What is the downside to using a joystick port versus a USB port for a game controller?

[rnmcd]

What is the downside to using a joystick port versus a USB port for a game controller?

I am trying to decide if I NEED to buy a USB flight yoke or if a cheaper one that connects to a 15-pin port will do the job just as well.

Thanks.

 

[Beau]

Depends on the type of joystick you're going to buy. I know that some yoke sets have so many controls that the require a second joystick controller card, unless they're USB.

 

[rnmcd]

^

 

[aphex]

I would imagine there is less hassle in using the USB version, i personally usually have trouble using a regular joystick port or a serial port. They just never seem to work easily for me.

 

[Mr N8]

bigger connector...not much difference otherwise

 

[rnmcd]

Can a gameport game controller be converted to USB?

Oh yeah, what is a hat switch?

 

[Brutuskend]

Hat switch is (usually) used for differant view points. It has 8 differant points.

 

[NogginBoink]

Gameport devices tend to go out of calibration more frequently.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Gameport devices tend to go out of calibration more frequently.

I thought that was a mechanical problem (servos, etc.) rather than the interface problem.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
Can a gameport game controller be converted to USB?

Oh yeah, what is a hat switch?

yes.

 

[SagaLore]

the joystick port is also a midi port, if you ever need to hook up to a midi device... but assuming you won't, the other problem is that the joystick port is routed through the sound card, so a monster joystick could possibly cause distortion in your sound, also it will eat up PCI interrupts...

also an analog joysticks needs a thicker cord, and plugs into the back of the computer with a thicker connector - with usb the connection is serialized and smaller, more universal, won't have to calibrate it in the control panel, allows you to plug into the front of the computer or keyboard if they have open USB ports...

and then there's the fact that many sounds cards, if they haven't already, are trying to retire the midi/joystick port. My Sound Blaster X Gamer uses an optional second slot modul for the midi/joystick port, if I so choose to use it, otherwise it has builtin firewire port instead.

I would go with USB. Unless you planned running old dos games that needed an analog joystick. Why go retro when you can go proactive. I've seen computer systems without even ps2/serial/parallel all in favor of usb...

 

[rnmcd]

Thank you SagaLore!

You answered all my questions. USB is the way to go!

The soundcard load is what sold me.

 

[Derango]

There aren't any joysticks out there with enough buttons to use enough bandwidth with a sound card to distort the sound. Its a non-issue.

 

[cherrytwist]

Don't forget that USB controllers are plug-n-play...you don't have to reboot to add one like you do a gameport device.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: cherrytwist
Don't forget that USB controllers are plug-n-play...you don't have to reboot to add one like you do a gameport device.

Yup. That's what I was going to say. I hate it when I have forgotten to plug in my Steering Wheel. It means I have to reboot.

amish