Gp2x Stick Replacement Petition

[DaveC]

Microswitches aren't all that great either. They have this large "go no-go" zone. Different than a dead zone. It is when you press the switch and the spring flips to make contact, then to let off you need to travel alot of distance until the spring lets loose again. This can lead to imprecision as the band when it is making contact is large.

The BEST solution is a regular old d-pad. It is cheap too as it would use the same type of membrane setup that the volume and face buttons already use. So all GPH would need to do would be change the circuit board, mold a d-pad, and add the membranes. In the long run the parts would actually be cheaper than that stick that is used now.

 

[g4m3r]

So if GPH manages to change the joystick to something else, would you have to buy a whole new system for the change, or is there a possibility that they might offer a service for previous owners?

 

[JaqMs]

To all those that are willing to buy another GP2X just for an improved joystick (Crazy Goat), you must not realize that it's a wasteful buy. THE PROBLEMS SHOULDN'T EVEN BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. The DS Lite is an improvement, it isn't a fix. You won't be able to do better in games if you get it. GPH IS evil for making many people disappointed when they bought their GP2X. I wonder how those masses of people must have felt when their joystick sucked, the headphone jack fell off, they somehow bricked their unit, etc. They would first feel disappointment, and also wonder for why GPH would even release a handheld before they even get a chance to test it themselves.

 

[Shikaku]

Hi, my name is JaqMs, and I like to talk about all the faults of the GP2X over and over. I don't care that I have never even held a GP2X, let alone seen one with my own two eyes, but I still like to complain about something that isn't a market friendly device that is from a foreign country and has had weird quirks from the start. I have never considered that the device was literally a beta at first, but I keep on saying things that either usually don't matter or is old news. I also like to compare the GP2X to other "better" handhelds, even though the GP2X is in its own niche market and not even meant to compete with the PSP/DS, nevermind the fact that I have never touched a GP2X. I also like to go on about the good ol' days of the GP32 with its large homebrew base, and complain that the GP2X has no homebrew, even though I can't develop for it and cannot have any patience for a handheld that is in its infancy.

In other words, please stop posting. Sit in the corner please, and think about what you have typed.

 

[yaustar]

To all those that are willing to buy another GP2X just for an improved joystick (Crazy Goat), you must not realize that it's a wasteful buy

The DS Lite is an improvement, it isn't a fix. You won't be able to do better in games if you get it.

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[JaqMs]

I'm sorry let me rephrase that: a POOR (broken) joystick.

 

[Shikaku]

I'm sorry let me rephrase that: a POOR (broken) joystick.

I say we ban him.

 

[g4m3r]

I'm sorry let me rephrase that: a POOR (broken) joystick.

I say we ban him.

I say we tar and feather him.

 

[craigix]

I find the MK2 stick fixes the issues for me, it isn't just rotated it also has the deadzone reduced.

I can now play Battle Squadron as well as i can on the real MD.

If you have an MK1 stick you should try the MK2 before saying GPH need to redesign the board (there isn't enough money to do that and as i've said - the Dpad is patented, it can't be used)

 

[timbobsteve]

There is no doubt that there is some slight problems with the GP2X stick and certain games are quite impossible to play. I dont, however, see what a petition is going to do.

I think that GPH would love to update the stick, and most likely will in the next of the GP console itterations (perhaps GPZ ). Anyways, I don't think that a service option for current customers is a viable or affordable option for GPH to undertake.

I think alot of people have to realise that the MK1 GP2X's were not the commercial releases of the console. GPH never stated that the MK1 was anything but a pre-release version (as far as I know), so all early adopters should have been well aware of the possability of shortfalls with the GP2X MK1.

I for one am looking into a joystick replacement kit. If only somone could point me in the right direction? (are they even available yet?)

In short if you own an MK1, tough it out... you knew what you were getting into.

NOTE: I have not played an MK2, so I am not sure of the upgraded sticks quality. It could, for all I know, be worse...

 

[Intruder]

NO DPAD!!!! PLEAASSSSSSSSSSSEEE!!!

I am an old guys, born in the Atari generation and I am use to that REAL JOYSTICK ;-). I have played so many ages on my C=64 with a classic BOSS joystick then with an EPYX one. My first handheld was a NEO GEO Pocket color which use the small thumb joystick and I have my GP32 beside me using a similar joystick (though I still prefer the one from the NEO GEO Pocket color). I dont have a GP2X yet though, but if they are a joystick change then I wouldnt mind to have the GP32 one or something like the NEO GEO Pocket Color. But no DPAD, even on my PS2 I usely use the analog thumb stick as much as possible ;-) (well when the games allows it or that it can be reconfigured to do so). I guess I was never use to do the NES dpad since I was used with previous joystick generation ;-).

I know I am old and aint easy to relearn something that become instinct hehehe! Moving a stick around pressing a button.

