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How do i find a hand controller. — Parallax Forums

How do i find a hand controller.

lboucherlboucher Posts: 139
edited 2009-05-10 02:13 in General Discussion
Hi All

I am an ME looking to find Electronic parts and don't really know where to look.
Without going into the whole project. I am looking for a handheld controller.
Meaning:

Something you can hold in your hand.
I need 1 momentary switch and 1 latching switch.
(A few LEDs would be cool, but i can add them easy enough.)
And of course a cord to take the wires back to the microcontroller.
Looking for something fairly rugged.
I guess i could just get a small project box and build it myself.
But something that really fits in a hand would be good.

Thoughts??
Thanks

Comments

  • VelocitVelocit Posts: 119
    edited 2009-05-09 01:17
    Hammond Manufacturing has a line of enclosures similar to what you described, as do many other enclosure manufacturers... you will have to add your own switches, though:

    www.hammondmfg.com/1553colors.htm

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    -Paul
  • lboucherlboucher Posts: 139
    edited 2009-05-09 01:24
    ahh i see, if i search for enclosures i find alot.

    Thanks
  • VelocitVelocit Posts: 119
    edited 2009-05-09 01:49
    Of course, if you're an ME, I'm sure you can always whip up a custom enclosure in SolidWorks and have that made too! smile.gif

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    -Paul
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2009-05-09 02:14
    You could hack a Wii nunchuck. Two switches, joystick, accelerometer, gyro (?) and a 5 conductor cord to attach it to the micro. About $20 for everything and you can probably get it locally.

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    - Stephen
  • Bill DrummondBill Drummond Posts: 54
    edited 2009-05-09 12:46
    Look at this: http://obex.parallax.com/objects/94/. It may be overkill but if you a small remote control in your junk box ....
    This is better: http://obex.parallax.com/objects/37/

    Post Edited (Bill Drummond) : 5/9/2009 1:23:45 PM GMT
  • lboucherlboucher Posts: 139
    edited 2009-05-09 16:28
    Thanks for all the info.
    I did think about the wii mote, actually already hacked (Well borrowed someone elses library.) at home for my christmas lights. That hack uses the bluetooth.
    Can you point me to a wired hack?

    Its funny, I am an ME, but in general i have no idea how to "pratically" go about designing anything.
    In college i learned all theory, with little application.
    Now i work in robotics as a test guy.
    So i debug/test/break things all day long, but i rarely build anything. In general i do more with software on a day to day basis.

    Thanks
    Lucas
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-05-09 16:30
    These would be pretty cool:

    http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9032

    You'd have to add the latching switch, but that wouldn't be too difficult.
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2009-05-10 02:13
    todbot.com/blog/2008/02/18/wiichuck-wii-nunchuck-adapter-available/ is the one I have.

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    - Stephen
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