Comparison

[orchidius]

Hi there,

After having to wait patiently for the summerholiday to come, the start of my first arcade-build is finally approaching! I'm starting to order all the parts I need online, and they're slowly comming through. I do still have a dilemma or two though... Maybe you guys can help!

• First off, my CP will be LED-lighted, so I need a LED-drive. Obviously my first thought was the well known LEDwiz from GGG:
  http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=239
  
  But a couple days ago, I bumped into another LED-drive that's about half the price:
  http://www.arcadeshop.de/Illuminating-LEDdrive-16_650.html
  
  Is there any big difference (other then the number of output ports)? What about software? Would I be fine by just using LEDblinky with both of them or is other software needed? Any advantages of the LEDwiz there?
• Secondly, there's joysticks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've read, there's supposed to be 2 main kinds: microswitch based joysticks and digital joysticks. What's the big difference there (other then price obviously), why would one go for either kind? Any advantages/disadvantages? What about feel? Do the digital ones just feel like big N64 joystick?
• Lastly there's switches... I'm totally in the dark on this one. I know there's a couple different kinds (these are the ones GGG supplies with their buttons):
  Standard Soft Touch™
  GroovyMicro™ Premium Soft-Touch
  Micro-Leaf™ Style
  True-Leaf™
  Versa-Micro™ User Adjustable Switch
  
  But what are the big differences there? Why would one pick a leaf switch over a standard soft touch? I've heard about some "annoying clicking" in the normal microswitches, but if I recall correctly, didn't all the original arcade buttons used to make a bit of a click?

Thanks a bunch!

[CheffoJeffo]

• Secondly, there's joysticks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've read, there's supposed to be 2 main kinds: microswitch based joysticks and digital joysticks. What's the big difference there (other then price obviously), why would one go for either kind? Any advantages/disadvantages? What about feel? Do the digital ones just feel like big N64 joystick?

<Correction>
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Joysticks
</Correction>

 

[Sjaak]

The second LED-drive looks a lot like the PAC-Drive from Ultimarc. It has 16 outputs instead of 32 like the LEDWiz. I think that explains the price difference.

I use the PAC-Drive in my own cabinet, because I only have 9 illuminated buttons. If you have more than 16 buttons or want to use multi-colored lights, you'll need the LEDWiz (or 2 PAC-Drives).

The PAC-Drive works just fine with LED-Blinky.

[drventure]

The LEDDrive is more than half the price, but half the outputs. Just go with a 32port LEDWiz.

I thought I'd need just one and that would be more than enough. I'm now at 3....

I can guarantee you'll find something to use those leftover outputs for  

[orchidius]

So the pacdrive  is uncapable of driving rgb leds?

[arzoo]

The big difference (aside from port count) between the PACDrive and LEDWiz is that the LEDWiz has the ability to set a variable intensity (0-48) for each port. For single color LEDs this allows you to set how bright they light up. For RGBs, the intensity is used to set a wide range of colors. You can use a PACDrive with RGBs but you'll only be able to set 7 colors; R, G, B, RG, RB, GB, RGB.

[orchidius]

noooooooooooow we'er gettin' there... no way the number of ports would double the price

thanks a bunch!

any word on the switches?

[arzoo]

any word on the switches?

The type of button switches you use has a lot to do with personal preference. For example, if you want your buttons to react like they did in the old classics, then go with leaf switches. Leafs can also be adjusted to make your buttons ultra sensitive. Micro switches (Cherry are most popular) are maintenance free and very durable, but some don't like the clicking and some feel they are not as responsive as leafs. I've tried Micros, Micro/Leaf hybrid and pure Leaf switches - and personally I can't tell much difference in performance (IMO).

[syph007]

I would recommend just using the cherries (what most buttons come with) and if you don't like them, buy 1 of each other type and test.  Personally the clicking sound is really barely audible when mounted and I prefer the click of the microswitch style anyway.