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Posted

I've been trying to get my hands on a MSFFB2 stick but all the auctions get sniped and the $130 ones on ebay are a bit much for me. I would love to get my hands on one but I'm realizing that might not be possible unless I drop some serious cash. MSFFB's on the other hand are cheap. The issue is they're serial not USB. I'm studying electrical engineering so I can handle any pixie wrangling. I already plan to modify the stick heavily with an extension and grip replacement.

 

So have any of you ever tried rewiring a MSFFB?

Light the tires kick the fires!

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

Posted (edited)
MSFFB's on the other hand are cheap. The issue is they're serial

 

If be "MSFFB" you mean Microsoft Force Feedback PRO gameport version, ~10 years ago Descent players develop a adapter for use then in USB, the "3DVert".

 

https://github.com/tloimu/adapt-ffb-joy/blob/master/downloads/adaptffbjoy-circuit.png

https://github.com/tloimu/adapt-ffb-joy/blob/master/downloads/adaptffbjoy-r54.hex

 

Recently a guy in Reddit/HOTAS are dealing with make one, with mixed results.

 

 

Other mixed results: https://riseofflight.com/forum/topic/45292-ms-sidewinder-ffb-pro-working-usb-adapter/

 

Other topic about the adapter (using a Teensy 2.0): https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1307787

 

 

At time one guy make this adapter for sell: http://www.iowajohnsons.com/FFBVert/FFBVert.html

 

 

 

The product linked is a USB to serial adapter (DB-9), the Microsoft ForceFeedback PRO is not serial, but gameport (DB-15).

 

An USB to gameport adapter, eg.Rockfire Rm-203, may make the axes and (some) buttons work, but not the ForceFeedback.

Edited by Sokol1_br
Posted (edited)

And, if you get an exemplar of the last batch of Force Feedback PRO (gameport) - I don't know what is the product ID, this version already have USB circuit, although the cable are Gameport.

 

Happens that early in 2000's this series came with gameport connector and a small cable converting the Gameport for USB plug*, allowing use the joystick in both ports, since USB ports in computers are a novelty at time.

 

See in this picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JDFT.01.DTLS.LZZZZZZZ.gif

 

So, accord this guy in WikiHow you can just cut the Gameport cable, join 2 wires making a jump and solder other 4 in a USB cable (the drawing he use show a PS2 connector, but the pinout is USB).

 

https://www.wikihow.com/Transform-Your-15-Pin-(Gameport)-Microsoft-Sidewinder-Precision-Pro-Into-a-USB-Joystick

 

But, have in mind that if are not the specif model are risk to damage the joystick circuit, computer USB port/motherboard.

 

 

In this video the guy describe an similar procedure with gameport version of Microsoft Precision PRO (no Force Feedback) - Product ID 85791.

 

* In a occasion I have in hands hands one version of Force Feedback PRO with this Gameport to USB cable, and use the cable for test another Force Feedback PRO, but result that don't work, probable the other joystick are an early version, without the USB circuit.

Edited by Sokol1_br
Posted

Thanks as always Sokol. The Teensy option looks good to me. That's a pretty simple circuit, shouldn't be hard to build.

Light the tires kick the fires!

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

Posted

Be warned that MSFFB2 does not work perfectly with DCS. I suspect that this will apply to the older MSFFB too.

 

The main issue is trim. Pitch and roll trims behave strangely and this changes from module to module. Yaw trim seems to work better. This is VERY annoying in the WWII birds. In other modules such as the community A4E the Auto pilot does not work with MSFFB, but this may have been fixed in the recent update of the module.

“Mosquitoes fly, but flies don’t Mosquito” :pilotfly:

- Geoffrey de Havilland.

 

... well, he could have said it!

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