Joystick Tester.

[Bryce]

Postage to anywhere in Europe is €6.

Bryce.

[George Schizas]

I'd like one as well. I'm considering making an RPi-based modern controller to CPC converter, and I would certainly prefer _not_ doing tests on my 30-year-old CPC

[geebus]

Sorry to highjack your thread here. I'm thinking of making my own joystick and/or game pad.
Quick question for those in the know, is the 9 pin dsub connector for joysticks the same as what can still be found easily?
i.e. Like the one i've linked but without the metal surround.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder-d-sub-connectors/5443749/

[GUNHED]

Yes.

[geebus]

Yes.

Thanks.I realise that may have been a stupid question, but I wanted to make sure.Sorry for the hijack! as you were!

[Bryce]

On some machines the tabs on either side of that connector will hit the case of the computer and not be insertable. I'd recommend you get some old scrap joystick and "borrow" the cable from that for your homemade device.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Thanks.I realise that may have been a stupid question, but I wanted to make sure.Sorry for the hijack! as you were!

Not at all. It's always better to check double. The idea from Bryce is fine as long as you find a connector with all the needed wires to the needed pins. 

[Bryce]

Not at all. It's always better to check double. The idea from Bryce is fine as long as you find a connector with all the needed wires to the needed pins. 

True, I should have mentioned that. Try to find a scrap joytick that has all the pins populated, or at least with a second fire button, otherwise you may find that the pin you need isn't connected.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

And to check this out the Joystick tester comes in very handy! 

[Bryce]

And to check this out the Joystick tester comes in very handy! 

Except for pin 5 which the Joystick Tester (and the majority of Joysticks) doesn't use.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Well, then... we need a AMX mouse tester 

[geebus]

Oh god! what have i started between you two? haha


A tester would be a great idea. So I may have to get one of those from you Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Well, a productive discussion of course. What else? 

[LambdaMikel]

The CPC's Joystick port is super save - just don't feed Power IN.

Now, to test joystick you need just to switch on the CPC and move they joystick. This will show you X, Z for the fire buttons and arrows for the four directions.

And if you really need to test Fire 3 (spare signal) then use the "Show keys" utility from the FutureOS System Utilities disc. 

Agreed, don't see much point in designing a joystick tester either I must say...

Ah, read it again, and now I see the point 

[LambdaMikel]

All correct, but the person who asked me to build them doesn't have a CPC, he specialises in Amiga hardware, which are known to have joystick port problems on several models, hence the need to establish if the problem is the joystick or the computer.

Bryce.

Seriously?! You are helping folks that *do not own a CPC* ??  Hmm... 

[Bryce]

Seriously?! You are helping folks that *do not own a CPC* ??  Hmm... 

I build stuff and repair ANY retro gear, and not just computers. The CPC is number one, as it was my childhood computer, but I have designed devices for the Spectrums, BBCs, MSXs, Commodores, Segas, Orics and many more. I also repair vintage radios and test equipment.

On the bench at the moment: Coleco Adam, Vectrex and a Spectrum +3. Current long-term restoration project is a HP 3478A (hopelessly searching for parts at the moment ).

Bryce.


Bryce.

[LambdaMikel]

On the bench at the moment: Coleco Adam, Vectrex and a Spectrum +3. Current long-term restoration project is a HP 3478A (hopelessly searching for parts at the moment ).

Some exotic gear! Wish I had an Oric and a Vectrex, but the Ebay prices are just crazy for these.

[Bryce]

Yup. It was the first time I've messed about with a Vectrex, very cool concept. Unfortunately, the first one fixed is one of the early models the buzzes annoyingly the entire time. That would get on my nerves, but I'll leave it like that for originality (I won't be keeping it).I have two Orics, an Oric 1 and an Oric Atom. Look great, work shit.

Bryce.

[George Schizas]

Hey, I got your package on Monday, thank you!


Do you have any mechanical drawing for it? I'd like to try my hand on creating some kind of enclosure for it (for 3D printing).

[Bryce]

No I only did schematics and a layout, but it's pretty much a rectangle so it should be just a matter of three dimensions. An enclosure might be difficult though as the LEDs are flat on the PCB.

Bryce.