**Tron Joystick Solution** Happ Triggerstick to Tron conversion

[Bender]

Ok Here it is
How to make an authentically restricted Tron Joystick from a Happ Heavy Duty Triggerstick

All You will need is:
a Happ heavy duty Trigger Stick
http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50997000.htm (you can usually get one cheaper from someone besides Happ)

and a Tron restrictor I used the only reproduction one that I know of. It is sold by Encryptor
It is excellent and Identical to the original. see this thread.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=71229.msg731124#msg731124

here are all the parts (except the stick and the happ restrictor which is black) Labled so I hope there isn't any confusion


The first thing you must do to take apart the the Happ stick is remove the E-clip(A) this is easily done by putting a small screwdriver into one of the slots than twisting it till the clip comes off, be careful it can fly of and be very hard to find. By doing it inside a bad or with a cloth over the top can help prevent this



then remove the square plastic thing(B) and the plastic tube(C)
then remove the 4 philips head screws(E), spacers(F) and the black plastic base plate with the microswitches(G)
then remove the nut on the bottom of the shaft(D)
then the section with the rubber grommet in it(H), you DO Not remove the slotted screws from this part it is friction fit so it will take a little elbow grease to get it off
ok now you can remove the actual Stick, being careful of the wires

Now is the hard part the Brass posts(J) are on there with lock tight so tight I thought that they were welded on at first. The two best ways to get them off is either by placing them in a vice or filing 2 parallel flat spots in the middle so you could use pliers. Once you break the initial locktight seal they come off pretty easily. Here is the top(L) with one of the posts removed


then you need to separate the restrictor holder(K) from the top(L) it too is stuck on with lock tight
I just gently slid a utility knife in between on all 4 sides to break the seal



now sinply remove the old restrictor and replace it with Encryptor's Tron restrictor(I)
EDIT make sure the word "top" on the restrictor is facing the top(L) It is wrong in the photo(thanks to Encryptor for noticing my oversight)


now replace the brass columns(J) I used one of the screws tightened all the way down to screw them back on tightly


here it is with all 4 posts back on


then feed the joystick and wire back through


then replace the grommet section(H) making sure the notch for the spring pin is lined up with the spring pin.
then replace the nut(D)


now this part is a little tricky but not too hard. Get one plastic post(F) and one screw(E) and the base(G)
now hold the post over the hole in the grommet section(H) rest the base on top and put the screw through
tighten it almost all the way but keep it lose enough so that you can rotate the base around to line up with the other holes. Repeat with the other 3 posts and then tighten them up snug at the end.


Replace the plastic sleeve(C) then the Square thing(B) then place the E-clip in the slot and gently squeeze it on with pliers


now wire it up and Play Tron!!!


please note on an original tron CP the screw holes aren't the same, but it could me made to fit with some work and I know the washer is supposed to be underneath(I just hot glued it in to test it out)

[TheShanMan]

Excellent. Thank you!

Hopefully this is enough to motivate me to actually buy one of those sticks, if I don't come across a used original stick soon.

[Games001]

You my friend, ROCK!

An excellent walk through for the creation of what I have always considered the grail of joysticks.

Well done.

[Encryptor]

Just a couple of things to add for anyone wanting to do this and getting the restrictor from me.

1. Make sure you put the restrictor in properly. If you look closely you will see the word TOP molded right into the restrictor from the original it was made from. This side should go towards the top of the joystick.

2. For anyone wanting to freshen up an original Tron stick. Along with a new restrictor you can order the rubber centering grommet for the Happ stick in this thread and it fits perfectly in the original Tron stick. I ordered one and put it in my stick to verify this.

 ShanMan - You can also look for a Xenophobe stick if you don't care about the blue handles. They are generally a bit cheaper than the Tron sticks. I just saw an original DOT stick go for $21.50 on ebay yesterday. I got outbid on it.

Encryptor

[Encryptor]

ShanMan,

I was just looking and there is a complete Tron CP on ebay with no reserve.

http://tinyurl.com/2z452g

Good Luck!

Encryptor

[TheShanMan]

Yeah, I've been watching for those too, Encryptor. In fact I'd probably prefer one due to the lower cost (presumably), thumb button(s), and preferring not to consume an original tron stick when it won't even go on a tron cab.

That one that sold yesterday I watched too, but due to concern over the unknown level of repair needed on it, I decided to let it pass (I never got around to contacting the seller with questions).

And thanks for the tip on the control panel. That's not coming up with my search parameters, but I'll keep an eye on it. I'm sure it will go for more than I care to pay since it's a whole panel though.

[Namco]

I'm considering building a Tron/DOT panel. I'm just wondering what the purpose of the restrictor is? I seem to remember that Tron had 8-way controls as well as DOT, or is it just my imagination? ... (hmm, light cycles and tanks didn't go 8-way).

