number of joysticks

[Xufer]

Originally Posted by Pingponger17

I am on a rookie team this year and we have had some problems with our joysticks that came in our kit. We are having problems because the joystick is very loose and so it doesn't come to a complete neutral position. Also the calibrators on the sides move when you move the joystick. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Would you suggest using the ones that came in the kit or get new different ones?

Well the real problem is that those white joysticks are HORRIBLE , there were alot of people last year who put in tighter spring and all in an attempt to make them better, but it doesnt help to much. Your best bet is to buy new ones in the past we were given joysticks from CH PRODUCTS the problem is the one they used to give us is no longer made. The newer version of it just has more buttons including a directional hat. Heres a link:
http://www.chproducts.com/retail/j_fighter_pc.html
the good thing is theyre only $20 a piece

But again you can use any joystick you like aslong as you know what the buttons map out to.

[DarkJedi613]

We've always used 3 joysticks, two for drive, one for peripherals (Though we usually set it up so you can toggle between tank drive and single-stick drive). One slight problem is that all joysticks are righty. however, especially since we need a left handed one all the time (not just for our left handed drivers) since we use tank drive. We got around that by using an old FIRST joystick though.

The joysticks FIRST give you are not too bad, just make sure you trim them first and program a nice hole in the center where no movement takes place. If you have trouble with knocking the trim off while its being unused - hot glue them in place.

Now you guys are talking about XBox and PlayStation 2 controllers, etc. and you say you need to just change the plug. But Anchi is right, you need to convert the signal from digital to analog, not just change the plug. (You could however use a Nintendo, Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis controller by just changing the plug I believe.)

To throw my opinion in, I think it is better to use joysticks, its easier for most people to get used to while controllers it would only be good for people who like that controller. Like if you're thinking of using an XBox controller, would you use the S-Controller or the "Original" Controller? Personally I hate PlayStation 2 controllers so if you're using that, how am I supposed to drive? Joysticks are the most generic and user friendly when you take everyone's opinion into account, I think.

[KoRnPoP]

I got a question conserning the joysticks. When we were reading the manual for the Operator Interface it said that we had to use the joysticks that FIRST provided us with, but in the FIRST rule book we can't find nothing about it can anyone help with this and let us know?

[steven114]

The rule book overrides the documentation, and if there is no rule prohibiting it than joysticks should be quite legal.

[Charly]

Originally Posted by KoRnPoP

I got a question conserning the joysticks. When we were reading the manual for the Operator Interface it said that we had to use the joysticks that FIRST provided us with, but in the FIRST rule book we can't find nothing about it can anyone help with this and let us know?

You are allowed to use any joysticks that you want for the competition, so long as you can get them to work. Which is at best a very tedious process unless you know what you're doing.

[pakrat]

Originally Posted by Xufer

Well the real problem is that those white joysticks are HORRIBLE , there were alot of people last year who put in tighter spring and all in an attempt to make them better, but it doesnt help to much. Your best bet is to buy new ones in the past we were given joysticks from CH PRODUCTS the problem is the one they used to give us is no longer made. The newer version of it just has more buttons including a directional hat. Heres a link:
http://www.chproducts.com/retail/j_fighter_pc.html
the good thing is theyre only $20 a piece

But again you can use any joystick you like aslong as you know what the buttons map out to.

I have a question:
Are these ones Serial? Cuz they look really good.

Thanks in advance

[Jeffrafa]

Originally Posted by pakrat

I have a question:
Are these ones Serial? Cuz they look really good.

Thanks in advance

They are 15 pin gameport, just like the joystics you recieved in your kit and just like will plug into the operator interface.

Our team has been looking for compatible joystics for a bit now and are probably going to be ordering these - thanks to Xufer for providing the link.

One quick question for teams who have used these before - do the joysticks have yaw control as well? I have examined the CH site and have found no specifics mentioning yaw control.

Thanks, Jeff