There is this rumour going around about PSPs analog stick...

[Squeak]

...that it is only eight way and therefore not truly analog. True or false?

 

[Ty]

Truly analog? Aren't most joysticks simply a combination of reads in 4 directions anyhow? The analog portion comes into play by how much in one axis.

 

[GwymWeepa]

I believe the n64 stick was also just 8 way.

 

[Inane_Dork]

I believe the n64 stick was also just 8 way.

So in other words, the PSP is like an N64.

 

[Squeak]

Truly analog? Aren't most joysticks simply a combination of reads in 4 directions anyhow? The analog portion comes into play by how much in one axis.

But this is supposed to be like the old Intellivision pads with eight digital contact-points placed in a circle. No pots og pizo detectors.

 

[McFly]

No, it's a speaker.

Fredi

PS: From the gameplay videos I've seen and some previews, I'm pretty sure its a real analog disc (yeah, it's not a stick).

 

[Blade]

All I've heard about it is that it's way too loose. That might not be true.

 

[Ty]

But this is supposed to be like the old Intellivision pads with eight digital contact-points placed in a circle. No pots og pizo detectors.

It is NOT digital contact pads. I would guess there are normal (but tiny) pots along the axis'.

All I've heard about it is that it's way too loose. That might not be true.

It is a bit loose and I wonder if it will last (i.e. will the springs last). I do wish it was stiffer. The throw is fairly decent though.

 

[cthellis42]

All I've heard about it is that it's way too loose.

Can you give me her phone number?

...oh wait, nevermind. My bad.

 

[London Geezer]

All I've heard about it is that it's way too loose.

Can you give me her phone number?

...oh wait, nevermind. My bad.

You want to feel the sides, right.......... Loosenes is not always good.

 

[cthellis42]

I'll take what I can get.

 

[GwymWeepa]

I'll take what I can get.

Dinner at 8?

 

[FatherJohn]

We'll all know what it is soon enough -- as soon as Lik Sang gets one to take apart.

But my guess is that it's a 2D slider system, rather than a joystick system. HP used something like this for their "popsicle stick" mini mouse that came with their old super-mini PCs. One advantage of this system is that the sensors can be located off-center from the button itself, which is handy when you want to position the button close to the edge of the device.

I predict that the feeling is like sliding a coat button or small coin around on a table, rather than pivoting a joystick. The "centering" action may be small or even non-existant.

 

[Ty]

I predict that the feeling is like sliding a coat button or small coin around on a table, rather than pivoting a joystick.
The "centering" action may be small or even non-existant.

That's exactly how it feels. It does NOT pivot like a mini-joystick. More like sliding a coin around on a table (as you said) but I wish the pull to the center would be a bit stronger (it is there).

 

[Phil]

^^ I was hoping it would be like the ibm nipple errr... mouse-stick I use on my laptop... :?

 

[Ty]

I think for a racing game, you'd want a device with more throw as the extra granularity can make huge difference in the "feel" of a game.