I've always used a Genesis controller on my 2600 since I never cared for that stiff joystick. Always wanted to see someone make a controller specifically for that Indiana Jones game that requires one controller for moving, and another for inventory.
Hey thewheelman282 I was looking at the original patent for the Atari CX-10 joystick controller which preceded the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller. On the patent application for the Atari CX-10 joystick controller they actually used microswitches rather than those little aluminum caps like in the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller.
Do you find that after modification that it is harder to press into the diagonals? This was definitely true for mods that used the larger "cased" microswitches. They had a non-linear motion, so when you pressed into the corners one of the switches would actuate first and it would sort of "fall" into that direction. I'm curious how they compare to these switches, which have much shorter throw.
good question. i just tested the controller to see and i actually find it much easier to hit the diagonals compared to an unmodded controller. i cant compare them the other switches you are talking about since i havent used those however. i always felt that i had to push harder diagonally on an unmodded controller to make the motion register correctly. with this mod, you can easily hit both buttons at the same time to register the diagonal and the clicking sound can help confirm it during gameplay.
I have done this about 10 years ago and diagonals sucked so hard due to small radius of the switches' buttons relative to the rest of it. I did cut many plastic towers but never had an acceptable result. I will investigate your implementation carefully. Nice job!
just so every one knows pre tin your pads. I have never done this, however; I do appreciate you showing others how. I just think pre tinning would have helped a lot. This is for both the creator and the watchers. Thanks again for the video.
I think those switches are 6x6xx5? you suggested 2.5 height... Do you think 3x6x2.5 (a rectangle with leads in the center on each side) would work a bit better??? Amazing tutorial btw!
left doesn't work on my cx40 controller, i have 0 knowledge of soldering so i'm SOL so i just bought a atari flashback 8 just for the wired controllers *update* i got it working by putting metal dome switches from a broken alarm clock into the cx40, i just used metal dome switches from a alarm clock + an atari cx40 + scotch tape, it even has the clicky feel
Hey, thanks so much for replying! I have a cheapo soldering iron, which is adjustable too, but mine isn't adjustable in Fahrenheit or Celcius it's adjustable from 5 to 60 Watts [?], so I just set it to +/- 25 - 30 Watts. Anyhoo, thanks again mate. Cheers!
Great idea, but this could have be done without destroying the original parts. Taktswitches are available in very different sizes and technical spezifications. Instead of the original PCB a stipbpoard or similar could have been used. Also thiner microswitches could be used for not to modify the tower soul and the button.
Knowing the part number on those microswitches would be real useful for finding them
I've always used a Genesis controller on my 2600 since I never cared for that stiff joystick. Always wanted to see someone make a controller specifically for that Indiana Jones game that requires one controller for moving, and another for inventory.
Hey thewheelman282 I was looking at the original patent for the Atari CX-10 joystick controller which preceded the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller. On the patent application for the Atari CX-10 joystick controller they actually used microswitches rather than those little aluminum caps like in the Atari CX-40 standard joystick controller.
Do you find that after modification that it is harder to press into the diagonals? This was definitely true for mods that used the larger "cased" microswitches. They had a non-linear motion, so when you pressed into the corners one of the switches would actuate first and it would sort of "fall" into that direction. I'm curious how they compare to these switches, which have much shorter throw.
good question. i just tested the controller to see and i actually find it much easier to hit the diagonals compared to an unmodded controller. i cant compare them the other switches you are talking about since i havent used those however. i always felt that i had to push harder diagonally on an unmodded controller to make the motion register correctly. with this mod, you can easily hit both buttons at the same time to register the diagonal and the clicking sound can help confirm it during gameplay.
I have done this about 10 years ago and diagonals sucked so hard due to small radius of the switches' buttons relative to the rest of it. I did cut many plastic towers but never had an acceptable result. I will investigate your implementation carefully. Nice job!
Very cool. I'm definitely going to try this.
Looks like Yar didn't have his revenge today
Great video! I actually used an exacto knife to cut down the posts on the stick as well. The plastic is just so soft 👍
Amazing
just so every one knows pre tin your pads. I have never done this, however; I do appreciate you showing others how. I just think pre tinning would have helped a lot. This is for both the creator and the watchers. Thanks again for the video.
nice mod man I always thought those joysticks used larger switches haha
Genius.
I think those switches are 6x6xx5? you suggested 2.5 height... Do you think 3x6x2.5 (a rectangle with leads in the center on each side) would work a bit better??? Amazing tutorial btw!
It might. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes
left doesn't work on my cx40 controller, i have 0 knowledge of soldering so i'm SOL so i just bought a atari flashback 8 just for the wired controllers
*update* i got it working by putting metal dome switches from a broken alarm clock into the cx40, i just used metal dome switches from a alarm clock + an atari cx40 + scotch tape, it even has the clicky feel
Nice video and mod. Any clue how it is holding up after 2 years? Thanks
guitarste same question here
could you share where you got the switches?
ebay. its just a 100ct pk of standard momentary switches
Complete NOOB question. What temperature is your soldering iron at?
It's adjustable but I would have had it between 550 and 600F when I made that video
Hey, thanks so much for replying!
I have a cheapo soldering iron, which is adjustable too, but mine isn't adjustable in Fahrenheit or
Celcius it's adjustable from 5 to 60 Watts [?], so I just set it to +/- 25 - 30 Watts. Anyhoo, thanks again mate. Cheers!
Add baking soda to that super glue for extra strength.
I thougt the video title said microwaves xD
Great idea, but this could have be done without destroying the original parts. Taktswitches are available in very different sizes and technical spezifications. Instead of the original PCB a stipbpoard or similar could have been used. Also thiner microswitches could be used for not to modify the tower soul and the button.
can you microswitch a gemini gemstick? Thing is a piece of shit.