Simple Joystick Controller?

I am looking for a simple usb joystick controller in the US. Or, has anyone taken a cheap USB joystick and re-used the controller?

I am currently in the process of using my old Microsoft FF sterring wheel and pedals. The pedals are simple rotary encoders so i will use one of them for the push/pull of my cessna yoke system the actual turn is a small motor with a sensor I will hook this up to the end of my yokes and hopefully get FF. after taking apart the wheel i could easily see how almost any joystick could be used in similar fashion. I will post picks when i am a bit farther along with the setup.

Update to my post...

After finding some reference to the Sidewinder as a potential lab experement, I offered mine up for testing.

I hooked up my two pots from my old Simhawk, plugged it in, and it works. I still need to mess with button, etc but the x/y pots hookup was simple. The throttle should be as well. All I need to do is splice some wires.

I do plan to move to SimBoards once I get some "donations".

I too hacked a commercial FS product. I'm using a CH USB yoke for my 727 cockpit.

I'm having difficulty increasing the control movement and lessening the pot output. Elevator is not too bad, but could be better. Aileron is much too fast.

I've been able to smooth it out somewhat, and it behaves better in the 727 than the C-206, but pot responce is still too fast for the amount of control travel.

I wish I knew how to fix this.

You may consider that
;
http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/joystick/index.html

Open Cockpits alsow sells an usb controller module with 5 axes

Regards

Another inexpensive hack is to buy a gamecontroller like the Logitech "Dual Action" unit. It has two thumb operated joysticks and about a dozen button. I think it retails for $20. It gives you four analog channels you can wire to pots, and ~12 switch inputs. You don't need any drivers as Windows supplies default HID drivers.

Purchase options in addition to Leo Bodnar include Simkits (Europe), Beta Innovations (Canada) and CH Products (US). The industrial side of CH Products used to sell a multi-channel USB joystick interface. Haven't checked recently to see if they still do.

I think the game controller approach is the least expensive. It takes a bit of hacking, but shouldn't be hard.