Does DOT use the same restrictor? It requires a thumb button for the shield too if I remember correctly, right? So I'd have to be sure I got the trigger stick with at least one thumb button?

[CheffoJeffo]

(hmm, light cycles and tanks didn't go 8-way).

Bingo !

[u_rebelscum]

Tron had 8-way controls as well as DOT ... light cycles and tanks didn't go 8-way.

Bingo !

Bingo, but edited what you quoted to make it more complete.


The restrictor gave the stick very small diagonals, so the couple 4-way games wouldn't go all wacko and still be able to play the couple 8-way games.

[Hoopz]

(hmm, light cycles and tanks didn't go 8-way).

Bingo !

Genesim can tell us if it was a 4-way or 8-way.   

[CheffoJeffo]

(hmm, light cycles and tanks didn't go 8-way).

Bingo !

Genesim can tell us if it was a 4-way or 8-way.   

It's at times like this that I kinda miss the belligerent Kool-Aid man ...

 

[Todd H]

Thinking about adding this stick and restrictor to my control panel. Looks like a great solution to us Tron junkies.

[erictrumpet]

I don't quite understand why this is necessary - I've been playing Tron and DoT with a "regular" flight stick for some time and never noticed any issues. What exactly does this mod do, turn the heavy duty Happ 8way into a true 4way? If so, doesn't that severely limit the usefulness of the flight stick for other games? Thanks for clarifying - or pointing out where I missed this if it's already been said.

Eric.

[Xiaou2]

 The light cycle stage in Tron does not like Diagonals.   Its very easy to accidentally
hit a diagonal with most sticks... which will cause the bike to make some
very bad movement patterns as a result.


 The Tron restrictor isnt a "true restrictor".   Its flexible enough so that if you
push really hard, you can hit diagonals.   Yet, if you play the cycle stage,
you wont hit the diagonals (unless you foolishly put a lot of pressure on the stick)

[leapinlew]

 

[Bender]

Thanks Mr. Wiggles

[Ummon]

 The light cycle stage in Tron does not like Diagonals.   Its very easy to accidentally
hit a diagonal with most sticks... which will cause the bike to make some
very bad movement patterns as a result.

I remember this happening anyway. It's a compromise at best.

[Bender]

 The light cycle stage in Tron does not like Diagonals.   Its very easy to accidentally
hit a diagonal with most sticks... which will cause the bike to make some
very bad movement patterns as a result.

I remember this happening anyway. It's a compromise at best.

in what context?

I have a real Tron Cab and can assure the Tanks never go on diagonals the design of the board wouldn't allow it, and on the light cycles you have to try I mean REALLY try to get them to "stair step" and somtimes even then you can't get it to do it

the point of this hack is to replicate the TRON experience only, on DOT and any other 8way flightstick game would be hampered by this hack

[Xiaou2]

 If it did happen to him,  it was because the restrictor was either worn down,
or the stick was the wrong type... or simply beat to death.

 As noted, it was very hard to move diagonals with this stick,  however, it was
possible if you really pushed hard.   Stair stepping was incredibly hard to
accomplish on the cycle stage.

[Ummon]

I played the game I think when I went to see the movie. I hated light cycles because the stick was a pain in the ass. It obviously went 8 ways....yet light cycles had to be played 4-ways and even just tapping the stick in X/Y manner was dubious.

[Turnarcades]

Nice work on the stick. I suppose this could be done with many sticks, but well done on such a neat job. It's a bit bulky underneath the panel, but at least it looks factory made.

[RetroBorg]

The perfect solution for Tron would be to adapt the Tron trigger stick handle to an Ultrastik 360 and have mame send a message so the Ultrastik remapped from 8-way to 4-way mode and back again during the game depending on which stage you were playing.

[Bender]

Here is a U360 mod for a happ stick http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76052.0

I think It would be hard to send a new map in the mists of a game,
but there are custom U360 maps that work quite well for Tron, that only have the 8-way diagonals enabled in the extreme corners

[Ummon]

Here is a U360 mod for a happ stick http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76052.0

I think It would be hard to send a new map in the mists of a game,

Yeah, it might get lost. (Hahn hahn hahn hahn.)

[mark shaker]

A 4 way trigger grip?!?!?

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to install these sticks in an Assault cabinet?

   - Mark

[RetroBorg]

Here is a U360 mod for a happ stick http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76052.0

I think It would be hard to send a new map in the mists of a game,
but there are custom U360 maps that work quite well for Tron, that only have the 8-way diagonals enabled in the extreme corners

I sent a PM to Arzoo regarding my idea and he said LED blinky could do that but it would require that MAME send a message when each Tron game switches level, so we would need the MAME developers to impliment that feature in Tron.

Arzoo also suggested using AutoHotKey and assign buttons to switch modes but I prefer to have the whole thing automated.

