Radio Shack Gameport to USB Converter

USB Gameport Converter

Manufactured By: Radio Shack

Retail Price: $14.99 (US)

Review Date: 08-06-00

Many USB controllers also offer gameport connections with the use of an adapter. Typically, these dual connection devices have a male 15 pin gameport end and the adapter has a 15 pin female connection with a USB plug at the other end. I am often asked if the adapters provided with these controllers can be used with other controllers. The answer is always the same- "NO".

In order for a device to operate under USB it must have the proper circuitry to tell Windows what it is and what features it holds. The Gameport to USB Converter from Radio Shack has this circuitry between the two different connectors and convinces Windows that your analog gameport device is now a USB controller. USB devices tell Windows how many axis and buttons the device has. The Radio Shack Converter makes some assumptions about your controller and goes with a "catch all' configuration of 4 axis, 8 buttons plus a hat switch. No analog gameport device offers all of these features; instead only a select few limited by the gameport signaling. The features your device lack are then simply ignored.

Features-

• Converts 15 Pin analog gameport controllers to USB
• Switchable modes

Appropriate For-

• Any analog controller

**System Requirements

**Windows 98, USB port

Price-

$15 for the added convenience of USB is a fair price. However, if you are simply trying to adapt an inexpensive controller it may be worth your while to replace the controller itself with a USB capable device.

Warranty-

90 day limited warranty.

Performance-

The Radio Shack USB Gameport Adapter functions well with analog, gameport controllers. I had to dig deep into my controller closet to uncover my analog gameport controllers for testing. I tested a variety of basic devices including the Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro, Saitek R100 Wheel, Thrustmaster TopGun, Dexxa Gamepad, and Saitek P120 Gamepad. I also had some advanced devices I wanted to try including The Motorcycle Input Device (MID) and my analog flight HOTAS with the Thrustmaster Top Gun, CH Products Pro Pedals and CH Products Throttle.

Each of the basic analog devices setup and operated fine. This included the Sidewinder 3D Pro in each of its analog modes. However, the function of the 4 base buttons was lost since they are digital in operation. The advanced devices also worked and setup well. The MID setup fine using the Joystick A mode. All 4 axis functioned fine along with the 4 buttons. The flight setup functioned similarly using the Joystick B mode. Since the TopGun has a hatswitch and 4 buttons I chose the B mode; with the A mode hatswitch movement was mapped to the throttle axis. The pedals and throttle functions operated under their appropriate axis control.

I did not notice any performance gain or loss using the adapter with these devices. The only gain was the added convenience of hot swapping. However, unless you are using a well located USB hub the added benefit is diminished due to the need to access the back of your system twice (once for the connection and another to perform the switch toggle for calibration).

Setup -

The USB adapter has 4 different modes:

Gamepad- for a standard gamepad with a d-pad type controller and up to 8 buttons

Joystick A- a standard analog joystick running in CH Flightstick mode (2 axis with throttle and buttons)

Joystick B- a standard analog joystick running in Thrustmaster mode (2 axis with hat switch and buttons)

Wheel- a standard analog wheel mode (2 axis, wheel and pedals, with buttons)

All modes are read as a HID Game Controller: 4 Axis 8 button Joystick. To setup the adapter with your device connect the 15 pin male connector of the controller to the 15 pin female end of the adapter. With the system running connect the USB plug to a free USB port. Windows will auto-detect the new device and direct you through the install. You may need your Windows 98 CD and may require a restart of your system before you can proceed.

Once Windows is satisfied with the driver situation you should enter the calibration section of the Game Controller panel. A HID Game Controller: 4 Axis 8 Button Joystick should be displayed in the main window. Click Properties on the window and follow the bizarre but necessary step described in the instructions. On the adapter you need to move the switch from the current mode to another and then back to the proper mode. There is no logical explanation for this but calibration will not work if you do not. After done with the switch move choose the calibrate button and put the controller through the paces. Since the controller is listed as a 4 axis 8 button joystick there will be some axis calibrations that are not necessary for your controller. Simply skip these and move onto the next. Once complete, check the calibration in the test window.

Software -

No software is provided or necessary. However, you will probably need your Windows 98 CD handy during the installation process.

Documentation-

Documentation included with the Radio Shack USB Gameport Adapter is a single sheet instruction set. The sheet gives a brief product description, lists system requirements and walks you through the installation and calibration steps. There is also a brief description of the care of the adapter, required FCC declaration and warranty details.

The Radio Shack website has little information on this product listed.

Overall Rating-

Without question, the Radio Shack USB Gameport Converter works as described. However, the advantage to such a device is questionable. The main advantage to USB is hot swapping and the break from the gameport limitations. Since you need to use analog devices with the adapter the limitations of the standard gameport are still present. You can hot swap with the adapter but this benefit is diminished due to the requirement to toggle the switch on the adapter after the connection is established before you can calibrate.

Although the USB Gameport adapter functions The Control Center recommends saving the $15 you would spend on this device and put it towards a USB controller with all of the features you desire.

Pros-

• Allows simple USB connection for older analog gameport devices

Cons-

• Does not work well with digital gameport devices, if at all
• Price may justify replacing analog device with a USB controller