nubie posted on Apr 10 2006 at 09:10 PM said:
Radek at I noticed in the "8-way" thread that ED is interested in stocking or offering modded consoles if they are viable.
In that interest, I would suggest (if you are not doing so already) checking with him on design.
Why not... we had small discussion about my converter (for some other purpose
) however there weren't talks about offering anything yet.
nubie posted on Apr 10 2006 at 09:10 PM said:
If it is offered as a service, or an option when buying, I think many would be quite interested, I surely would.
To the point: I think you should investigate a design where the original stick is desoldered and a new PCB that will connect to the original holes is soldered in its place.
The one PCB solution could have a plastic bit that the pins go through to hold them off the board and parallel to the Mainboard.
I was considering everything including PLD chips and what you are saying. My dpad is simple yet effective adaptation of QD. It does support center push logicaly via push all buttons. It's 4 piece element (plastic plug, a shim, small PCB and QD dpad) and it fits firmly in the bottom part of the stick's socket.
nubie posted on Apr 10 2006 at 09:10 PM said:
The SMC Chip could go on the underside and the contacts could be on the top, I think structurally for the strongest possible way to go the chip should be outside the "circle" of pins, maybe up toward the L button, that way a "center push" button could go on the front side of the replacement PCB away from the back mounted SMC chip.
I don't mean to say that your ways of connecting the mod are bad, I just would be much happier with a nice solid mod that included complete removal of the crappy stick and a very tight and well soldered connection using pins to connect to the GP2X.
My first goal was to make an universal logic converter. Because of it had to be fiited at backside of the GP2x's mainboard. Then ribbon cable with 5 wires to the dpad at other side isn't big deal imho.
The second goal was to make it solderless and easy to connect as possible.
(The converter is secured not only by wiretaps but also by two existing mounting columns in the GP2x's case. Unless someone would be throwing GP2x it will not move or unconnect easily.)
The third goal was to minimize costs by not resorting to things like double sided PCBs, SMD chips or µC.
The fourth was to make it work being powered directly to the batteries. It's an issue because of two AA NiMH will be giving only 2.2-2.4V and signals on the GP2x's mainboard are at ~3.2V.
(the chips what I'm using have great voltage tolerance so no extra V booster or connecting to the one on the GP2x's mainboard is needed)
These are my constrains for this project. I have to admit I'm prepared for using some other things than the 4067 chip (just in a case) thought. But really, really don't want even it would make the PCB design trivial.
nubie posted on Apr 10 2006 at 09:10 PM said:
I just thought of the possibility that the pins could be in the way of the contacts, maybe only the pins that won't be in the way could be pins, and the rest good-quality wire that connects closer to the Chip on the replacement PCB.
Brilliant work so far, I believe if the suggestions I made could be implemented, it might prove to be even cheaper than the current stick and GPH could consider using it as a viable option.
HA! I meant that the stores could stock modded ones and offer the option and service to fix the damn problem.
I would LOVE to see a nice replacement that looked like a miniature Genesis/MegaDrive pad, THE coolest thing to play emus with, plus it is already black.
The hole could then be round unlike grahf's (admittedly gorgeous) mod and the only case mods would be two quick holes with a Mill (one for the D-pad, and one a bit higher for the "center" switch)
Making
I love the brilliant progress.
It's just decent imho not brillant but thanks for your words. They are very encouraging.
grahf posted on Apr 10 2006 at 09:41 PM said:
Radek posted on Apr 10 2006 at 03:21 PM said:
For using a software for that task... why not but it should be done at the system level, not an aplication level.
My thoughts exactly. Keep me updated.
And Nubie, thanks for the compliment. I'll admit it looks a little rough around the edges up close though
Mine is not actually a hole, its a "+" cut into the case, it just happens to fit within the boundaries of the original raised circular portion of the case. Using an Ngage QD or other circular pad would be much easier, since then it would just need a perfect hole to be cut. I just really like the nintendo style dpad, and i was attracted by the gamecube PCB because its pre-made and perfect.
How do you drill it with so good accuracy (looking at the pictures)? You made a cross like shape where I made just a bigger circle. My task was easier I think as I had only to put triangle shaped chisel and rotate it until the hole was big enough.
I'm impressed by your drilling as I could not make anything similiar by myself.
And the QD dpad is indeed pretty easy to work with as it has contact and springs already built in.
