In our assessment kits, we have a wide range of joysticks that offer different sizes, grips and forces required to move them. We use these joysticks with a wide range of controller interfaces for different consoles, such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC), the Hori Flex, the Sony Access Controller and the Catch-22 for PS5 or Nintendo Switch.
A recent addition to our kit is the Very Light Force version of Celtic Magic’s range of Jn Mini Joysticks. This is an additional option now available, alongside the standard force version and the Light Force version of these joysticks. For comparison, the standard version has an ‘operating force’ of 60g, the Light Force is 20g and the Very Light Force is 12g.
To enable the Very Light Force joystick to centre itself back to its middle position, despite how sensitive it is, it uses magnetic centring. Unlike the standard- and light-force versions, the Very Light Force version does not include a stick click button when you click the joystick downwards.
The Jn Mini Joysticks come in separate housing, meaning they can be positioned in an appropriate position to use with various parts of the body. We use mounting trays and arms to position them to be used with a finger, a hand, a foot, or with the chin.
We will incorporate joysticks like this into a controller set-up alongside a games controller and/or accessibility switches, depending on the needs of the individual and the games they want to play. You can see some examples of these set-ups using the ‘Case Study’ tag on both GameAccess and on the SpecialEffect website.
Customisable Options
As well as options for the amount of operational force, the Jn Mini Joysticks can be customised in other ways. This includes the type of housing for how they are held or mounted. Options include the ‘Compact’ and ‘Desktop’ versions, shown above, as well as a hand held version and a version mounted on a small articulated mounting arm.
Whilst the standard force and Light Force Jn joysticks can be ordered with either a 3.5mm or a USB connection, the Very Light Force version of the Jn joystick is only available with a USB connection. This can be ordered for use either as a USB output for gaming via a compatible controller interface, as a mouse, or as WASD outputs.
For mouse, you can also order it with advanced features, including the option to change the sensitivity of each individual direction on the joystick via the Celtic Magic app. More information on the options available with this option, along with the other options available can be found on the Celtic Magic website (https://www.celticmagic.org/jn-joysticks).
Lighter Force Alternatives
When we need an even lighter force of joystick, or one that requires less movement to reach its full output, we will use a Feather Joystick, also from Celtic Magic. Like the Jn Mini Joysticks, we may use this by a hand or with the chin. This is adjustable and can go as low as only requiring 5g of force to activate it (down from a maximum of 20g). More information on the feather joystick can be found on the Celtic magic website: https://www.celticmagic.org/feather
We also use the ‘Dangle’ joystick, again from Celtic Magic. This was previously the closest option to what the Very Light Force Jn Mini Joystick offers, before it was available. This requires very low operational force (10g), but offers a lower profile and position to rest your finger(s) on the joystick than the Feather, if using a hand. It also has a way to access it on the top for chin use. More information on the Dangle joystick can be found on the Celtic Magic website: https://www.celticmagic.org/dangle
When considering the force of a joystick, Celtic Magic state, “It is better that the force a joystick presents is in balance with a user’s current ability, and an extremely light force stick can be just too light and in practice be harder to use.”
Further Information
We hope this has helped as an introduction to the Very Light Force joystick from Celtic Magic. For more information about it and the options available for it, please visit the Jn Mini Joysticks page on Celtic Magic website: https://www.celticmagic.org/jn-joysticks
For information on some of the other joysticks available for gaming, please use our ‘Joysticks‘ sub-category, under ‘Equipment’ on the GameAccess site.
For an overview of the range of controllers, interfaces and joystick and switch peripherals available on the current generation of games consoles, please see our videos introducing these: