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Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382531] Thu, 28 March 2019 14:06 Go to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Leon Sargent

Looking for both of these devices for a retro platform in a modern world.

I see this item.

RetroConnector Joystick Interface for Apple II

Not currently being made... perhaps at some future date.

So what is one to do?

Any suggestions?

I could buy these devices made specifically for the Apple ][ line but they seem to be the same price they were 30 years ago with no guarantee they are going to work and are usually listed sold as is.

Leon
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382535 is a reply to message #382531] Thu, 28 March 2019 14:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: frank_o_rama

Most analog joypad thingys are 10k ohms now, but the apple 2 is looking for 150k. You can use the directions here to make them work however.

http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=2225


Another route is to use a 4-way or 8-way joystick and add resistors to create 0k at top and left and 150k at bottom and right. A 150k slider would work pretty well so you can set 'center'. Games that use a paddle timer other than the one in ROM might not work properly though. (Not sure why. I have a vintage joystick that uses the same principle and it doesn't work with a few games, even though it shows 0-255 with PDL.)

f
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382536 is a reply to message #382531] Thu, 28 March 2019 14:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: frank_o_rama

That's a 4- or 8-way joystick with microswitches in it if I wasn't clear.
f
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382537 is a reply to message #382531] Thu, 28 March 2019 15:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michael J. Mahon is currently offline  Michael J. Mahon
Messages: 1767
Registered: October 2012
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Leon Sargent <sargenle@icloud.com> wrote:
> Looking for both of these devices for a retro platform in a modern world.
>
> I see this item.
>
> RetroConnector Joystick Interface for Apple II
>
> Not currently being made... perhaps at some future date.
>
> So what is one to do?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I could buy these devices made specifically for the Apple ][ line but
> they seem to be the same price they were 30 years ago with no guarantee
> they are going to work and are usually listed sold as is.
>
> Leon
>

I’ll bet someone on csa2 can sell you one that is in known working
condition.

Unless physically mistreated, joysticks are pretty rugged and reliable. The
cable is probably the weakest link (strain relief failure), and easily
repaired/replaced.

--
-michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382570 is a reply to message #382537] Fri, 29 March 2019 21:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Leon Sargent

Thank you for the suggestion...

I did find someone selling parts of their collection and I have a selection of 11 different joysticks and a few paddles.

Leon
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382575 is a reply to message #382531] Sat, 30 March 2019 08:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: darkcrayon

On Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2:06:55 PM UTC-4, Leon Sargent wrote:
> Looking for both of these devices for a retro platform in a modern world.
>
> I see this item.
>
> RetroConnector Joystick Interface for Apple II
>
> Not currently being made... perhaps at some future date.
>
> So what is one to do?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I could buy these devices made specifically for the Apple ][ line but they seem to be the same price they were 30 years ago with no guarantee they are going to work and are usually listed sold as is.
>
> Leon

I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)

Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?hash=item41cefd359a:g:AQAAAOSwLghZs9sY
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382576 is a reply to message #382531] Sat, 30 March 2019 08:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: darkcrayon

On Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2:06:55 PM UTC-4, Leon Sargent wrote:
> Looking for both of these devices for a retro platform in a modern world.
>
> I see this item.
>
> RetroConnector Joystick Interface for Apple II
>
> Not currently being made... perhaps at some future date.
>
> So what is one to do?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I could buy these devices made specifically for the Apple ][ line but they seem to be the same price they were 30 years ago with no guarantee they are going to work and are usually listed sold as is.
>
> Leon

I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)

Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382588 is a reply to message #382576] Sat, 30 March 2019 20:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Anthony Adverse

Check around the local prawn shops, they usually just about throw old joysticks out. :) Biggest problem is, most are USB these days :/ Still they come and go.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382707 is a reply to message #382576] Thu, 04 April 2019 09:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Leon Sargent

- show quoted text -
I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)

Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?

- end quoted text -

I order one today. I will be interested on you 3D printed case process.

Thanks for pointing to this.

Leon
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382835 is a reply to message #382707] Fri, 05 April 2019 19:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: rhoem1

On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:37:45 AM UTC-7, Leon Sargent wrote:
> - show quoted text -
> I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)
>
> Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?
>
> - end quoted text -
>
> I order one today. I will be interested on you 3D printed case process.
>
> Thanks for pointing to this.
>
> Leon

The problem with Ian's as well as Quinn's design is they both use a joystick that has a circular limit and not a square limit. This means that you cannot actually reach 0,0 0,255 255,0 or 255,255 when the stick is pointed to a corner. This causes games like Wings of Fury to play incorrectly (in this example, WoF refuses to accelerate the plane while ascending, causing it to stall). This limit is, as far as I can tell, a physical limitation of the stick module's design.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382836 is a reply to message #382835] Fri, 05 April 2019 19:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: darkcrayon

Huh. I hadn't noticed that, but doing the standard PDL(0),PDL(1) dance I may not have been looking for absolute limits in the corners, just something that got sufficiently close. I thought games used those calibration routines because even standard old school joysticks wouldn't necessarily reach 0 or 255 in a given direction or corner.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382838 is a reply to message #382835] Sat, 06 April 2019 18:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: darkcrayon

On Friday, April 5, 2019 at 7:04:58 PM UTC-4, rho...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:37:45 AM UTC-7, Leon Sargent wrote:
>> - show quoted text -
>> I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)
>>
>> Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?
>>
>> - end quoted text -
>>
>> I order one today. I will be interested on you 3D printed case process..
>>
>> Thanks for pointing to this.
>>
>> Leon
>
> The problem with Ian's as well as Quinn's design is they both use a joystick that has a circular limit and not a square limit. This means that you cannot actually reach 0,0 0,255 255,0 or 255,255 when the stick is pointed to a corner. This causes games like Wings of Fury to play incorrectly (in this example, WoF refuses to accelerate the plane while ascending, causing it to stall). This limit is, as far as I can tell, a physical limitation of the stick module's design.

