Hey,

As you know, we don’t have a link cable, or a suitable connector available for the VB. There’s several ways to make a cable that works, but in the end, it’s mostly ugly hacks for development/prototyping. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to make a quality cable that would just plug in… but so far have been unsuccessful.

So… it got me thinking… how about just making a proper cable? I contacted a custom part manufacturer (who I’ve used parts from in the past), and they said they could do it, but of course wouldn’t be “cheap”. I sort of based my design thoughts on the SNES A/V connector, which includes a plastic shell with crimp pins. So, I found some crimp pins which should work, but I didn’t have any way to make a 3D model of the plastic shell.

Well, of course I asked Hedgetrimmer (our resident 3D modeling expert), and he created a GREAT model of a plastic shell to house the pins. With that, I was able to verify with the MFG that it could be made, as well as get an estimate for price.

So, now here’s the question. They were right… it’s not cheap. A complete link cable would cost about $40, since the quantity would be so low. At this price, how many would be interested (and how many)? Would anyone want just the connector/pins?

There’d probably only be about 50 cables made, and this would probably be the only run, since I’m assuming the demand would be low. I don’t mind investing the money (and probably losing quite a bit on this project), since I think it’s a very worthwhile project… but, if I’m the only one that has any interest in it, there’s no point in even considering it further.

But, IMO this seems like a good time to pursue this, since homebrew is continually advancing, and I think linked homebrew has been held down by lack of link cable. Also, I assume some will be buying the new Flashboy, even though they already have an old Flashboy… so with two flash carts, why not have a cable to link the systems?

Of course, if there’s an unanticipated large interest in this, the price would come down… but we’re a pretty small community, and the homebrew crowd is really the only market for this.

Thanks,
DogP

Great news DogP. As soon as it arrives please post some pictures 🙂

It got here MUCH faster than expected (1 week with shipping, compared to the expected 3 weeks). 🙂 It looks good, but unfortunately, I think there are still a couple tweaks to make.

And I think the red color looks kinda cool, but I think black looks better. For the next print I might try white or translucent… just ‘cuz.

DogP

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That looks pretty dang cool.

Omg! Must have!

Wow! If that was in black, it would look 1st party! Gotta love the VB silhouette.

Count me in. My attempt at that looked pretty rough lol.

Wow, that’s really cool. Black is the way to go though.

AAMOI what are you using for the contacts on these prototypes ?

black would look 1st party, but this isn’t a 1st party project. i really like the red because it pops and it adds a nice contrast. i won’t see it when i’m gaming but others will, and i feel like it would generate more conversation when someone asks “what is that red cable connected to your PC?”.

I agree with you Lester on this one, red does look the nuts and pops with “look what I’m doing with my virtual boy”. But saying that, this is your project dogp and ill be happy what ever route you decide to take.

MineStorm wrote:
AAMOI what are you using for the contacts on these prototypes ?

With these, we’re using pins from female USB sockets… soldered to a PCB that holds them in place inside the shell. The early models tried to use a Molex crimp pin, but they were almost too tall, and required a pretty precise mold to have the tangs hold the pins in place.

Lester Knight wrote:
i really like the red because it pops and it adds a nice contrast.

VBmills wrote:
I agree with you Lester on this one, red does look the nuts and pops with “look what I’m doing with my virtual boy”.

Yeah, I agree that it does kinda “pop”… and if I am able to do multiple colors for a reasonable price, I’ll probably get some done in red. One thought was red for USB, black for link cable… or something like that.

DogP

if you do a limited red run, put me down for both cables. =)

and if you don’t? — put me down for both cables! =)

With these, we’re using pins from female USB sockets… soldered to a PCB that holds them in place inside the shell.

Do you have a photo ?

That’s pretty amazing, quite a technological accomplishment! I think I side with the “black only” group, although it would be awesome to make your VB imprint stand out by making that red somehow (probably cost prohibitive though heh). I’ll take a USB and regular link one when available 🙂

Lester Knight wrote:
if you do a limited red run, put me down for both cables. =)

and if you don’t? — put me down for both cables! =)

Took the words out my mouth! Ill take one of each.

I Will also buy those cables 🙂

MineStorm wrote:

With these, we’re using pins from female USB sockets… soldered to a PCB that holds them in place inside the shell.

Do you have a photo ?

I don’t have one open right now to take a pic… but it’s just a small PCB that’s captured inside the shell that has pins from a USB socket soldered to it.

HP Lovethrash wrote:
I think I side with the “black only” group, although it would be awesome to make your VB imprint stand out by making that red somehow (probably cost prohibitive though heh).

Yeah, I’ll probably paint the VB red on one of mine, for display. I don’t think paint would hold up to continued use though… and yeah, trying to do two colors of plastic would certainly be expensive.

DogP

That’s what I figured, but I’ll do some kind of paint too most likely. Maybe if you guys designed a less useful and less awesome product, I would never touch it and the paint would last forever 😉

Count me in!

I would definitely get at least one cable. Considering all things, I don’t think $40 is all that bad actually.

Count me in too for at least one cable!
$40 seems could be a good price considering time for making this long-awaiting item!