joysTICKS
 

has anyone been able to find good joysticks? I have been looking but all I can find are USB joysticks instead of the gamport that we need. We like to have one person on two joysticks so the righties wont work. I know that some people would tell us to use last years but we would like them to still be used for the old bot.

Re: joysTICKS
 

If you can't find one, get a USB to gameport adapter (even though it's doubtful that would work).

Check thrift stores and used computer parts stores, too. I found 4 joysticks at one thrift store yesterday (still in the box mind you). So it shouldn't be that hard if you just look in the right place :)

Re: joysTICKS
 

I've had the chance to try some out since posting here, and I'd highly reccomend the CH Products Flightstick Pro, which is the 4 button version of the Flightstick that FIRST has used in past years. They feel really well built, are ambidextrous, return to dead center every time, and sell for around $15 from places like PC Connection.

Re: joysTICKS
 

I suppose you could very easily hack an USB joystick to make it serial, look for links on the internet for internal diagrams of joystics, then solder wires directly to the pots.

I'll look up some links, in the mean time try google...

Good Luck!

-Andy

Re: joysTICKS
 

I have had very good luck finding the same sticks that we have gotten in the past years at used computer stores. I recently picked up a nice big stash of them for $2 each...and they all work!! woot!!

Bill

Re: joysTICKS
 

Not a problem. Buy a USB joystick. Crack it open. Inside there will be some circuits and potentiometers for each axis. Rip out the circuits, and wire up the potentiometers and buttons as described in the operator interface manual. You will need a new cable and a db-15 connector to replace the USB cable. put it back together and you are done! All that is needed is a male db15 connector(joystich connector), a few feet of cable, and about 15 mins of time. We did this last year.

Re: joysTICKS
 

too complicated

Re: joysTICKS
 

Well it's really not hard at all -- all the wiring information can be found in the IFI Docs.

However, if you're dead set on trying to find a joystick, why not check out eBay?