IDEA: Cordless Control Panels.

[Agent Davis]

I've actually had this idea for a while though I don't think I (or anyone else) have ever posted it.  If you have sorry, if not and you thought of it already please don't post "dude that's old news, I already thought of that" because that just gets under my skin.  

Part of the problem with removable panels is it is just a pain in the butt to plug/unplug control panels.  Well, here is the solution.

Cordless Panels.

The best way to have cordless panels is if an encoder maker (Andy Warne?) would make a cordless encoder like the IPAC.  Problem with this is it would be expensive providing you need an encoder for every panel.  I don't know of any right now so my next idea is to use cordless gamepads.  I haven't looked at too many but I know they do exist.  Some are usb and you can use multiple ones so you could have enough controls.  For spinners and trackballs you can use cordless mice.

What you do is actually mount the gamepads/mice on the underside of the panel and have the actual receiver on the inside of the cab.  You can actually use the same receivers for the panels if you can configure the frequency they use.

Offer suggestions here for gamepads to use or other ideas.

[RacerX]

That's a great idea, and I can't believe nobody here has attempted this yet!  

One of my co-workers has a cordless trackball at work.  I'll check on the brand and model for you tomorrow.

[Agent Davis]

An idea for cordless gamepads is a some cordless psx pads with the receivers hooked up to the psx to pc usb converters.  This of course isn't cheap but I already have two so I think I'm actually going to experiment with this.

One limitation is this:  if you do a happs mouse hack then getting the 12 volts is hard.  Unless of course you used maybe some batteries?  I think it would take 8 batteries to get that much juice though.

[JustMichael]

There is an inherent problem with cordless controls.  There is a slight bit of lag between the time you press a key and the time the computer sees it.  This is not a problem doing word processing and such but when you need split second timing (such as playing an arcade game) that amount of time can be crucial.  It will often mean the difference between life and death.

[SirPoonga]

What JM said, you;d get lag.  Ever use a wireless keyboard before?

[Agent Davis]

Aye, I get your point but I'm not sure all keyboards have a bad enough lag problem.  Maybe the IR ones but the RF ones may be a lot better.  I have heard that the cordless mice are bad for FPS games but then again FPS's require the most twitch gaming there is, evn beyond arcade games, and I think the problem is with the clicking.  In any case I'd like to try it out just to see.

[Android]

If the problem is plugging/unplugging the panel, why not just make it easier to plug/unplug? Seems like a stupid solution but just think about it: have you seen the zero insertion-force connectors used on the palm PDAs? you just place the PDA on its base and presto: the connection is made with zero force and no plugging/unplugging. I've been thinking about doing something similar with removable panels: you just attach one connector to the panel and then place a socket attached to the base right below it. Attaching/removing the panel will automatically connect/disconnect it without any hanging wires.

[AlmtyBob]

I just wired my control panel with two 9pin molex connectors (one for each player), you CAN'T be so lazy that you can't plug/unplug two molex connectors.

[Agent Davis]

Great idea android.  If you find a way to set that up make sure you share it with everyone.

Almty, to many pluggin/unplugging is a hassle.  the reason is that you have to get to the plugs while your panel is plugged in or vice versa.  I'm sure there are simple ways of doing this but whether you gotta lift up the panel with one hand and unplug with another, it can be a hassle.

[Android]

Found these zero insertion force connectors a while ago. They are exactly what I had in mind, but haven't tried them yet: http://www.ittcannon.com/media/pdf/catalogs/dl_catalog.pdf. Check the "Drawer DLD" connectors within the pdf.

-- Android

[1UP]

The problems I see are: keeping the batteries stocked, transmission lag (even if it's slight) and the hassle of hacking multiple wireless devices (at least 2 per panel) when there are other hardwired devices that work just as well.