TurboTwist High-Low

[wonderalex]

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me about their experience with GGG's TurboTwist High-Low?  Is it worth it - or should I just go with GGG's or Ultimarc's standard spinner?

I admit - I've always loved Discs of Tron.

WonderAlex

[isucamper]

It's very good.  The knob is smaller than the original DoT spinner, the push/pull is a little stiffer, and the throw is smaller, but it works very well.  People are probably most impressed with it out of all the controls on my panel. 

Is it worth 140 bucks or whatever it was?  Only you can answer that.

For more impressions on it see the link in my sig. 

[wonderalex]

Thanks icucamper - that's exactly what I needed to know.

I'd probably change the spinner knob - I don't much care for the look of it.

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[mytymaus007]

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me about their experience with GGG's TurboTwist High-Low?  Is it worth it - or should I just go with GGG's or Ultimarc's standard spinner?

I admit - I've always loved Discs of Tron.

WonderAlex

Check out the Apache http://www.apachecontrols.com/

[wonderalex]

Thanks mytymaus007 - have you actually used/installed it? 

The prices are nearly the same - but the 90Day return policy is hard to ignore. I think the knob looks better too - though GGG's has the min-racing wheel.

Gah! So much for the easy choice. Time for a pro/con list. 

Has anyone out there used both and can give me a rough comparison (if there is one - they seem nearly identical to me) ? 

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[RandyT]

Gah! So much for the easy choice. Time for a pro/con list.  

Here are some differences in the TT2 High-Low;

Much higher resolution.
Does not ride on the switches, so no scraping when turning the knob while pulled or pressed.
Shorter, more precise push/pull switch actuation...reminiscent of a pushbutton.
Top mount.  Works the same on any panel thickness.
Stainless steel knob..also designed more closely after the original DOT shape.
Much smaller physical footprint.
Steering wheel option.
A little more difficult to install, but we include a laser cut plastic template and hardware to assist.

RandyT

[EvilNuff]

I don't have either one, but if the two spinners appear comparable in quality, functionality and price...  I'd go with the one from the more well known vendor personally.

[wonderalex]

Good input thanks.

Randy - I'm glad you chimed in - I would like to know more about the installation process for the High/Low, but I couldn't find anything on GGG.

Do you have any installation instructions I can look at? I'm installing this on an old Robotron CP so I want to make sure it will fit nicely.

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[LeedsFan]

I'm actually interested in this spinner too. But I have already got a Minipac from Ultimarc. Will this spinner work with the Minipac or do I definitely need the USB board from GroovyGameGear?

The Minipac has a function in it where the trackball and spinner cannot be both working at the same time. You have to leave both inactive for ~10 seconds and then the next one that is moved becomes active. This is so that any movement in the other device while playing does not interfere with your game play.

I'm thinking if I need to use the GGG board for the spinner in conjunction with the Minipac for the trackball I may lose that functionality?

[RandyT]

That feature is not necessary for MAME, as there is an option you can set so that all mouse devices are seen as separate.  No device so mapped will be active with any other device unless you want it to be.

RandyT

[RandyT]

Randy - I'm glad you chimed in - I would like to know more about the installation process for the High/Low, but I couldn't find anything on GGG.

Email me and I will send you a PDF of the template.  You need to be able to make a good sized hole, if the panel is made of wood.  If it's metal, you can actually remove the plastic mounting plate and drill three holes to mount it.

[jasonbar]

I love my Apache Blackhawk, but it sure would be awesome if I had a little steering wheel that I could add to it, so that's certainly a big plus for the Turbo Twist High-Low.

-Jason

[wonderalex]

I agree Jason - the steering wheel is a definite plus, and it also seems to be smaller in size than the Apache.

Right now - my only real concern is installation - the CP (being an original) doesn't have much room.  Once Randy sends me that PDF template I'll be able to judge which will fit better.  At worst I'll order a blank sheet metal replacement from arcadeshop - but I prefer not to.

If you don't mind me asking - how did you install your Apache?

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[jasonbar]

Apache Blackhak installation was pretty simple.  I passed the shaft through a pre-existing 1-1/8" hole that formerly housed a button.  On the bottom of the control panel, I used 4 wood screws to attach it to the underside of my control panel.

Because the shaft is much smaller than the 1-1/8" former button hole, I drilled a hole in a black plastic button plug to accept the shaft, & then installed that button plug--that makes the installatoin slicker.

Were I doing this installatoin over from scratch, not using a pre-existing hole, I would drill a hole that's barely big enough to accept the shft, with some interference to hold the unit snug, install the 4 screws underneath.  Then, I'd remove the unit, take the next bigger drill bit to open up the shaft pass-through hole just a tad, then re-install.  That way, I'd have a the shaft perfectly centered in a hole only just a bit bigger than the shaft.

-Jason

[mytymaus007]

I love my Apache Blackhawk, but it sure would be awesome if I had a little steering wheel that I could add to it, so that's certainly a big plus for the Turbo Twist High-Low.

-Jason

How does the GGG steering wheel attach to the Spinner?

[wonderalex]

Thanks for everyone's input.

I've measured it out and both high-low spinners would make things a little too cramped for just 3 games (Discs of Tron, Zwackery and Forgotten Worlds) - the Apache is just too big. I could live with the TT-High-Low as it is smaller but it would always bother me (eventually making me rip it out) - so I'll go to plan B and get me a regular spinner with the steering wheel for my Mame CAB.

This just means I'll need to find or build me a dedicated DoT cab - awe shucks.   (Wife is gonna kill me - but hey once the basement is re modeled I'll have room for 3 or four cabs - One MAME and 2 dedicated at least).

I'll post the CP design soon enough.

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[pinballwizard79]

Wonderalex

When you say you would have to rip out the TT is that because the knob is smaller?

If so you can always order a knob from Apache to go on your TT

I am still unsure which one to go with, both are a going to take some care regarding installation. Looks like there is a nice fatty flyweight on the Apache at no extra cost but no knob & GGG has the opposite....hmmmm

[RandyT]

Looks like there is a nice fatty flyweight on the Apache at no extra cost but no knob & GGG has the opposite....hmmmm

The knob on the High-Low is solid stainless.  It serves both purposes, so it doesn't need a flywheel.

[wonderalex]

Sorry about the confusion - let me clear this up.

No - the knob isn't the issue. It's actually a number of things that is making me re-evaluate my CP.

The footprint of either unit is a little too big underneath the CP making it hard/impractical to install neatly (not that it's impossible - just not worth it) - second - DoT & Zwackery both need a Tron joystick to play effectively (which I forgot about when planning my CP) and I don't have the room for it and still have a 2 player set up -  third (and most importantly) - I've realized that I'm driving myself crazy trying to fit the hardware for only a few games I like potentially ruining the overall playability/enjoy factor of the cab.

My "ripping it out" comment wasn't referring to the knob, but more about the fact that I would not have been happy with the compromise and would have to end up rebuilding the CP.

So my final CP will include 2 joysticks (mag stick plus or u360's), 6 player buttons each, a regular spinner with 2 dedicated buttons on the right of it and the standard P1/P2, coin, Pause & Start admin buttons).  On paper this fits nicely and comfortably and will allow for 95% of my favourites to play.

I'll be happy once the planning is complete - the cab is stripped and waiting for me to get at it.  The holidays can't get here fast enough.

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex