Adding a spinner to VPCabs Vertigo

[resipsa]

Ok, bought a VPCabs Vertigo (recently for my first entry into the both MAME and Virtual Pinball. After playing around with it a bit, I've discovered that trying to have one machine that does everything isn't usually the best answer. Accordingly, on the arcade side of things, I've determined that my main focus is on the early 80s arcade games and I recently swapped out the joystick for a dedicated 4-way joystick which is MUCH better for playing pac-man type games. I'm definitely sacrificing a lot of options by eliminating 8 way games, but I'd rather have a cab that plays the games I care the most about really well. Accordingly, I'm now looking into trying to add a spinner to the control panel to play games like arkanoid.  With that in mind, I have the following questions:

1. I currently have 3 main buttons on the control panel. If I am restricting myself to a 4-way joystick only, are there any games that require all 3 buttons? I haven't come across any yet....

2. Assuming I don't need the third button, is it possible to replace that button with a spinner? Not sure I have the real estate on the control panel to put it in anywhere else. If so, how hard would this be for someone without any wood working skills?

Thanks a lot for the help.

[Titchgamer]

1) not that i can immediately think of but there may well be!

2) leave the 3rd button and mount the spinner on the front of the CP if you dont have the room.

Its comfortable to use and it doubles up as a steering wheel if you get the wheels :p

[PL1]

is it possible to replace that button with a spinner? Not sure I have the real estate on the control panel to put it in anywhere else. If so, how hard would this be for someone without any wood working skills?

Two spinners you should look into:
-- GGG TurboTwist 2 (TT2) -- GGG server is down right now, but should be back up soon


-- Ultimarc SpinTrak.


No woodworking skills are required since both were designed to fit in a standard 1-1/8" button hole.



Scott

[resipsa]

2) leave the 3rd button and mount the spinner on the front of the CP if you dont have the room.

Its comfortable to use and it doubles up as a steering wheel if you get the wheels :p

interesting....I hadn't thought about that option. Will have to give that some consideration

[resipsa]

Two spinners you should look into:
-- GGG TurboTwist 2 (TT2) -- GGG server is down right now, but should be back up soon

-- Ultimarc SpinTrak.

No woodworking skills are required since both were designed to fit in a standard 1-1/8" button hole.

Scott

Thanks, that sounds like what I'm looking for if I end up replacing one of the buttons. The SpinTrak one looks really nice but a bit pricey. Hopefully the GGG one is a bit cheaper.

[yotsuya]

I don't like the spinner on the front. It's always looked like an afterthought to me when placed there.

[PL1]

The SpinTrak one looks really nice but a bit pricey. Hopefully the GGG one is a bit cheaper.

IIRC, the cost will be fairly similar for comparable options.

Both are good, but the TT2 is chosen more often.  YMMV.

I really enjoy my TT2 -- the best piece of arcade hardware I've ever bought -- with ESC, "black rubber" knob, and 7" steering wheel.

I wasn't sure if the 7" wheel was worth the cost . . . before using it. 

   

One pleasant surprise is that you can use a standard button wrench to install/remove the TT2 without removing the ESC.   




Scott

[Titchgamer]

Ive got the spin trak and very happy with it.
Works really smooth and spins really easy.

Never used a TT2 so cant compare.

As for the looking like a after thought in my case it was as when it was originally designed spinners were ridiculously expensive and i didnt make the cp big enough to add one later.

But i found mounting it on the front to actually work better and more comfortable for me.
Plus like i said above it doubles as a steering wheel lol

[resipsa]

damn - missle command is a 3 button game. Not sure I want to give that one up...

[yotsuya]

damn - missle command is a 3 button game. Not sure I want to give that one up...

Missile Command is also a Trak-ball game. Does your cab have one of those?

[resipsa]

damn - missle command is a 3 button game. Not sure I want to give that one up...

Missile Command is also a Trak-ball game. Does your cab have one of those?

Yeah, I have a trackball. That's actually the reason I've got such a space issue....that thing takes up a ton of real estate under the control panel

[yotsuya]

Ok, yeah, I wouldn't give up MC either!

[Spotlight Displays]

Hey Resipsa, I just purchased a Vertigo. Is it really hard to play PACMan with the stock Joystick? Are you happy with the Cab? I got the upgrade. Is it fairly easy to download games to it and pins? Thank you!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spotlight Displays]

Hey Resipsa, I just purchased a Vertigo. Is it really hard to play PACMan with the stock Joystick? Are you happy with the Cab? I got the upgrade. Is it fairly easy to download games to it and pins? Thank you!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can anyone answer this? Would greatly appreciate it!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[resipsa]

