Just want to give some quick "props" to DaveC for modding my older gp2x (the one with the diagonal bias and other joystick oddities which rendered it unusable for me) with a very nice d-pad. Looks good and professionally quality install for an extremely reasonable price considering the work involved. He also was nice to add the center push switch in the back at my request in case I ever need it.

I'm a happy guy. I haven't touched the gp2x in probably 9 months but I see myself using it a lot now.

Thanks DaveC!

/me goes back to playing Tilematch

~telengard

Cool! So, how much?

Ed modded mine here in Europe and I am such a fan!

are they available again?

Any chance of some photos. Does DaveC plan on doing more these?

I used to play my GP32 all the time, so I got one of the first batch of GP2X machines. I never really play on it anymore, or take much interest in current development for it -- all because of that rubbish joystick.
The GP32 has one of the best joysticks ever, the GP2X has one of the worst.

/rant

I could be interested in that mod.

;---------- edit ----------------

Found the discussion with photo here:

http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?showt...amp;hl=dpad+mod

I think ED has some MK1 models left, but there is a waiting list forming in the German forum over at gp2x.de

I for one am really happy with my dpad modded First edition... if you got a first edition or a MK1 it is definitly worth it!

I'm interested to know what he used to make the stick-click button. That's the only thing that's stopped me from modding mine.

Tip for those wanting d-pad mods:

*WATCH EVIL DRAGONS SHOP*

I sent a batch of D-pad kits to ED last Friday. Knowing it takes about 1 week for them to arrive in Germany he will probably have them the end of this week or sometime next week. Please don't e-mail bomb him though. He will put in the shop when he has them.

You will have to act pretty fast though as they go real quick. Usually only the German members get them as that is mostly who reads the German forums etc. So here is your chance to watch for and get them here if you want them.

DaveC, what's your Ngage caps source?

DaveC, are the mods you sent for a particular model? I have a 1st Edition GP2x and have been looking out for the mods to be available again for quite some time, as I just missed the last lot.

So thats what the DPAD mod is meant to look like fitted properly! I over bevelled mine on the inside and the little plastic rim broke off:-( Anyway its still much better to use, only took me 6 months to be brave enough to fit it!

Thanks,

Mark

I hold up kids in the street and swipe their N-gage 2s


Actually I would get them on e-bay. Some replacement pads to fix the phones were available.



I sent some for both models, but most are for the MK1. Those are in the most demand it seems.



Did you use the metal template? That should have helped with cutting the hole. Does the pad work well in all directions after you modded it?

Some more DPads arrived!

However, all the MK2 DPads are already sold out... at the moment, there are some MK1 versions available (even if the shop doesn't say so, I need to check with the preorders first).

So, if you want to order one (even if you probably need to wait for a while), check out the shop.

http://shop.gp2x.de

Here is the scene in front of your shop waiting for d-pad mods I heard

LOL


I'd be interested in the very near future. I need some cash though.

I almost ordered one just as this was announced.

It would be too expensive for us here in the states ... for the mod with a center push button, it came out to ~$80 USD ... but we'd still have to ship it to Germany first, so tack on another $12-$20 to get it there, and you're talking near $100.

I'll just wait out for the commercial BOB, and use USB joypads instead

Yes the metal template definitely helped. I just overdid the bevel on the inside:-) Works great in all directions now. Though I had to patch atari800 to make it work of course (interpret left+right as diagonal etc.). I was planning to use some 87C750 chips I've got lying around to do the diagonal stuff, but once I saw how much space there is I decided against it!

Thanks,

Mark

How easy is it to do it yourself with this kit?
Does it come good a manual?

Man...that mod looks sooo good. I really want one for my poor unusable MK1!

The only thing holding me off is the terrible shipping cost from Germany to Sweden. 16.99 Euro...that's just insane. Even if it's with insurance. I wish ED would add some cheaper shipping options. I would skip the insurance. Without a dpad mod my MK1 has no insurable value anyway

So MK1s are already out of stock? I'm very interested, but $75 is pretty stiff to pay for something with an indefinite date.

