is there any major reason i would want

[clickhea]

an ipac over a mini pac

[Nephasth]

If you want screw terminals.

[BobA]

Mini pac allows you to connect a spinner/trackball and the ipac does not.

[leapinlew]

an ipac over a mini pac

Yes, to be more like me.

I've done both. I'll spend the few more bucks to use an iPac

[Rando]

an ipac over a mini pac

Yes, to be more like me.

I've done both. I'll spend the few more bucks to use an iPac

Because?

I looked at both and got the mini, don't know why I wouldn't?

[syph007]

I have drawers full of wire and connectors, so making cables is no big deal to me.  I ordered a minipac board only.  I will be making up a cable for it, and in the past i have made my own u360 cables.  Its one of the easier parts of this hobby and im cheap.

[leapinlew]

I'd rather have the time.

With the ipac, you get scew terminals and you can save some time vs using a IDE cable or making your own. I don't like IDE cable wires, they are very thin. I think the cabling looks more tidy when using an iPac.

The biggest one is time. I like to take as many shortcuts as I can when building machines. I've used 3 mini-pacs and lots if ipacs. I stick with the ipacs.

[Nephasth]

Its one of the easier parts of this hobby and im cheap.

+1

[scofthe7seas]

Why does the minipac have 5 connections per joystick?
I'd like to see what was going on on the other side of the device. The picture only shows it from one angle. :/

[syph007]

I'd rather have the time.

With the ipac, you get scew terminals and you can save some time vs using a IDE cable or making your own. I don't like IDE cable wires, they are very thin. I think the cabling looks more tidy when using an iPac.

The biggest one is time. I like to take as many shortcuts as I can when building machines. I've used 3 mini-pacs and lots if ipacs. I stick with the ipacs.

I dont use IDE cables, i have connectors that you clip together and solder on any wires you want.  Makes for tidier wiring since you make each cable part only as long as needed.  I really enjoy that part, even though rarely anyone sees it.

Heres my DIY U360 wiring:

Why does the minipac have 5 connections per joystick?
I'd like to see what was going on on the other side of the device. The picture only shows it from one angle. :/

Grab the pdf from Andy's site, it shows the pinout.  It's not 5 connections per joystick, the pins are just in groups of 5.

http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html

[Nephasth]

Very nice!

[BobA]

I don't know what you guys are counting.  The connectors have 8 wires and use 2 rows of 5 pins with one pin not connected and one pin removed for a key.

[syph007]

I don't know what you guys are counting.  The connectors have 8 wires and use 2 rows of 5 pins with one pin not connected and one pin removed for a key.

Ah right, I was typing faster than than I was thinking lol.  Groups of 9.

[Bender]

I think it comes down to what you ant to do
if it's just joystick and buttons then go with the Ipac
If you want a trackball, spinner or analog controls then the minipac is the way to go
also for $10 more you can get the U-HID which can do just about anything, by far the most versatile interface available
I love these thing can even use em to light up your coin door buttons, how awesome is that!
and if you have the wrong wire to the wrong input you all you have to do is remap it in the software and your done, no rewireing

[scofthe7seas]

I don't know what you guys are counting.  The connectors have 8 wires and use 2 rows of 5 pins with one pin not connected and one pin removed for a key.

Right right right, my mistake! It was tired when I wrote that, and was thinking more like jumpers on a motherboard, instead of a universal ground.
What's going on with group J6?

[Donkey_Kong]

Groovy Game Gear's Keywhiz Eco is a cheaper and superior product, plus the seller is an obnoxious jackass that constantly posts:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=200

This statement is hilarious, complimentary, and ridiculous all in one! congrats!

Now I just HAVE to ask, if Randy's posting makes him an obnoxious jackass poster of superior products...what, oh WHAT, PBJ... does that make, YOU?!

 

[Donkey_Kong]

I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed.   

[RandyT]

Groovy Game Gear's Keywhiz Eco is a cheaper and superior product, plus the seller is an obnoxious jackass that constantly posts:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=200

C'mon, Jimbo, that's not a fair statement.  I haven't posted anything for quite a while now 

[GameGeezer]

I have a Rev-1 IPAC a(and need to upgrade its chipset). It's a beautiful design and allows for easy configuration and reconfiguration of harnesses. I do wish it had spinner and T-ball support, but those are easy to add...

Really, you only want the Mini version if you have very limited space and hard-set controls. If you ever think you'll want to add additional controls, or want to reconfigure things, the full version is the way to go, and if you want 4-player support, you want the IPAC-64 (or however many inputs it has). interestingly, mine has an unusual number of inputs: No longer sold like this.

Once I do a modular C-Panel, i may get an IPAC-64 for extra inputs and wire everything via some Molex connectors, but the basic version is really a bitchen' product. The box header is also something i''d avoid, as it makes it hard to repair if you pull a wire; you can also jumper more than one button to a single input on the full version, which is useful if you have a few games (or an emulator that uses different keys that MAME doesn't use). You can jumper two buttons to a single input and pressing it generates both at once (e.g. 'Shift' AND 'Z').

I'm not sure if the Mini version can be programmed either, but don't take that one faith, as I'ven't read its documentation in full. -GG