Newbie question: What do I need to get started?

[CanadianRyGuy]

Looking to do a bartop style cabinet, but don't know what I need lol. Whats the difference between, ultimate/competition joysticks? same for different types of buttons? Then do I need a USB Game Contorl Interface to plug everything into? Is there a cheaper method? And what is I-PAC2/4? I've heard alot about them, but dont know what it is or if I need one lol. Cheers.

[andrewbean90]

a small form factor pc

[HaRuMaN]

I-Pac is a hardware device that allows you to interface your controls to your PC.

The -2 is 2 player, and the -4 is 4 player.

[DashRendar]

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

[CheffoJeffo]

Do not buy Ultimate joysticks. They are sloppy, sloppy. They were my first arcade-related purchase and pretty much the only arcade-related purchase that I have ever regretted.

[CanadianRyGuy]

Which would you then recommend?

[javeryh]

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

+1.  

Welcome!  When you are done reading the wiki, read it a few more times and then when you are done with that read saint's book and then read as many project threads as you can.  Also, whatever you decide you will most likely want to change at some point in the future!

There are many differences between all types of joysticks and buttons and most of them come down to personal preference.  You will need a keyboard encoder (iPac or Keywiz are the popular ones).  

[CheffoJeffo]

Everybody has an opinion and there are eleventy "What is the best joystick" threads that you can read.

First question, though, is what kind of games do you want to play ? Are you a classic fan who would want a Wico leaf stick ? Are you a fighter guy who is worried about hitting diagonals ? etc.

[CanadianRyGuy]

Yeah I've definately read the main page a couple times, there were just some things that weren't made crystal clear, at least to me. Its taken me a while to kinda put some things together on my own, espescially since the main page seems like its a little outdated (though still a good resource, not complaining). Like for instance I knew I needed a keyboard controller, but I didn't now that that was what an I-Pac was and that I-Pac 2 was for two playes and I-Pac 4 was four players. Seems simple but little things like that I kinda had to piece together myself. Anywho... I'm not a huge fighter guy, but would still certainly like to play them, and have them work properly too lol. It just seems like theres only 1 or 2 dollars between costs of the different joysticks (Ultimate, Super, Competition, etc) is there one that is just superior? I have a feeling its all just preference. Appreciate all the help anyways guys! Cheers.

[bkenobi]

You can spend a lot more on joysticks if you want.  The U360 is a popular recommendation for the guy who wants one stick to do everything.

[Ginsu Victim]

+9000 to the U360. Best stick ever.

[DashRendar]

Yeah I've definately read the main page a couple times, there were just some things that weren't made crystal clear, at least to me.

Yep- don't read the main page, read the BYOAC Wiki that I linked to.

It's much more up to date and easier to navigate through than the main page.  You would have easily found information about IPACs and other encoders.  Lots of good info in the Wiki.   

[DashRendar]

Oh, and -

+9000 to the U360. Best stick ever.

+9001

[Havok]

Oh, and -

+9000 to the U360. Best stick ever.

+9001

Especially if you're limp wristed! I wish they had a stiffer spring. The heavy one is still wimpy. They're not my primary sticks so I never bothered, but one of these days I have to hit the hardware store and find something stronger...

[Ginsu Victim]

The stiff spring is good enough for me. The original is way too light.

[Havok]

The stiff spring is good enough for me. The original is way too light.

Then you need to get pumped up you little girlie man!



 

[CanadianRyGuy]

So even though the Ultrastick 360 is ~60 bucks, it completely eliminates the need for an I-Pac? and is the better controller?

[Ginsu Victim]

Depending on how many buttons you want to use, it can eliminate the need for one, yes.

[CanadianRyGuy]

hmmm, yeah the website says it can have up to 8 buttons for each one. 6 buttons+1 insert coin+1 start = 1 controller. No room left for anything else. Hmmm have to think about that one.

[Ginsu Victim]

I have two U360s, but still use a minipac.

[clok]

Looking to do a bartop style cabinet, but don't know what I need lol. Whats the difference between, ultimate/competition joysticks? same for different types of buttons? Then do I need a USB Game Contorl Interface to plug everything into? Is there a cheaper method? And what is I-PAC2/4? I've heard alot about them, but dont know what it is or if I need one lol. Cheers.

Building an Arcade cab is alot like detailing a car. Some people will like green, some will like blue, etc. Picking the "best" is never going to get you the same answer from everybody.  When i Built mine ages ago ( i think I had to chop down the trees for my wood, no fancy Home Depot back then 

It can be quite daunting nowdays, its good and bad. WHen I built mine there where like 2 choices on encoders if you where not going to hack a keyboard or old PC joystick, USB was not the standard it is now, Trackballs where pure Hacked in controls and Leafspring buttons where NORMAL!!!!(some things are worse nowdays). Choices where simple back then, nowdays its almost overwhelming the amount of cool stuff you can buy, and the amount of the same item in different prices and options (encoders) you can pick.

As so many have mentioned the Wiki is a MUST read.

Things I learned when I built mine:

Keep it simple on the first try, if you really are an Arcade Nut you will Build another. I built mine with a frankenpanel, no regrets on that part, in fact i wish i had spent more time figureing out to add more.

layout, never underestimate how important it is. I wish i had done mine different, but hindsite is 20/20.

I dont think you can make to many bad choices on parts, and most are not so much $$ that a mistake would cost you to much (joysticks and buttons).

Quaility, when I built my first one I rushed the last 30% of it as it got closer to being finished I wanted to use it badly and rushed . Not good when its the DETAILS that show you how well its done. Of course we all dont have all the tools and equipment to make the showpieces. SO when you are done never worry that its not as nice as cab XXX, somebody out there is alwasy going to make you dream what "could have been" (damn you Kenevil!!!!)

Have fun, if its not fun its not worth doing.

[ubiquityman]

CanadianRyGuy,
See my recent comments in the review section about the U360.
I purchased a Happ competition joystick for evaluation purposes, but I'm using two Sanwa JLW and two U360s.

IMHO, every 2 or 4 player control panel needs to have at least two U360s.

Here are some of the reasons to go with the U360:

1. It's analog so in Mame, you don't have to "remap" the joystick for 2-way, 4-way or 8-way.  Mame will take care of that.  This makes a HUGE impact on convenience.

2. It works as an analog joystick so games like Sinistar (playable) and Gauntlet Legends (currently, not playable) will work properly.

3. Where needed, you can rotate the axis (see my comments in the Review section)

4. You can program a button as shift effectively getting 14 functions out of 8 buttons.  (I personally don't use this feature).

5. It's non-contact sensing won't wear out like a potentiometer analog joystick.  (or a microswitch joystick)

[DeLuSioNal29]

Videos are always a great way to get inspired.  How to video section:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80229.msg837804#msg837804