free Fedex account and have 'em do a pick-up.

whynotpizza · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2007, 10:24:34 pm »

I agree Havok, it sure would be nice to get a BLOG update or post on the boards, or even an email.

I too did the pre-order, and am looking forward to seeing my purchase, hopefully before the summer!

David

Havok · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2007, 06:19:59 pm »

Just got an e-mail from David, and he has updated his blog. Looks like he had technical difficulties. Check out the latest updates. I knew everything would be ok, just like that little bit of communication...

http://ram-controls.com/blog-sw.html

(Where's the wiping forehead smiley?)

whynotpizza · « **Reply #17 on:** April 21, 2007, 08:36:55 pm »

Cool, thanks for the info Havok.

Sure hope the yokes get done soon, and this isn't a drag-on through the end of 2007 to complete.

If I knew it would take such a long time, I'd make my own.

I guess we'll just be patient and see how this RAM Controls stuff works out. From the looks of it, I think my pre-order will be worth the wait.

David

SavannahLion · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2007, 10:56:20 pm »

cnlmoore · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2007, 12:37:54 am »

I have one of the major havoc repro rollers and the quality is amazing. I'm sure they won't disappoint us with the yoke.

shorthair · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2007, 02:22:26 am »

Quite obviously, and has always been obvious, he's obsessed with quality. The concern I would think'd be more: will some economic event shut him down, etc?

SavannahLion · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2007, 01:28:34 pm »

Quote from: shorthair on April 22, 2007, 02:22:26 am

The concern I would think'd be more: will some economic event shut him down, etc?

He seems to have it well thought out, getting his basic components, such as screws, bolts, and springs stocked up before going after the bigger pieces. He's sinking quite a bit of money on this venture, but it doesn't seem he's stretching himself thin to get it accomplished. The fact he's machining some of his own parts would lead me to think that he's got a pretty good business and/or job to justify the cost of the equipment needed.

shorthair · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2007, 04:15:30 pm »

Seems likely. And I don't think he'd leave anyone hanging high and dry. Not that it was a concern of mine, though a consideration, just that others might be most worried about this possible aspect. I'm looking forward to getting one, for sure, though I'm still wishing I'd known about that miracle deal on ebay, recently. If I hadn't liked it, I know I could've kept the other parts and still got my money back on it. Ah, fixation with the past.

Havok · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:24:48 am »

Quote from: whynotpizza on April 21, 2007, 08:36:55 pm

Cool, thanks for the info Havok.

Sure hope the yokes get done soon, and this isn't a drag-on through the end of 2007 to complete.

If I knew it would take such a long time, I'd make my own.

I guess we'll just be patient and see how this RAM Controls stuff works out. From the looks of it, I think my pre-order will be worth the wait.

David

David said in his e-mail to me that it wouldn't be much longer, so hopefully that is the case. Unfortunately he has to rely on another vendor to get the powder coating completed, but his initial run with the new vendor was good. Even with the e-bay yoke that went recently, I'd rather have this - it will be better upgraded components than NOS, and it is brand new.

polaris · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2007, 01:26:50 pm »

its likely these new ones are gonna make old ones cheaper i reckon, for the price why not buy new

whynotpizza · « **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2007, 03:02:28 pm »

Agreed, newer is always better.

Besides, RAM Controls seems to build solid high quality products. I'd rather pay a bit extra and get something that will last.

I just hope we all aren't waiting for the balance of this year.

David

rovingmind · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2007, 03:05:49 pm »

I can wait for christmas. It will probably take me that long to build the base cockpit

shorthair · « **Reply #27 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:38:39 pm »

On the new: yeah, I often buy new for that reason. Still, it could've been like a Line6 POD I bought, just so I could have a mounting stand and carrying case to go with the one I already had. Kept the latter two and sold the POD for $50 more than I paid for the lot.

Breaker · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:11:32 am »

Hi all,

A friendly bump to this thread.

David if you're reading...any updates on the status of the Star Wars Yoke? In your last blog entry on April 21st it sounded like you had resolved the powder-coating issues (which might have been the last big hurdle).

No pressure, just curious about how things are going.

Cheers,
Breaker.

Daviea · « **Reply #29 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:31:13 pm »

Hey Breaker,

The new vendor I chose has turned out to be just as slow (if not slower) than the first. While the initial test-run samples I got from them turned out beautifully, the production run samples have been ...uh, how shall I put this...totally unacceptable. Yeah, that's about as nice as I can put it. To date, I've had to nix the production run samples three or four times.

