Community Event / Creation DIY Controller and Throttle

Silh

Silh
Cataclysm274 said:
Small update: today i ordered a batch of 100 tactile switches with leds, to make my own keyboard for the setup. Instead of a QUERTY setup, it will be a bloody irritating A-Z panel. Something you would expect in a plane or a space shuttle. I rarely chat, and i only need the pad to enter navigation data (system names). Designs following.
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Okay, this I've got to see :)
 

Blairvoyach

Blairvoyach
Well Cat, whatever you have in mind, I'm sure it'll leave us all picking our jaws up off the floor :)

Edit: As usual :D
 
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Cataclysm72

Cataclysm72
Blairvoyach said:
Well Cat, whatever you have in mind, I'm sure it'll leave us all picking our jaws up off the floor :)

Edit: As usual :D
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The eloquence escapes me to properly express my gratitude for the compliment you just gave me. I had a very (very) depressing week. Your words did make me feel good. A welcome change from the crap i've been through.
 

Sanderson

Sanderson
Cataclysm274 said:
The eloquence escapes me to properly express my gratitude for the compliment you just gave me. I had a very (very) depressing week. Your words did make me feel good. A welcome change from the crap i've been through.
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There's a lot of fans lurking, waiting to pounce on your latest masterpiece! We just don't want to scare it before it's trapped [squeeeee]
 

Cataclysm72

Cataclysm72
Another step: Add in-game audio with a geek-factor:

Sony Minidisc Head unit I had sitting in my garage for over 10 years, powered from a bench power supply (for now) and fed directly into the Logitech Amp.

Of course it needs proper mounting.

3YoKwnd.jpg

Oc8dvlD.jpg
 
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Cataclysm72

Cataclysm72
I'm thinking of fabricating a circuit board for DIY controller enthousiasts, to share what i've learned along the way.

- single pcb based on atmega32u4
- additional 4 channel 14-bit analog inputs, plus 4 for each connected slave board (throttle, rudder) (arduino only has 10-bit ADC)
- plug and play USB HID controller soni works on Windows, OSX, XBox, PS4, etc.
- 16 digital inputs, plus 16 per each connected slave board
- NeoPixel led driver on each board to allow full RGB led feedback.
- expandable with I2C slaves
- the firmware will be based on Arduino with full open source support
- SMT technology
- fully solderered and assembled with connectors, headers or screw terminals.

the selling point over a standard arduino will be that all pchips are connected, all ports are broken out ready for connecting switches, so no breadboard contructions.

would people be interested in such a board?
 
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Battlegrade

B
Cataclysm274 said:
Since there was absolutely zero response on my above idea to make a board, i won't be spending much time on it.
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I think us types of guys are few and rare actually. There is zero reason to do it unless your just having fun making things for yourself. I can't imagine you'd see any profits unless you sell a lot of them and I don't see that happening. We are too small a niche.
 

Cataclysm72

Cataclysm72
Thanks, Battlegrade and BigF. I wasn't planning on going full-mass-production, just 10 or 20 boards for ablut $25-30 each. I guess you are right that it is a small market. Maybe i should toss a coin on a few of those flightsim boards. Or perhaps the upcoming video (dutch Tweakers.net interview) will create some interest, but i only do that with a little preparation.
 

RichardS

R
Cataclysm274 said:
Since there was absolutely zero response on my above idea to make a board, i won't be spending much time on it.
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Firstly, don't be put off by the lack of response. I am sure you'll have plenty of takers with the wider audience. If I had room for a SimPit at home I would be chewing your arm off to get one of these. Especially being left-handed as there is a serious lack of choice for us lefties where HOTAS options are concerned.

Secondly, before I found this thread, DIY meant wonky shelves and replacing light bulbs. While I had some experience with electronics in a previous job it hadn't really occurred to me to apply this to doing my own thing. I haven't built my own HOTAS and may never do so, but I have been inspired by your project and following your progress along the journey made things seem more attainable. While totally unrelated, I have just finished building my own electric guitar. Not nearly as complex as what you've acheived but, nevertheless, inspired by your "can do" approach. If you're interested I wrote about it on my site: http://drawnidentity.co.uk/?page_id=147

So, while I'm not going to take one of your boards right now, I have taken inspiration to go for it with other projects. That is infinitely more valuable and for that I am very grateful.
 

Cataclysm72

Cataclysm72
Thanks! I'm glad i've inspired you to crack on despite setbacks. Don't worry about the boards, something good will come from it.

ps. The guitar looks brilliant!
 

Dejay

Dejay
Really nice build! I just thought about doing this myself. It looks like an bit amount of work though.

Did you publish the 3D models to 3D print this? I didn't see a link.

Also I'm not sure how you do yaw control? Does the joystick allow 3D input or only roll and pitch?

And where is the throttle? Foot pedals?

Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions or stuff that have already been covered. It is a long thread though :)
 
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