scotty Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 Does such a thing exist? Would love to use the XEGS keyboard with Altirra, but do not want to do any permanent mods to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymanone Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 5 hours ago, scotty said: Does such a thing exist? Would love to use the XEGS keyboard with Altirra, but do not want to do any permanent mods to it. There is existing a USB-Mod for the XE series (65/800/130). All you need is an Arduino Leonardo Board and some electronic / soldering skills. You can slighty customize this solution as external Mod to use it with an XEGS Keyboard -> Making a Retro Atari 65XE as an USB-keyboard Cheers, andY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
800XLNZ Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I believe the USB concept is based on the Atari SIO design by Jay Miner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 15 minutes ago, 800XLNZ said: I believe the USB concept is based on the Atari SIO design by Jay Miner. Joe Decuir designed SIO, Jay Miner designed CTIA and ANTIC. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
800XLNZ Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 The plot thickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 On 10/10/2021 at 6:25 AM, scotty said: Does such a thing exist? Would love to use the XEGS keyboard with Altirra, but do not want to do any permanent mods to it. I've not seen one, there are a bunch of 'convert my keyboard to usb' type mods around for XL/XE keyboards but I've never seen an XEGS one. The XEGS keyboard is so terrible most people go the other way and use a TK-II or Aki to interface a PS/2 keyboard with the XEGS. Typing in an emulator with an XEGS keyboard would be a miserable experience, it's probably why no one has done it. Having said all that, there is a project going on right now to replace the XE keyboard with a mechanical one using the original keycaps and the PCB for that has space for a Pi-pico which can be used as a USB interface. It occurs to me that a version of that PCB designed to fit the XEGS keyboard case would be the best of both worlds. You could have an authentic looking xegs keyboard with much improved feel plugged into your pc for emulation that still worked with your XEGS. It's a shame XEGS keyboards are so expensive on ebay or I'd get one and put it in the 'future projects' box. It doesn't fit your requirement to not mod the original keyboard though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oo7 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Everyone does know the crag keyboard is a 130xe keyboard right? Once you open it up it becomes super obvious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 15 minutes ago, oo7 said: Everyone does know the crag keyboard is a 130xe keyboard right? Once you open it up it becomes super obvious Yeah, it's that that made me think of the xe keyboard replacement project from @ScreamingAtTheRadio as maybe an option. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TemplarXB Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Keep in mind it an XEGS keyboard isn’t going to have the Start/Select/Reset/Option buttons either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oo7 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 7 hours ago, TemplarXB said: Keep in mind it an XEGS keyboard isn’t going to have the Start/Select/Reset/Option buttons either. Good point but there are walk arounds for that such as mapping to the game controllers and or getting a icade adapter for db9 controllers and mapping them there. that being said very good point. It’s too bad we can’t find a close to Atari st pc keyboard. Where it would be a proper pc keyboard with they Atari look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 someone could just make one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oo7 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Mr Robot said: someone could just make one... If I could I would ide want one that looked the the Atari Xe but based on my Logitech k400+ for my htpc in my living room! That would be heaven. if Atari box errr Vcs hours of gone with a xe or st design I would of not been able to resist buying it. Edited October 13, 2021 by oo7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.