Fixed some typo

 

[Crazy Goat]

To all those that are willing to buy another GP2X just for an improved joystick (Crazy Goat), you must not realize that it's a wasteful buy.

Really - I wouldn't mind buying a second GP2X, mind you it has MANY corrections (scanlines, joystick, build quality, screen hard-shell protector pre-installed, etc), mainly due to the fact that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Read the fucking post for Christ's sake.

I'm sorry let me rephrase that: a POOR (broken) joystick.

You do not even have a GP2X, you do not know how good, or bad the joystick is. Thus, you shouldn't be commenting on this. Since there are some people who don't mind it, and some people do, you really do not have any reasoning for favoring one side of the argument of the other. Your opinion is based on what others have said... and you negate to recognize the comments of those who believe that the stick is fine, and that Craig says the MKII revision is much better than the original.

No product can be perfect. Just like you cannot write a paper a first time, and call it a final draft. You take steps - they obviously had one reason or another to release the product, and it is good enough for me... though it is unfortunate that some people do not like it.

 

[JaqMs]

I know, no product is perfect. But when the GP2X was released, it was FAR from perfect. Aren't you a little mad that they made a new version of the GP2X not to make improvements but to FIX problems? It doesn't matter if I don't have a GP2X. I've seen countless people saying the joystick is "decent", "stiff", "inprecise", etc.

 

[shinneri]

The stick (on my MK2) took a little getting used to, but the GP32's microswitches did too (though I do prefer the microswitches overall). It works fine now, and I don't have any control issue. Maybe it helps that I don't like fighting games though... not sure. Still, I very much prefer the GP2X's stick to most d-pads (with maybe the exception of the GB micro's).

But I believe it's unreasonable to think that the GP2X could be redesigned that dramatically at this point. Then again, they are the company that released a BLU+ with an extremely uncompatible LCD.



And JaqMs, I think I speak for everyone when I say go away. You're changing nobody's mind; you're merely irritating us. And I understand you have a GP32, so maybe you should just stay on that part of the forum, if you really want to stick around. Thanks.

 

[yaustar]

The MK1 was never sold as a pre release. Despite that , it is more of an early adopters curse more then anything. I have now gotten use to the stick and can hit any '4 way' or diagonal when I want to.

 

[gamefan999]

I have no problems with the stick, for any type of game, shooter, fighter, platform. It feels analog, I like that (don't like hyperactive microswitches). I think it's all a matter of what a person is used to. The OP possibly has grown accustomed to the twitchyness of microswitches. That doesn't affect everyone though. No signing here.

 

[Winterkid]

Hmm... perhaps we need more options, especially for the early adopters who did stay loyal, even through the firmware difficulties, and even the OPTION of having an alternative available for those who want or need one. I myself would like something a bit more usable... Not that I don't still play it a lot, but I would be willing to send the 2X somewhere if it were to come back with a new control.

And everyone please ignore JaqAss, he's wasting time waiting for the XGP Kids which probably wont ever be released.

 

[Epicenter]

Due to GPH's limited resources, if they changed anything it'd probably be a good bit into the future (at least 6 months, look how long MK2 took) and I doubt they'd be able to afford 2 simultaneous, different production runs ...

(that's also why I don't think GP will be producing multiple XGP units, but that's an argument for another forum)

I'd love to be able to send in my GP2X to someone, officially or unofficially, to have a D-Pad or new stick installed-- but it'd have to be available to most of the community easily and relatively inexpensively so it could become a common procedure .. dare I say nearly as common as installing a DaveC cap. Because most of the reason behind my adamance on the issue isn't for my own benefit; I know I can install a D-pad from a gamecube controller or a broken GBA (the GP2X feels just like my old black GBA anyway, it'd be a great fit) or get one of Radek's d-pad kits when they are made available, but I need to be able to know that my software runs well on most people's machine control-wise-- so I'd need to tailor it toward the most common stick replacement method. Something made standard from GPH themselves is the ideal solution as it forces a standard on everyone rather than leaving it open to multiple incompatible options.

 

[jimmyslam]

In Spain the MK2 Pad is for sell for 1€. I tried to contact to GBAX for this same offer, but they say basically: "buy the craigx pad if you want another one".


Do you know GPH said that that pad should be nearly free for all of us? (Like in spain or Germany) Check the german website or gp32spain. Thay have it for 0.99E...

I think here the objetive is not the scene, is the leeching2x. It is a bit sad isint it?

 

[ste_167]

Lik-sang sell them too, but they offer no advantage over the GBAx pads. GBAx are selling them at cost price, so there can be no complaints.

Back on topic.. I'm all in favour of wonderful new control-pads for our GP2Xs, but is it really going to happen? As has been said, GPH can't afford to re-design the system to accommodate a new controller, so it's likely that a precise thumbstick/d-pad will be on the next handheld they bring out rather than on the GP2X. With regards to the petition, I'm concerned that it'll scare off potential GP2X buyers: without sales on the current GPH handheld, there won't be a next one.