USB Slider recommendation

[Draken35]

I'm looking for a small footprint USB slider (I guess a knob  or lever would work too) to map one axis. Does anybody has any recommendation?

 

The intended use is to map the Nozzle Stop axis for the AV8B.

 

Edited February 26, 2021 by Draken35
typo

[CorporalCarrot]

Unlikely you will find a single device with just a slider on it.  You could buy another joystick or perhaps an audio/video control device, but these are probably cost prohibitive.

 

You could make one yourself easily with the following parts;

 

Arduino Pro Micro - £11.90

Linear Potentiometer This One or This One - £10.99 or £12.99

Some Wires to connect them - £6.99

 

You'll need a soldering iron and some solder (which you may already have).

You'll also need a housing / case to put it in and a knob for the slider (alternatively, you could buy one too).  I'd personally 3D print these.  If you don't have access to a 3D printer, then there are services online who can do it for you and post them for a fee, such as 3D Print UK or 3dHub, but I've not used any of them, so do your research!

 

You can install and use Fusion360 for free, which is the only design tool you need to design your box.

 

If you want to go down this route, then buy the kit I suggest and design a box and we can help you with the code for making an analogue joystick axis from the liner pot.

[Draken35]

Thanks! Haven't considered building it myself (not my area of expertise) but I might...

 

Interesting you mention the audio/video control devices... I've been looking at some at Amazon but what stops me from ordering one is that I don't know if DCS would recognize them or not... I might just buy one , test it and return it if it doesn't work.

[CorporalCarrot]

You'll have to check each control device individually.  I think most will use MCU Protocol (Mackie Control Universal - NOT Marvel Cinematic Universe XD), which won't work with DCS AFAIK, without some software in between which you might find on the t'internet, but it's probably the wrong way to go about it!

 

Best idea is to either get something that presents itself as a Joystick to the PC, or build one yourself!

[shu77]

You could look at something like this, It looks like its set up to do keyboard input on one of the modes so should possibly map to DCS? 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001615996460.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.21d46c34WSrSDV&algo_pvid=af479a5b-7acf-4b9f-845e-94dec71ce8a9&algo_expid=af479a5b-7acf-4b9f-845e-94dec71ce8a9-8&btsid=0b0a556d16143716401677259e7b4e&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

[No1sonuk]

Another option is to replace the Arduino CorpralParrot suggested with a Leo Bodnar board:
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=204

This would give you 8 analogue channels, and a number of buttons.
DCS will see it like it's a joystick controller, and you'll have no programming to do.

Edited February 26, 2021 by No1sonuk

[Draken35]

Thanks all for the replies!

 

I ordered one of these from Amazon (very easy to return if it doesn't work and free 1 day shipping):

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR78PCK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Even if it doesn't work for my intended purpose, I might keep it if it works well to control the volume of the PC. 

 

Should be here tomorrow. I'll update the thread with the results...

 

 

[Sacarino111]

Hi.

The thing you posted looks gorgeouse, but  does it work as an imput for DCS? Can't tel untill it arrives... I say the same, use an old/cheap joystik with throttle axis, place it beside the actual throttle and remap it in DCS. By far, the most and esay way to acomplish what you want.

 In he other hand, my real advice would be to do the arduino trick above mentioned. The ardware is easy to buid and connect and there is a lot of already done sketches for the Arduino IDE for you.

[Draken35]

I forgot about updating this thread  ... Nope, it did not work and I sent it back to Amazon.

I most likely will build my own.

 

Thanks for the recomendations!