Saitek AV8R Mods for PS3 Pilots

DoraNine · #1 10-13-2009, 02:46 PM

Needless to say, its frustrating getting a comfortable set-up with the AV8R on the PS3. Mode 1 and the AV8R set up leaves you with a worthless rudder set-up -- Mode 2 and the TM1 set-up leaves you with the trigger out of place (which makes it difficult to properly grip the stick since your thumb is always setting on top. I figured I'd take a peek inside and see if anything could be done "mechanically" to get the trigger in the right place. As it turns out, all that is needed is some very basic rewiring that anybody with a soldering kit can perform -- and since I've already figured out all the pin locations with my "old school" voltmeter -- you needn't worry about shorting anything out. For anybody who is interested -- here's how it is done.

1) Open the stick up (remove 4 screws)
2) Clip both of the leads to the microswitch behind the trigger (they are brown and gray)
3) Clip the PINK wire from the circuit board (this is the Trigger actuator)
4) Solder the gray and brown leads to your choice of push-button switch (I just used one I got from radioshack) This button will now be the "O" button.
5) Solder the Pink lead (the half that is coming from the base) to the microswitch.
6) Solder a short lead (make your own out of some low resistance wire) to the ground from the original "X" button location. Why do you have to put it here? Because it's the only way to complete the circuit -- you won't be able to ground this anyplace else -- without leaving the circuit open. YOU CAN SEE THIS IN THE 4TH PICTURE.
7) Put it all back together.

Now you have moved the trigger over to the correct position, and you can grip the stick in the correct manner. You can put the new "O" button anywhere that feels comfortable, where it will fit.

OR YOU CAN JUST WAIT UNTIL THE UPDATE COMES OUT AND REMAP EVERYTHING

Here are a few pics -- I'll spread them over two posts

DoraNine · #2 10-13-2009, 02:48 PM

Here are the rest of the pictures

tur-kish · #3 10-13-2009, 04:42 PM

lol you couldn't wait a whole week to use your trigger?

DoraNine · #4 10-13-2009, 04:48 PM

I'M ON VACATION!! It was either rewire the joystick -- or do a bunch of household crap for my wife!! LOL It's too windy to fly today, so I figured I'd play around with the joystick. I must say -- this thing is junk, even for $50. Mine is already getting loose, due to all the torque you put on it while twisting it all over the place. It'll probably disentegrate tonight during our 8pm battling!