Microsoft sidewinder - serial to USB

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aliran
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Microsoft sidewinder - serial to USB

Post by aliran » Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:46 pm

I've just managed to get hold of a Microsoft Sidewinder Force feedback Pro joystick, however, it's the old serial (gameport) type. Does anyone know what's the easiest way to convert that to USB to use with Condor? Are there any ready-made cables or boxes that would do that?

Thanks,

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wickid
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Re: Microsoft sidewinder - serial to USB

Post by wickid » Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:07 pm

https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Usb-Adapt ... sb+Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Joystick-Gam ... B078W1VT1R

Don't know exactly which connecter you have. But there are many options on amazon or other sites
PH-1504, KOE

NaderFam
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Re: Microsoft sidewinder - serial to USB

Post by NaderFam » Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:23 am

Update: The Rockfire adapter I bought on amazon only goes part way. Windows sees the joystick as a game pad (U-shaped hand held device), but not as a joystick and test doesn't respond to the axes properly. Probably not worth wasting time on this option. Best may be building an adapter from scratch. YouTube has some videos about a couple of option. I will update when I get to build one.
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jusu_d
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Re: Microsoft sidewinder - serial to USB

Post by jusu_d » Wed Aug 25, 2021 11:38 pm

A bit late perhaps, but...

AFAIK there are two versions of the gameport MS Sidewinder FF. One needs only a simple connector type changing adapter, the USB electronics are already in the stick. The other version - the one I have - is gameport only, so it needs a bit more complex adapter.

Normal gameport adapters measure 4 analog axis with measly 8bit resolution, read the 4 legacy buttons, and that's it - just like your Rockfire adapter does. Luckily, some people have developed a smart adapter, which communicates with the MS SW FF through the MIDI data channel it uses, reads full resolution data and all buttons, AND even does force feedback! You need a board with AVR32U4 (Original plans are for Teensy 2.0, I used a Arduino Pro Micro) and not much else.
Oh and it also adds few extra axis. Rudder, trim, etc.

https://github.com/tloimu/adapt-ffb-joy/wiki

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