I am an absolute newbie at this amazing area of flight simming & before I get too carried away, I was trying to find out if I can simply modify an Optec Playstation Yoke/Rudder set to run on FS2004. (I got the yoke/rudders for nothing I thoght it is worth a try.)My logic tells me that it certainly shoud be possible by changing the Playstation connector to a USB or D15 connector - but getting the pin configuration correct is a bit daunting.Has anyone had any experience at this or am I heading the wrong way about this?ThanksPeter

Peter, welcome...I don't think anyone in this community ever experienced hacking or modify PS controller into serial port connector, Has anyone?But, I do believe you can modify PS controller's connector directly to serial port.. that is ONLY if you want to use momentary button. (fire button) You cannot connect potentiometer (a components that sends data when you steers)directly to serial port, you will need I/O cards or its extensions.hope that help

Peter,I'm not familiar with the PS yoke and rudder set, but I would be very surprised if it were not based on potentiometers. There is a possibility that you could connect it to a gameport. The resistance of the pots should be between 50K and 200K ohms. 100K is the normal value used with the gameport, but there is some latitude. There is some info about the gameport and the connector pinning here: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/gameport_1.htmWhile you cannot wire directly to a USB port, you can use a USB interface, and that will give you much better performance. Further, most USB interfaces allow a greater range of resistances to be used. You can buy a ready made interface from Beta Innovations www.betainnovations.com and from Mindaugas www.mindaugas.com. You might also take a look on Ebay for a USB interfaced joystick, and use its electronics.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.comwww.mikesflightdeckbooks.com

Thanks guys - I took the yoke apart last night & yes, it does use pots. I haven't pulled apart the rudders but it is natural to expect they will also be pot based.Thanks also for the links Mike, I will investigate further.If all else fails, I have come across a very old MS Sidewinder joystick that I will be able to use for parts. So at the very least I should end up with a Sidewinder Pro inside a more realistic looking yoke & rudders.Peter

Welcome to the addiction, Peter.John

>I am an absolute newbie at this amazing area of flight>simming & before I get too carried away, I was trying to find>out if I can simply modify an Optec Playstation Yoke/Rudder>set to run on FS2004. (I got the yoke/rudders for nothing I>thoght it is worth a try.)>>My logic tells me that it certainly shoud be possible by>changing the Playstation connector to a USB or D15 connector ->but getting the pin configuration correct is a bit daunting.>>Has anyone had any experience at this or am I heading the>wrong way about this?This might be easier?http://www.levelsix.com/product_info.php?c...&products_id=28"Dual PSX USB AdapterThis adapter allows the use of two Playstation controllers at one time with the PC. It connects through the USB port (1.0 and above) so installation is simple Plug and Play. Supports all buttons, analog control, and the vibration function."//Tuomas

Thanks Tuomas - it looks like a simpler solution! I will investigate it's availability in my part of the world.Peter