Joystick or Game Controller

[Travis Hoffman]

Where is the "both" option? I plan to integrate both dual joystick control and gamepad control on the operator controls, with a toggle switch on the button box to hot swap between the two. Why?

1. This makes the controls accessible to a wider range of potential drivers and driving styles. There are always a few analog inputs left unused every year - easy enough to port the y-axes of our additional sticks to those.
2. While I fully expect it is a quality product, I don't like relying blindly upon unproven hardware like the USB-Chicklet. It's one additional link in the chain that could go bad. Always have a way out.

[Mike Copioli]

Ok, I can't resist replying to this post. HANDS DOWN...GAME CONTROLLER!!!!
Since we invented the Chicklet, we had the opportunity to try them all. Don't forget, the game pad is two joysticks.

BTW Don't rule out the use of the Logitech Gamepad. Based on our findings the Logitech would be our 1st choice. The X-box joysticks do not always return to the same center.


This is a copy of a reply I posted on another thread:

QUOTE=Warren Boudreau;553965] My question has always been, "Are the controllers really any better than the joysticks?" .[/quote]

This is a matter of opinion, but I say absolutely and here are the reasons:

1. When a driver uses joysticks, he/she is forced to stay at the O/I. Any movement that the driver makes with their body is translated into the controls. Gamepads do not have this issue due to the fact that they move with the driver.

2. Most students are used to this form of control (gamepads). They have grown up playing games that use them.

3. This is, in my opinion, the most important reason. In the past, when a robot or a game piece was obstructing the view of the drive team or they need to reposition themselves to get a better view of the game(like to line up the robot with a target) they had two choices.

a. They could wait until the obstruction moves. Or blindly drive the robot until it is clear or guesstimate the position.

b. The driver could try to reposition his/her head or body to get a better view possibly translating there movements into the joysticks.(see reason 1)

When a team uses a gamepad, the solution to this problem is simple:

a. step two feet left

b. step two feet right

c. step back

d. step forward

To me the benifits are paramount.

Mike Copioli
CTRE

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by T. Hoffman

hile I fully expect it is a quality product, I don't like relying blindly upon unproven hardware like the USB-Chicklet. It's one additional link in the chain that could go bad. Always have a way out.[/list]

I absolutely agree with this philosophy. Having said that, you should know this is a concept that we kept in mind through out the development process. I am curious How many TEAMS have recieved the Chicklet and what their opinions are.