matrix board for X-keys

[CAT_101st]

I am working with a friend and designed a breakout board to work with the X-Keys IO card. It will have 128 2 pin connectors. So all you will have to do is plug the two cards together and then wire the switches to the brake out board.

How many of you guys would be interested in buying one from me. It will come as a DIY or you can have me assemble it for you for a little more cash. I am estimating the price around $40 with all the parts needed to assemble it. You will pay the shipping cost. I don’t have a set price yet as I am still looking in to the cost import shipping of parts. this is a 3d look at the boar with out connectors or the diode's

http://dcs-mercenaries.com/Reconphotos/displayimage.php?pid=42&fullsize=1

 

http://www.xkeys.com/custom/xkmatrix.php

 

+1 pitbldr

+1 Walker450

+2 CAT_101

Edited December 23, 2010 by CAT_101st

[rocketeer]

Hi Shane, good to see you here again. From a design point of view, would the connectors be stacked at different height between the rows? Most breakout boards like those from Hagstrom and OC are arranged in a semi-circle. Yours are in parallel rows. if they are all at the same height it might be a bit too crowded for the finger as you'd be many wires in the same area. An stacked arrangement like this will make it easier to do the wiring.

http://users.skynet.be/jcordon/cockpit/electronique.htm

[pitbldr]

Hi, I'd be interested. I plan on getting some OpenCockpit cards, but since I already have an Xkeys card, I plan on using that as well.

[CAT_101st]

I a not using a screw down type connector. I am using a vertical 2 pin connector. Keep in mind that this is a matrix unlike the Hagstrom that has a comon ground wire for each pannel. each switch requires 2 wires to some point.

 

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=US&WT.z_homepage_link=hp_go_button&KeyWords=wm4200

[CAT_101st]

Hi, I'd be interested. I plan on getting some OpenCockpit cards, but since I already have an Xkeys card, I plan on using that as well.

Great I will keep you in the loop on how it is going. That puts me up to 4 boards. I am keeping 2 and giving 2 out at this time. I am thinking I will order 6-8 boards But if no one says any thing I will back it off to just the 4.

 

So if any one is intrested speak up befor I make my order.

[walker450]

Hey CAT, if possible could you give me a "cockpit board for dummies" explanation on what someone like me would need to get started? I currently have nothing extra for input/output besides my joysticks, keyboard, and speedpad.

 

I assume I would just need an X-keys card, your board, wire and switches. Does the x-keys card show up in Windows like a joystick does? (making it easy to setup with games) I trust ya to steer me in the right direction. :)

 

If it is something that I need and would make it easier for me to get started to build some switch panels, count me in. :)

 

PS: Your link in the first post is broken for me.

Edited December 22, 2010 by walker450

[CAT_101st]

well the X Keys set up would be a input only like a keboard but using switchs. It is a key board emulator IO card. Using the X Keys board and my brake out board will alow you to wire up 128 switch, butons and dile roterys (selectors switch's). all I know is that the X Keys is the cheapes way to go for wiring up switches. I paied over $150 for a Hagstroms KE72 and 2 brakeout boards that gave me only 72 switchs. Dont get me wrong the Hagstrom's IO card is a great card for a keyboard emulator.

 

My brake out boar will make doing switches easer but rember it does not do the outputs like OC cards do. For a beginer I thing this is the way to go. Also with my brake out board If you need to move your pit for some reason you can simply un plug the wires and plug them back in later.

 

I changed the link, let me kow if it does not work. I will put the pic somewhere els.

[CAT_101st]

Also this brakeout board can be used with both versions of the X-keys PS/2 (96 switch 8x12) and USB (128 switch 8x16). You will just have 4 calumns un used on my matrix board for the PS/2 version.

[walker450]

Thanks Cat. So it looks like for around $40 for your board, $60 for X-keys, plus shipping, wire, and switches/rotaries... Where do you buy your switches from?

 

And another question: Do all of the switches have to be momentary (like they return to "neutral" after clicking them up of down)?