Hey Resipsa, I just purchased a Vertigo. Is it really hard to play PACMan with the stock Joystick? Are you happy with the Cab? I got the upgrade. Is it fairly easy to download games to it and pins? Thank you!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry! I didn't see this until now.....anyway, I've been through a few differnt joysticks and still I'm not completely happy with how Pac-man games play on there. I would suggest making sure you use a dedicated 4 way joystick and I pefer the leaf ones to the one that came with it (it is a 4 way/8 way convertible joystick, but it never felt 100% in 4 way mode to me). My problem I'm running into now is that i can't seem to find a joystick that is the right length as the one I'm using now seems too tall (resulting in a longer throw on the stick), but if I try to use a shorter setting or different shaft, it's too low with the ball on top almost resting on the control panel. Anyway, I'm currently using the pac-pro joystick from GroovyGameGear, with their VersaBall shaft (the shaft that came with the pac-pro joystick was too short).

I bought the unit as a demo model so it had a ton of pins already on it....I haven't really messed with adding more, but that's on my list going forward. I have added a lot of arcade games and that seems to be fairly smooth once I got the hang of it. Nothing really unique to the vertigo, just learning how to add arcade games to the pinballX interface.

Eventually I may have to figure out how to do redo the controll panel myself, so that I can put the joystick in the center. It's just really awkward having it right up against the left side edge. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the Vertigo.

Hope that helped.

[Spotlight Displays]

Hey Resipsa, I just purchased a Vertigo. Is it really hard to play PACMan with the stock Joystick? Are you happy with the Cab? I got the upgrade. Is it fairly easy to download games to it and pins? Thank you!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry! I didn't see this until now.....anyway, I've been through a few differnt joysticks and still I'm not completely happy with how Pac-man games play on there. I would suggest making sure you use a dedicated 4 way joystick and I pefer the leaf ones to the one that came with it (it is a 4 way/8 way convertible joystick, but it never felt 100% in 4 way mode to me). My problem I'm running into now is that i can't seem to find a joystick that is the right length as the one I'm using now seems too tall (resulting in a longer throw on the stick), but if I try to use a shorter setting or different shaft, it's too low with the ball on top almost resting on the control panel. Anyway, I'm currently using the pac-pro joystick from GroovyGameGear, with their VersaBall shaft (the shaft that came with the pac-pro joystick was too short).

I bought the unit as a demo model so it had a ton of pins already on it....I haven't really messed with adding more, but that's on my list going forward. I have added a lot of arcade games and that seems to be fairly smooth once I got the hang of it. Nothing really unique to the vertigo, just learning how to add arcade games to the pinballX interface.

Eventually I may have to figure out how to do redo the controll panel myself, so that I can put the joystick in the center. It's just really awkward having it right up against the left side edge. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the Vertigo.

Hope that helped.

Hey resipsa, just came on to see if you ever added your spinner and I saw your reply. I appreciate it!!!

I really like the Vertigo and Brad is a Great Guy!!!

Did you get the Spinner in?

Thanks again!!!

[resipsa]

Did you get the Spinner in?

Thanks again!!!

Yes, replaced the first button on the left with the spinner but it's a little awkward. Had fun playing arkenoid for a bit but it wasn't as great as I remembered and we really haven't been using the spinner much. May consider taking it back out and trying mount it somewhere else (or may just leave it off). Just not a lot of real estate to work with.

[GeoMan]

Did you get the Spinner in?

Thanks again!!!

Yes, replaced the first button on the left with the spinner but it's a little awkward. Had fun playing arkenoid for a bit but it wasn't as great as I remembered and we really haven't been using the spinner much. May consider taking it back out and trying mount it somewhere else (or may just leave it off). Just not a lot of real estate to work with.

It is important to use the correct analog settings depending on the dpi of the spinner. There is info around here regarding optimum settings for different spinner games.

As for the joysticks, you can replace one joystick with an Ultrastick 360. These are analog joysticks that use maps to restrict movement to certain directions depending on the game. I can play QBert, PacMan or any 8-way game without issues.

[Spotlight Displays]

Did you get the Spinner in?

Thanks again!!!

Yes, replaced the first button on the left with the spinner but it's a little awkward. Had fun playing arkenoid for a bit but it wasn't as great as I remembered and we really haven't been using the spinner much. May consider taking it back out and trying mount it somewhere else (or may just leave it off). Just not a lot of real estate to work with.

Thanks Resipsa! Mine is on the way; I got a 7" steering wheel for it too. I was thinking of possibly placing it under the control board above the coin door but as others have said, I don't want it to look like an afterthought as I love the looks of this cab!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spotlight Displays]

Did you get the Spinner in?

Thanks again!!!

Yes, replaced the first button on the left with the spinner but it's a little awkward. Had fun playing arkenoid for a bit but it wasn't as great as I remembered and we really haven't been using the spinner much. May consider taking it back out and trying mount it somewhere else (or may just leave it off). Just not a lot of real estate to work with.