While the custom map may work quite well, my idea would work perfectly and hitting diagonals in the Ligt Cycles would be a thing of the past.

[Bender]

Here is a U360 mod for a happ stick http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76052.0

I think It would be hard to send a new map in the mists of a game,
but there are custom U360 maps that work quite well for Tron, that only have the 8-way diagonals enabled in the extreme corners

I sent a PM to Arzoo regarding my idea and he said LED blinky could do that but it would require that MAME send a message when each Tron game switches level, so we would need the MAME developers to impliment that feature in Tron.

Arzoo also suggested using AutoHotKey and assign buttons to switch modes but I prefer to have the whole thing automated.

While the custom map may work quite well, my idea would work perfectly and hitting diagonals in the Ligt Cycles would be a thing of the past.

cool!

[mytymaus007]

How do I order one of these restrictor's for my happ trigger stickwould this restrictor affect the DOT play's

Tim

[polaris]

How do I order one of these restrictor's for my happ trigger stickwould this restrictor affect the DOT play's

Tim

look for encryptors thread in B/S/T, cant tell you about the gameplay sorry

[ahofle]

I sent a PM to Arzoo regarding my idea and he said LED blinky could do that but it would require that MAME send a message when each Tron game switches level, so we would need the MAME developers to impliment that feature in Tron.

Arzoo also suggested using AutoHotKey and assign buttons to switch modes but I prefer to have the whole thing automated.

While the custom map may work quite well, my idea would work perfectly and hitting diagonals in the Ligt Cycles would be a thing of the past.

Just thought I would mention that MAME's built-in joystick maps for analog joysticks pretty much makes this Tron problem a thing of the past.  See this thread for the settings to use:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86315.msg908608#msg908608

Not a single zig-zag on lightcycles with that map. 

[mytymaus007]

How does DOT play with the TRON restrictor plate in the HAPP trigger joystick

Tim

[Bender]

How does DOT play with the TRON restrictor plate in the HAPP trigger joystick

Tim

DOT plays ok, but the diagonals are a little bit harder to which is to be expected.
The DOT joystick has a standard 8way restrictor

[mytymaus007]

I have a dedicated 4 way stick for the light cycles works perfect, do you think i should sacfafice the DOT play if TRON play is perfect with the 4 way stick, DOT works awsome with the happ stick, i play it alot, so bottom line is the restrictor to restricted for DOT or should  i leave everything the way it is

Thanks
Tim

[Bender]

I have a dedicated 4 way stick for the light cycles works perfect, do you think i should sacfafice the DOT play if TRON play is perfect with the 4 way stick, DOT works awsome with the happ stick, i play it alot, so bottom line is the restrictor to restricted for DOT or should  i leave everything the way it is

Thanks
Tim

can you play the spider and cone boards in 8-way
if you can than you are all set

I think in the future I'm going to go with software restriction for my Mame cabinet
and leave the hardware one for the dedicated Tron Cab

[spystyle]

Hey! This is stellar! A+

[DeLuSioNal29]

I just tried this mod with Encryptor's new rubber restrictor.  It worked perfectly.  Originally, before this mod, I was bummed that I had installed a flight stick on my control panel and it never got used.  Control for games were horrible (especially Tron, one of my favorites).  Now, Tron works great and other 8 way games I've tried it on work perfectly as a bonus!  "Mad Planets" has the same control scheme (flight stick, trigger and spinner) and also works perfectly.  It's an 8-way game with a lot of action and the flight stick performs flawlessly with Encryptor's restrictor installed.  So does Afterburner II. 

I sum it up as being equivalent to installing stiffer springs into a joystick.  It feels tighter and I feel I have more control over my games.  Love it, love it, love it.

A big thanks goes to Encryptor for the part, and also thanks goes Bender for putting together this great tutorial.  Very well thought out, great pics and the labeling of the parts was key for me.  Made it a ton easier.

DeLuSioNaL29

[Bender]

Hey DeLuSioNal,

so glad I could help out, especially some one who's work and post have been so helpful to me and the rest of the community

And with RandyT's New handles.... Perfect!

[isucamper]

It's an 8-way game with a lot of action and the flight stick performs flawlessly with Encryptor's restrictor installed.  So does Afterburner II. 

Didn't Afterburner use an analog stick? 

I got TRON feeling pretty nice on my analog flight stick after messing with the jostick map option in MAME so you had to hit the extreme corners of the stick to move diagonal.  I've been hunting for an original TRON cabinet to try to compare to, but it feels pretty good. 

[Bender]

I run a U360 map on my bartop and it works awesome. Maybe 90% as good as the original only thing difference is the physical restriction, which is nice on the lightcycle boards

[evilalive]

installed my restrictor today.. works like a charm.. fabulous install instructions, and a fabulous product