5 replies to this topic

[Slydog43]

I'm getting closer to having a complete working portable pincab.  Well its not actually running VP or FP, but android with Pinball Arcade.  I have used a real williams lockdown bar, which adds so much to the project.  My first prototype was actually a showbox, but this new prototype is so much better.  I have 2 flipper buttons on each side (just like my real pincab) one for the flipper and one for digital nudging. a launch button (which also acts as the pairing buttons/On-off button).  I then use a Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 as my display.  I can even hook up my real pincab display via MicroHDMI to the Nexus 10 and play Pinball Arcade on my pincab.  

 

I have seen this done with the Ipad but it only works with a few shitty IOS pinball games.  This really does work great.  I have plans for adding speakers and maybe a somewhat real plunger, heck even some lights are not out of the question.  I also have a Wii remote versio, but it only works with android <4.2. I really do love pinball  

 

Please tell me what you guys think.

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[settingsons]

Excellent stuff slydog! The touchscreen flippers are always a bit fiddly on a tablet so that setup must make the games 10x more enjoyable.

Have you tried Revenge of the Rob-o-bot Pinball with it yet? I am interested to know because it is my favourite pinball on my nexus 7 atm, and I am tempted to root it so I can use a console controller, and maybe do something like what you have there.

Which controller have you disassembled there (its not a wiimote is it?) Also how do you map a screen press to particular button?

Edit: ....and later maybe you could add a couple of contractors with a opto-coupler for flipper feedback

Edited by settingsons, 04 January 2013 - 07:11 PM.

[RipleYYY]

OK, i applause the trick, but... after 5 seconds i was thinking : what for !?

 

we have pincab of real size, some other smaller (but still playable), but in this case, the epad/ipad is a platform you can take with you, to use it everywhere !

and than, i have some doubt you'll also bring with you the lockbar !?

 

again, applause for the job, but i think this is nonsense...

[settingsons]

It's pinsanity and I suffer from it too .

Actually on a serious note it is fairly portable as you could take it to friends, on holiday, etc. (OK to my wife that might sound like madness). From my experience, since playing virtual pinball on a cabinet I find it hard to enjoy pinball on a console and on a tablet as I did once in the past. They are great games on consoles and tablets (Pinball Arcade and Rob-o-bot) but then controller really spoils it for me. Rob-o-bot alone would inspire me to build this - it would cost next to nothing using a cheap substitute for a lockdown bar, and it's another project . Having a project is also a big part of the appeal too.

[Slydog43]

settingsson, I purchased Revenge of the Rob-o-bot to test and it works even with my PinBallArcade Touch mappings (as long as the tablet is rotated the same way (portrait)).  

 

I main reason for this project is for "portability".  I can put this along with my tablet in my car and bring anyway.  I love playing my real pinball machines, but actually play my VP pincab just as much.  I see no reason why I wont be playing this more and more.  It really is great, everyone should try it.

 

Right now its a PS3 Sixaxis controller which I modded (actually a cheap alternative $15 on ebay)  I also have a Wii remote rewired (very easy) but waiting for better mapping software that works with 4.2.x.

 

I now play pinball at work, so much for productivity

 

I forgot another great plus for this system is the ability to play sitting down.  I can play sitting in my deskchair with the controller on my lap and the screen on my desk.  Really neat being able to lean back in my chair and still play.

Edited by Slydog43, 04 January 2013 - 09:45 PM.

[settingsons]

Thanks for the info sly dog. I will keep an eye out for one of those controllers. Cheers