Android Tablet PS3 / Xbox360 Controller Mount - I made it at TechShop

The new Nexus 7 is a fantastic gaming platform. But for some of use, the holy grail is to have a mobile gaming power with the better controls from a physical gamepad. Touch screen controls can only go so far. 

In this instructable, I go though how to create a mount for a Nexus 7 Android tablet. It's light, cheap, and does what it is designed to do really well. Basically, BEST. ANDROID. ACCESSORY. EVER.

This can also be adapted to fit other controllers and other Android devices.

I made this at TechShop. The tools there really helped make this doable.

http://www.techshop.ws

Step 1: Materials

Hopefully you already have at least these things laying around your house.

Nexus 7 Tablet - $200

PS3 / Xbox controller - $50


For the Mount

1/8" dia x 48" Mild Steel Rod -$3 (OR 1/8" dia x 48" Copper Rod)

48" of 1/8" MDPC Expandable Tubing - Comes in packs of 20' rolls for $7
This is the stuff that people use to manage cables inside of computers. But you want to have a flexible tube that won't scratch your device.

1/8" Heat Shrink Tubing - $2
For some grippy stuff and to clean up the ends.


Tools:
A big vice

bending tools

measuring tape

Step 2: Bending for the Controller

The idea is to work from the middle out. Pick the shape that will work best with the controller and the device.

As far as I can thing of there are two ways to attach the controller. By making a clamping U shape to across the back, facing up and across the front, facing toward the device. I'm doing the latter.

1. Bend in half with the end having a small radius. 0.5 to 1"

2. Create a V shape, this will act as a lock for the controller later. (This can be tricky)

3. Bend around the end of the controller and back to the front.

4. Create the opposite V at the end of that. (This V is slighter than the first one)

5. Position the end to be out of the way of the middle buttons on the controller and at the correct angle for the device.

Step 3: Bending for the Device

Starting from the two ends sticking out parallel from the controller part;

1. Bend outwards to make a BIG V

2. Measure the correct angle and distance to put the corners of the device inline with that V.

3. Bend up at those points to make the back.

4. Bend forward across the device.

5. Bend down to complete the mount


At this point you should have a lot of extra metal rod. Just cut that off at the proper location and call it good.

Step 4: Softgoods

This is just a wire frame. You don't want to scratch your stuff. So take the MDPC tube and cover the entire length with it.

Then add the heat shrink.

Good locations include:
-The bottom of the controller
-The bottom of the device
-The top of the device


Then use a little bit of heat shrink to close off the metal ends showing.

And your done! You might want to do a little manual bending to get it just right though. 

In order to actually play games using the PS3 controller though, you will either have to play games that already are built for wired gamepads and then use a OTG usb cable

OR

Download the Sixaxis app from the app store and emulate the touch controls. This method really opens up gaming options!

Go Play!

Comments

[Farid007]

if you own an ipad what can you do????

[billyjoeface]

Get an android?

[instructamaker]

That is really awesome

[Atlas Portal 2]

whats the game your playing in the picture

[chase32615]

Would a kyros tablet work?

[La cacatua carmesi]

A question I forgot on the last comment, which free games do you recommend me to play with the ps3 controller, an what app should I download to use it the bluetooth way?

[madebyjoe]

For free games, you can't go wrong with Dead Trigger. It's one of the best games out right now & free on top of that! Modern Combat or whatever they're calling these new combat FPS, is also good. For the bluetooth connectivity, you want Sixaxis Controller by Dancing Pixel Studios.

[Gillidog1]

I was thinking about getting the Nexus 7, is it worth it?

[madebyjoe]

Most "worth it" tablet on the market right now in my opinion! Nothing beats that kind of performance at $200. I've even been using it more than my ipad. If you do get one though, do yourself a favor and get the 8gb. You think you need more but unless you are a hard core gamer or audiophile and this is your only device, you don't need more than that. The cloud has got your back.

Btw, I'm a gamer and an audiophile and I do just fine with an 8gb anyways.

[La cacatua carmesi]

Wait a minute... I just bought the Samsung Galaxy Tab p1000, and because it is a bit old for most geeks, I only paid 180$ for it, and it comes with micro sd slot and the best audio quality I've seen on an Android tablet.

[Gillidog1]

thanks, im hoping to get one soon

[ride on toy dude]

Hate to be a party pooper but they just came out with a playstation gaming tablet that has part of the controller on each side. Its called the Razer Fiona I believe

[LogTrotter]

You are incorrect.
The Razer Fiona is made by "Razer' a company that makes gaming computers and accecories.
They havent made anything that works with PS3 I think.

It looks really cool though!

[batboy101]

does it work

[mikeasaurus]

Fun idea! How long can you play before it gets too heavy?

[madebyjoe]

About as long as you care to hold a tablet. The controller and mount don't feel that heavy because their center of gravity is nearly inside your grip. With the tablet attached that feeling is less so. It's heavier, but also easier to hold.

