well, if i can get it modified for FF Pro, then i definatly want one =P.. or if the current version that is being mass produced, kinda, works for FF Pro, then i'll get it
Question would be: what's your background ? In theory it could be modified since the protocol is pretty close to the 3DP. I don't know if the FFP uses the same two trigger lines tho (X1 & Y2 on the 3DP). Also, you can't do force feedback since noone ever reverse engineered the FF commands.
well, what do you mean by background? do i have experience modifying, or soldering parts or stuff like that?.. i have not done that myself, my brother has soldered stuff, same with my dad.. but i just dont want to screw it up.. as for FF.. it doesnt really matter a whole lot.. since it has a power adapter, i can still feel some force even with it only being plugged in.. and that those two trigger lines, where could i find out about that? so that this would be possible?
so i take it i'd have to do the modifications with some guidance from you?.. i know my dad knows some c programming.. and like i've said, he's soldered before.. so is that the case?
i'm mainly just concerned about ruining something.. lol, would rather it done right by someone else than done what i think might be right by me =P
crazy328 wrote:so i take it i'd have to do the modifications with some guidance from you?.. i know my dad knows some c programming.. and like i've said, he's soldered before.. so is that the case?
That's probably not enough -- take a look at the project, you can find it here -- the archive is behind the "Project archive 2007-01-19" link near the bottom of that page.
The only way I see how this could work would be me modifying the software and you testing it and maybe building a little DB15-DA15 adapter. I'm not sure I want to do it, I'll take a look at the FFP protocol. tho. If it's simple I could give it a try.
well, i've been looking for some time.. i've come across several things i could try.. i needa get a sound card for some.. looks like someone might have made a driver to make a gameport work with vista x64.. if modifying your design, and all the other stuff cant be done too easily.. then i suppose i can try that driver.. if that doesnt work, i'll just have to revert to vista x86.. or win XP..
i appreciate all your help.. if you are able to do it.. i'd be willing to pay a little extra for all your trouble.. thanks again
fndtn, just remember, this is for the 3D pro.. dunno myself if it will work with those 3 things.. might want to confirm it.. just a thought
Grendel - any progress thus-far? i honestly dont want to be too much a bother.. if you cant do it too easily then dont feel obligated.. i do appreciate you looking into it for me though.. thanks again!
I did a quick peek, nothing too deep so far. Problem is that I have to reverse engineer the FFP's data structure from the linux SW driver source (it's the only reference for the SW protocol there is..) Not easy and I haven't had the time to dig into that yet. Maybe over the weekend.
the reverse engineering is for if i wanted Force feedback, correct? or is it so i can also have all the buttons available? if i can get all the buttons, and not worry about the force feedback, that would be fine
I just saw an error the first set of boards (60) was $440 not $400 I have in the spread sheet
Man I think I have an error on my spread sheet. please dis-regard my previous post. I got a detailed quote from Digikey.com for the electronic components. And it was considerably lower than my spreadsheet. Guess I need to see where my error is I did notice that nearly all componets were cheaper.
There was a problem with the main chip either it wasn't available or it was obsolete. I will check with mouser.com.
Something wrong w/ the quote. The price in the BOM is for the quantities specified already. The number in () in the BOM are minimum order quantities (sorry for not pointing that out more clearly..) Eg. the LEDs are $2.78 for 10, ie. it would be 50 for $13.09. Same goes for C6-9, R5-7, R3-4, R2 & R1. Also take out the 28-pin sockets, don't need them in a production board (spendy). Components should be below $15 that way I'll run it through DigiKey and append the exact price.
