Author Topic: Mixing my very old CH gameport gear with USB (Read 418 times)

Trip01 · « **on:** November 28, 2006, 02:09:30 PM »

I'm sure somebody must have tried this before. I'm returning to AH after a prolonged absence and my CH rig wont work although it's only the throttle which is dead. If I buy a USB Pro throttle from CH will it work with the existing pedals and stick?

tia

Trip

Rash · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:40:06 PM »

Not sure if this helps, but 3 weeks ago i got the x52 thottle and stick and configured it. 2 weeks ago i found my old CH gamport rudders. Went to radio shack and bought a gameport to usb converter $15 (it has switch with several selectable settings on the gameport connecting side). Configured it in AH, and all works great.

Spatula · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2006, 06:16:05 PM »

Yup, get the converter for the pedals - thats what i do, and they work perfectly well - windows thinks its a joystick, but who cares. Mines a "Rockfire" unit.
As for the stick, you could get another converter for that one, but you will probably loose some buttons as those converters dont support too many buttons. Alternatively if your handy with tools and soldering irons etc, try buying a donor USB joystick and rewiring the board to your CH sticks pots etc. Or try this:
http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/

or if your not so handy, buy an older soundcard with a gameport and hook it all up to that.

Westy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:47:16 AM »

Wow! I wish I had more spare time cause I'd franken-hack my old CH gear with that USB conversion lbodnar developed. Thanks for that link! I think it may be a good idea to buy one now while it's available and try it out next year. Sure would beat doing the dual boot thing so I can program the CH gear in 98 or letting the stuff rot in a closet or landfill.

Trip if you're running WinXP and you have CH Pro Pedals they will work fine plugged into a gameport while you're using other USB stuff. (You can even get the toe brakes and rudders working at the same time with no modification to the rudders.

But what model CH stick? If programmable via the keyboard pass thru cable (ex/F16 fighterstick) you're hosed as XP won't let Speedkeys see the device and you cannot program it.

Trip01 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:23:04 PM »

Thanks all for your replies.

I have the normal non-programmable stick with only 4 buttons and coolie hat. That and the rudder pedals are plugged into an existing gameport and work fine. I'm going to buy a USB throttle and wanted to check it would work with the gameport gear. I gather the answer is yes so thanks for that

Now I need the command line options for AH which will stop me getting shot down so often.

Trip

PS good to see you westy.

Westy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2006, 06:05:04 PM »

You should be fine with that set up Trip.

And the only invulnerabliltiy cheat I know of is hitting P twice

(old and lame - but it's all I had

)

Good luck!

Westy

p.s. I'm really thinking of buying that USB chip to convert my old CH hotas to honest-to-cod fullblown USB. If I do I'll punt this topic or start another. Probably this summer if I can clear my project list some)

Spatula · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2006, 06:45:43 PM »

Let us know how it goes Westy.

Westy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2006, 12:29:08 PM »

Definitely will. I'll take the handles of my old Pro Throttle and F16 Fighterstick apart briefly to see if it's feasible. If each button/hat switch is not readily accessible and capable of being rewired then it could end up being a fruitless endeavor.

Rocket · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2006, 10:54:49 PM »

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forums

Check out the hardware forum there. They have some very good guys over there that have done some amazing things.

I am in the process of converting my CH Pro Pedals from gameport to USB. Slick and easy.

S!
Rocket