FWIW, I just tried it back at home. Can consistently get 0 and 255 in any of the four corners. I can move the analog stick a mm or two within the supposed "corners" and keep the steady 0 or 255 reading. So it shouldn't be a problem in games.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382840 is a reply to message #382835] Mon, 08 April 2019 02:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ian kim is currently offline  ian kim
Messages: 117
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 0
Senior Member
On Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8:04:58 AM UTC+9, rho...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:37:45 AM UTC-7, Leon Sargent wrote:
>> - show quoted text -
>> I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)
>>
>> Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?
>>
>> - end quoted text -
>>
>> I order one today. I will be interested on you 3D printed case process..
>>
>> Thanks for pointing to this.
>>
>> Leon
>
> The problem with Ian's as well as Quinn's design is they both use a joystick that has a circular limit and not a square limit. This means that you cannot actually reach 0,0 0,255 255,0 or 255,255 when the stick is pointed to a corner. This causes games like Wings of Fury to play incorrectly (in this example, WoF refuses to accelerate the plane while ascending, causing it to stall). This limit is, as far as I can tell, a physical limitation of the stick module's design.

I'm the developer of the Simple joystick.
It doesn't have such as the corner miss reading issue.
It indicates exactly 0, 255 even 255,255 with two buttons.
I don't know where did you get the wrong information.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #382846 is a reply to message #382840] Tue, 09 April 2019 19:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: rhoem1

On Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 11:40:57 PM UTC-7, ian kim wrote:
> On Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8:04:58 AM UTC+9, rho...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:37:45 AM UTC-7, Leon Sargent wrote:
>>> - show quoted text -
>>> I was hoping for that retro connector adaptor as well. And I missed out on that 8bitdo wireless adapter which had problems but was otherwise an awesome idea (wireless controller on an Apple //?!)
>>>
>>> Ian Kim sells a simple gamepad style joystick on ebay. I'm going to see if I can 3d print a body for one, similar to what Quinn Dunki did (just the 3d printed half of her work :)
>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joystick-for-APPLE-II-e-c-and-GS-co mpatible/282645575066?
>>>
>>> - end quoted text -
>>>
>>> I order one today. I will be interested on you 3D printed case process.
>>>
>>> Thanks for pointing to this.
>>>
>>> Leon
>>
>> The problem with Ian's as well as Quinn's design is they both use a joystick that has a circular limit and not a square limit. This means that you cannot actually reach 0,0 0,255 255,0 or 255,255 when the stick is pointed to a corner. This causes games like Wings of Fury to play incorrectly (in this example, WoF refuses to accelerate the plane while ascending, causing it to stall). This limit is, as far as I can tell, a physical limitation of the stick module's design.
>
> I'm the developer of the Simple joystick.
> It doesn't have such as the corner miss reading issue.
> It indicates exactly 0, 255 even 255,255 with two buttons.
> I don't know where did you get the wrong information.

ok, so sorry, Ian, perhaps not yours. The one that I built, based on a design I found in this forum, ended up using one of these joysticks that are usually used, I guess, on something like a xbox or ps4 controller. In this case, there is a circular limiter built in to the module that physically prevents the stick from reaching the specified values. This is usually used as a vector and not a x/y coordinate, as it is on the Apple. If you're not using this module, or you've got a circuit that compensates for the notion that aiming for example, at 0,0 actually returns close to 30,30, then I think you've got a great design and I retract my statement.

As it is, I shelved my joystick and repaired a CH Products stick that I've had for the last 35 years. It works great. Nice square range in the mechanism, and even has centering adjusters that work.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #395910 is a reply to message #382531] Thu, 18 June 2020 15:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
anthonypaulo is currently offline  anthonypaulo
Messages: 531
Registered: September 2013
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Hello World!

Currently shopping around for a IIgs joystick, wondering what the expert opinion is on the best joystick to get. I see Iam Kim's more modern version and looks like the way to go, but it's just the guts and doesn't have a body so I don't know if that would work out of the box. Any thoughts?
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #395958 is a reply to message #395910] Sat, 20 June 2020 10:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: JoeyX

On Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:46:19 -0700, Anthony Ortiz wrote:

> Hello World!
>
> Currently shopping around for a IIgs joystick, wondering what the expert
> opinion is on the best joystick to get. I see Iam Kim's more modern
> version and looks like the way to go, but it's just the guts and doesn't
> have a body so I don't know if that would work out of the box. Any
> thoughts?

I have always been partial to CH sticks. As for which Apple stick to get,
I guess it depends what kind of gaming you will be doing. That said,
you'll have a wider selection of sticks if you look in to PC 15 pin
sticks as well. ReActive Micro offers an adapter for controls from that
family. It's a bit pricey at 40$ USD, but it's an option.
Re: Game pads and Joysticks for GS [message #395975 is a reply to message #395958] Sat, 20 June 2020 15:52 Go to previous message
Antoine Vignau is currently offline  Antoine Vignau
Messages: 1860
Registered: October 2012
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I like my Mach III from CH Products a lot,
av
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