How to tell if Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro is USB supported? (read body text)

Posted by dandan787@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 29 comments

A little new compared to some of the stuff on here, but I have a sidewinder precision pro, and to my knowledge there was 2 releases: the original which uses standard gameport, and a second release which came with a gameport to usb adapter. Problem is I cannot find much of anything online that gives definitive answers on how to tell which model is which. Im leaning toward mine being usb compatible but I’m not sure and don’t want to risk damage to any of my devices, so I figured I’d ask y'all for help! If it is the one that released with USB compatibility, any info on what adapter to buy that will work for it would be much appreciated. And if it's not the USB compatible model, do I have any options to make it usable it with USB? Thanks in advance y'all

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Sokanas@reddit

Usb-Serial adapter (RS232 - USB) would do the trick. Super cheap cable adapter.

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Could you link me one?

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Why-am-I-here-anyway@reddit

I still have one in the "just in case I ever need it" bin...

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GroundbreakingEar450@reddit

dont even need an adapter. i converted mine to usb myself. cut the end off and soldered a USB-A connector on it. ive used it on wons of games, modern ones as well, such as MS flight sim 2020.

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Js987@reddit

Apparently X03-57540 *is* one of the ones that came with a USB adapter https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=85931 so it should work with the original. That’s assuming you can find one of the original adapters.

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Would this adapter be suitable? https://www.pccables.com/Sort/6/8IN-USB-JOYSTICK-ADAPTER-FOR-MICROSOFT-SIDEWINDER

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Js987@reddit

It looks like it.

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Thank you!!

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Scoth42@reddit

Hardware-wise something like this would work: https://github.com/necroware/gameport-adapter for the game port-only version.

For the specific adapter if it is the USB-compatible version, I think you'd be pretty much limited to the adapter that came with it. Maybe some of the other Sidewinders.

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Would this adapter be suitable? https://www.pccables.com/Sort/6/8IN-USB-JOYSTICK-ADAPTER-FOR-MICROSOFT-SIDEWINDER

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Scoth42@reddit

Probably. It seems to say it is, as long as yours is the model that supports USB

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Thanks

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

I see, thank you

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borgie_83@reddit

I had the Sidewinder 3D Pro. Loved using it for Mechwarrior 2 and Wing Commander III and IV.

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Low-Charge-8554@reddit

Your model (if you bothered to google the model number) is a usb-compatible precision pro sidewinder. You need and adapter like this:https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fretrocables.es%2F2797-superlarge_default%2Fadaptador-sidewinder-precision-pro-a-usb.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=cd42e541f6bce76c893eee6872ca86ef473119346f08446396979cb835cb7b79

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Would this adapter be suitable? https://www.pccables.com/Sort/6/8IN-USB-JOYSTICK-ADAPTER-FOR-MICROSOFT-SIDEWINDER

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dandan787@reddit (OP)

Hey no need to be rude, for your information I DID search the model number and much else, but there Is a lot of conflicting info out there, that's the entire reason I came to this subreddit, for clarification and to be sure I’m correct on what I‘ve learned, there's no reason for such passive aggressiveness, although thank you for the link

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Amazing_Actuary_5241@reddit

It can be converted to USB. I'd have to find the pin out for the cable since I don't remember but I did convert one for a friend's daughter and it works great.

I replaced the cable entirely with a 10 foot braided USB cable. There are 2 pairs of pins that need to be connected and then the USB cable soldered on.

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Neither-Ad-8914@reddit

Isn't that a standard gameport db15? If so they have a converter for it to USB which was pretty cheap I used it on a Logitech sidekick earlier this year

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