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Best-Performance Keyboard Encoder
Tiger-Heli:
Lotus, your points are for the most part technically correct, but let me address some issues here:
--- Quote ---The features that the I-PAC has but the Keywhiz doesn't are:
Keeps its programming after power off
--- End quote ---
True, but if you want to use a non-standard codeset with the KeyWiz, you can just load the codeset from software during boot-up.
--- Quote ---Transparent keyboard pass-through
--- End quote ---
True, but the current KeyWiz has a switched pass-through, and you can get the same effect by using a USB or wireless keyboard.
--- Quote ---Shift function which doesnt need a dedicated shift button
--- End quote ---
Actually, the KeyWiz has a much more versatile shift function than the I-PAC. You can use a separate button, access shifted functions from a single button (can be done with the I-PAC also, but the wiring is more involved, and I'm not sure if you can wire up multiple buttons this way), or can even work similarly to the way the I-PAC does, see http://www.fraggersxtreme.com/arcadepanels/encoder/shiftkeys.htm for details.
--- Quote ---Possibly easier to wire if you have a standard panel owing to simpler markings
--- End quote ---
This also is debateable. See http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=13945 where I had to explain that you could wire a Pause button to P1B8. And I can't tell you how many posts there been asking what games needed 8 buttons per player just b/c the I-PAC was labelled that way. And we won't get into if you start using the P1B7 input as Coin1 b/c it makes the flashing LED's less annoying.
For the inexperienced, the I-PAC labelling is better. When you get more advanced, I kinda like the MK64, where I have Input 00, Input 01, etc., and it's up to me to decide what each input should be and what button I want to connect to it. The KeyWiz is somewhere in the middle of these extremes, which is a pretty good compromise also.
--- Quote ---USB option.
--- End quote ---
Yes the I-PAC supports USB. No, the other encoders do not. And I'll grant that for the majority of users the I-PAC does fine in USB mode. That said, there isn't a week that goes by that I don't see a new post about I-PAC problems and the usual response being "Are you using USB mode?, Change the transfer rate, or use PS/2 mode, etc."
--- Quote ---Supports panel LEDs
--- End quote ---
Supports low intensity LED's (without a separate driver board), and the LED's will flash whenever Button 7 or Button 8 are pressed. But yes, it's a feature of the I-PAC and MK64 and not the KeyWiz.
--- Quote ---The features the Keywhiz has which the I-PAC doesnt are:
Cheaper
4 more inputs and a dedicated shift button input
--- End quote ---
Yeah, you left a lot out, but I think RandyT and I already covered these elsewhere.
Lilwolf:
Other notes:
MK64 pros:
has dual SNK rotary support (save 40 bucks on a druins board if you where planning on getting one).
It has macro support... (can't get that super upper cut... well... do something about it....) This is nice for multiple key exits for non-mame emulators.... But after that... I don't use it that often.
It was the first to have XP configuration..
It has 3 key banks... (for quick switching for all key configs)
It has shift keys (7 I think) but 7 per bank. (who needs more then 7 shifts... since they can only be used with admin stuff anyway)..
He donates to BYOAC with every sale! (still doing that right?)
The mention of multiple chips being unefficient has never given me a slowdown. But might allow for the extra features that the others don't have...
Cons:
No screw terminals. It is designed to be used with a scsi cable or ide cables. Not a big deal because I had terminals myself...
Command Line only software. The config software isn't as nice as some of the others. But it wall works well. It only takes someone 10 minutes to learn everything anyway. It's just you have to know how to use a text editor... (ooohhhh scary).
Not marketed well. I am supprised at how far a thread can go about encoders without mention of this great solution.
saint:
The MK64 is, unfortunately, no longer for sale. It actually hasn't been for some time :(
--- Quote from: Lilwolf on December 08, 2003, 09:26:49 am ---Other notes:
MK64 pros:
has dual SNK rotary support (save 40 bucks on a druins board if you where planning on getting one).
It has macro support... (can't get that super upper cut... well... do something about it....) This is nice for multiple key exits for non-mame emulators.... But after that... I don't use it that often.
It was the first to have XP configuration..
It has 3 key banks... (for quick switching for all key configs)
It has shift keys (7 I think) but 7 per bank. (who needs more then 7 shifts... since they can only be used with admin stuff anyway)..
He donates to BYOAC with every sale! (still doing that right?)
The mention of multiple chips being unefficient has never given me a slowdown. But might allow for the extra features that the others don't have...
Cons:
No screw terminals. It is designed to be used with a scsi cable or ide cables. Not a big deal because I had terminals myself...
Command Line only software. The config software isn't as nice as some of the others. But it wall works well. It only takes someone 10 minutes to learn everything anyway. It's just you have to know how to use a text editor... (ooohhhh scary).
Not marketed well. I am supprised at how far a thread can go about encoders without mention of this great solution.
--- End quote ---
shawnzilla:
Ipac, Keywiz, Hagstrom...all great encoders.
I will say this, RandyT has gone to great lengths to make encoders completely affordable (without sacrificing quality).
Personally, I have a Hagstrom KE72T. I bought it a couple of years ago, and it works great. But, my new control panel is going to use a Keywiz.
LPZ:
When I built my first cab, I bought a Hagstrom KE-72 T, and have been very happy with it. A little pricey, but it's top of the line(72 inputs + trackball support). I built another cab for a friend and we tried out an ipac, which we are very happy with and saved ourselves alot of money, naturally because it is cheaper. It all depends how many inputs you want and if you want trackball support to base you decision on.