[rfulcher]

Here's a what-if...
Mod this so the controller and your hands are beneath the tablet. If you're a serious gamer, you're not looking at your hands anyhow. That might help to reposition the center of gravity, bring the screen closer, and make the whole thing seem lighter. Probably depends, though, on your resting position when you're playing ...
Cool idea, though! Can't wait to get a tablet of my own. One day...

[madebyjoe]

Now this might be a bit premature here, but I am thinking about going back to the drawing board on this one for some big improvements. Next one will be molded carbon fiber. Super strong, super light, and a snap on design with a little bit of padding. Position of the controller is not for certain though. If it's beneath the tablet, that might pose some interference with range of motion.

[dokcal]

Might be nice to cut the controller in half and mount each side to the sides of your tablet. Have to run a few wires through the carbon-fiber housing, but I would think the balance would be much better.

[littleguy77]

Heh, I thought of this too. Unfortunately when I cracked open the PS3 and xbox controllers, there were chips all over the middle of the printed circuitboards. The boards had many more traces than I was expecting, so it's a no-go for all but the most insane hacker.

[kchapman8]

Would it work if you kept the board in a sort of "holster"? Or you're saying there's way too many small wires? Cut the controller in half, attach each half to a ratcheting type tablet mount, like you'd get for a car mount. Build a small box that would hold the circuit board, mount eye screws, or something of the like, to the box, and have it ride on the tablet mount" rail". Put wires in heat shrink, or perhaps a coiling wrap. I kinda like that idea. Now, I need someone's spare controller :-)

[littleguy77]

It would be all but impossible to physically cut the printed circuit board and retain functionality. The joysticks are soldered onto the board, but with a little effort could be desoldered and remounted somewhere else. The triggers could also be moved, but they don't come out as a solid unit... usually their hinges and stuff are integrated into the controller's housing... so this would be trickier. For the dpad and buttons, you could buy some aftermarket tactile buttons or something, mount them wherever you like, and solder some wires from the circuitboard to the buttons. With a lot of care you could probably get something decent to work.

[dokcal]

BUMMER!

[madebyjoe]

I think you're missing the point. The process should be non-destructive.

[dokcal]

Ah, I see. We have different points.

[kchapman8]

After using mine for over a week now, I'd like to give some more thought to balance. Don't get me wrong, it's ok for about an hour at a time, in my experience, but a little more balancing could make this a terrific accessory. I've already had numerous people asking where I bought mine.

[kchapman8]

There's mine. Minus the expandable tubing. That's a Portenzo case, and the mount does mar the case a little bit, but, it's a case. It's gonna have some damage. Thanks for the idea.

[Nettiemac]

Would this work with a netbook? I don't have a tablet, but do have a netbook, and this could be fun to use with it.

[ride on toy dude]

newer xbox controllers plug in with a usb port so you might be able to get it to work that way. Dont know bout the software or anything. They do have controllers that are designed for pc gaming and are compatible with a multitude of games. maybe you should try that out.

[Nettiemac]

Thanks for this information.

[kchapman8]

Where can I buy the expandable tubing? Couldn't find it on Radio Shack website. Very cool idea by the way

[madebyjoe]

I got it at Fry's

[RoosterSocks]

Is that Dead Space you are playing?

[madebyjoe]

Nope, Dead Trigger. Only way I know to play console games on it is through Onlive.

[singapura]

There's an app called Kainy that allows you to play PC games on your Android device. It works with joypads too.

[Evening Newbs]

There's an Android version of Dead Space, too.

[origamic12]

Thanks for the idea! Made one for my n7 with materials I had around the house. I just used hanger wire with paracord sheathing for protection. Its not as sturdy as yours, but sturdy enough to use. It also works as a table stand with the controller-holding part clipped on the edge of a table.

[advilinda]

Where's Bender when you need him!?

[jollymoon]

WOW!

I have questions. How does the controller hook up? is it USB, MiniUSB or what?

And I GOTS to know... what are you using to play PS3/XBOX games on your android???

I too have an 8 gig android 4.0 and just can't wait to hear from you...

[madebyjoe]

If you have not rooted your device, then you have to go the wired route. You will need an OTG (on the go) USB cable for android tablets and phones. Check amazon, cheap and nice to have. Then you need a non-specific wired controller. I have tested a wired 360 controller and ps3 controller connected through its usb out. Others should work. BUT it will only work properly with games that have controller functionality built in. For example, Shadowrun, Onlive, Dead Trigger, or GTA3.

Other games might not have that, but do have hardware button mapping. You won't get analog, but it treats the controller as an extension of the hardware. Good for older system emulators.

BUT what you REALLY want is to root your device and get Sixaxis Control. It allows for wireless bluetooth communication between the device and a ps3 controller. It supports the above methods wirelessly AND touch screen mapping. So you map the buttons onto an overlay of the touch controls. This makes EVERY game playable. AND it supports multiple wireless controllers at once! Practically turns it into a portable console.

BTW, that was not a console game, that was Dead Trigger. A free android and iOS game that looks and plays amazing. Technology has come a long way. If you want actual console games on your tablet, check out Onlive.