cheap 4 player solution?

[dpp]

I tried searching for the answer to this so excuse me if this has been asked a million times before.. But is it possible to hook up 2 HotRodSEs for a cheap and easy 4 player solution? I don't have time to build my own, and I don't want to throw down $700 for a slikstik quad.. this is more for the purpose of novelty entertainment and not necissaily a hobby or a project... i'm planning on doing that in a couple years perhaps .. but for right now all i want is a controller to hook up to my computer, and would love 4 player possibilities.

thanks

[paigeoliver]

The answer to that is no, since the hotrods are not programmable. Both would send the same keys to the computer.

[Tiger-Heli]

The answer to that is no, since the hotrods are not programmable. Both would send the same keys to the computer.

The more involved answer is possibly with some work.

Could probably be done with 2 X-Arcades, which are programmable and USB capable.

Could possibly be done with 2 X-Arcades or 2 HotRods using a PS/2 splitter, but I have my doubts and don't recommend this.  Here's a HotRod option.

Leave HotRod 1 as is.  Remove the proprietary interface from HotRod 2 and wire all controls to a $43 I-PAC/2 USB interface which you reprogram to be different from HotRod 1.

Problem solved.

Either of these will run you $250 - $350, much less than a SlikStik quad.  Another advantage is you are only giving up the desktop real estate when you really need it.

[dpp]

thanks guys -- i'll probably just end up getting 2 x-arcades, then.. i didn't know that the hotrods weren't programmable. thanks for the info.

[Tiger-Heli]

thanks guys -- i'll probably just end up getting 2 x-arcades, then.. i didn't know that the hotrods weren't programmable. thanks for the info.

Well, now that I cleared some things up, let me confuse you more

Two X-Arcades - $300 (maybe less off E-bay) $360 if you get them both with the Apple kit (which you need since they can't both be PS/2).  $330 if you get one PS/2 and one USB. Somewhat awkward encoder, but ability to use with console games.

Two Hotrods and a USB I-PAC - $241 (HotRod is on sale for $99) now.  Only one HotRod will be programmable, but this is the least expensive working solution.

Two Hotrods and two USB I-PAC's - $284 Gives you programmability and USB hot-swappability on both HotRods and a better interface.

X-Arcade USB and Hotrod PS/2 - $279 Gives you the ability to play console games and MAME, if you can deal with the non-programmable interface and the different looking panels.

X-Arcade PC and HotRod USB  - $291  Ability to play console games and program your HotRod, if you can deal with the different looking panels.

X-Arcade USB and HotRod USB - $321  Same as above, but both units are hot swappable.

Ok, my brain hurts, I'll stop now!!!

[dpp]

thanks again for the additional info! i really appreciate it