Button box for GT5?

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tmitch

tmitch

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tmitch45
I was wondering if anyone has made a Button box for use with the PS3 and particularly GT5? I understand that GT5 enables you to use a second controller as well as a wheel which can then be used to assign extra buttons. Since buying a T500rs I have lost the ability to change things like traction control and brake bias in game like you could with the DFGT.
 
my first question.. why would you need TC in GT5?

I don't think so mate but basher might have the knowledge to do something
 
I use a ds3 controller velcro'd to the center of my g27!

I used it before they had support for the g27 but I still use it now because its comfortable and has a lot more than 6 buttons! Works great and can do anything quickly! Ps button is dead center!

Ds3 is controller 1 and g27 is controller 2!
 
Check out my button box made from a ps3 controller switches are soldered to the circut board and a vertical handbrake lever connected to the controller works really well. Good luck with yours any questions let me know.👍
 

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smokey777
my first question.. why would you need TC in GT5?

I don't think so mate but basher might have the knowledge to do something
Click to expand...

Its not just for Tc its the other functionallity as well. But to answer your questions when racing the more powerful cars in organised online races I do tend to use TC for the first lap until the tires are warmed and then I turn it off.
 
harvysmoon
Check out my button box made from a ps3 controller switches are soldered to the circut board and a vertical handbrake lever connected to the controller works really well. Good luck with yours any questions let me know.👍
Click to expand...

Thats awsome mate! That is exactally what I had in mind especially with the hand brake as well. I'm looking at cheap ps3 controllers on ebay to start my project. Was it easy to do? Do you have any more pics/write up. I'd be interested if there are any of the wiring inside.
 
There's an easier way to do this than cannibalizing an existing controller. There's a custom circuit board (originally intended for people to make their own arcade style fight sticks) called the Toodles Cthulhu board available here http://godlikecontrols.com/

The board works 100% on the PC and PS3 (as far as the playstation is concerned, it's a wired DS3 controller) and instead of soldering to a salvaged board (which can be a pain in the ass) the Cthulhu board has screw down terminals which are vastly easier to use and can be re wired without hassle if necessary. Having used it myself for my own custom button box when I was still playing GT5 I can't see why you would use anything else when PS3 compatibility is required.

Edit: I can post some pictures when I get home tonight if you're interested.
 
Brock1Samson9
There's an easier way to do this than cannibalizing an existing controller. There's a custom circuit board (originally intended for people to make their own arcade style fight sticks) called the Toodles Cthulhu board available here http://godlikecontrols.com/

The board works 100% on the PC and PS3 (as far as the playstation is concerned, it's a wired DS3 controller) and instead of soldering to a salvaged board (which can be a pain in the ass) the Cthulhu board has screw down terminals which are vastly easier to use and can be re wired without hassle if necessary. Having used it myself for my own custom button box when I was still playing GT5 I can't see why you would use anything else when PS3 compatibility is required.

Edit: I can post some pictures when I get home tonight if you're interested.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply mate and I'd be interested to see what you have done!
 
20120605_211908.jpg

20120605_211924.jpg

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Assemble-and-Install-an-AXISdapter/
 
Just updated with more pics, (both connections for frex Shift+ and Frex HB+)
didn't realize I forgot to update the page until I saw this.
dsc_3121.jpg
 
tmitch
I was wondering if anyone has made a Button box for use with the PS3 and particularly GT5? I understand that GT5 enables you to use a second controller as well as a wheel which can then be used to assign extra buttons. Since buying a T500rs I have lost the ability to change things like traction control and brake bias in game like you could with the DFGT.
Click to expand...

Not true, I have a T500Rs and I am able to control everything (even ingame) on my steering wheel, so for GT5, there is absolute no box needed....
 
smokey777
my first question.. why would you need TC in GT5?

I don't think so mate but basher might have the knowledge to do something
Click to expand...

It is used in some endurance races, so using TC in GT5 could be usefull in some cases.....
 
I've done it, prototype only, but I had a box which could do RA menu adjustments with single button presses, LED indicators for the handbrake and headlights and I designed it to integrate with a standalone H-shifter but I never got round to actually making that because I bought a G27 instead. It was also a bit hacky, you had to know how many gears your car had and never accidentally mis-shift into, say, 6th when you're in a 5-speed otherwise it would get out of sync. I could make it up again if anyone's interested.

Edit: the Cthulu board is a good alternative but you don't get a PS button nor analogue sensitivity, and I'm sure most people have a worn out controller or two. I'm pretty sure you could pick up a cracked controller on EBay for cheaper than a Cthulu too, and yeah, it's more work soldering to the board than using screw terminals, but it's down to your skill and what you want I guess.
 
