PowerRamp MITE

[CGRemakes]

I was wondering if many attempts were made in hacking the PowerRamp MITE gamepad:

http://www.act-labs.com/scripts/proddetails.asp?pid=38

It is PS/2 input, which would be nice for old DOS games.  To me this would be a much better sollution to keyboard hacking, and I wouldn't think you would run into problems with ghosting.  There are 16 programmable buttons (with the option to do even more with the macro switches).  At 9.99 you can't go wrong if this is a fairly easy hack.

[Valiam Arkais]

I've been to this site quite a bit lately and have not seen that gamepad.  Looks cool even if you don't hack it.  Hopefully someone has and they will share their experience here.

-Valiam Arkais

[AlanS17]

I tried to hack a similar PS2 gamepad, but had less-than-stellar results. The solder spots were too small for me to work with. I suppose it all depends on what it look slike inside. It's certainly a cheap solution and probably more reliable than a keyboard hack if you can get it to work. Good luck!!

[Tiger-Heli]

I tried to hack a similar PS2 gamepad, but had less-than-stellar results. The solder spots were too small for me to work with. I suppose it all depends on what it look slike inside. It's certainly a cheap solution and probably more reliable than a keyboard hack if you can get it to work. Good luck!!

Check the example, it was the hot pad to hack when gamepad hacks were new around here.  Not so good now that MAME supports USB and keyboard encoder are more reasonable, plus I don't know if it's still available.

[CGRemakes]

I think the one that was big awhile back is no longer available.  I found the link on this site that talks a bit about it, however, the gamepad I'm talking about is still available at the link I posted.

[Tiger-Heli]

I think the one that was big awhile back is no longer available.  I found the link on this site that talks a bit about it, however, the gamepad I'm talking about is still available at the link I posted.

That looks about the same, IMS.  I think it was Saint that had pics of how to hack one, if that gives you any idea of how far back this goes

[alphamonster]

I did do this hack. It works great if you are only gonna use one controller. I had emailed the company long ago, and they said that multiple controllers are not supported. I can tell you they were not incorrect!!!! There is (was?) an article here on these controllers...

AlphaMonster

[Tiger-Heli]

I can't take credit for this, it was in someone's write-up, but it should be added to the gamepad's FAQ (hint, hint)

A picture would be worth ten-thousand words now, but I'll try.  Most gamepad's have a circular contact under the buttons with some "fingers" on one trace and interlocking fingers on the other trace.

Here's what you do - Come in with a Dremel (about $40.00 or Wal-Mart has a generic for $20 and about $6 for the accessories (I have the generic)) and the abrasive wheel attachment and cut perpendicular to the two traces and all the way across the contact pad.  Don't cut through the board, but cut enough to break any electrical contact between the fingers.

Example explanation again - Before cut - Trace comes in from north with 6 fingers that extend to south portion of circle.  Second trace comes in from south with 6 fingers that extend to north portion of circle.  Make east-west cut through circle with Dremel.

What you end up with is an upper half circle with 6-half fingers that connect to the upper trace, and 6 half-fingers that are not connected electrically to anything.  And a lower half-circle with 6 half-fingers that connect to the lower trace and six half-fingers that are not connected to anything.

What this means is you can lay an 1/8-inch glob of solder down and not worry about shorting the traces together.  (I still think it's a good idea to drill holes to attach the wires to, but you can be a lot sloppier in where you drill and how you solder now.)

Hope this helps!!!!

[BobA]

They are still available.  Got mine today for 9.99 US.  Plugs into your PS/2 keyboard port and comes with adapters for the older AT type keyboard port. Keyboard plugs into the powerramp Mite for regular use and programming.

They say they have 4 macro settings but they really means it you can have 4 different programmed setups and the default.  The 16 programmable keys can have up to 10 strokes or 6 strokes  programmed into what I consider a macro (number depends on button).   There are 4 separate macro buttons for more comples keyboard sequences.

Looks like an interesting alternative to keyboard hacking and KB emulators.

BobA

[alphamonster]

Honestly unless you plan on only having one controller or using the same powerramp for both controllers you are better off going with something like the IPAC. Plus the controller was not the easiest thing in the world to solder.

alphaM

[BobA]

I have both and IPAC and a KeyWiz.  I just bought the MITE to add to an existing project.  Will use it to either add a few separate keys in addition to the keypad on my jukebox or use it to add a second controller on a 1 player vertical bartop that I have.

BobA