Do you have this version of Atari800 with the diagonal support to share with the rest of us D-pad users?

That would sure be nice

I don't think ED updated the page. I think he still has them.

In stock or not. $55 is steep for a mod I want to do myself. Are you able to ship them to the US personally? I probably need one (I do).

Honestly I sent all of the kits I made to ED.

I could make more but I need more of those pins (long story).

So just to clarify...

Can the mod register the diagonals properly? or just l/r/u/d in combination?

Is it available in another form of dpad, ie, not that awful ngage white one? Frankly, it looks shite against the sleek black of the 2x.

D.

It only registers l,r,u,d, in combination. The one with the logic chip dissapeared.

The only pad that could be bought as spare parts that work well were the n-gage pads. I wasn't going to spend $20.00 a piece for a gamecube controller or something to rip the pads out, sorry.

It has transformed my GP2x. I had a MK1, and like most of them the stick gave up after not very long. So my GP2x stayed unloved and unused.

But now it is perfect and much used. I suppose others could complain about 'having' to mod after paying, but I don't care. I have an amazing emu device and I love it!

Actually it fits perfectly to the logo of the GP2X and the back of it is black so it fits to the case too. I really like it!
Besides, it is almost the perfect size, all other dpads I have seen are actually to big to be fitted on the GP2X without looking horrible.

Actually, I measured one day and the d-pad on the Game Gear is only slightly larger than the hole on the GP2X. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it would probably look nicer and fit in more with the GP2X's appearance than the NGage pad. There is, of course, the problem of where to get them in bulk for relatively cheap, so the NGage pad comes out ahead.

I couldn't agree more

Game Gear?!

Ok I will go on ebay and pay $50.00 a piece for GameGears and then rip out the pads

Seriously, it isn't as easy as finding a pad that looks pretty and using it. The thicknesses, diameters, and other things just worked out well with the n-gage pad because of the construction and size. There are these rubber skirts with rubber points on them that just happen to be perfect. The rubber skirt holds in the pad and is flexible enough to move well and the rubber points actuate the switches. These points because of the flexibility also help avoid damaging and wearing out the switches because they are softer than a hard plastic that most pads use. I do agree that the appearance could be better but I can't find another pad that works as well, but looks better.

i dont think about how it looks when im playing it.. i think of the extra precision and improvement over the stick .. in fact ever since i got it i've started playing my games better

Well, the problem is that I as the shop owner have to pay myself when the gp2x gets lost when I send it back... so I cannot afford that :/

BTW: Most of the DPads gone... no MK2 anymore, and MK1 are only 2 left (only if it says so on the product page).

We definately need to get more pins to DaveC (or find a different way), as I already have over 10 preorders for pads I don't have :/

Dave, do you forsee yourself running out of the Ngage pads soon, I mean, you can't have an unlimited amount, right? Or are you good for pads for a while?

Yes the supply is dwindling. Maybe enough for 20 more or so then that will be it.

ED, I would not go mental with preorders. I don't know how many or when more can be made. It is your store but I would just suggest a first come first served basis through the store website. Maybe announce when you get pads and then say "they will be up for order on xx/xx/xxxx" Then the first 15 or so to add to cart will get them. Or something like that.

You may take more preorders than pads that can be made.

Don't worry, I don't get too many preorders. I only get many preorders as long as I have the product pages up in the shop

People don't care what I mention in the product description. They order and (if they pay via PayPal) pay immediately, which would be even worse.
That doesn't happen with the preorders, as I only put them on a list, and if no DPads arrive, I'll tell them.

Write to nokia directly and order more pads

Joke aside, if you find a good excuse that might actually work.

Cowai,

I'll let you know how easy it is for a first timer.
my MK1 kit arrived this morning.



manual? :)

that's all that was in the envelope, no instructions or parts list,
so, i'll just have to assume that there is nothing missing?

on the plus side, i have contacted EvilDragon by e-mail, he replied quickly and has assured me he will e-mail me some instructions shortly.

i'm sure the operation can't be that difficult as there are so few parts:)
i am prepared for the 2x to die, i have factored in the risk!

i'll let you know how i get on.

fingers crossed!:)

GaRy:)


PS if there is by chance another install guide somewhere on this forum or on the web that i have managed NOT to stumble across, please feel free to let me know where it is. it's always good to have several opinions TIA.