Quantity|Part Number|Description|Unit Price USD|Extended Price USD
47 ATMEGA8-16PU-ND IC AVR MCU 8K 16MHZ 5V 28DIP 2.30000 $108.10
47 LM556CNFS-ND IC TIMER DUAL MONO 14-DIP 0.36000 $16.92
47 X227-ND CRYSTAL 12.000MHZ 20PF HC-49/US 0.51800 $24.35
94 1N5226BDICT-ND DIODE ZENER 3.3V 500MW 5% DO-35 0.21000 $19.74
50 200QBK-ND RES 200 OHM 1/4W 5% CARBON FILM 0.05400 $2.70
50 4.7KQBK-ND RES 4.7K OHM 1/4W 5% CARBON FILM 0.05400 $2.70
95 82QBK-ND RES 82 OHM 1/4W 5% CARBON FILM 0.05400 $5.13
145 2.2KQBK-ND RES 2.2K OHM 1/4W 5% CARBON FILM 0.05400 $7.83
47 P5177-ND CAP 4.7UF 50V ALUM LYTIC RADIAL 0.07700 $3.62
94 399-4332-ND CAP 15PF 200V 5% CER RADIAL 0.21200 $19.93
190 BC1095CT-ND CAP .010UF 50V CERAMIC X7R 10% 0.05010 $9.52
94 399-4329-ND CAP .1UF 50V 10% CER RADIAL 0.15700 $14.76
47 ED90064-ND CONN RECEPT USB TYPE B PCB 1.13000 $53.11
47 182-15FE-ND CONN DB15 FEMAL .318\" R/A NICKEL 1.46200 $68.71
50 67-1647-ND LED 3MM SHORT LENS SUPER RED CLR 0.27800 $13.90
Subtotal $371.02
Notes: do not use the 16PI Atmega8, it's the industrial version and is not in stock. Found a cheaper LM556. Both chips have price breaks at 10 units. Total cost per board: $7.90
KB, another quick note regarding the DigiKey quote above -- the components are not selected for automatic loading, they probably have to be loaded manually. If the solder guy needs reels or whatnot you'll have to work w/ him to find the right stuff.
P.S. Haven't had the time to check the FFP out yet. Looks like it's almost the same as the PP tho. I got one of those so I could run some tests. Wonder if the native dongle of the PP would work on the FFP.. And yes, it would be without any FF functionality. Limp stick.
Put the project on the backburner, turns out that the data stream from newer model PP is very different from the older one. I'll look around if I can find a PP or FFP for cheap and try again. The good news is that the hardware mod to support the PP or FFP is very simple -- a short wire betw. pins 11 & 13 on the DA15 connector is all that's needed. Even backwards compatible to the 3PD
If it's not too late, I'd like to get two of these. I haven't been able to find a 'stick that I like as much as my old Sidewinders, and then I stumbled into this forum...
Ok top prices are for running the boards AS IS, this means NOT setup for wave soldering. The bottom set of figures covers recreating the boards i.e. panelization.
I can not, nor will I be willing to solder boards....
SO it's up to you if you want to pay more for a completed unit or if I just purchase blank boards and leave each of you with that. (about 8 bucks per board more!)
Mike,
Individual route prices.
60 brds-2wks-$400.00 Lot
60 brds-wk-$500.00 Lot
Breakaway panel pricing below
3 panels=$140.00/panel
Re-Tooling $120.00=Total-$540.00
21 up (3 x 7)- 10 x 14 finish Panel Size
Credit Card or check payment in advance.
Thanks,
Debra
Gemini Circuits
I'm positive this price doesn't reflect the 8.25% sales tax.
Good news -- I do have the code modified so the converter can talk to the Precision Pro or 3D Pro Plus (older version of the PP). Since the FFP has supposedly the same data format, it's very likely that the converter will work w/ the FFP as well
The code needs some more work -- right now there are two different version of the firmware to talk to a 3DP or the PP series. I would like to have them merged in a way that the converter detects if a 3DP or PP type stick is connected and selects the appropriate set of USB descriptors. It's not that trivial tho, it'll take a bit until I'm there. Also, somehow I need to verify that the FFP will work of course..
that's great news grendel!! if you need me to do anything.. or want extra compensation for all your hard work, i'm willing.. just wanna be able to use my ffp =P
Currently the firmware actually detects what stick is connected (3DP or PP) and uses different USB descriptors & processing code. Ie. a 3DP shows up as \"Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro (USB)\" and the PP as \"Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro (USB)\". I do have the set for the \"Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro (USB)\" in place, but I need a FFP for testing. Working on it..
I got two PP's, thanks -- works w/ them (old & new version). I need a FFP -- just missed the end of the auction I put my eye on. Work sux, too distracting
Edit: Here is a picture of the \"hardware modification\" that needs to be done for use w/ the PP (or FFP). A 3DP will still work w/ the mod.