what would be the maximum you would spend on it ? anyone here w/ some mil-type board prototyping (please speak up ), and 3. who would be interested in a 3DP->USB converter that retains full 3DP functionallity (10bit X/Y/Slider, 9bit Rz, 8 buttons, 8-way hat) and does not require an additional 98SE/2000/XP driver, 2. So before I decide if I just build another proto or look into having boards mad (assuming I won't encounter a showstopper) my questions are, 1. I was thinking about having a few boards made but I'm sort of unwilling to pay for 20 or so boards and using only one or two The software needs some cosmetics, I have run more extensive tests, and put together a \"real\" circuit diagram plus a BOM. So far I used it only for about an hour in D3, seems to work well. )Īfter some struggles w/ some \"minor\" details about the hardware and software, I finally got a prototype up and running: After letting all settle a bit in back of my mind, I finally decided to try building a 3DP-to-USB converter (the Rz on my FF2 getting weak helped a bit here.
Additionally a regular gamport device is a nasty CPU time hog (due to the nature of the gameport).Ī while ago Ferno pointed me to the MJoy project and someone here posted a link the the linux 3DP driver source in a stick related discussion (my appologies for not remembering your nick - I'm getting old. Unfortunately a regular gameport to USB converter isn't very usefull - you loose the 8-way hat (becomes a 4-way hat) and the base buttons. An additional soundcard isn't an option for me.
I knew my FF2 isn't going to last forever, so I started thinking about how to get my 3DP back. My best experience w/ sticks so far was the 3DP - my personal 3DP half-life is >2yr, and no stick ever came close to its unique handling (short throw.). The FF2 also has a weak hat assembly (not too bad if you're carefull, I just wore out a set of switches yet over 6 months) and a Rz pot w/ a D3 half-life of approx. The F2.4 potentiometers have a half-live period of 3 months at best (if you don't break the hat assembly 1st.), the FF2 is not manufactured anymore and NIB spares run at $300 on eBay.
IMVHO the top two sticks from that period are the Logitech Freedom 2.4 and the M$ Sidewinder FF2 - unfortunately both have some major drawbacks: Since using a M$ Sidewinder 3D Pro with my computer is nearly impossible (due to a bug in the XP/2000 3DP driver affecting high FSB machines) I spend the last three years going through aprox. Recently I really got ticked off about the current set of joysticks availabe that match my use pattern for D3.