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Some questions about control panels

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Vigo:

Here are my personal recommendations. Just keep in mind that 10 people will give you 10 recommendations. :lol I thought this might help though. In my opinion, to get the best deals and products for your exact needs, you usually need to shop around among trusted sellers. The reason that there isn't too many package deals out there is because people's taste and needs vary so much.

For arcade encoders (The device which connects your arcade controls to your computer through USB), I would just like to throw the one I sell out there as well. You can click the picture on the bottom of my posts. The plus side is it comes with all the wires needed. The downside is it is a 1 player encoder, so you would need to buy 2. However, even two of my encoder is still the cheapest option. The second cheapest option is the Xin-Mo encoder that Paradise Arcade sells. That also comes with wiring. I personally always recommend the I-Pac encoder from Ultimarc. It is an excellent encoder. The wiring is separate, but it is very easy to work with.

For Trackballs, I haven't bought many, but I agree with Greg that Twistedquarter.com has the best selection. You will need to buy a trackball encoder though. I recommend the Opti-Wiz from Groovy Game Gear. The price is right.

Since you mentioned you wanted a 4/8 way switchable joystick, start first checking out the Omni2 from groovy game gear, it is pretty well liked. If opening your panel up to switch between 4 and 8 way every time you want to change modes is not your thing, then go with the Mag-stick or Mag stick plus from Ultimarc. You just need to lift up on the stick and rotate it to switch between 4 and 8 way modes. If you will be playing modern games on your machine, there is also the U360. It is a $60 joystick, but a lot of people with higher end machines swear by them. It is analog so it detects the exact position the joystick is in.

Also, check out what Divemaster127 sells:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=47066.0

He resells a lot of things at a great price. We don't buy from Happ around here, even if they are the biggest arcade part manufacturer...they put the screws to customers with horrible shipping. Divemaster buys in bulk and you can get a good deal through him. He also resells Ultimarc goods.

And to agree with Cheffo, there plenty more vendors out there. Things like artwork printing isn't even covered by those 3 stores. If you are unsure about a product from a different seller, you can check the reviews on the wiki or even ask here if other people have tried that product.  :cheers:

PL1:


--- Quote from: ArcadeSeeker962 on May 02, 2012, 03:20:11 pm ---Are parts from other online stores compatible with the Mini-Pac?

--- End quote ---

Mini-PAC Opti With Harness and USB cable is great and available with 6mm(1/4") or 4.8mm(.187") quick disconnects.

Also, the U-Trak trackball is wired to plug directly into the Mini-Pac Opti harness + easiest to mount IMHO.

Most joysticks/buttons will be .187's, just verify before ordering.

The only obscure thing to remember as you plan your setup is that if you plan on adding a spinner, avoid putting it on the z-axis (scroll wheel) due to the way windows handles that input.  (3 or 4 steps to each optical transition on z-axis, compared to 1 to each transition on either the x-axis or y-axis--other threads explain this far better than I can)

I used the TurboTwist 2 + interface board from GGG on the x-axis, and there is no conflict between using the Mini-Pac and TT2 encoders simultaneously.

Several products to consider:
TurboTwist 2 (get an upgraded knob, the ESC and a steering wheel) - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=268

Arcade Prime Pushbuttons w. Standard Soft Touch Switches - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=347

SUPER 4-way™ Precision True Restrictor - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=310

Happ Super Joystick - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=285

Good luck.


Scott

ArcadeSeeker962:

I thank you all for your advice. I'll be offline for awhile studying for the project, so see you all again soon!

kalars123:


--- Quote from: CheffoJeffo on May 02, 2012, 04:18:27 pm ---
While I agree that all 3 listed here are great vendors, the "only shop here" line sticks in my craw ... there are lots of great vendors who should not be dismissed out of hand by people who have never dealt with them.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Vendors

--- End quote ---

Cheffo, Vigo I apologize much respect to the both of you, I did not mean to insult anyone by saying to shop just at the "big 3" I simply meant it as these guys/gals are trusted active members of the community and you can't go wrong with them is all

ArcadeSeeker962:


--- Quote from: PL1 on May 02, 2012, 04:58:52 pm ---
--- Quote from: ArcadeSeeker962 on May 02, 2012, 03:20:11 pm ---Are parts from other online stores compatible with the Mini-Pac?

--- End quote ---

Mini-PAC Opti With Harness and USB cable is great and available with 6mm(1/4") or 4.8mm(.187") quick disconnects.

Also, the U-Trak trackball is wired to plug directly into the Mini-Pac Opti harness + easiest to mount IMHO.

Most joysticks/buttons will be .187's, just verify before ordering.

The only obscure thing to remember as you plan your setup is that if you plan on adding a spinner, avoid putting it on the z-axis (scroll wheel) due to the way windows handles that input.  (3 or 4 steps to each optical transition on z-axis, compared to 1 to each transition on either the x-axis or y-axis--other threads explain this far better than I can)

I used the TurboTwist 2 + interface board from GGG on the x-axis, and there is no conflict between using the Mini-Pac and TT2 encoders simultaneously.

Several products to consider:
TurboTwist 2 (get an upgraded knob, the ESC and a steering wheel) - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=268

Arcade Prime Pushbuttons w. Standard Soft Touch Switches - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=347

SUPER 4-way™ Precision True Restrictor - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=310

Happ Super Joystick - http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=285

Good luck.


Scott

--- End quote ---

Thank you for your advice, I'll make sure I check those out.


--- Quote from: CheffoJeffo on May 02, 2012, 04:18:27 pm ---While I agree that all 3 listed here are great vendors, the "only shop here" line sticks in my craw ... there are lots of great vendors who should not be dismissed out of hand by people who have never dealt with them.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Vendors

--- End quote ---

Thank you for the link, I'll check out those stores as well. I apologize I didn't notice it the first time around.

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