Need recommendations on CP hardware

[gwbmcse]

This is my first post here and my first cab build. The build went fine but no I'm into the real money of it...the control panel and parts. Like most, I want to be able to play everything LOL but I don't want a franken-panel. So my thought was to keep this clean with strickly 2 joys, 6 buttons each, coin and player each with exit and pause admin buttons. Maybe if the CP is large enough, and a trackball and 2 more TB buttons. Never though about an analog flight stick or a dedicated 4 way stick as the controls and the $$$ starts to pile up.

I decided on the U360 from Ultimarc. So I should be able to play 4/8 way as well as flight/driving game in analog. Also, do I but the KB encoder solely for the admin buttons? I've read where plugging the U360 into the IPAC loses it's analog function so that crappy....

So the meat of this post is this, I obvious want as much bang for my buck as possible:

1. Should I buy the U360, attach via usb, buy the IPAC ultimate (it has the nifty connection for the track ball and spinner) for the buttons and call it a very expensive day?
2. the U360 via usb and a more generic KB emulator for buttons since the trackball (if I have one) can connect directly to the PC
3. U360 only via usb, and hack a keyboard for p1,p2 and coin buttons
4. Run from the U360 and go true 8 way sticks with a dedicated 4 way and forget analog. I have no idea how well the U360 play analog games with it's relative short throw.
5. Leave the cab as an empty shell, make my wife's day and sell it

As you can see, I am a bit torn to the best way to play the most games and not shell out $250...

One note: I pay mostly 4/8 way games. Some flight/driver (but the kids love Afterburner), and really just Centipede with a trackball so I can see that control not making it.

Thanks

[gameroomsolutions]

You might be interested in one of our kits along with a usb trackball.

http://gameroomsolutions.com/product-category/arcade-products/control-panel-bundles/

You will probably be around $250 for the PC that has enough power and drive space to play most emulators.

I did a high level overview guide on building a game.  Could help you consider all options as you plan the build.

http://gameroomsolutions.com/build-home-arcade-machine/

Thanks,
Ryan

[gwbmcse]

Thanks for the bundle recommendations but I really would like to incorporate analogs...kids...

[gwbmcse]

OK, so if no one can offer up any recommendations, can anyone tell me if their system is using U360's for 4 way, 8 way and analog games? What KB encoder (if any) are you using? Thanks