New Custom ColecoVision Control Pad

[doubledown]

Yes, I've made another new custom control pad for the ColecoVision. Features include an 8-way directional pad, 2 independent fire buttons, and a full keypad. Can anybody guess what the doner controller originally was?

 

[Tony Montana]

Wow another one ! I nearly missed it.

 

How did you cram the innards from a colecovision controller in there ? doesn't look like theres much room.

 

I wish you would release one of these mods when i actually have some spare cash lol

 

I have no idea what controller that was originally

 

Top work as usual !

[Tony Montana]

Sorry double post

Edited April 1, 2008 by Tony Montana

[Ze_ro]

Damn, that's impressive! I guess there wasn't enough room to cram in the extra two buttons for the Super Action Controller? Any pics of the insides?

 

--Zero

[Pixelboy]

Wow, that's impressive! The plus-shaped D-Pad would indicate a Nintendo controller... Beats me.

[Vic George 2K3]

Can't wait to see what an NES Advantage version of a ColecoVision joystick controller would look like coming from your hands.

[+5-11under]

What, no spinner???

 

Looks great... my favourite one so far... except I don't like d-pads.

 

Thanks,

5-11under

 

Playstation?

[doubledown]

Here's the original controller:

 

 

It's a Famicom NTT Modem Controller. It was for some kind of online banking or horse betting type something or other. Somebody had posted either here or on DP about the Super Famicom version, and while I was originally looking for that one, my buddy in Japan found me this one which actually works better for me. I had to add a plastic expansion plate to make it a little thicker to accomodate the extra PCB and wiring, but it was so thin to start with it's actually a little more comfortable being a bit thicker. And no, as usual, no internal pics. I never take pics of the wiring, I just make contact point wiring spreadsheets for myself.

Edited April 1, 2008 by doubledown

[doubledown]

Can't wait to see what an NES Advantage version of a ColecoVision joystick controller would look like coming from your hands.

 

I've thought about the Advantage, but there's really no good place for the keypad. The only real place is underneath the joystick and it may get in the way of your wrist. I'll look at it tonight when I get home.

 

@5-11 under - If you don't like d-pads, what's your preference, joystick?

[Tony Montana]

How about something like this but with the keypad separate or attached to the side somewhere ?

 

Or a little lift up flap (door) with the keypad underneath ?

[doubledown]

How about something like this but with the keypad separate or attached to the side somewhere ?

 

Anything's possible, but I just don't like the idea of having the keypad on a seperate controller plugged into the main controller. Then you got cords all over the damned place and you end up sitting on one of them or some crap like that. The keypads I have are pretty small. I'll set one on an Advantage tonight and post a pic. The other problem with the Advantage is all of the extra buttons/dials that need to be covered/filled to cosmetically complete the conversion to ColecoVision.

 

Or a little lift up flap (door) with the keypad underneath ?

 

Yeah, maybe I could sell a garage door opener with it too so that its remote controlled!

 

I'll get a pic up tonight with a keypad laid on an Advantage for size scalling.

Edited April 1, 2008 by doubledown

[Tony Montana]

Yeah, maybe I could sell a garage door opener with it too so that its remote controlled!

 

lol cool, do it !

[Ze_ro]

It's a Famicom NTT Modem Controller. It was for some kind of online banking or horse betting type something or other. Somebody had posted either here or on DP about the Super Famicom version, and while I was originally looking for that one, my buddy in Japan found me this one which actually works better for me.

Ever considered using a CDTV controller as a basis for one of these conversions? It already has the numeric keypad, and should be a lot easier to find.

 

 

--Zero

[+5-11under]

@5-11 under - If you don't like d-pads, what's your preference, joystick?

 

Hi doubledown,

 

Yes, I prefer joysticks (right hand). It's what I'm used to; I grew up with them.

 

I just bought a Radica Space Invaders all-in-one ($3!) that I'll likely modify at some point... although I'll need to find a suitable keypad (horizontal, like yours).

 

Thanks,

5-11under

[doubledown]

Ever considered using a CDTV controller as a basis for one of these conversions? It already has the numeric keypad, and should be a lot easier to find.

 

 

--Zero

 

I've never seen one of those before. Anybody know where to get one, or anybody got one they'd like to sell?

 

@5-11 under - You mean right hand joystick, left hand buttons? Not a whole lot of those made over the years. I'm personally right handed, but with a arcade style joystick I have to use my left hand, with my right hand for the buttons. Unless it's a handheld/tabletop joystick (standard CV controllers included), then I hold the controller with my left hand, and manipulate the joystick with my right. Weird!

[+5-11under]

Hi dd,

 

Right hand joystick, left hand button. Think Atari2600/800XL. If I recall correctly, a lot of arcade game had this configuration, or if not, the control area was large enough to cross hands to fire.

 

Thanks,

5-11under

[doubledown]

Here's a digital mock-up of an NES Advantage converted for the ColecoVision:

 

 

The only place the keypad will fit is above the buttons which I think is better than below the joystick. The only cosmetic question would be:

 

Do you center it above the buttons as shown, or would you move it to the left along the casing groove next to the joystick? It also helps to imagine the whole unit is black not beige.

[opeygon]

looks great

[Jess Ragan]

It's a Famicom NTT Modem Controller. It was for some kind of online banking or horse betting type something or other. Somebody had posted either here or on DP about the Super Famicom version, and while I was originally looking for that one, my buddy in Japan found me this one which actually works better for me.

Ever considered using a CDTV controller as a basis for one of these conversions? It already has the numeric keypad, and should be a lot easier to find.

 

 

--Zero

 

That would rock for the Atari 5200 as well... there'd be more than enough buttons to go around, that's for sure!

[midnight8]

Here's a digital mock-up of an NES Advantage converted for the ColecoVision:

 

 

The only place the keypad will fit is above the buttons which I think is better than below the joystick. The only cosmetic question would be:

 

Do you center it above the buttons as shown, or would you move it to the left along the casing groove next to the joystick? It also helps to imagine the whole unit is black not beige.

 

where did you get those keypads at? I've been thinking of mounting keypads on top of my 5200 console and it loks like it may work for me.

[Prodos8]

where did you get those keypads at? I've been thinking of mounting keypads on top of my 5200 console and it loks like it may work for me.

I'm not sure where he got his but I've ordered stuff from futurlec several times and have been happy so far. Sometimes the stuff ships from Thailand (sometimes San Diego) so can be slow in arrival but they have no minimum order, cheap prices and cheap shipping. If you use the 4x4 pad you can get the start/pause/reset keys covered as well.

[midnight8]

where did you get those keypads at? I've been thinking of mounting keypads on top of my 5200 console and it loks like it may work for me.

I'm not sure where he got his but I've ordered stuff from futurlec several times and have been happy so far. Sometimes the stuff ships from Thailand (sometimes San Diego) so can be slow in arrival but they have no minimum order, cheap prices and cheap shipping. If you use the 4x4 pad you can get the start/pause/reset keys covered as well.

thanks.

[Ze_ro]

I'd love to see someone modify a 5200 controller to use a functional rotary phone mechanism.

 

--Zero

[doubledown]

where did you get those keypads at? I've been thinking of mounting keypads on top of my 5200 console and it loks like it may work for me.

 

The only concern you'll have besides size, color, and number of buttons, will be whether the keypad is matrix or discrete-output oriented. A matrix keypad has one contact for each column and row, where a discrete output (common pole/bus) will have one contact for each button plus 1 common. Meaning that in a matrix if you press #1 you are contacting the points between row 1 and column 1. The console internally decodes this and knows that you're pressing the #1 button. So on a standard 12 button keypad a matrix will have 7 wiring points, one for each of the 4 rows, and 1 for each of the 3 columns. A discrete output would have 13 wiring points, one for each of the 12 buttons, and one common/ground. In which case if you pressed #1 you'd be contacting the points for button #1 and ground. If I'm not mistaken the 5200 uses the matrix style, whereas the ColecoVision uses discrete outputs. Matrix keypads are generally a lot easier to find these days, with a lot more options of sizes and colors.

[midnight8]

where did you get those keypads at? I've been thinking of mounting keypads on top of my 5200 console and it loks like it may work for me.

 

The only concern you'll have besides size, color, and number of buttons, will be whether the keypad is matrix or discrete-output oriented. A matrix keypad has one contact for each column and row, where a discrete output (common pole/bus) will have one contact for each button plus 1 common. Meaning that in a matrix if you press #1 you are contacting the points between row 1 and column 1. The console internally decodes this and knows that you're pressing the #1 button. So on a standard 12 button keypad a matrix will have 7 wiring points, one for each of the 4 rows, and 1 for each of the 3 columns. A discrete output would have 13 wiring points, one for each of the 12 buttons, and one common/ground. In which case if you pressed #1 you'd be contacting the points for button #1 and ground. If I'm not mistaken the 5200 uses the matrix style, whereas the ColecoVision uses discrete outputs. Matrix keypads are generally a lot easier to find these days, with a lot more options of sizes and colors.

 

If i get the type with a single common could I not cut that common at the end of each row or column and solder wires to the ends? That would expand my options in keypads. I don't think there is a lot of room above the board in the 5200 if i remember correctly. I am going to need something thin. I made a 5200 controller of of a jaguar controller and it works fine but it was a pain in the but to fit the thumbstick in there http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=123531. And i never really got the angle right mounting it. If I had keypads in the console then I could just use my interact dreamcast pads on the 5200 and not have to have a 5200 controller sitting next to me all the time.

Edited April 3, 2008 by midnight8