Couldn't update this last night, BenHeck site down again...
Experimented with making the button switch more. I found a good combination was using 2mm springy foam pads for the sides and 1mm one on top (instead of the self-adhesive paper) with the foil under it, with the button stuck on to the top of the 1mm foam pad (both layers are adhesive). The pic below shows the gap under the button for the contact, the gap being nearly the size of the button itself. The button is easy to press, about right. Time will tell the durability of it over heavy usage. (I used a screwdriver in pic below to raise the assembly).
You can't solder wires to tin foil of course, it evaporates; but you can seal it with electrical tape, the wire is stuck onto the foil making contact. You can then solder the wires together.
Ok, "home-made", but in the absence of finding alternatives, this works. Normal rubber contact buttons only work to one pair of connections, tact switches go to two pairs but both pairs are joined (so in effect, one true pair of connections); I needed two independent pairs of connections, this method was the only way I could find to achieve this. The process of making such buttons only takes literally a few minutes each, if that.
I am in two minds about having one combined Start button and one combined GBA menu/Slo-mo button; or having them separate. Below is a pic of them separate:
On reflection, I will probably make a combined Start button and keep the two bottom buttons as they are. It will prove annoying having to use two Start buttons instead of one!
The only way I can think of at the moment to get the D-pad working for both the N64 and the GBA is to make a home-made switch, similar to above, but a sliding switch; as it needs to switch on/off 5 contact pairs. This could be made, but is likely to wear out as the foil will lose its footing with sideways movement; so not a feasible option. The only sensible option for a dual D-pad therefore is probably to have two D-pads, the GBA one using the previous position and the N64 in the less good position. It looks ok here, and I have the space for it (just). Here, I can get by thumb between the main D-pad and the joystick to the second D-pad, would be ok. Only other option is the not have a D-pad for the N64 bit.
I have "project time" today, so will no doubt be able to provide various updates. Probably the same scenario as before, about 20% on actual project time, 80% of time spent taking photos, photo editing, uploading pics, updating forum blog, think time, etc.
First job of day will be to make 3 dual button assemblies, based on my findings above, and post an updated button-making guide! I must say, it is very easy to make such buttons, and takes away the usual headaches with trying to use more official rubber contact buttons.
I made a D-pad flat-type assembly (4 contacts, one common contact) for the GP2x about a year or so ago, the foam pad centre I used took a lot of abuse and worked for several months before I stopped using it; and this used only a small surface area of the foam pad to work (unlike my buttons); so my buttons should be able to hopefully withstand thousands button presses with any luck before I need to change them. (time will tell)!
I guess you guys see why I got my "Blue Peter" reputation on the GP2x forums now (see my avator logo)! Anyway, if it works with foam pads, card, tin foil, glue and tape; so be it!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)