Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!psuvax1!vu-vlsi!cheung
From: cheung@vu-vlsi.Villanova.EDU (Wilson Cheung)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Joysticks
Summary: The best I've used
Keywords: the good the bad and the ugly
Message-ID: <1656@vu-vlsi.Villanova.EDU>
Date: 2 Jul 88 20:55:50 GMT
References: <890@esunix.UUCP>
Organization: Villanova Univ. EE Dept.
Lines: 66


	Ever since the days of games on the C-64, I've always been searching
for a digital joystick that could yield the same amount of control as
an analog joystick.  Well I've sort of given up on that.  However, amongst
all the joysticks that I've used, that includes the all those super
suped-up pistol grips, the analog looking digital joysticks, the 
supposedly high competition Epyx joystick and even the expensive Gravis
MkVI controller is the one and only original Atari 2600 joystick--- WITH
a slight modification.

	I recall one time when I was playing One-on-One on my Amiga using
a pistol grip joystick, I think it was called the BOSS.  I found that
the joysticks "analog-like" freeplay instead of enhancing control only
made hand to eye coordination out of phase.  The fact was that when
it comes to playing a game the bottom line to good control is that
your joystick respond to every movement.  The majority of digital  

joysticks on the market build in some amount of freeplay attempting
somehow create that analog control feel.  The Gravis MKVI controller
does a super job of doing this.  Unfortunately the analog feel only
gives you false feedback.  The typical shoot-em-up scenario is that you
have your target in sight.  Suddenly your target moves to the left.  So
you try to edget your target sight slightly to the left by moveing
your joystick slightly to the left--nothing.  You move it a little
more-- nothing.   Now your target is getting away from you!  So in
with greater ugency you slam the joystick to the left--motion!  But
then you end up overshooting too much to the left.  So you start
moving slightly to the right-- and the whole cycle continues until
master just the right amount of quick hand twitches to the right
and left to get your target centered.

	The plain and simple Atari 2600 joystick on the other hand has
absolutely no freeplay.  It uses metallic bubble switches so button
longevity is out of the question.  It has no pistol grip, a base that
could be widened and requires somewhat brutish force to control.  So
why has it become the best joystick I've ever used.  Well one time
when I has playing a nasty game of one-on-one with my friend on a
Spectra Video joystick, I made a very hard spin move to the basket--
so hard I ripped the handle clean off!  I week later with the severed
handle in my hand I notice that the opening on the bottom was just
the right size to fit over that dreaded Atarti 2600 joystick.  Well,
it turned out that I had to shave off some of the rubber coating on
the 2600 joystick and drill a through the middle of its shaft. 
It turned out all that effort was well worth it.  Now that super
tight 2600 tension was eased up just right with the extra torque
provided by the fat Spectra Video joystick pistol grip.  I also
had a handle mounted fire button.  Among all varieties of games, Archon,
Flight Simulator II, Jet ect. the 2600 with Spectra Video gave
me better response than any other joystick on the market.  In that
same shoot-em-up scenario when I move my hande slight to the left,
I actually move slightly to the left.  And when I let go the tight
tension of the 2600 stops my movement instantly.  And when I start
playing physical, 20 lb+ force the handle flexes sufficiently to
give me the sensation that I'm actually turning harder.
	Try this excercise with your joystick.  Bring up Jet and go into
practive mode.  Destroy all enemy fighters except for a Mig-23.  Now lock
your sights on to him and keep him in your sights  until you actually go
right through him.  With my 2600, all the evasive maneuvers of the Mig-23
fighter were futile, I had might sights flashing red for long 5-10 second
intervals.  A joystick almost as good as this is the Gravis MKVI with a
bunch of rubber bands wrapped around the base to boost up the tension.


			Wilson Cheung
 
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