[2011] Mecanum Controller

[Jester]

I have read somewhere (can't remember) in the forums that you need a 3-axis joystick, or 2 of the Logitech Attack 2-axis joysticks. If you have any suggestions on a nice joystick or any other solutions please discuss with me.

I have found a joystick, which looks really nifty!
http://www.provantage.com/logitech-963290-0403~7LGTC967.htm

It has everything the Logitech Attack 2-axis joystick has, but it also has a twist handle (which I would guess is 3rd axis).

[Ether]

I have read somewhere (can't remember) in the forums that you need a 3-axis joystick, or 2 of the Logitech Attack 2-axis joysticks. If you have any suggestions on a nice joystick or any other solutions please discuss with me.

I have found a joystick, which looks really nifty!
http://www.provantage.com/logitech-963290-0403~7LGTC967.htm

It has everything the Logitech Attack 2-axis joystick has, but it also has a twist handle (which I would guess is 3rd axis).

A mecanum vehicle has 3 independent degrees of freedom:

fore/aft (forward/reverse)

left/right (strafe)

and

rotate (turn, yaw)

It can perform all these motions simultaneously, resulting in motions that sometimes look like an ice skater rather than a wheeled vehicle.

To get the full capability of a mecanum, you would need to give the driver control of each of these 3 degrees of freedom. Thus, a 3-axis joystick or 2 2-axis joysticks.

Typical driver interfaces are

(3-axis joystick)
Y-axis fore/aft
X-axis strafe
Z axis rotate

(2 2-axis joysticks)
"Halo"
Y1-axis fore/aft
X1-axis strafe
X2-axis rotate

There are of course many other interfaces.

You can use the 2-axis joystick in the kit of parts, and buy another exactly like it. I believe Logitech makes a suitable 3-axis joystick.

Or you can use a single 2-axis joystick:

with trigger not pulled:
Y-axis fore/aft
X-axis strafe

with trigger pulled:
Y-axis fore/aft
X-axis rotate

The above, of course, allows only 2 degrees of freedom at a time, but may be sufficient for your purposes, depending on the game.

[dotbran]

My team uses a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Precision-2-Joystick/dp/B00005NIMA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1296949200&sr=1-3) joystick.

I highly recommend it, because:
1. the handle is ergonomic (for the right-handed)
2. there is a good amount of resistance in all three axes
2a. the handle twist is especially smooth
3. the throttle is large and within reach
4. the buttons are well-placed