I've previously written a review on the iPega 9167 controller (here), but after extensive usage, I realised that the review is not really that in-depth. The controller seems to have one more problem that kinda bug me... and I decide to DIY a solution for it.
DIY 1: Portrait Holder
I think it obvious from the photo that the problem is ... the iPega 9167 cannot allow most phones to be use in portrait position. I only realised this when I downloaded DraStic DS emulator! I know DraStic can be layout to be played in landscape orientation too but I'm so used to playing in portrait just like playing on the NDS!
The controller is just make in the way to fit only phone in landscape orientation. So I came up with a simple solution and that is to fill up the space!
It's a fairly simple project because the width of popsicle sticks just happen to fit nicely into the slot of the controller. So I just have to glue them together till they fill up the space!
Do the same for the other side!
And then you just have to make a small extension to prevent the phone from falling forward when titled toward your body.
Also, don't forget to add a bottom support or you might risk the phone sliding downside... I made a mistake here and ended up having to file 2 openings for the charging and earphone ports. I'm sure there are ways to layout the sticks so that no filing is needed.
Here is a video I did showing how it works:
Well, that is the end of the first DIY project for the iPega 9167! Now let's move to the 2nd one!
DIY 2: Dead Zone "Fix"
In my previous review, I've mentioned that the controller have problem with dead zones... mainly in the diagonal directions.
I've searched up the internet for solutions and found a few. All of them mentioning the need to remove the "yellow plate" around the joysticks.
There are 2 ways of removing the plate:
1) You pry up the plate from the controller body. But doing this, you'll risk breaking the clips that holds the plate down.
2) You open up the controller and remove it from inside. (Here is a YouTube tutorial: link)
Anyway, I went with the 2nd one. It's not that difficult but you do have to be careful. You don't want to break the ribbon cable by accident, that would kill your controller!
Next, I decided to go with moldable plastics and make a plate with more room for the joystick to move around.
Image source: shopee.sg
I've made a video explaining the process and how the moldable plastic works...
Although in the end, the dead zone problem of the joysticks did not go away, it was significantly improved!
Well, these are the 2 DIY projects I did on my iPega 9167 controller! But at the end of the day, although it's not perfect, I still love it!
Erm... well this is not actually a rant but just my thoughts after surviving 2 really exciting Women's Double (WD) group matches!!
The first one was the world No.1 (FUKUSHIMA Yuki and HIROTA Sayaka from Japan) vs the world no.11 (CHOW Mei Kuan and LEE Meng Yean from Malaysia). I'm a huge fan of Japanese Badminton btw.
Well, I was pretty worried for the Japanese pair as Hirota appears with knee brace. After searching around, its that she suffered from ACL (erm...I do not know much about it but it seems "common" to sports players who have to stop suddenly on motion)
Although I don't really see Hirota struggling with the knee brace. She is not as agile and seems to avoid "dangerous" actions like diving and such but definitely moving well enough. But still, the Japanese got to a very bad start and lost their first game, 17 - 21. (For those who don't know, Badminton is best of 3 games)
They seems to pick up their game a little (thanks to the mistakes by their Malaysian opponents) and took the 2nd game, 21 -15.
The 3rd and deciding game was...well, puzzling with the Malaysians losing steam and making mistakes left, right. And Japanese pair took the game relatively easily, 21 - 8.
But wow, it's a super exciting match!! Love how the Japanese were fighting and holding on! Big smiles and always positive! They're my favourite WD pair!!
Next match, right after this one was another Japanese pair, world no. 2 MATSUMOTO Mayu and NAGAHARA Wakana against world no. 24, Canadian pair, Rachel HONDERICH and Kristen TSAI.
The Canadians were off to a good start, controlling most of the 1st game and winning it 14-21. They fought hard but lost the other 2 games, but scores were really close, 19-21 and 18-21.
To be honest, I'm totally impressed by the Canadians. They're very energetic and appears much more confidence and positive throughout. They've lost but I think they did extremely well to push the world no.2 to a 3rd deciding game!
It's nerve wrecking to watch these matches though. Never imaged the formidable Japanese WD to have to play the chasing game. (But well, they've still yet to meet the Chinese or the Koreans)
I really worry for Fukuhiro (Fukushima and Hirota) with Hirota's knee injury... but finger crossed, I hope they medaled!