Or can X-keys jet send one keystroke for a normal toggle?

 

Thanks a lot- now I'm excited about starting a switch panel :)

[CAT_101st]

The switchs and roteries where ever you can find them the cheapest. I buy the micro switch's they are cheaper but dont look likt the real thing. But I dont care that much about looks.

 

no the switchs can be on off or a on/off/on. you creat a macro for each position the switch is in. you can tell it to press and releas the buttons or hold them on.

 

I still need to come up with a custom cable from the X-keys board to my brake out board. not too hard to do just takes time to do it. And some good news the board will probly be less than $40.

[walker450]

I'm definitely interested. Please keep me informed. :)

[RightStuff]

A buddy of the Falcon4-Section made this breakout-board:

http://www.westy.de/hardware-xkeysmatrix.htm

 

I'm using it as well and still have nothing to complain.

[CAT_101st]

Im doing this for the guys that don't want to build one or can't do it. This is just a plug and program to help people out as a time saver. For people here in the USA I will sell it for less than they can build it them selves.

[CAT_101st]

+1 more from a PM sent to me.. gitting closer to order time. any one els want one?

[Pikas62]

Cat, i like to buy your board, but is there a cheaper way for us in Germany to order the x-keys board - the board isn't to expensive ($59) but the shipment costs are absurd high ($65). Would it be possible that I order your board and the x-keys board from you, so I have to pay the shipment only once?

 

One more question, can I build 3-way switches with x-keys and your board?

 

 

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Edited December 30, 2010 by pikas

[CAT_101st]

I will look in to it to see the cost.

[Pikas62]

Thank you CAT, I am looking forward to your reply. Either way I wish you and your family a Happy New Year :thumbup:!

[Pikas62]

Hi CAT,

 

A ED forum member from Germany has been offered me a x-keys board so I will get it to a reasonable price and shipment fee now.

 

What will be the price for your matrix board including shipment to Germany?

 

Thx in advance for the info :).

[CAT_101st]

I am going out to day and will check to see the price for shiping. I am gussing that the shipping is going to be more than the cost of the brakeout board. I still dont have the boards yeat and it may take a few weaks befor I have the extra cash for the order. I am up to 7 to order at this point so I might just order a extra just in case. I will let you know whrn the order has ben placed.

[Pikas62]

Hi CAT,

 

thx for the quick reply. If the price for the board will be arount $40, then according to the Borderlinx Website, shipment plus taxes will be around $40 to $48. Though in sum this is a bit expensive due to the high shipping costs I order one board from you as I have no other alternative to get hands to one of this breakoutboards.

 

Thanks a lot and I'm looking forward receiving one of thouse useful cards ;).

Edited January 4, 2011 by pikas

[HitchHikingFlatlander]

Sounds cool Cat hoping to get my tax return finished by next week then I can spend a few bucks, hopefully some of those bucks will go towards a Warthog HOTAS (inhale, hold breath til purple)!

[CAT_101st]

ok guys I am puting in the order for the parts on monday. This is a last call for this brake out board. It will work with any IO card matrix that has a 8x16 or less matrix.

 

I will post the final price after the order for the DIY and will come up with a figure shiping (Probly flatrate USPS) and will have to get a # for out of USA.

[Pikas62]

Hi Cat. I already wrote you a PM for this. Please account me for two breakout boards. Thx in advance!

Edited January 15, 2011 by pikas

[CAT_101st]

It will be a few weaks befor I recive the boards 1 weak for money to go to China 1-2 weaks for the boards to be made. and then another 1-2 weaks for shiping. Then have to put the boards together and ship them out, 1 weak. so it will be a wile befor they get out to any one.

[Pikas62]

Thanks for the update. Can't wait though as I already have the x-keys board and a lot of switches so for my setup only the matrix board is now missing. But I also know that this things need time. So I'm looking forward getting my matrix boards :smilewink:.

Edited January 23, 2011 by pikas