Aside from the troubles listed above, the controller is ready to go. All of the parts have been milled, machined, cast, etc...and all I'm waiting on is the powder coating on the frame components and handles. I'm about to update the site with an expanded list of SW parts which are now available, but the completed controller won't be available until I can get beyond this finishing issue with the powder coating.

I've been strongly considering purchasing a medium sized powder coating setup and doing the work myself. I have the room in the shop and it sure would be nice to have one less process to job out. The actual process can't possibly be as difficult as these string of vendors make it appear.

So, to sum up, the yoke is nearly complete. I'm still waiting on the last and final process before they're assembled and shipped. The website will be updated with an expanded list of components which are now available. Pay particular attention to the gears and the rebuild kits if you have an existing controller in need of repair. :-)

David

ChadTower · « **Reply #30 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:34:06 pm »

Nice, I have a couple that need rebuilding.

Havok · « **Reply #31 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:35:49 pm »

Let's see some pictures posted of the final product: pieces and fully assembled, sans powder coating!

rovingmind · « **Reply #32 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:55:36 pm »

how about offering a complete yoke sans powder-coating? I can go to sears and buy a gun to use in my shop, all i need is a scrapyard oven.

HoopstarsGarage · « **Reply #33 on:** May 22, 2007, 08:34:42 pm »

I must say David, I am stunned with the quality of this project - something many have only ever talked about doing. The fact that you've upgraded certain "weak links" whilst still making it backward compatible is brilliant..
The fact that you are also making the parts and rebuild kits available to those that already have a "genuine" controller to keep them going for year to come is fantastic

That said, based on Atari's

past history with issuing C&D's - I'm surprised this project hasn't been shut down..

I personally look forward to some of your other products slated for completion later - ie. Lunar Lander controller

Hoops

ahofle · « **Reply #34 on:** May 22, 2007, 11:01:44 pm »

Quote from: HoopstarsGarage on May 22, 2007, 08:34:42 pm

That said, based on Atari's past history with issuing C&D's - I'm surprised this project hasn't been shut down..

Why would Atari want to shut this down?

crashwg · « **Reply #35 on:** May 22, 2007, 11:13:26 pm »

Because someone else is profiting from their design.

RandyT · « **Reply #36 on:** May 22, 2007, 11:30:48 pm »

IANAL, but I would expect this to be a patent issue, if anything. And seeing as patents have short (compared to copyright) lifespans, I have a hard time seeing what they could do about copies of the original control. One should, however, be very careful with the use of the trademarks.

RandyT

Patent Doc · « **Reply #37 on:** May 23, 2007, 12:03:07 am »

Well Randy isn't, but I am. Anyway, Randy is correct the design patent for that bad boy (if it ever had one) was dead in the early 90's (design patents have a 14 yr lifespan) and any utility patent was dead 17 years from issuance (since we're talking pre-1996 patents). I'd be shocked if any of those were still kicking. Although trademarks can be held indefinitely, they can't be for something functional (appearance only). I really doubt Atari has or ever had a TM to the appearance of the yoke. As for copyright...this doesn't even apply here. So my bet is Atari wouldn't have an basis to file a suit.

Patent Doc

Breaker · « **Reply #38 on:** May 23, 2007, 03:00:35 am »

Thanks for the update David!

Glad to hear all the machining is done, but sorry to about the powder coating issues.

Given the exceptional quality of the product you're producing, I can understand why you're holding out for a satisfactory result on this last element of the job.

All the best,
Breaker.

RandyT · « **Reply #39 on:** May 23, 2007, 04:14:20 pm »

Quote from: Patent Doc on May 23, 2007, 12:03:07 am

Although trademarks can be held indefinitely, they can't be for something functional (appearance only). I really doubt Atari has or ever had a TM to the appearance of the yoke. As for copyright...this doesn't even apply here. So my bet is Atari wouldn't have an basis to file a suit.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that that trademark or copyright issues would arise from the design. I only meant that the terms "Star Wars" and "Atari" should be used carefully in the marketing of the product to avoid any problems. E.g. it might be ok to say that the yoke is "a fully compatible reproduction of the the control used on the Star Wars arcade machine built by Atari", but it would probably raise the hackles to sell it as an "Atari Star Wars Yoke" or even a "Star Wars Yoke". Those would probably be covered by trademark and/or copyright, which go on much longer than patents.

RandyT


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