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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 08:41:48 AM

Title: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 08:41:48 AM
Can anyone tell me what the best controller for a cd32 is?

I've seen that there are still some boomerang style ones available - does anyone know if these controllers feature all the buttons? - I've just bought a CD32 and its coming with one original controller only.


amikit shop (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=308&osCsid=231b7a4500081)

So I'd like to get some replacements ahead of time - but I dont want to shell out and find they dont feature all the buttons.

I'd really like to get my hands on some competition pro units if possible - but these seem to be totally unavailable. If anyone has any to sell - please msg me!

Look forward to your comments - I hope someone figures out how to make a PSX to CD32 controller conversion some day soon  ;-)  :roll:
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: Chain on March 22, 2007, 08:59:25 AM
(http://www.amigahistory.co.uk/cd32propad.jpg)
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 09:01:46 AM
I want one!!!!! (or two)
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: madsjm on March 22, 2007, 01:40:44 PM
Who sells these now?
I remember that Lik Sang or Play Asia sold them until recently, but not anymore.
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 01:52:17 PM
looks like getting a competition pro unit is impossible - but can anyone answer my query about the boomerang units? Anyone used one - do they have all the right buttons? - Cheers
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: zipper on March 22, 2007, 02:57:34 PM
Quote

looks like getting a competition pro unit is impossible -


Perhaps here?
http://www.gentle-eye.fi/hardware.html
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 04:05:17 PM
sadly - thats not the right unit - see the earlier posting by Chain  :-? Had my hopes up for a minute there
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: Matt_H on March 22, 2007, 05:12:18 PM
I had 2 Competition Pro controllers. One came from the factory with a broken << button, and the other was later demolished by ESD. If mine are any indication, the build quality of these isn't much better than the Commodore ones, and at least those are relatively easy to find.
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: Chubbyrain on March 22, 2007, 05:39:49 PM
I bought a couple of the boomerang controllers to use with My CD32.

The buttons are all there, but not as obviously placed as those on the Commodore or Competition Pro versions.

Works fine with Chaos Engine and Mean Arenas!

Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 22, 2007, 05:43:29 PM
Great - thanks chubbs - think I'll pick a couple of then - its gotta be better than sticking with a single commodore version.
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: keropi on March 22, 2007, 06:57:12 PM
I have 3 comp-pro and ALL work EXCELLENT!!!
I also have a boomerang.... it is certainly not a quality product...  :-(
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: melange on March 24, 2007, 03:34:40 PM
Yeah, I'll second the "Certainly Not a quality product" statement.
I brought a boomerang controller off ebay.  The first thing I noticed was how incredibly short the cable was.  A closer inspection reveals them to be kinda tacky.  In the absence of anything else maybe, but I'm already looking at alternatives.  I'm currently fiddling with the APPE hack off Aminet, for converting a PS2 controller to Amiga (CD32 compatible).  Sadly I haven't got it to work as yet.  :-(
Anybody made the Hack?
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jkirk on March 24, 2007, 03:50:16 PM
Quote

Chain wrote:
(http://www.amigahistory.co.uk/cd32propad.jpg)


i have one that killed my cd32 system twice before i figured it out. i took electrical tape and went around the board and outside edge of the controller before i could use it without killing my system.
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on March 24, 2007, 04:25:13 PM
Quote

Chain wrote:
(http://www.amigahistory.co.uk/cd32propad.jpg)

Hm, "Competition Pro"
Well, mine's exactly the same, but is called the "Honey Bee".
AFAIK. still available at vesalia.de.
Mine's fine, and came with a fairly long cord.
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: bigdan on March 24, 2007, 07:00:00 PM

Honey bee is the chinese manufacturer of the famous "Competition pro CD32" (various package but one CD32 model only). I would be great if someone could contact them to produce another batch of this joypads !

I also own 2 other Megadrive (aka genesis in usa) honey bee models (3 and 6 buttons models bought at Liksang few months ago). Modifying 3 buttons model for Amiga is trivial but i haven't yet found the time to fix "transparent 6 buttons" model (genesis => amiga).
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: alexh on March 25, 2007, 11:40:23 AM
Quote

jimbob1977 wrote:
I hope someone figures out how to make a PSX to CD32 controller conversion some day soon  ;-)  :roll:

They have... since 1997!

It is open source if you want to make your own.

http://aminet.net/package/hard/hack/appe_v32

Ready made ones have been on sale for years.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160094539989
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: melange on March 26, 2007, 01:19:11 PM
WOW, how was the sale price of that adaptor!!!!  Build your own it's cheaper.  That adaptor is probably just an APPE home built and sold on ebay.  I have built mine for less than $10 AUS.  Compared to that ebay one which is about equivalent to $60 AUS.  You do need a PIC programmer though (or know someone who can do it for you)

I have got mine working now(APPE adaptor), sort of at least.  What I really want to do is make it work with the lovely new wireless controllers I just brought for it.  It works (sort of) with an ordinary wired Pad, but not with the wireless pads.  For some reason, it (the adaptor) is stopping the controllers from connecting to the receivers.  More fun to be had before I get anywhere with this.  :-(  :-(
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: jimbob1977 on March 27, 2007, 05:42:18 PM
darn - I'd have bought a couple of those psx to cd32 controller things if they were available but that auction has ended! Anyone know where else I can get them? Also they are a bit pricey - but to keep a great console going - what choice is there?
Title: Re: CD32 controller
Post by: rkauer on March 27, 2007, 06:43:33 PM
Quote

bigdan wrote:

ZIP

I also own 2 other Mega...ZIP...nths ago). Modifying 3 buttons model for Amiga is trivial but i haven't yet found the time to fix "transparent 6 buttons" model (genesis => amiga).


There IS a internal (to the joystick) hack you could do.:-D

 Look for the CD32 schematics. Exists a file on Aminet (32joy or something like this), but due the fact Aminet is down ATM, I cannot put the link for you now.:pissed: