Guide to GameTrak (dis/re)assembly

This is a quick guide to disassembling parts from a GameTrak and reassembling them into a more useful configuration.

To open the GameTrak you first need to rip off the feet cushions on the bottom of the controller. The screws are hidden under them.

Once you've done that you can pull the top cover off and start taking out the weights (in the corners). It will look somewhat like the picture below (I've taken out one of the string mechanisms already).

Start unscrewing the string receptacle (the big container with the wires going into it). BE CAREFUL: be sure to only unscrew the parts connecting the receptacle to the base (the corners, in slightly deeper holes), not the screws that keep the container together.

If you take apart the container you will have a really greasy constant force spring unravelling into your face. It is not pleasant. Another reason to not take it apart is because the potentiometer contraption that reads the string length only works when the spring is in place. Without it, you can only read X and Y position from the joystick.

I'm guessing most people aren't going to want the wheel below the joystick. Removing the wheel requires clipping the washer on the left side of the spoke (in the picture below) with a small wire cutter and then you can just push the spoke out from the wheel.

Alternatively, you can unscrew the wheel holder from the base. You'll have to unscrew the joystick board from the top in order to access the screw underneath it (also shown in the picture below).

You can cut the wires at any time - just make sure you'll have enough length from each component to solder extensions. 

At this point you should have the string receptacle and the joystick board free from the base.

Fortunately for us, the GameTrak manufacturers originally designed the joystick board to fit on the end of the string receptacle. Evidence of this is the weird looking end on the string receptacle (bottom left photo), which fits the joystick perfectly. The board snaps in easily, perfectly lined up with the opening in the string receptacle (bottom right pic).

And there you have it! It has all the functionality of a GameTrak in a compact, portable configuration. Plug the wires into an Arduino and you have a pretty slick X, Y, and string length sensor.