I also use a T500 and have mapped the "tuning-menu" as followed:

Square: open/close the menu

D-Pad up/down: navigate through the menu

D-Pad right/left: increase/decrease values


So it has the same effect, as if you use the red multi-function-dial of the DFGT.

As said above, there is no essential need for a button box in GT5.


EDIT: I did the same even with my DFP and GT3RS (using DFP-profile for both in the game)
 
Racingworld68
Not true, I have a T500Rs and I am able to control everything (even ingame) on my steering wheel, so for GT5, there is absolute no box needed....
Click to expand...

Your right that you can map the buttons but you have to loose some of the functions you cannot run all of them at the same time. The 'D' pad on my T500 is for look left, right and behind which I personally use in close racing situations. The other buttons are reverse and hand brake etc so if I want access to all if not most of the functions I need and extra controller or button box.
 
I have to look into the options menu again, because out of memory I have the tuning menu, look left, look right and look behind as well mapped. Either on T500 and on G27. Might be that 1 or 2 functions (out of 20??) are not mapped.

So might be that you won't get 100% without a button box.

But no essential function is missing. I don't think that I want a button box just for the "horn" ;-)

EDIT: I just looked it up. In GT5 you have a total of 18 possible inputs. G27 offers 18 buttons. T500 has 14.
 
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So I've been looking into the PS3 Cthulhu pcb to create my button box or the axisdapter but can't find them in the uk? I have found them in the U.S. but its $25 postage to the U.K. Anyone any ideas??
 
neema_t
I've done it, prototype only, but I had a box which could do RA menu adjustments with single button presses, LED indicators for the handbrake and headlights and I designed it to integrate with a standalone H-shifter but I never got round to actually making that because I bought a G27 instead. It was also a bit hacky, you had to know how many gears your car had and never accidentally mis-shift into, say, 6th when you're in a 5-speed otherwise it would get out of sync. I could make it up again if anyone's interested.

Edit: the Cthulu board is a good alternative but you don't get a PS button nor analogue sensitivity, and I'm sure most people have a worn out controller or two. I'm pretty sure you could pick up a cracked controller on EBay for cheaper than a Cthulu too, and yeah, it's more work soldering to the board than using screw terminals, but it's down to your skill and what you want I guess.
Click to expand...

There is a ps button on the cthulu board, its called the home button. PS button can also be activated by pressing both start and select buttons if no dedicated home button is connected.....
 
Hi ravey! told you you got me thinking about making one! Been looking at the cthulu boards and cannot find anyone in the UK doing them. In the U.S. they almost cost as much in shipping as the board itself! Any ideas?
 
The link on ARL I sent you says they are currently unavailable but have you tried ringing them to see if they are getting anymore in?
 
Hi ravey! told you you got me thinking about making one! Been looking at the cthulu boards and cannot find anyone in the UK doing them. In the U.S. they almost cost as much in shipping as the board itself! Any ideas?
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Jet Badger
People hack a DS3 and connect push buttons to its button tracks. Easily doable if you can solder and don't have shaky hands.

Edit: A quick search on google gave me this: http://marcushwang.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/how-to-build-a-button-box-for-ps3-and-pc/
Click to expand...

NjLowrider
I use a ds3 controller velcro'd to the center of my g27!

I used it before they had support for the g27 but I still use it now because its comfortable and has a lot more than 6 buttons! Works great and can do anything quickly! Ps button is dead center!

Ds3 is controller 1 and g27 is controller 2!
Click to expand...

harvysmoon
Check out my button box made from a ps3 controller switches are soldered to the circut board and a vertical handbrake lever connected to the controller works really well. Good luck with yours any questions let me know.👍
Click to expand...

If you don't wan to use (or can't) a Cthulhu board, find yourself a worn DS3 and solder your buttons to the PCB. Some people say that any generic controller works with PS3, I don't know about that but if it's true, you can use most of USB gamepads or joystics.
 
Regular HID gamepads do work with the PS3, but you don't get the home button, so you can't change the assignment of the controller with it so it could work as a button box. (in order for it to work, you'd need the ps button on the wheel, so not a Fanatec or G25/27)
 
I had plans to make a button box. I do have a DFGT, but sometimes it felt like it would be easier to have a box to change things versus using the steering wheel.

Also was going to get an arduino board so I could make some custom buttons. +/- BB for front and rear tires and some other things.

Here's the controller I was going to buy to strip and use.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PDP+-+Rock+Candy+Controller+for+PlayStation+3/6608501.p;jsessionid=5A08CFC2A09779E8C021E4E7BBCD523C.bbolsp-app02-70?id=1218761709052&skuId=6608501&st=ps3%20controller&cp=1&lp=5
 

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