Best dial/spinner control for my game?

[kiwasabi]

Hey everyone,

I've developed a game called Flytrap that I'm putting into an arcade cabinet. I'd like to use a spinner/dial control as I like the precision they offer. But I'm not sure which is the best for my purposes. I think it'd be better if I got one like Arkanoid has, with no flywheel, so just a dial control rather than a spinner. Two options I found that will work for this are the Groovy Game Gear Turbo Twist 2 ( http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=268 ) and the Ultimarc Spintrak ( http://www.ultimarc.com/SpinTrak.htm ) . Any thoughts on those, or any options I've missed? Keep in mind that I do want to put this game on location, so durability is a must.

Check out the trailer here:


Adam

[Nephasth]

Mouse hack.

[ahofle]

Both of the spinners you linked are excellent products.

[kiwasabi]

Nephasth:
The only advantage of this is the cost, but not durability I would imagine.

ahofle:
Well if they're both equally good then I'll probably go with the Ultimarc product since the prices are comparable and I'm getting the i-pac from them.

[Nephasth]

You could make a mouse hack as durable as you wanted. You could go with just a bolt in a hole, or add nylon bushings, or even bearings if you wanted to... I would recommend using an optical mouse to anyone who wanted to try it.

[PL1]

Depending on the spinner/knob combination, consider adding a short spacer plug (XX) to prevent the knob from bottoming out and scraping along the CP if/when the set screw slips.

____________
|      |XX|      |  Side cross section view.
|      |    |      |
|      |    |      |
|___|     |___|

Scott

[kiwasabi]

Thanks for the heads up PL1, I will look into that.

[trekking95]

I would go with the GGG one, but likely since I am buying other stuff from them. Either should be good.

Also PL1, can you explain your spacer idea. I don't get it.

[darthpaul]

Same here, I looked at both and went with GGG.

[PL1]

PL1, can you explain your spacer idea. I don't get it.

I have a TT2, the black rubber knob, and the removable steering wheel.

After swapping the wheel for the knob one time, I didn't tighten the setscrew quite as solidly as needed.

In the middle of playing Omega Race, the knob slipped down the shaft and began to drag on either the panel or the TT2 body.

If the chosen knob/spinner combination can bottom out like that, I figured that rough play "on location" could cause the knob to slide down--unless you have a spacer between the top of the spinner shaft and the knob.

The attached cross section diagram shows the following:
knob - black
set screw- green
spinner shaft - blue
spinner body - gray
spacer - red


Scott

[trekking95]

Great idea, sounds like something I will try! 

[RandyT]

I have a TT2, the black rubber knob, and the removable steering wheel.

After swapping the wheel for the knob one time, I didn't tighten the setscrew quite as solidly as needed.

This does depend a lot on the knob being used.  The black rubber knob has a small, flathead screw to fix the knob to the shaft.  As the knob material itself is plastic, this prevents over torque of the screw, and damage to the knob.  The aluminum and stainless knobs have hex set screws, and once properly tightened, absolutely will not budge.

kiwasabi:  If you are looking for a spinner to go on location, we have made a few mods for a large gaming company to make the TT2 design even more bulletproof for this type of application, and at least one of them has already been standardized into the TT2 design.  There are other things we can do for this type of application, so an email to discuss them would be a good first step.  Also, the same company has already put the TT2 through a number of grueling tests, including accelerated use in a commercial environment equaling over 2 years, 20kv ESD, and a dust chamber that would make your skin crawl.  It passed all with flying colors .

RandyT

[PL1]

I have a TT2, the black rubber knob, and the removable steering wheel.

After swapping the wheel for the knob one time, I didn't tighten the setscrew quite as solidly as needed.

This does depend a lot on the knob being used.  The black rubber knob has a small, flathead screw to fix the knob to the shaft.  As the knob material itself is plastic, this prevents over torque of the screw, and damage to the knob.  The aluminum and stainless knobs have hex set screws, and once properly tightened, absolutely will not budge.

Randy--

No negative reflection intended on the TT2 or knobs.

Thought it was clear that I made the error of not tightening the screw enough that one time. (Operator error.)


Scott

[RandyT]

No negative reflection intended on the TT2 or knobs.

None taken.  Just wanted to point out the design differences in the knobs, and negate the idea that any kind of spacer might be required. The only requirement is the right knob for the application

RandyT