Funky joystick I found I had. (Mastertronic Magnum)

[Pioneer4x4]

Some time in the past I bought a pair of Atari Space Age Joysticks, I assume from eBay...

Anyway, included in the lot was a "Magnum by Mastertronic" joystick which is evern weirder.

Here is a link to someone elses picture of one, mine looks exactly like it. It is flimsy/cheap feeling, and I am sure does not work right.

Anyone else have one? I'll open it up to see what is wrong with it.

 

[+bennybingo]

That is pretty cool! I haven't seen that one before.

[Pioneer4x4]

I can't imagine using your thumb to fire on some games.

As good as the Atari Space Age ones look and feel quality wise, this one doesn't!

[Pioneer4x4]

I opened it up and found why the stick feels so wonky. It uses 4 microswitches and 2 of them are stuck in. I am going to see if they are repairable. The stick has a slab of steel in the handle to make it feel more substantial, good idea, but still feels light.

The stick itself pivots from the ball at the bottom, not a bad idea. I HATE those damn push nuts, hopefully I can kink one and screw it off.

[Pioneer4x4]

Nope, it's shot. I opened up the microswitches and they have a brass contact that pops into contact and back. The spring part if it is broken off. If I happen to find replacements, I may try to fix it, but I doubt it.

[PFL]

Quirky looking stick. I quite like the look of it to be honest.

 

Aren't those micro-switches just off the shelf parts?

[Pioneer4x4]

Quirky looking stick. I quite like the look of it to be honest.

 

Aren't those micro-switches just off the shelf parts?

Not sure, I hope so. They would need the same through holes or some glue. They are a crappy design, not even 30 years old I bet and they failed already

Edited August 18, 2012 by Pioneer4x4

[PFL]

Yeah, they don't make them like they used too.

 

Good luck in fixing this wee gem up.

[Pioneer4x4]

Actually these look identical

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 261018230734

[PFL]

Nice find. The switches are a little more expensive than I thought they would be though... Still, it's a nice small project for when you have time.