Additional Joysticks/Modification

[Jordan A.]

Ok, they said in the rules we cant modify certain things (and specifically said joystick)

Does this mean we cant use a different joystick of our own?

Also, we were looking at rotating the handle 45 degree's and rewiring the buttons, the joystick electrically wouldnt function any different. Is this still iligal?

[Dan 550]

You cannot alter the joysticks included in the kit, nor can you use other commercially available sticks, but you CAN build your own. Just remember to reprogram to make your custom stick work. Best of luck.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Dan_550
You cannot alter the joysticks included in the kit, nor can you use other commercially available sticks, but you CAN build your own. Just remember to reprogram to make your custom stick work. Best of luck.

I thought we can use commercially available joysticks, as per the additional hardware list?

Joystick, Steering Wheel, or Pedals - 15 Pin (Not USB) PC Interface, up to 6

[Jordan A.]

Micheal, just saw that on the additional parts list, so we can use another joystick, can we modify it? or do the rules apply to all joystics used in the control system?

I am calm Dan, as a cucumber

[Jon Abad]

It is my understanding that the rule is that you may use any joysticks or game controller that you like as long as they have a 15 pin connector.

I am unclear on the extent of allowed modifications but how are custom control interfaces created then?

[Clark Gilbert]

I would kinda like to see them (FIRST) come up with a way that we could use USB ports (if thats even possible) cuz there are some pretty sweet joysticks out there....but they use USB connections...

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by Clark Gilbert
I would kinda like to see them (FIRST) come up with a way that we could use USB ports (if thats even possible) cuz there are some pretty sweet joysticks out there....but they use USB connections...

Don't hold your breathe. USB is a much more complicated intereface than a joystick port is. It also uses serial data transfers as opposed to parallel which require encoding and decoding hardware on either end (in the joystick and in the interface).

Matt

[mnkysp6353]

you can modify your joysticks in any way you want. Look at cyber blue last year with there funky joystick arm thing.

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by mnkysp6353
you can modify your joysticks in any way you want. Look at cyber blue last year with there funky joystick arm thing.

That, if I remember correctly, was something they custom made with potentiometers, rather than hacking apart a joystick. With the specifications of the input ports on the OI readily available, this is a possibility, most likely easier than taking apart a joystick and then trying to use the parts...and also, remember, as you point out, that they did that LAST year...just because something was allowed last year, doesn't mean it will be this year.

[David Kelly]

Originally posted by Nate Smith


That, if I remember correctly, was something they custom made with potentiometers, rather than hacking apart a joystick. With the specifications of the input ports on the OI readily available, this is a possibility, most likely easier than taking apart a joystick and then trying to use the parts...and also, remember, as you point out, that they did that LAST year...just because something was allowed last year, doesn't mean it will be this year.

actually, we did a little of both. we pretty much just took off the actual stick and just use the inside wires and buttons. then that was all hooked up to the pots and so on. that wasn't my area of the robot. but i sure hope that we can do that again. using that arm thing is one of the reasons that we had such good control of our robot.

[Clark Gilbert]

Do u guys know if there is an adapter to go from a USB connection to a standard 15 pin gameport connection???

Just wondering because i know u can go the other way...(gameport to USB)


Just wondering....

[Joe Ross]

Originally posted by Clark Gilbert
Do u guys know if there is an adapter to go from a USB connection to a standard 15 pin gameport connection???

Yes there are adaptors availible: http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orde...les.com&rcode=

I'm just curious why you need an adapter since USB joysticks aren't allowed.

[Clark Gilbert]

Cool....didnt even know they made those....we are in the very very very earlier time of deciding on what "control device" we want to use.....and we never really looked at that rule.....

[Andrew]

I was dismayed to read that FIRST has banned all joystick modifications (mechanical or electrical), including modifications to joysticks that you bought. You have to dig through the jive forum to see this. I was surprised that no one blasted this out on CD since it is such a drastic change from previous years and the rationale is not very strong. I suppose it's a good thing they let us keep the OI.

[Steven Carmain]

Quick question: Can you make a connector to the OI so you can plug the joystick in and use the leds at the same port?