fire!fire! Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 I just got a Heavy Sixer that came with assorted joysticks - and there are some really different ones. I searched the threads here a little and decided to post after not finding one of them anywhere. One of them has the Atari logo on the end of the stick. Sure wish it worked! There is also one that has a little metal switch on the plug-side that turns the fire button on and off. In one position you can't fire. That experiment got me killed! Also there are paddles that have the Atari logo in place of the word paddle. I was wondering if anyone else has one of the sticks with the metal switch that disengages the fire button? Or do you think someone modified this one themselves? It looks to me like it came that way. There were also some old joysticks that are the springy-kind with no TOP in the ring. One does not work at all and the other one won't let you go left. Not good for playing Galaxian!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorclu Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 I just got a Heavy Sixer that came with assorted joysticks - and there are some really different ones. I searched the threads here a little and decided to post after not finding one of them anywhere. One of them has the Atari logo on the end of the stick. Sure wish it worked! There is also one that has a little metal switch on the plug-side that turns the fire button on and off. In one position you can't fire. That experiment got me killed! Also there are paddles that have the Atari logo in place of the word paddle. I was wondering if anyone else has one of the sticks with the metal switch that disengages the fire button? Or do you think someone modified this one themselves? It looks to me like it came that way. There were also some old joysticks that are the springy-kind with no TOP in the ring. One does not work at all and the other one won't let you go left. Not good for playing Galaxian!!! Very interesting variants. Especially the "Atari" at the top of the joystick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 23, 2006 Author Share Posted December 23, 2006 Yeah - it is really too bad that one does not work! I am thinking by looking back at old threads that one was the first kind they made. The one with the metal switch really has me stumped, tho. At least that one works and the paddles work great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the 5th ghost Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 The joystick with the Atari logo at the top of the stick is very rare, be proud to have it, even if it doesn't work. Not only that, it could be easily fixed with a little TLC. They were only available with the earliest released Atari's back in 1977 through early 1978. That is the gem of the lot. As for the stick with the toggle switch...looks like it was modified by the original owner. Atari didn't make them that way. Still, an interesting oddity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homerwannabee Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 Also the paddles that have Atari on them are heavy sixer paddles. The springer joysticks are all heavy sixer joysticks as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Franzman Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 The piece of metal with the Atari name on the top of the stick is known as a "hex disc", and they are scarce because of the weak adhesive holding them on - most of them fell off and were lost. The springy sticks that came with the hex discs are also known by their model number, CX-10. The later version joysticks are CX-40. A nice pair of CX-10 sticks with the hex discs might sell for $50 or more with the Atari logo ($100 or more if they say SEARS instead!) Also, I agree that the stick with the switch to disable the fire button must be a homemade hack. I have no idea what it might be useful for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 23, 2006 Author Share Posted December 23, 2006 It looks like the joystick with Atari on the end is the same as the other, older-style "springy" one that came with (the one that can't go left) but the top of the stick is indented as if the Atari hex fell off this one. The one with the logo attached is beyond repair, I think. The plastic that should be soft is hard as a rock and it looks melted like it was subjected to intense heat but then the logo would have melted off. I dunno. Maybe I can combine the broken one with the one missing the logo. But really I should just leave them alone. I am not much of a mechanic... besides I have a ton of CX-40 to use - not like I am stranded on an island with just these 2 sticks. (Thank GOD for that...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urchlay Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 Also, I agree that the stick with the switch to disable the fire button must be a homemade hack. I have no idea what it might be useful for. Someone's attempt at a rapid-fire mod, that either never worked, or no longer works? If I had that stick, I'd feel duty-bound to take it apart and find out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 It looks like the joystick with Atari on the end is the same as the other, older-style "springy" one that came with (the one that can't go left) but the top of the stick is indented as if the Atari hex fell off this one. The one with the logo attached is beyond repair, I think. The plastic that should be soft is hard as a rock and it looks melted like it was subjected to intense heat but then the logo would have melted off. I dunno. Maybe I can combine the broken one with the one missing the logo. But really I should just leave them alone. I am not much of a mechanic... besides I have a ton of CX-40 to use - not like I am stranded on an island with just these 2 sticks. (Thank GOD for that...) I''ll buy that busted cx10 from ya. PM sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 24, 2006 Author Share Posted December 24, 2006 Also, I agree that the stick with the switch to disable the fire button must be a homemade hack. I have no idea what it might be useful for. Someone's attempt at a rapid-fire mod, that either never worked, or no longer works? If I had that stick, I'd feel duty-bound to take it apart and find out Ok I did take it apart and here it is: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
else Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 (edited) My guess: When turned off -- no effect. When turned on -- it "holds" the fire button down continuously for you so that your thumb doesn't get sore. I'm not sure what games this would work on -- maybe Space Invaders or Defender or Astroblast or something like that. Kind of a nifty little hack really....would work great for small kids.... Edited December 24, 2006 by else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urchlay Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 My guess: When turned off -- no effect. When turned on -- it "holds" the fire button down continuously for you so that your thumb doesn't get sore. I'm not sure what games this would work on -- maybe Space Invaders or Defender or Astroblast or something like that. Kind of a nifty little hack really....would work great for small kids.... Qix, on the Atari 800... to guarantee you're in "slow draw" mode. That's what I'd use it for, anyway. Most 2600 games don't let you hold down the fire button and get multiple shots. Hm, are there any 2600 racing games that use the fire button for the gas pedal? It'd be useful for that (but Pole Position uses the fire button for the brake, not useful). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Franzman Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 (edited) Yeah, the switch is a sloppy "hold the button down" hack, not meant to disable the button. But in some games holding the button down gives you a single shot, then nothing. It may be useful in a few games but it might take a bit of experimenting to figure out which games they are. @ Urchlay: I believe Enduro uses the button for accelerator, but I doubt that using that switch would give you a better score! Edited December 24, 2006 by A.J. Franzman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Rogue Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Yeah - it is really too bad that one does not work! I am thinking by looking back at old threads that one was the first kind they made. The one with the metal switch really has me stumped, tho. At least that one works and the paddles work great. The original 1977 CX-10 Joysticks heavy sixer joystick question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uzumaki Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Empre Strikes Back has multiple fires if you hold the button down. That switch would be great with ESB. It'd be neater to just build an in line adapter with all wires straight through plus a switch between fire and ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 24, 2006 Author Share Posted December 24, 2006 The original 1977 CX-10 Joysticks heavy sixer joystick question? Thanks for posting the link. I did search, but didn't have the right search words. I did take the one apart that doesn't go left and got it to do so when it was apart but not with the stick itself, I had to press on the inside part over the springs. After quite a bit of Southern Comfort I got out every joystick I owned and realized some play better than others! Never thought of that before. River Raid is the perfect joystick testing game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacobZu7zu7 Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 I think their paddles were different, then the 4 switch Atari's. 6'ers had ATARI on them. Am I right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 24, 2006 Author Share Posted December 24, 2006 WOW Thanks for the info but with River Raid it is awesome! It continuously fires, and if you push the joystick up to go faster, you fire faster, and pulling the stick down which slows your speed, it also slows the firing. The only thing is that when you get killed it starts the next life (at the last bridge you blew) instantly because it is still firing even tho you just died. It's weird but kind of fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urchlay Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 WOW Thanks for the info but with River Raid it is awesome! It continuously fires, and if you push the joystick up to go faster, you fire faster, and pulling the stick down which slows your speed, it also slows the firing. The only thing is that when you get killed it starts the next life (at the last bridge you blew) instantly because it is still firing even tho you just died. It's weird but kind of fun... How do you refuel without blowing up the fuel on a regular basis? I guess it's possible (you can refuel by touching just the wing to the fuel dump, so the bullets don't hit it), but it seems like it'd be a pain. Also, you only get one shot on the screen at a time... if you've already got a shot on the screen, and a new enemy scrolls in from the top, you can't shoot him immediately. Hm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire!fire! Posted December 24, 2006 Author Share Posted December 24, 2006 Yes it is a very corny way to play River Raid and not practical at all, but I have been trying this new joystick I got on all kinds of games and some games do not allow the rapid fire to work. I got this joystick in an auction that had several all together. Kind of a pot luck. Just never seen one like this before and trying it on all the games I have. Not really suggesting this is the way to play River Raid since my high score with this joystick on rapid fire is a whopping 5840. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightSprinter Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 I think their paddles were different, then the 4 switch Atari's. 6'ers had ATARI on them. Am I right? Bingo. The original '77 paddles do have the fuji logo on them with "Atari" under it, or if you bought the Tele-Games version it says "Sears". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Franzman Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 River Raid is the perfect joystick testing game! Not really. Missile Command is usually preferred, but it won't do anything useful with your auto-fire modded stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.Whiz Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Yeah, the switch is a sloppy "hold the button down" hack, not meant to disable the button. But in some games holding the button down gives you a single shot, then nothing. It may be useful in a few games but it might take a bit of experimenting to figure out which games they are. Is it possible that is switches the joystick for left-handed use? I remember some of my left-handed friends used to turn the joystick upside down -- it worked, but you had to remember to go left for right and vice-versa. Maybe the switch allowed you to play with the stick upside down, with the controls still being right side up...? ~G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Franzman Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 (edited) No, the wiring can be followed in the photo in post #10 above. It is definitely a "hold down the button" switch, made with red-black-blue 3-wire ribbon cable (the blue wire of this cable is not used, but the original blue wire of the controller was mis-positioned and got pinched under a screw boss). To make a lefty/righty switch would require a 4-pole switch or a relay. Edited December 28, 2006 by A.J. Franzman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.Whiz Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 No, the wiring can be followed in the photo in post #10 above. It is definitely a "hold down the button" switch, made with red-black-blue 3-wire ribbon cable (the blue wire of this cable is not used, but the original blue wire of the controller was mis-positioned and got pinched under a screw boss). To make a lefty/righty switch would require a 4-pole switch or a relay. Ah yes, missed that pic somehow. You can see the one wire (red? - colour blind, so I never would have been able to be an electrician, not a good one anyway) connected to the button contact. Actually, to make it a lefty, it would probably just be a a matter of reconnecting the wires to different posts. This would permanently make it a "lefty" stick, but then most left-handed people these days are permanently-so anyway... ~G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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