It is important to use the correct analog settings depending on the dpi of the spinner. There is info around here regarding optimum settings for different spinner games.

As for the joysticks, you can replace one joystick with an Ultrastick 360. These are analog joysticks that use maps to restrict movement to certain directions depending on the game. I can play QBert, PacMan or any 8-way game without issues.

Great info Geoman!!!! That joystick sounds great!!! Wonder if it will fit this cab!

Thanks a lot!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spotlight Displays]

I should add that the Vertigo does come with a good joystick and does have the capability to go 4 way or 8 way with provided restrictor plate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[resipsa]

It is important to use the correct analog settings depending on the dpi of the spinner. There is info around here regarding optimum settings for different spinner games.

As for the joysticks, you can replace one joystick with an Ultrastick 360. These are analog joysticks that use maps to restrict movement to certain directions depending on the game. I can play QBert, PacMan or any 8-way game without issues.

Thanks. I may have to go with the Ultrastick 360. Being able to get QBERT working correctly would be great. Pretty much unplayable unless you have a proper 4-way joystick at a 45 degree angle (which of course is useless for any other game other than Congo Bongo).

[resipsa]

I should add that the Vertigo does come with a good joystick and does have the capability to go 4 way or 8 way with provided restrictor plate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting. My Vertigo did not come with a restrictor plate at all. The 4/8 way joystick it came with just had a rubber grommet that could be turned the other way so that it was larger and couldn't fit in the corners to hit the other switches. It worked ok, but I found a true dedicated 4 way to be better. Sounds like they have improved the Vertigo since I got mine last summer.

[Spotlight Displays]

I should add that the Vertigo does come with a good joystick and does have the capability to go 4 way or 8 way with provided restrictor plate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting. My Vertigo did not come with a restrictor plate at all. The 4/8 way joystick it came with just had a rubber grommet that could be turned the other way so that it was larger and couldn't fit in the corners to hit the other switches. It worked ok, but I found a true dedicated 4 way to be better. Sounds like they have improved the Vertigo since I got mine last summer.

Yes they must have changed things as mine has a yellow plastic restrictor plate for 4 or 8 way movement. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spotlight Displays]

It is important to use the correct analog settings depending on the dpi of the spinner. There is info around here regarding optimum settings for different spinner games.

As for the joysticks, you can replace one joystick with an Ultrastick 360. These are analog joysticks that use maps to restrict movement to certain directions depending on the game. I can play QBert, PacMan or any 8-way game without issues.

Thanks. I may have to go with the Ultrastick 360. Being able to get QBERT working correctly would be great. Pretty much unplayable unless you have a proper 4-way joystick at a 45 degree angle (which of course is useless for any other game other than Congo Bongo).

What do you think would make Qbert play better using the Ultrastick 360? Would you still need the joystick to be at a 45 degree angle?

I'm pretty sure I had Qbert playing pretty good using the 8 way and going into the settings and messing around with the control mapping for the game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[resipsa]

What do you think would make Qbert play better using the Ultrastick 360? Would you still need the joystick to be at a 45 degree angle?

I'm pretty sure I had Qbert playing pretty good using the 8 way and going into the settings and messing around with the control mapping for the game.

don't know enough about it, but the earlier poster mentioned that the ultrastick would physically restrict the movement of the joystick so I'm assuming it works the same as haveing a restrictor plate at a 45 degree angle. If it plays well with an 8 way, that's great. Most of what I play uses the 4 way joystick (I'm pretty old school on the arcade games) so I keep it on a dedicated 4 way and Qbert just doesn't work on a 4 way (unless rotated).

[Spotlight Displays]

What do you think would make Qbert play better using the Ultrastick 360? Would you still need the joystick to be at a 45 degree angle?

I'm pretty sure I had Qbert playing pretty good using the 8 way and going into the settings and messing around with the control mapping for the game.

don't know enough about it, but the earlier poster mentioned that the ultrastick would physically restrict the movement of the joystick so I'm assuming it works the same as haveing a restrictor plate at a 45 degree angle. If it plays well with an 8 way, that's great. Most of what I play uses the 4 way joystick (I'm pretty old school on the arcade games) so I keep it on a dedicated 4 way and Qbert just doesn't work on a 4 way (unless rotated).

It would be nice if there was a way to change it from 4 to 8 without having to take the panel off.

I just got the Spinner in along with the 7" steering wheel. I mounted in one of the buttons but didn't like it on the panel because it got in the way so I went for it and drilled a hole and mounted it about the coin door. Works Great!!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[resipsa]

looks great; nice job.

Looks like you have 6 buttons on there....mine only has 3. Another upgrade apparently.

[Spotlight Displays]

looks great; nice job.

Looks like you have 6 buttons on there....mine only has 3. Another upgrade apparently.

Thanks! I asked them to custom make a six button. They don't sell them that way yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk