Pickard Joystick Controller

Sinclair User

Stephen Adams

VERSATILE CONTROLLER The Pickard controller is a plastic box through which you can connect an Atari-type joystick to the Spectrum or ZX-81 key board. That allows you to specify which key the joystick will operate by a set of plugs on the top of the unit which represent the joystick position. They plug into a socket - just like a MIC socket - which represents the key you want to operate. That permits you to work a program through the joystick now, or in the future. It also provides you with other uses such as quick editing, having the computer react to outside events by plugging-in a switch instead of the joystick plug, and many other things. The unit plugs into the keyboard sockets of the computer and into the power socket of the ZX-81 or Spectrum - you must state which when ordering. The power unit then plugs into the joystick box. The keyboard leads plug into a keyboard socket on the top the keyboard plug but that may be changed so that you do not have to remove the keyboard leads. Difficulties with the unit were caused by what appeared to be careless construction. According to the supplier those checks will be tightened and the review unit appeared to be a rogue one. The unit is also being changed to make it easier to construct, which at present is a time-consuming operation. It is a very good idea; once the unit was soldered-up it worked perfectly. Once the construction problems have been solved, it should be a winner. The unit is marketed by Success Services, [redacted] and costs £20.45 for the controller and £7.50 for the joystick. You must state on which machine you want to use it.

Personal Computer News

Trevor Jones

PRODUCT: Pickard Joystick Controller PRICE: £18.95 plus £1.00 postage and packaging MANUFACTURER: Success Services, [redacted] CONTROL THE ACTION If your hands are tied in Spectrum arcade games, Trevor Jones might have the answer in a Pickard. If you enjoy a fast-action game on your Spectrum or ZX81, you'll know how difficult it is to control four or five keys. Different games use different keys, and they're often placed at awkward positions on the keyboard. To make matters worse, many games don't have the necessary line to control a joystick controller has solved this problem. It can be configured to the Spectrum. But now Success Services claims its joystick controller has solved this problem. It can be configured to the Spectrum or ZX81, and can convert any key-controlled game regardless of whether joystick routines have been written into it. The Pickard is the end-result of a simple piece of lateral thinking. The Spectrum version we tested measured 4.5in by 3in by 1.5m and has 40 miniature jack sockets arranged in four rows with ten sockets to each row. Each socket corresponds directly to the key positions on the Spectrum keyboard. PRESENTATION Above the first row of sockets are five cables, each with a miniature jack plug. Each cable is labelled either up, down, left, right or fire. The user simply plugs-in the cables, telephone-receptionist style, to the keys dedicated by the program. Simple, huh? PCN's model was obtained straight from the manufacturer, and therefore gave no clues as to its normal packaging. But I was assured that any joystick controller ordered would be suitably wrapped to withstand the journey through the post. The unit comes with an instruction sheet which gives details on connections. More about that later. Protruding from one end of the box is a 13-way ribbon cable split into two parts. One part has five wires soldered to a seven-way connector and pin assembly. The other part has eight wires soldered to an eight-way connector and pin assembly, so it can be fitted to the Spectrum's printed circuit board. The other end of the unit contains a standard joystick socket. EASE OF USE The Spectrum power supply plugs into the unit, but gives the Spectrum its rightful share through yet another cable to the computer's 9V socket. A little work is required before you can use the unit. First you have to open the Spectrum (goodbye warranty?). You then have to remove the two Spectrum ribbon cables. On opening the unit, I found a small circuit board with the electronics mounted on it. The connections could clearly be seen but construction could have been neater. On the end of the ribbon cables there were a few loose strands of wire where the insulation had been removed. In addition the connections to the terminal were separated by a very small margin, and I found this a bit worrying. The cabling, by the way, is arranged so that the keyboard is still operative. I found fitting the keyboard cables to the connector at the end of the controller cable was easy, while trying to fit the cables back into the Spectrum PCB was fiddly. However, having finally got the connectors fitted I reassembled the case and plugged-in an Atari joystick. I then used the five cables on the top of the controller unit to plug into the sockets that corresponded to the keys I wanted to use. Unfortunately, making stable connections proved troublesome, but after a couple of false starts everything was well connected, screwed back together and primed to obliterate aliens. The beauty of the system is that the keyboard is still usable (crucial really, you still have to LOAD the games). VERDICT Predictably, the joystick gave a measurable improvement to my maze game. Once fitted, the unit is easy to use with any make of joystick - I tried it out with two different makes and it worked satisfactorily. Apart from my traumatic experience fitting the controller ribbon cables into the Spectrum's case, I had no problems. At its price the Pickard represents good value for money, and I would quite happily purchase one myself.