26 replies to this topic

[Jim Difalco]

So now I am asking for your 3 cents as I want more from you then I wanted in the post when I asked for your 2 cents. As I said in my other post I am working on new handles for this spring. After seeing a racer with big hands at the Fast Eddie's race with his hand fully covering the rear protrusion (nub) of my handle I was thinking that seems to be an uncomfortable way to hold a controller. Maybe I could improve something.

 

I added pictures of how I hold my controller as I would drive with my middle finger (my normal style) as well as with my pointer finger. As you can see my webbing between my thumb and pointer partially rides on top of the nub which makes it slightly uncomfortable.

 

I want racers to post a couple pictures of how they hold their controller in their hand. Emphasizing this area in the picture if possible. Also, if you have bigger hands do you add any padding to your handle to give the handle slightly larger feel? I hate those foam grips that racers add to their handles as it discourages maintenance but would you use an add on item to make the bottom of the handle even larger and more comfortable? 

 

The top two pictures are my middle finger and the bottom two are with my pointer finger

 

Within the last week I had a racer with big hands who wanted me to give him my handle files so he could 3D print a larger one for himself as well as a grandpa who wanted a smaller handle designed for his grandson.

 

No suggestion is off limits or too crazy for me to consider as once the new handle is designed there will probably not be another one. What do you think?

 

 

[Cheater]

Damn... inflation is everywhere! LOL.

[Hot Slots]

There's a couple firearm companies that offer back straps for their pistol frames to make the grip larger or smaller. My 4th gen Glocks came with the backstraps and I think I had a Ruger that also had the insert option, it would slide into place and there was a plastic pin that held it secure to the frame.

There's also company's that make grips for 1911 style PISTOLS, CZ, etc., that widen the grip and add extra grip with rough texture on the insert. The wide grips have a screw that holds them into place on the frame.

[Dominator]

Brandon, that was exactly my idea as well!

Perhaps something that is a two peice unit that can utilize the existing handle mounting holes.

A 1911 style grip would be very cool. For those with larger hands this may help with trigger manipulation.

[mreibman]

I have to give this some thought. I have largish hands (size XL gloves).

Last week at the northeast nats, my hand was cramping up during the third race of the day, and specifically the nub was bothering me. So this is a top of mind thought this week - how to make this more comfortable.

Kudos Jim for even having the twinkle of this in your eye.

[Racer36]

I quite like your current handle. I didn’t realize how much badly the Parma version fit my hand until I got yours. That extra length made a huge difference. About the only tweak I might like to see is the nub moved up about half an inch. I use my middle finger and I think it would make it more comfortable.

thanks for all you do Jim!

[Eddie Fleming]

From what I see your current handles are very popular. I see them on all brands of controllers, and have them on my controllers. 

 

I have smaller hands and drive with my middle finger, keeping  first finger flat against the upper face of the controller. Your current handles are very comfortable to use. I don't think I could handle more bulk but I  can see that others might like that.

 

My caution is don't loose the comfort for smaller hands. still I can see some sort of add on for larger hands being a good thing.

[Jim Difalco]

I quite like your current handle. I didn’t realize how much badly the Parma version fit my hand until I got yours. That extra length made a huge difference. About the only tweak I might like to see is the nub moved up about half an inch. I use my middle finger and I think it would make it more comfortable.

thanks for all you do Jim!

moving the nub higher was a consideration when I first did the design 5 years ago. Maybe not 1/2" as that might bother the racers who drive with their pointer finger, hence my conundrum. I have also thought about a moveable nub.

 

How about some pictures racers of your controller in hand?

[Sloter]

I really like the idea of an adjustable nub and or handle.

 

Bob

[Hot Slots]

My grip

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[Hot Slots]

Back side

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[Rob Voska]

1. The first controller usually picked up is a Parma handle / trigger.

2. I have large hams / hands.

3. I would like to see a handle made smaller, thinner, plain, with parallel sides so an extra piece could be custom molded personal and slipped over the existing handle.  I'm almost thinking a 3D printed block that could be customized.

4. if you want ideas look at what custom high end pistol shooters use as far as adaption & adjustability.

[Terry Tawney]

You can wrap the handle but you need to improve the wiper button not smooth

[Racer36]

Harder to take a picture of your right hand with your left than I thought. lol 

I definitely would like the nub moved up a quarter to a half inch.

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[Jim Difalco]

Harder to take a picture of your right hand with your left than I thought. lol 

I definitely would like the nub moved up a quarter to a half inch.

Dennis, you are correct on taking the picture. It was odd to line it all up with a phone in my left hand and the controller in my right hand.

[mreibman]

ok, so I did some comparisons, and we won't even discuss the tiny "K" brand handles and how uncomforatble THEY are.

 

Red handle is current Difalco handle.

 

Blue handle is Parma handle - on my 1990's difalco external resistor controller.

 

Smoke handle is a Professor Motor handle, which has a large pistol grip portion and oversized top portion.

 

There'll be one more with another pic.

 

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[mreibman]

As for other commentary, I have a 3-d printed guard for the board, not installed in pics, and I think some kind of cover for teh board's top would be nice.

 

[Sloter]

Yes , Please a board cover!

 

Bob

[Jim Difalco]

1. The first controller usually picked up is a Parma handle / trigger.

2. I have large hams / hands.

3. I would like to see a handle made smaller, thinner, plain, with parallel sides so an extra piece could be custom molded personal and slipped over the existing handle.  I'm almost thinking a 3D printed block that could be customized.

4. if you want ideas look at what custom high end pistol shooters use as far as adaption & adjustability.

 

 

If everyone drove a controller like everyone fires a pistol, with their pointer finger, that would make everything easier for me.
 

[Jim Difalco]

Yes , Please a board cover!

 

Bob

I have heard the board cover request before. It is not without merit but that would negate all the silkscreen printing for the knob rotations, ESP switch etc that I have on the PCB. Not to mention limiting the access to the plug in network. Combine that with the different designs I have for my NEO controllers and it would be a pretty tall task for me to accomplish. The insides would have to be completely redesigned with the knobs poking out of a much larger handle with labels affixed to the handle itself. I have over 4500 handles in stock divided into 14 different colors. If I was a young man with 20 more years in the hobby then maybe I could justify doing it.

 

Please explain what you would want to be covered.

[Shiggy]

Jim, I like the current handle just as it is. I have large-ish hands.

Use my index finger on the trigger as close to the pivot as possible.

Always wear a fingerless unpadded bicycle glove for comfort and grip.

Have rounded the edges of the trigger for comfort and reduced the return spring tension to reduce fatigue. 
 

I need to get one of your new triggers. Looks great

[Eddie Fleming]

When I hear board cover my thought is the board on the transistor box down at the track.

[Jim Difalco]

When I hear board cover my thought is the board on the transistor box down at the track.

not sure what they mean which is why I asked.

[Hot Slots]

Like this Eddie?

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[Eddie Fleming]

Something like that. But I would say that may be a little over kill.