Add Laser Mouse page for Atari STM-1 laser board conversion

retro/index.njk

@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ sections:
       - title: "📺 Atari to VGA"
         summary: "Getting the Mega ST onto modern VGA monitors with three RGB-to-VGA adapters: MCSWITCH, a self-build and an ST2VGA Enhanced."
         href: "/retro/atari-vga/"
+      - title: "🖱️ Laser Mouse"
+        summary: "Converting an original Atari STM-1 mouse to a modern laser sensor with the Atari mouse laser board."
+        href: "/retro/laser-mouse/"
   - heading: "Amiga Corner"
     cards:
       - title: "⚔️ Vampire, A600GS or MiSTer"

retro/laser-mouse/index.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+---
+title: "Laser Mouse: Upgrading an Original Atari STM-1 Mouse"
+section: "retro"
+tags: "retro"
+description: "Converting an original Atari STM-1 mouse to a modern laser sensor with the Atari mouse laser board."
+layout: base.njk
+parent: "/retro/"
+---
+<h1>Laser Mouse: Upgrading an Original Atari STM-1 Mouse</h1>
+<div class="detail-content">
+
+<p>I converted an original Atari STM-1 mouse into a laser mouse using the Atari mouse laser board. It keeps the original Atari mouse shell and feel, but replaces the old mechanical/optical innards with a modern laser sensor, so the mouse actually tracks well again.</p>
+
+<h2>The Atari mouse laser board</h2>
+<p>The board is a drop-in upgrade for an original Atari mouse. Instead of the worn-out original mechanism, it uses a laser sensor for smooth, accurate tracking while keeping the classic Atari mouse look. The board is sold by Tim (Lavago) and is available by email order.</p>
+
+<h2>Current version</h2>
+<p>There's a revised version of the board with several updates:</p>
+<ul>
+<li>Green PCB colour.</li>
+<li>A status LED on the board, which can be disabled with a jumper.</li>
+<li>Optimised firmware for even smoother movement.</li>
+<li>New optimised button adapters.</li>
+<li>Improved quality of the covers.</li>
+</ul>
+<p>It's available for Atari forum users by email order for 42 Euro including a 1040ST keychain (not 3D printed). When ordering by email, mention the keyword "Forum" and your address. Email: <a href="mailto:Info@Lavago.de">Info@Lavago.de</a>.</p>
+
+<h2>Why do it</h2>
+<p>The original STM-1 mouse is a classic, but the original sensors are getting tired after decades, and the feel isn't great compared to modern pointing devices. The laser board keeps the authentic Atari mouse shell while making it genuinely usable again, which is a nice middle ground between the original mouse and something like the <a href="/retro/mouster/">mouSTer</a> with a modern USB mouse.</p>
+
+<h2>Gallery</h2>
+<img src="lasermouse.jpg" alt="The converted Atari STM-1 laser mouse" width="640" height="853">
+<p class="caption">The original Atari STM-1 mouse converted to a laser sensor.</p>
+
+<h2>Sources</h2>
+<ul>
+<li>Atari mouse laser board - available by email from Tim (Lavago): <a href="mailto:Info@Lavago.de">Info@Lavago.de</a></li>
+</ul>
+</div>