yell0w_lantern Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I'm thinking about getting another set of TI joysticks and putting in micro switches. Has anyone tried this yet? I haven't gotten around to formulating a specific way but I'm considering pulling out the flex circuit and foam and using cut-down perf board and using the height of the switches to compensate for any height difference from the original setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc.hull Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I'm thinking about getting another set of TI joysticks and putting in micro switches. Has anyone tried this yet? I haven't gotten around to formulating a specific way but I'm considering pulling out the flex circuit and foam and using cut-down perf board and using the height of the switches to compensate for any height difference from the original setup. Remember that you also have about a hundred (or so it would seem) diodes on the PCB to deal with as well. If this is a project for the sake of doing it the carry on, more power to you. If it's a project to get a better stick then maybe you should consider moding a different set of sticks to work with the TI. The diode problem remains the same I guess. Someone posted a while back about some New(ish) atari sticks available. Personally I use an old NES joy pad. They are real easy to mod out for TI use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertLM78 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Personally I use an old NES joy pad. They are real easy to mod out for TI use. I'm going to have to try that - the TI joysticks leave much to be desired, sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 the TI joysticks leave much to be desired, sadly. You can say that again! They don't call them the "Hand Buster's" for nothing. After I got my new stick, my scores improved by at least 30% over night. My old pair just sit, unused in a box. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) This would be just for the halibut. There's a certain nostalgia to them but it would be nice if they were more responsive. Looks like, one could just remove the flex circuit and solder directly to the diodes. Even if the wires are broken just solder new ones into the board. Of course, one could always install new diodes on the perf board, there are only five. It's not like a Colecovision controller! Edited December 31, 2013 by yell0w_lantern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I feel sad... I rather like the TI sticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc.hull Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 This would be just for the halibut. There's a certain nostalgia to them but it would be nice if they were more responsive. Looks like, one could just remove the flex circuit and solder directly to the diodes. Even if the wires are broken just solder new ones into the board. Of course, one could always install new diodes on the perf board, there are only five. It's not like a Colecovision controller! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc.hull Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 True about the colecovision. Their love of diodes was epic... Good luck on the mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertLM78 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I feel sad... I rather like the TI sticks. Hehehe - they're neat in their on quirky way, but they aren't great IMHO. I don't like how the button doesn't have much of a "bounce back" after releasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 You can say that again! They don't call them the "Hand Buster's" for nothing. After I got my new stick, my scores improved by at least 30% over night. My old pair just sit, unused in a box. Any interest in selling them? I need test subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1980gamer Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 How did the 3rd party "splitter" work? It let you plug any 2 atari 2600 compatible joysticks in to the TI. I remember opening the splitter up as a kid, I don't think it had anything special in it. No diodes, capacitors or resistors. I used a ton of different controllers connected to the TI and never had a problem. Standard 2600, colecovision, Super Action Colecovision, Amiga stick, a bunch of wico sticks. I must say, the standard 2600 was very good! I say that as an Intellivision "fan boy". LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I remember opening the splitter up as a kid, I don't think it had anything special in it.No diodes, capacitors or resistors. See attached. I do not recall with certainty who manufactured this one, but I believe it was Navarone. We bought it from Target. Notice the diodes are not between the controllers but between both controllers and the console. Also, two lines lack diodes. I, too, like the Atari sticks. Though my favorite was the Epyx with the micro-switches. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Cool idea to mod the TI sticks, but sounds like way too much work. Not a fan of micro switches at all either, but the more loose and extended throw of the bat handle would be a major improvement in this case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 See attached. I do not recall with certainty who manufactured this one, but I believe it was Navarone. We bought it from Target. Notice the diodes are not between the controllers but between both controllers and the console. Also, two lines lack diodes. I, too, like the Atari sticks. Though my favorite was the Epyx with the micro-switches. I have one of those too, but it' so big it drives me NUTZ. Now if you only use one stick, the diodes are NOT necessary. So just rewiring the joystick will eliminate the need for one. It's on my list of things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Any interest in selling them? I need test subjects. Actually no, sorry. I paid $25.00 for them and they are just like new (tight as hell too), I'd hate to see them destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1980gamer Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 See attached. I do not recall with certainty who manufactured this one, but I believe it was Navarone. We bought it from Target. Notice the diodes are not between the controllers but between both controllers and the console. Also, two lines lack diodes. I, too, like the Atari sticks. Though my favorite was the Epyx with the micro-switches. I think I had a wico splitter... The Epyx stick was very "stiff" Also, I used to switch hands on long playing games... The Epyx stick wasn't very left handed friendly... If I remember correctly? I may still have one of these at the parents house? I tried every controller I could find. Never liked the LONG sticks that required big movement to change directions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Any interest in selling them? I need test subjects. I have a set I can contribute for the cost of shipping. PM me with your address and I will get you a shipping cost. (I have a few other people to take care of, too... just be patient, ya'll!) Heck, I think I even still have an original TI box for them. Quite the collector's item, eh? Maybe I should charge a meeeeellion dollars (or Spacebucks, whichever trades better.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 The Epyx stick was very "stiff" Also, I used to switch hands on long playing games... The Epyx stick wasn't very left handed friendly... If I remember correctly? The 500XJ, right? I suppose not. This is where I get confused: I am left-handed but I seem to do a lot of things right-handed. I loved the 500XJ (still have a couple that are not yet disabled.) The fire-button (trigger) sits under the left index finger. (BTW, did anyone know they made a model for the NES?) Some people just do not understand the curse it is being transdextrous. Or is that handedness-fluid? Ugh, better get on the phone to an advocate... Also, see here (from where I stole the 500XJ image, heheheh) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1980gamer Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 It is strange... I play left and right handed, I bet most people here do. Think about it. Pac Man, you play dominant hand. Galaga, you play left handed. Because the fire button is on the right. NES, heck almost every controller since, you use your left hand to play. D-pad on the left. 2600 and compatible controllers had a left fire button so you played right handed. Unless, you had the joystick with fire buttons on both sides... Suncom Tac-2 or trigger controllers. I didn't mind the Coleco Super Action controllers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMole Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 I'm a gamepad guy myself, but as far as joysticks go the STC The Arcade is by far the best I've ever used: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimes99er Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 That's about the one that worked best for me with the Amiga. Had about a dozen different joystick then - about late eighties. It was named Konix Speedking here. I actually think it was the standard Atari 2600 joystick I preferred with the TI, and I was using an adapter like this one. You'd simply plug in one or two joysticks at either end of this parallel port thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) Switched from plain perf board to "Prototyping Perf Board 9.9x3.9 Perfboard Solder Pads/strips". I traced the shape of the flex circuit onto the perf board and cut it out. Mounted 4 2.5mm high surface mount tactile switches for direction and a taller (can't remember now, maybe 4mm) through hole tactile switch on the reverse side for the button. The button and part of the top of the case will require some minor cutting to allow the switch. It seems like the stick will be a little loose so I might have to use bits of the foam ring to take away some of the extra room. Too much slack on TI sticks just seems wrong to me. I'll have to use the smallest gauge wire I have for hookups unless I want to start etching my own boards. [EDIT] I would just like to add that this project board stinks like an anatomy lab. My wife and I are calling it "cadaver board". Edited January 5, 2014 by yell0w_lantern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yell0w_lantern Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share Posted January 10, 2014 Okay, both sticks are converted over. I have to adjust the foam ring a little more on one because it's making the down switch stick but otherwise they work very well. No more mushy TI sticks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimes99er Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 How about some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Prostick II. The best I found, but it needs the Atari adapter. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/201301-joystick-adapter-for-emulators/?p=2577655 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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