Chainpus bluetooth gamepad mount

[Acorns]

Time for a lurker to post, finally!

I acquired my Axim several weeks ago. A family member had bought it earlier, and was using it roughly as one would a Palm m500. To me, this is almost a sin. So I bought them a older Axim, in exchange for the x51v. FPSECE, PocketSNES, GenPlus, Stuntcar Extreme. Fun fun. But, more fun with a gamepad. Too bad there is really only one choice atm.

My first plan was to buy a case for the Axim, then find a way to mount the case on the gamepad. I really don't have the tools or skills to saw it apart and make it fit the Axim. However, after thinking a felt case might be just as effective I went to the local craft store. Didn't end up with felt, but the result is good.

Supplies needed:
Sharpie knife. Much harder without this.
2 "Funky foam" sheets (79c each)
Some hard paper ($2.99) (had to buy an entire package - only needed three sheets.
1 package of industrial strength Velcro ($2.48)
Some decent, quick drying glue ($1.59)

And of course, an axim + gamepad.

The first thing I tried was making a back, and front. The back wrapped around the axim, and the front would be glued to the back. The paper would be used as a support to make the entire thing a bit sturdier. Didn't work out. Axim didn't fit, and the foam didn't glue well. Held to the paper, but not foam to foam. Unfortunately, this is the one I took most of the pictures of. The other was done too fast.





Second try worked a lot better. Made the entire foam part out of one cut. Wrapped the bottom up, then the sides over. Whenever gluing was needed put a piece of paper between the foam. This not only allowed the glue to work, but made the entire thing a lot sturdier.



And yes, the Velcro is strong enough to hold the gamepad, at any angle. Just make sure the Velcro can attach completely - aka, you don't want Velcro wrapped around the side, it needs to make flat contact or it doesn't do much good.



Note that I wanted to do this without damaging the gamepad. Aka, it still needed to be able to close, to fit a phone, etc.



Not pretty, and not near as functional as making the gamepad extend - but it works. Much, much better to hold the gamepad where you wish the screen to be than to prop the screen up or lay it in your lap! Less head cramps, too.