Newb IPac question

[Psykoholic]

Hello everyone.  After about a decade of wanting to build a Mame cabinet, I've finally bit the bullet and started seriously looking into it.  In the last week I've discovered this message board here and it has proven to be a wealth of information!  Yesterday I ordered the Project Arcade book, and am waiting for it to arrive Monday, in the mean time I purchased a whole bunch of parts yesterday from Tornado Terry and I'm really gung-ho to build my control panel.  I'm really excited and seeing all the awesome projects on here has my motivation running high!

My question pertains to the Ipac.  I've been on the ultimarc site and see where to order it, but it just shows a board.  From reading up on it I'm fairly confident how to wire all of the buttons and sticks to it, but my question is:

How does the IPac connect to the PC?  Does it include a cable, or is this something I need to purchase separately?

Thanks for taking the time to look at this long-winded post, but I'm really excited to build this after all these years, and this site is AWESOME!

Jim

[mrclean]

It's going to connect via ps2 or USB connection depending on which one you purchase, im pretty sure it comes with the cables

[Psykoholic]

Thanks Mr. Clean.  I see now that after you add it to the shopping cart it gives you the option of ps2 or usb cable for $4 more.  So, this brings me to another question.

What are the pros and cons between the two, or does it not matter so long as the PC has both options available?  In other words, is there any benefit to spending the extra $4? 

I should note that I have a Happ 3" trackball as well, that can hook up either usb or ps2. My understanding is that the trackball will act as a mouse in windows when it's plugged in.

Thanks again for the help!

[nakeworks]

I use my trackball as the mouse and just plugged both in as ps2.  My Happ track ball came with cords for either options and I chose the ps2 option for the ipac.

[codefenix]

I opted for USB when I got my IPAC2.  USB seems to be more reliable for me; when plugged in via PS/2, it likes to go brain-dead and forget it's connected.

[Psykoholic]

Thanks for the replies.  Ordered today, so hopefully have a cp soon!

[ddrake]

FYI... When I did my iPac if found these quick connect thingys EXTREMELY helpful

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pico-Quick-Connect-Receptacles-and-Adapter-3157QT-/330607084530?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf9b7c3f2

Not these specifically, you can get them at Home Depot or many places. This link was mostly just for the photo. But using them is so much easier than trying to wire directly to the buttons, joysticks, etc. And if you're like me, you'll wire the joystick backwards the first time. Fixing that is very easy with these quick connect guys.

[Psykoholic]

FYI... When I did my iPac if found these quick connect thingys EXTREMELY helpful

Yeah, I'm definitely getting those.  I got a nice set of ratcheting crimpers so, hopefully it will go smoothely.  Now I'm in limbo waiting for vinyl graphics to use as a template.

[BobA]

You should get the ones with red insulation for smaller gauge wires.  Yellow for large, blue for med and red for small.  Also make sure the connectors will fit on your switches.  They come in different sizes.