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New Product: 49-Way USB Interface - The GP-Wiz49 with DRS Technology (TM)

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specfire:
Hello, I'm a noob here to the forum, however, I have been lurking this site and several other emu sites for years (shy type).  I've been playing MAME since v.36.  I did dabble with bezel creation when Aaron first introduced the new Artwork format and a few of the Williams and Atari bezels on the mame.net site are still mine (not very good though as I was teaching myself Photoshop).  Anyway, onto my questions.  This new product is the motivation I need to build a cabinet (finally!)

1. I don't understand how 49 Raw is viewed by the computer.  Is it as a low resolution analogue controller or are all 49 positions being discretely reported some how?

2. Crazy question here but, has anyone actually tried to play Atari Star Wars with a 49-way stick in 49 Raw DRS mode and how playable is it?

3. On RandyT's site, he lists the Midway version of the 49 way stick for sale.  Can someone describe all of the differences between the Midway and the Happ sticks? 

4.  Randy, any chance that you could make a single board that would support two 49 way sticks?

5.  I am interested in hacking in a fire button into the handle of a 49 way but don't really want the bulk of the Tron stick that 1UP is creating (even though that looks pretty cool!)  I think that the Happ top fire joystick design is awkward at best.  I am envisioning a microswitch built into the handle so I only have to thread wires down a hollow shaft.  Any ideas on how to go about this?

Thanks,

Specfire

paigeoliver:
I am only going to get into one part here.

I have played Star Wars with a 49 way, it sucks, it sucks really bad.

Tiger-Heli:
<edit> Modified the Midway/Happ part.

--- Quote from: specfire on April 14, 2005, 04:49:14 am ---1. I don't understand how 49 Raw is viewed by the computer.  Is it as a low resolution analogue controller or are all 49 positions being discretely reported some how?

--- End quote ---
I might be wrong here, but I don't think MAME supports the 49-way sticks directly.  49-Raw is a low-res Analog controller, but it is what you would use for the true 49-way games (Sinistar, Arch Rivals, etc.)  (Did I screw this up, Randy?)

--- Quote ---3. On RandyT's site, he lists the Midway version of the 49 way stick for sale.  Can someone describe all of the differences between the Midway and the Happ sticks? 

--- End quote ---
Midway=Happ  Happ sells Midway's design under license.  RandyT is usually a little cheaper, but Happ has them on sale this month.  RandyT is actually selling the Happ version AFAIK, might want to fix the webstore, Randy.  The Midway and Happ function the same, but have slightly different dimensions.

Midway/Happ <> Williams - The Williams stick had a centering spider to add extra resistance in Sinistar (1Up is making a Happ repro).  Also, basically I think the Williams read the center position as 0 and the Happ read it as 1, so the interface has to work differently (The GP-Wiz49 supports either one).  Finally, I think the Happ has a slightly "tighter" feel, without having a better way to explain it.

--- Quote ---4.  Randy, any chance that you could make a single board that would support two 49 way sticks?

--- End quote ---
Doubtful - Was asked earlier in the thread.

--- Quote ---5.  I am envisioning a microswitch built into the handle so I only have to thread wires down a hollow shaft.  Any ideas on how to go about this?

--- End quote ---
Something like this, maybe? http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,22827.0.html (Not sure if they work with the 49-way, and RayB sold out of them, but I think he documents what he did, or you might PM him about them.

Tiger-Heli:
I want to add some things to clarify, but please correct me if I get it wrong.

--- Quote from: RandyT on April 13, 2005, 11:26:13 pm ---It's live now folks.  The new firmware is ready and it works as expected.  The new GPWiz-49 version is shown at the store and ready to be ordered.  Sorry it took so long.

--- End quote ---
Linky here


--- Quote ---Software Mode - Manual and command line operation - Button combo switching is locked out when in this mode.  Switching is accomplished via the USB connection and Windows compatible software.  Automatically detects and programs up to four GP-Wiz49 interface boards.  Has the ability to select Williams or Happ modes "on the fly" as well.

--- End quote ---
ASSuME manual means through the GUI.

From the description, it looks like you still get all the buttons with software switching.  Is this correct?  I was expecting it to drop to 15.  Great job Randy, either way!

--- Quote ---Classic Mode - The original manual switching method.  Holding the Joymode button (also used for shift) and pressing any of the 8 dual-purpose buttons changes the joystick mode.

--- End quote ---
ASSuME classic mode means Toonces software works with the new boards as well.

ASSuME you are still working on supporting the PP through the new software?

--- Quote ---Hopefully I didn't forget anything that was requested (at least the stuff that was reasonable to add)

--- End quote ---
Looks like you got about all of it (except two sticks on the same board  :police: ) (j/k) Great job, Randy!

dabone:
Oh, btw Randy, the reason I've never ordered from you in the past is your refusal
to ship to a different address than the credit card statement.

To order the boards from you I'm going to use the company credit card so they will be sent to my office.


I really don't want products shipped to my house, (Where no one is at till after 7pm every night)


Any chance of you ever changing this policy?


Later,
dabone

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