Xbox Adaptive Controller: Joysticks on X1/X2 ports disabled when USB ports active

... if I connected the joystick with a serial to USB adapter to the Xbox Adaptive Controller, would it work? If so, what type of adapter would I need?

In order for the Adaptive Controller to recognize an USB joystick, the USB adapter would present itself as a HID-compliant (Human Interface Device) Joystick.

Most USB to Serial adapters however advertise themselves as a serial COM Port, so normal USB to 9-pin converters won't work.

You could try to
contact Curtiss Wright, the maker of the Compact Joystick, if they know of an USB adapter that makes this joystick available as an actual USB Joystick device.

When talking to Curtiss Wright, make absolutely sure that they are aware of the HID Joystick requirement. A serial port USB adapter will not do the trick!

...So, does the Xbox Adaptive Controller work with any USB 2.0 HIDs?

I have a TetraMouse XA (http://tetramouse.com), which is a proportional USB mouth joystick that controls the mouse on a PC, and it is not recognized by the Adaptive Controller.

Thank you,

Joe

As the page about the Adaptive Controller states, it supports USB 2.0 HID
Gamepad and Joysticks only. It seems that the TetraMouse XA is a HID Mouse device, not a gamepad and joystick (despite the fact it uses sticks to control the mouse cursor).

So I'm afraid, that currently the TetraMouse doesn't work, unless you
contact TetraLite and ask them to provide a special firmware, that makes the TetraMouse identify as an analogue Joystick in case of the TMXA2, or as a digital gamepad for the "standard" TetraMouse.

Unless the firmware on the device actually tells the USB Port "Look, I'm a HID Joystick, not a mouse!", the device should work with the adaptive controller.

If you only want to use the joystick, then no.

Only officially licensed Xbox controllers will work on the console (with the exception of standard HID USB keyboards for text entry).

However, the official Xbox Adaptive controller that is aimed at gamers with disabilities also has two USB ports, and supposedly some PC joysticks work on that.

This is however a "your mileage may vary" thing, as the Joystick probably will only be able to use it's X and Y axis, and not much else.

If you want a fully fledged Joystick that you can also use on the PC, you might want to look at the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One: http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/tflight-hotas-one

Logitech is the official accessories partner for the adaptive controller and the joystick he mentions is listed as officially compatible on the XAC website. The adaptive controller provides the security chip for approved accessories like the Rock Band adapter before it

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-adaptive-controller

My experience dealing with logitech support on the adaptive buttons leads me to believe that no one there really knows anything about the adaptive controller, and they are simply throwing your back to Microsoft because they don’t have answers for you.

I would suggest asking to speak to a supervisor, and possibly arranging an exchange as the joystick may be defective.. Also please try plugging other accessories into the USB ports on the adaptive controller in order to make sure those ports are properly functional

Hi there,

The
Xbox Adaptive Controller only comes with the USB cable to charge the controller. You can
connect external devices such as switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks to create a custom controllers experience that is uniquely yours. Button,
thumb-stick and trigger inputs are controlled with assistive devices (sold separately) connected through 3.5mm jacks and USB ports.

Hope this information helps.