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#4400183 - 01/15/18 09:37 PM Just getting started, need a few suggestions  
Joined: Jul 2003
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jenrick Offline
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jenrick  Offline
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I'm looking at building something similar to the throttle off a HOTAS, though I don't need the axis for the throttle. The idea is to have the various hat switches and such in a small form factor I can still use with my laptop, without having the foot print of a real HOTAS setup.

I can solder, and I have a small electronics background, but I have ZERO familiarity with all the new micro-controllers and the like that have hit the market in the last decade or so.

What would the brain trust recommend for the following:
2-5 way hat switches (4 directions and click)
1 thumbstick
4 push buttons
USB

Thanks!

-Jenrick

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#4400187 - 01/15/18 09:53 PM Re: Just getting started, need a few suggestions [Re: jenrick]  
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- Ice Offline
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#4400254 - 01/16/18 04:46 AM Re: Just getting started, need a few suggestions [Re: jenrick]  
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jenrick Offline
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jenrick  Offline
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Neg, I can pretty much do that with my keyboard currently. I've considered just finding an old HOTAS and cutting it up, but that doesn't leave me that much further ahead since I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out which/what micro controller is the best option.

-Jenrick

#4400288 - 01/16/18 12:39 PM Re: Just getting started, need a few suggestions [Re: jenrick]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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You need a USB "joystick" controller - for Windows/games see your device as game controller.

Can bough a ready use:

BU0836A
Bu0836X
DSD 12
...

DIY:

Arduino PRO Micro/Teensy ($6 ~20) + MMjoy2 firmware (free), need flash firmware through USB cable.

A box (plastic, metal...)

Buttons, switches = ON-OFF, (ON)-OFF, (ON)-OFF-(ON), ON-OFF-ON.

Encoder - press a button turned clockwise, press another button turned counterclockwise.

Thumbstick - this device is a mini-joystick, so you need at least 2 analog axis in USB controller.

4+1 HAT - this is not available for bough ready to use*, the more easy to make one is using Alps SQKU switch

https://www.seeedstudio.com/ALPS-SKQU-4-direction-Joystick-w-Switch-p-161.html

Inconvenient - is very small (11x11mm). And you need 3D print the "HAT" cap, e.g.

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/debolestis

Other Alps models: http://www.alps.com/prod/info/E/HTML/MultiControl/Switch/Switch_list1.html

*In fact in Digikey you find a APEM (ex-CH) 4 way only HAT like one used in CH Products stick ~ $35.

Some read to use "button box".

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/dsd-flight---flt1flt2.html









#4400349 - 01/16/18 06:06 PM Re: Just getting started, need a few suggestions [Re: jenrick]  
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jenrick Offline
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jenrick  Offline
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Thank you, that helped out quite a bit!

-Jenrick


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