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Overwhelmed first timer
paigeoliver:
I am glad to hear you have had success with modular. But you couldn't possibly claim that it was easy.
--- Quote from: Gatt on May 21, 2013, 03:07:13 am ---
--- Quote from: paigeoliver on May 20, 2013, 01:53:37 pm ---Having built a ridiculous number of projects I have found that modular controls are more trouble than they are worth. It entails a crazy amount of extra wiring which can and will break constantly. The extra controls are difficult to store easily in a matter where they are not subject to easy damage. A double decker, multi-sided cocktail, multiple cabinets or even a rotating setup are all far more practical to do and can be done at around the same price point as well.
Even if you ultimately still do decide to go with modular controls I strongly suggest you start out your project with a single control panel and then go back and do the modular thing later. The single control panel basic cabinet is really only about a 4 out of 10 difficulty level, but a functional modular control panel system that works, isn't rickety and doesn't break all the time is far closer to a 10.
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I disagree.
I've built the modular controls, and I'd never go back to anything else. There is a 2x increase in wiring, since you now have independent sets of wires on both sides, but in the 2 years I've had with my modular controls I haven't had any wiring issue I could fix in seconds, and those have occurred almost never. The controls do take up space, but far less than swappable panels. I have a bookshelf that I have everything resting on.
Using Ethernet cables like Doc did, it's really easy to do. Cut the cables in half, strip the wires, and use Doc's system for matching color to control. The only major hurdle is that Doc's explanation left out some bits and pieces I had to plan out in advance. Such as: I wanted the ability to have dual-8 way joysticks with one of them being a top-fire for Player 1 and 2 for Tank games, so I had to add a wire to Joystick 2 that maps to Player 1 Button 1, and one for Joystick 4 that maps to Player 2 Button 2, which created one extra wire on each of those Ethernet ports that Doc's system didn't have. Then I had to hash out a flightstick with 3 buttons for Player 1 as well, all of it worked out fine though, my Joystick 1 port also has wires for P1B1, P1B2, and P1B3. In that, it does require some extra planning.
For the extra work though, I always have the right controls for the game at all times without comprimises.
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felixtibs:
Would you say that the project arcade book makes use of the latest updates in technology?
Is there a way to build the arcade and still be able to retro-fit swappable/modular in the future?
happyfunball:
the technolgy isn't advancing that rapidly. we are emulating 20-30 year old games after all.
bkenobi:
Project Arcade was updated last year if I remember correctly. I would consider it up to date on most things. I don't know if it includes servo controlled 4/8-way switching joysticks, but pretty much everything else should be in there.
happyfunball:
I started with the arcade conrols book, it will give you a very good grounding and you wont' feel so overwhelmed after reading it. not everything is totally up to date but thats what this forum is for.
most of the stuff hasn't really changed in the last year or so since the last edition.