Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

Oddly enough we haven't had to adjust trim at all this year, I think it may be due to the nature of our companion cube joystick design.

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

My vote is for the joysticks. I tried the game controller originally, but I foun that the joysticks seemed to be more sensitive or responsive. maybe my thumbs just aren't agile enough.

I am going to be going out of my way at IRI to get a look at your team's controls!

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

Hopefully we'll get a chance to drive with each other, and you can see them then. Otherwise feel free to stop by our pit whenever we are there.

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

PS2!!?? But all the games for PS2 suck! :D

We've been using an xBox 360 to control our arms/manipulators and the old school joysticks to control the drive train.

Game controllers are good for manipulators because they have lots of buttons to program, more so than joysticks. We've used all 11 controls (buttons/pads/triggers) on the 360 controller in both 07' and 08'. :D

I think joysticks are better for the base b/c their a more intuitive set-up for tank steering.

Re: PS2 Controllers vs Joysticks
 

I used a PS2 wireless controller for some non First Robots my son and I were playing with a few years ago. I did add a mapping function . With out the mapping function control was not very good. Each drive train we tried used a little different function. We drove with our thumbs tank style. The advantage of just using you thumbs is that your only using the muscles in your thumbs. This tends to give more precise control. With First joysticks there are too many muscle groups involved.

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

Our team forever has used the old school flight sticks. But now our new drivers are talking about using XBOX 360 controllers. Its whatever they prefer. I personally would rather see drivers using whatever controller they prefer.

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

We've used the Joysticks up till now. I would prefer to stay with joysticks:

They give variable sensitivity based on how you hold them.

They have more room for custom buttons you may want to add for special functions.

They have a surer feel to many people.

We haven't had any issues with adjusting out KOP joysticks either - we use 3 for our board. We use a dremel to grind the adjustment wheels completely flat once they are adjusted correctly, then we put a bead of glue from a hot glue gun over them. You can peel the glue off to make an adjustment, but we only had to do so when we made some programming changes.

We considered game controllers because of their size and mobility, but shied away from based on our success with the joysticks and cost avoidance (we didn't want to purchase chicklets).

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

I've driven robots in competition both ways our 2005 robot used joysticks, and our 2006 robot used our PS2 Controllers. Personally I like joysticks, not because it allows better handling per say, but I just felt more comfortable using them.

But its a matter of driver's preference. So you have to look at what the person using them is going to prefer. We had to learn this lesson, just because you CAN use or do something doesn't mean it SHOULD be used or done.

Re: PS2 Contollers vs Joysticks
 

I would say it really depends on your programming and what kinds of buttons you need. Obviously, if you need lots of buttons or you need to hit them a lot, a controller will do very nicely; the PS2 controller, for example, has 8 real "buttons", and that's not counting pressing down on the sticks (not recommended to map that-accidents can happen!), the D-pad, etc.
In terms of control, as many others have said, that's personal preference. I've spend more hours on a PS2 then I'd like to think about and the last joystick I really used had a parallel port, so there's my preference right there. I would recommend talking to your prospective drivers (or, if you are the driver, trying both out in a game or something) and programmers and seeing what they think.