Optigun/USB2Gun NOW available as open source for anyone to print themselves

[shanki]

Hi guys,

I've had a talk with NanotechGaming, creator of the Optigun/USB2Gun board. They have agreed to share the gerber files for the board with an open source license. I would have loved to order a bunch and start offering it on this forum but the license is strictly for non commercial use. Any one of you can take these files and use them to order and assemble your own copy on sites like PCBWay.com.

I feel like a lot of development when it comes to lightguns as been focused on getting light guns to work on non-CRTs... it's kind of ridiculous people with gun cabs have even started ripping out their CRTs just so they can get it to work..
I hope with this development we'll see more original lightgun cabs.

Anyway you can find the files here:

https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/ultracade/990-usb2gun-UCT-00.zip

I'll add some mirrors later on.

Cheers and have a good one,
shanki

[nipsmg]

ooooooh!

lemme know. I'm dying to build another CRT based cab eventually.   I think I want in.

I'm pretty sure creating them in a hobby instance and splitting up the money at *ahem* cost *ahem* would be fine.  You just can't go start selling them retail.

[shanki]

I was ready to order a bunch and resell them but if not for a tiny bit of profit I don't see it as worthwhile. Don't get me wrong I don't mind ordering for a bunch of friends and even Forum members, but me ordering the boards from the US and having them ship to me here in Europe only to send them back to the US doesn't make that much sense to me if there is nothing in it for me.

So that said give it a bit of time for people to discover this and maybe you will be able to be part of a bulk buy from someone in NA.

[baritonomarchetto]

Thanks for sharing

[RandyT]

Unfortunately, this won't do anyone a lot of good without porting to a new processor.  The CY7C63743 is obsolete and this looks to take two.

Check the BOM and parts availability before making PCBs.

[shanki]

those chips are still available on aliexpress..

It will definetly make it more difficult though when the pcb manufacturer doesn't have the parts available.
Idk what happens in a case like that. Maybe you can send them the chips? either that or you will have to solder these chips yourself..

[RandyT]

those chips are still available on aliexpress..

It will definetly make it more difficult though when the pcb manufacturer doesn't have the parts available.
Idk what happens in a case like that. Maybe you can send them the chips? either that or you will have to solder these chips yourself..

There's actually more to it than that.  The CY7C63743, like similar parts from that series, is OTP (One Time Programmable.)  This makes purchasing them from untrusted sources very difficult, as sellers on AliExpress often have no idea where the parts are coming from (they get screwed over as well, and none are willing to take the losses themselves.)  When you see obsolete parts being sold on that platform, they could be reclaimed from E-waste or old manufacturers' stock.  And even the latter do not have a high likelihood of being usable.  These chips were available from the manufacturer pre-programmed with customer code, and have no external markings to indicate this.  This means that more often than not, even though they are sealed and appear new, they could already be programmed, which basically renders them useless for any other application.  Or they could just be fake chips which have been cleaned up and re-lasered with the new part numbers.

So yes, you may get lucky with a particular seller who fell into a cache of virgin parts, but from personal experience, it is not the norm with this kind of part.  The real question is how many times you will get conned before getting something you can use.

[shanki]

I see so that's a big problem then.. I was thinking about wether i could program them with a cheapo programmer from china..

Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

[RandyT]

I see so that's a big problem then.. I was thinking about wether i could program them with a cheapo programmer from china..
Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

The programmer is also a concern, but that front may be different now than it was when I had to purchase a very expensive unit which supported that series. 

Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

Not to my knowledge.  When a part goes obsolete, especially an OTP series like that one, everything changes.  The coding path might be simplified for moving to the next part, but that's still a code change and new pinout. 

The funny thing is (and part of the reason I know about these) is I used these for a short time in the long past and have a small quantity of virgin chips.  No idea at the moment how many, but not a lot.  I found 8 of the DIP variety, but I know I have some of the SMD type as well....just need to find them   But if I do, and someone REALLY wants to try to build one of those units (honestly, looks like more effort than necessary, given the newer options available), I could probably part with some....if I can locate them, that is.

[Endprodukt]

I raise my hand for interest!

[shanki]

I'd be interested in a few of these chips as well, as I definetly want a few of these boards for myself and possibly for friends as well..
Can I hop into youru DMs to discuss?

[RandyT]

I found the cache of virgin chips I had.  I have more than I expected and that in both the SOIC and DIP format.  Current pricing on these appears to be in the $6+shipping each range +/- depending on the seller, so that's what I can offer them for and I can absolutely guarantee that they are new and never programmed.  I'd prefer to offer them in groups of more than 2, but can probably be persuaded otherwise.

I'd even offer to have them come pre-programmed, but that would run afoul of the license, so please don't ask.

*edit*  IMHO, this not "Open Source", rather "Source Released".  A typical hallmark of Open Source is the ability to use the information in a commercial capacity, which encourages improvements, made to the benefit of all parties, including end users who may not be able to complete all aspects of the project themselves.  Improvements made to a "Source Released" type of project, with restrictions such as those contained in this one, benefits only those who own the copyrights and the small pool of individuals capable of creating the project almost entirely themselves and for their own personal use.  This should be taken into consideration by anyone who might be thinking about investing their time and resources to improve such a project.

I'd be interested in a few of these chips as well, as I definetly want a few of these boards for myself and possibly for friends as well..
Can I hop into youru DMs to discuss?

Sure, feel free!

[Endprodukt]

That's great news that you have some of those chips!

[Aval0n]

@RandyT.

Might you still have any chips left?  I'm looking at building a board.

Thanks!