Encoder questions

[Slippyblade]

I'm almost done with my cab except for the wiring up and need to decide on how to connect the controls to the PC.  There are so many choices I'm a bit torn on what to use.  I originally was going to use the encoder scalped from an Xarcade dualstick.  I've decided I don't like the clumping of wires that it uses.

Since I'm on a budget I was looking at Vigo's boards as well since they seem effective and cheap.  Since I've got a 2 player CP I'd need two of those boards, right?  And my big question about them is due to the USB gamepad nature of the boards.  Once MAME was config'd to use them, doesn't the nature of USB pads mean that occasionally P1 and P2 would be swapped based on how ID's get assigned randomly at boot up?

As far as the real boards go there is of course GGG and Ultimarc, but I've also heard folks talk about Paradise Arcade's boards as well.  Any advice about which is what and why of the different boards or is it pretty much a personal preference?

Thanks in advance guys,
Slip

[Nephasth]

Once MAME was config'd to use them, doesn't the nature of USB pads mean that occasionally P1 and P2 would be swapped based on how ID's get assigned randomly at boot up?

If you don't unplug them their IDs won't change.

[Slippyblade]

Did not know that.  I thought they got reassigned every time they powered up.  That makes things much easier.  Thanks!

[PL1]

As far as the real boards go there is of course GGG and Ultimarc, but I've also heard folks talk about Paradise Arcade's boards as well.  Any advice about which is what and why of the different boards or is it pretty much a personal preference?

Vigo's encoders are a possibility, but by the time you buy 2 of them, you're around the price of the Xin-Mo 2 Player, and you'll still need to order buttons and sticks.

GGG and Paradise have their own variations of the Xin-Mo 2 player gamepad encoder.

The other low cost option is Degenatron's AVR encoder.  It doesn't come with wires, but it is very reasonable in the price department.  Once Degenatron releases his KADE Encoder software (due out soon), you'll be able to use either the default modes or custom program it like an I-Pac.

If you decide to get an AVR encoder, either from Degenatron (his come with the screw terminals), or here, or here (these two require soldering), I recommend using Paradise's rainbow wires with crimps and daisy chain ground for ease of wiring.


Scott

[Slippyblade]

Thanks for those link PL1, I hadn't seen the Xin-Mo with wires.  Just ordered one of the kits from GGG.  The wiring and QD's were kinda spooking me, but now I don't have to do that part!

[molton]

If you got a gamepad/joystick encoder instead of a keyboard encoder, use glovepie to let windows translate joystick commands into keyboard commands for the front end, the translation keys normally don't register in mame builds either, so a button double mapped in windows will be joystick only in mame while running games.

I tried to attach it but its too big, get it from http://glovepie.org/glovepie.php the original URL got hacked, I'm sure by someone paid by nintendo, everything that uses a wiimote is hard to get working these days, and glovepie converts anything to anything practically

[DLinkOZ]

You've already ordered, but I still wanted to throw out another comment for Degenatron's AVR setup.  I bought one from foundmy.com, I believe it was around 12 bucks with shipping.  Programming and soldering were incredibly simple.