New options for adding XBox One to an arcade stick have emerged this month. There are 3 new xb1 third party controllers that were released this month. Two are made by PowerA: Xbox1 Spectra ($50) and Xbo1 mini ($40). One is made by PDP: Xbox1 Rockcandy ($40)
[update 2/3/2015] Added Horipad for xb1 to the list.
I will separate the info of each controller into the next three posts. I'll leave the first post as a summery and info for the trigger inversion.
![20141029_215207.jpg]()
Rockcandy Pros
-Cheapest pad other than the mini.
- Comes with long white micro usb cable that has a breakaway end.
- Comes with 3 day Xbox Live Gold
- Comes with $10 PDP reward card...what that means IDK yet.
- Has an onboard micro usb jack.
Rockcandy Cons
- Triggers need inverting
- Size is in between the other two
- Much like the MS pad it has two pcbs that connect together. Better to remove the top pcb as you'll want to solder to the TP on the bottom.
Mini Pros
- Cheapest pad other than the rockcandy.
- Contact spots are easily read on front. Has alt TP on back, but labels aren't obvious
- Smallest pcb
- Can get cool colored usb cables
Mini Cons
- Triggers need inverting
Spectra Pros
- Can be hacked to also add led effects to clear buttons. Not as advanced as using a separate led controller board, but its better then nothing.
- Contact spots are labeled on front and for alt TP on the back
- Dpad pcb can be easily removed.
Spectra Cons
- Retail price is more expensive than the other two pads.
- Both sets of triggers and shoulder buttons need to be inverted. Not really that big an issue if using hex inverters though.
- Largest size pcb out of the three.
Horipad Pros
- No trigger inverting.
- Easy solder points.
- Pricing matches others.
- Has IR leds.
Horipad Cons
- Shape is kind of weird?
- Most likely have to order online.
The winner is the Horipad if you can get a hold of one as not having to do a trigger inverting is going to be more useful for most people. Otherwise its a toss up between the mini and rockcandy. Pretty much the rockcandy has a better deal if you buy it new as you get the extra lil freebies plus the onboard micro usb jack is nice too. The mini might be easier for people to solder to though.
Trigger inversion:
Since the triggers on all three pads are active high we will need to add a hex inverter to make them active low. We can reuse the same method that was used on the madcatz 360 pads that also had active high triggers. Note that in Toodle's schematic he used the A/Y pair 1 and 2. I will be using pair 1 and 6 to make wire routing easier.
![schematicg.jpg%7Eoriginal.jpg]()
I'm using the 74HCT04N chip. Pins are labeled.
![20141029_211653.jpg]()
I'll be using the dead-bug setup. Since its on its back all the pins will be flipped. It is important to remember this.
![20141029_211723.jpg]()
Here is an example of the 10k ohm resistors soldered to the pins.
![20141029_212112.jpg]()
Her is an example of 10k ohm SMD resistors soldered instead.
![20141029_212524.jpg]()
Example of how it would be wired up to a Rockcandy pad. 1A would be wired to the sticks RT button and 6A would be wired to the sticks LT button.
![20141029_220059.jpg]()
[update 2/3/2015] Added Horipad for xb1 to the list.
I will separate the info of each controller into the next three posts. I'll leave the first post as a summery and info for the trigger inversion.
Rockcandy Pros
-Cheapest pad other than the mini.
- Comes with long white micro usb cable that has a breakaway end.
- Comes with 3 day Xbox Live Gold
- Comes with $10 PDP reward card...what that means IDK yet.
- Has an onboard micro usb jack.
Rockcandy Cons
- Triggers need inverting
- Size is in between the other two
- Much like the MS pad it has two pcbs that connect together. Better to remove the top pcb as you'll want to solder to the TP on the bottom.
Mini Pros
- Cheapest pad other than the rockcandy.
- Contact spots are easily read on front. Has alt TP on back, but labels aren't obvious
- Smallest pcb
- Can get cool colored usb cables
Mini Cons
- Triggers need inverting
Spectra Pros
- Can be hacked to also add led effects to clear buttons. Not as advanced as using a separate led controller board, but its better then nothing.
- Contact spots are labeled on front and for alt TP on the back
- Dpad pcb can be easily removed.
Spectra Cons
- Retail price is more expensive than the other two pads.
- Both sets of triggers and shoulder buttons need to be inverted. Not really that big an issue if using hex inverters though.
- Largest size pcb out of the three.
Horipad Pros
- No trigger inverting.
- Easy solder points.
- Pricing matches others.
- Has IR leds.
Horipad Cons
- Shape is kind of weird?
- Most likely have to order online.
The winner is the Horipad if you can get a hold of one as not having to do a trigger inverting is going to be more useful for most people. Otherwise its a toss up between the mini and rockcandy. Pretty much the rockcandy has a better deal if you buy it new as you get the extra lil freebies plus the onboard micro usb jack is nice too. The mini might be easier for people to solder to though.
Trigger inversion:
Since the triggers on all three pads are active high we will need to add a hex inverter to make them active low. We can reuse the same method that was used on the madcatz 360 pads that also had active high triggers. Note that in Toodle's schematic he used the A/Y pair 1 and 2. I will be using pair 1 and 6 to make wire routing easier.
I'm using the 74HCT04N chip. Pins are labeled.
I'll be using the dead-bug setup. Since its on its back all the pins will be flipped. It is important to remember this.
Here is an example of the 10k ohm resistors soldered to the pins.
Her is an example of 10k ohm SMD resistors soldered instead.
Example of how it would be wired up to a Rockcandy pad. 1A would be wired to the sticks RT button and 6A would be wired to the sticks LT button.