When you have done it, make a mini walkthrough?

Just wait a while, I just took installing pictures today, so I'll have a guide ready by tonight

EvilDragon,

i'm waiting,
ALL is okay, i'm cool
i was only asking,
all is good honest.

GaRy:)

Heeeere you go

Thanks for the howto. This'll save me a bundle, when I pony up.

Nice with pics etc.

One thing though I am not sure why you say to remove the metal piece after rough cut. If you do the finishing cut by hand you may end up with an oblong out of round, out of center hole with notches etc in there. (I actually did notice in your pics that there are indeed irregularities to the hole) It is better to leave the metal piece in for the whole thing, especially if you use a Dremel for it if you want a cleaner hole. Just use the metal as a guide and shave all plastic so that it is even with the edge of the round metal, it will be perfectly round and the right size. This eliminates all guessing and going back and forth trying the pad etc, and eliminates out of shape off-center hole accidents.

Remember a novice doing it for the first time may not be as experienced. He could end up with a disaster without the template.

Here is the original text only version. It is similar to EDs but has detail in some areas that may be helpful too.


d-pad instructions

"now De-solder the old joystick",
you guys both make this part sound easy:)

i've read both of your instructions sheets...

did either of you manage to get the old stick out without resorting to snipping legs off the old stick.
I'm using a soldering iron and DE-soldering pump,
but am ever cautious about heat damage to those tiny surface mounted resistors and capacitors situated not so far away from the stick! and also don't want to damage the internal links to the other side of the board!

i feel tempted to snip legs and remove them one at a time, easier, rather than trying to heat 12 pins at a time. as whatever i do there is still a slight solder residue left on the pins of the old stick, enough to prevent it from coming out:(

do i really want to keep the old stick as it is total rubbish, and I'm NOT using the GP for that reason anyway:)

send me a sign.

thanks in advance.

GaRy:)

Snip the legs if it easier. You could always get a replacement stick anyway, it is an off the shelf part.

..... and relax!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
it's finished,
and it's so cool.

DaveC / EvilDragon and any other nameless contributer (you know who you are)
i would like to thank you both / all for resurrecting my long forgotten / disgarded GP2X.
for putting in all the time and effort involved in R&D, prototype creation, testing and final product release.
come to think of it your recent instructions are spot on too, out just at the right time to make my install much easier than it would have been without:)
i used a combination of the two sets that have been released, it's always good to have slightly different opinions when it comes to something that is quite new.
i'm no electronics genius, if your the kind of person who, can operate a soldering iron, have a few basic tools, can follow instruction logically, have patience, have the ability take all steps slowly, and don't try to rush it, i'm sure almost anyone would be able to perform this modification. the only slightly awkward bit for me was juggling all the plastic case parts, when putting the unit back together again. i took my time and didn't force anything, and all was okay.
i've only had chance to play a quick game of Robotron, on a very early release of MAME, the might R is a great test for any control panel and...
this D pad is 1000% better than that F****** stock joystick thing IMHO.
so now i just need to update to a more current Firmware and MAME.
to save me searching which is the best firmware at this time, most stable to upgrade to at this time?

again, many thanks for this, is great.

regards,

GaRy:)

PS did i say the D pad mod is fantastic?

FW 2.1.1 is best if you need 2GB SD support. FW 2.1.0 should be pretty much the same except for the SD card support.

I just got my dpad modded GP2x back today and I would also like to say thanks to EvilDragon and DaveC. With the new pad I managed to set a new high score on Pac man (MAME) and Bomb Jack (GP2xpectrum) almost immediately.

I kinda dislike the joystick, should I get this? I'm not really loaded on cash or anything, and I'm not sure since its just the 4 directions...