Confused about Encoders

[Slugworth]

I've read about as much as my mind can handle on encoders, and need some help to fill in the missing pieces.  I have it narrowed down to the Key Wiz and the I-Pac2 and realize that there isn't much difference between the two, but I'm struggling to understand 'what else' I need to purchase with the actual encoder.

My control panel will have 3 joysticks (2 eight way, 1 four way), 20 buttons, a spinner and a trackball.  It sounds like I need something in additional to the encoder for the track ball and spinner (I assume they can use the same thing?) -- is there no encoder out there than can handle all of this?

I'm also not sure how to wire anything... I'll watch some videos to figure that out, but is there an easy way of doing it?  Wiring harnesses, screw things... I'm really just looking for the easiest way to get everything I have connected and plugged into the computer and don't want to order too many things just because I missed the magic post that explained the easy way to do it!

[spoot]

Several trackballs and spinners are simply USB now.  And essentially act like mice.

[Generic Eric]

I've found the vendors I have worked with to be very accommodating.   Better that you communicate with the vendors prior to purchasing to ensure you order the correct equipment rather than trying to communicate after the fact.

That being said, you have cited the 2 oldest examples.  Perhaps you should continue researching.


Also, if you watched recent project announcements, as soon as you add a 4 way to your control panel you'll find folks trying to talk you out of it.  Its cluttering.  Too busy. 

[liquid134]

well let me ask this..... you said 20 buttons. now is that gonna be 8 per player (at each 8way joystick) and then 4 at the 4way joystick?

also, im assuming, youd be using the 4 way for player 1, correct?


what spinner do you plan on using? what about trackball? that will change essentiall what you need to get encoder wise.

in my mind, i would have the 4way and 4 buttons, daisy chained to the same inputs as the player 1 8way and first 4 buttons. now if you had both spinner and trackball in USB form, then you simply could get the ipac 2 or keywiz and be done.

if however, you got trackball/spinner that needed to be controlled via board..... your better option may be to just go with the IPAC Ultimate I/O as it has the capability to run spinners/trackballs with no extra hardware (plus LED control). Thats what i went with. If i were to piece it together, LED controller here, and optic board there, it would of added up to more then just buying the ultimate i/o.

just my 2cents

[PL1]

My control panel will have 3 joysticks (2 eight way, 1 four way), 20 buttons, a spinner and a trackball.  It sounds like I need something in additional to the encoder for the track ball and spinner (I assume they can use the same thing?) -- is there no encoder out there than can handle all of this?

Since you don't mention LED buttons, the IPac Ultimate I/O is overkill.

An all-in-one encoder/wiring solution that works for the controls you mention is the "Mini-PAC Opti. With Harness and USB cable".

I'm also not sure how to wire anything... I'll watch some videos to figure that out, but is there an easy way of doing it?  Wiring harnesses, screw things... I'm really just looking for the easiest way to get everything I have connected and plugged into the computer and don't want to order too many things just because I missed the magic post that explained the easy way to do it!

You did read the FAQ, including this part, right?


Scott

[AndyWarne]

Additional factors to be considered on a modern interface might be:

Support of mouse buttons
Does the encoder support keyboard keys AND game controller buttons or only one of these?
Support for sleep and wake
Support for volume up/down
Macro support
Shift function support
Use of full-speed USB which enables a faster poll rate than low speed.