Any good solutions for a bartop driving "pedal"?

[Dreamwriter]

So, here's my dilemma: I love driving games, a LOT.  I'm gonna have a TT2 with wheel on my bartop (well, a little smaller than bartop...), along with basic joystick and 6 buttons.  But I can't think of any good way to handle analogue gas pedal controls.  My current setup in my prototype uses the analogue joystick's Y axis for gas, but that seems a bit clunky, and gets messed up anytime I accidentally push towards the side.

Anyone know of any ideas/products that can solve my problem?

Thanks!

[diverdown]

sewing machine foot pedal?

[danny_galaga]

other than divers suggestion of an actual foot pedal my thought is to make an internal (internal to the cp that is) restrictor plate that slides down so that the joystick can only move up or down...

[GadgetGeek]

modify one of those old susanne summer's thighmasters?  At least it would be entertaining watching someone use that.

[Kremmit]

You could use an actual pedal on a cord that sits on the floor. 

If you'd rather have something on the control panel- a pedal's just a potentiometer, electronically speaking.  A knob on a 100k linear taper pot would work as a throttle, and you could use a knob that'd match the one on your TT2.  Or you could get a sliding pot like the ones used on DJ mixing boards, although finding a linear taper one of those might be a challenge.  Or you could add a motorcycle style throttle to the side of the machine, or a lever-style throttle like you'd find on a boat.

[Dreamwriter]

What do you guys think of this solution?


The Happ Controls Turbo Throttle.  Kinda pricey at $101.30, but it looks like it would solve my problem, if not be quite realistic for driving games


http://www.happcontrols.com/driving/50818400.htm

[patrickl]

... nm

[leapinlew]

no.

As in, there is no good solution. If your handicapped and used to using a gas pedal with your hands, then using a hand solution for the gas pedal may feel natural. Otherwise, I say there isn't a good solution.

[Stobe]

Does it need to be on the CP?  Or would you considder having something on the ground that is easily (dis)connectable perhaps via RJ-45?

Also, does it have to be analog?  If not, I may have a solution for you.

-Stobe

[Dreamwriter]

Well, as this is an item to be played on a desk (see overall design, below), I was hoping to not have a floor pedal.  And I want as many driving games as possible to work with it, thus the desire for analogue (certain games like Spy Hunter are MUCH more playable with analogue).


And here's the early (but smaller) prototype:


In the final version, that spinner's gonna be replaced with a TT2 with swappable steering-wheel attachment (I see myself playing more driving games than pure spinner games).  Technically I'd have to kinda cram stuff to get the Turbo Throttle on there, but I think I could do it.

[shardian]

There has never, ever, ever been an arcade racing game that I have made use of analog pedals on. You wanna go forward, mash the pedal to the floor. You wanna stop, mash the brake to the floor. Having said that, there is no need for an analog throttle. Save yourself some dough and get a standard microswitch/turbo shifter.

[SavannahLion]

Here's an idea





Just a unique idea 

[ark_ader]

Get yourself a PSX driving wheel and pedals.  I got one and it works great.  Small pedals too to mount below the bartop stand or counter.  You will need a PSX-> PC adaptor but I got mine for £5 and I can play all my fav racing games that do not require 360 wheels.

Mine was very small just perfect for your cab with suction cups to mount to your CP.

Hope that helps.

[thennomeking]

A steering wheel with butterfly shifters, I think they are called MOMO, ala Fzero AX.  Or Time Crisis reload pedals:
http://www.redoctane.com/reloadpedal.html
There not analog but they are cheap and decently sturdy - I havent actually used one in several years.

[btp2k2]

no.

As in, there is no good solution. If your handicapped and used to using a gas pedal with your hands, then using a hand solution for the gas pedal may feel natural.

Actually...that isn't a terrible idea...when I am not building arcades or brewing up new ideas to convince my wife why we need another arcade cabinet, I am in front of my computer racing GTR or GPL or F1C.....etc. Needless to say, I am a very avid sim racer. My first PC steering wheel was a Thrustermaster wheel that did not have pedals, but two F1 style paddles behind the wheel. The right one made you go, and the left one made you stop (unless you drive like me and overcook every corner)....both were analog and provided excellent feel when racing. When it finally gave up the ghost, I had to get a logitech that had peddles....It took me a long time to get the hang of peddles and my lap times were about 10 seconds slower with them. If you can find one of those old Thrustmasters, I would highly recommend it.

[hng]

somewhere in my research, I saw somebody used this site for getting pedals for gaming.

http://www.conntrol.com/shopping/All_Foot_Switches/Series_862/index.html

[Chris2]

I'd recommend a USB pedal set. They're around 100 bucks or so, so you might want to try and make your own. Of course, I'm the last person I'd ask about that.

[ChadTower]

8 way trigger joystick with a pot on the trigger?  Model it on the Xbox controller triggers or gamecube shoulder buttons.

[Dmod]

8 way trigger joystick with a pot on the trigger? 

This seems like the best idea to me.  If you get one with a trigger and a thumbswitch, you can use one button for the accelerator and one for the brake.

[ChadTower]

I was thinking you could also have a pot based lever like on Lunar Lander (obviously smaller).  Or a spring loaded dial that returns to zero if you release it.