Opinion needed

[knid]

So I'm in the final stages of building a Mame Cabinet. About 2.5 years ago I bought an X-arcade 2 player build your own bundle which collected dust until recently when I finally got back on project.
So here is my problem. The wiring harness included in the kit has very short wires. So much so that the daisy chained ground wires are stretched tight just to connect to the ground on the joystick switches. (I'm not impressed-btw)
The wiring  for my one and two player buttons don't reach either.

To get everything to fit wiring wise-I'll be doing a lot of splicing and adding onto the wires.

I'm wondering at this point if I should just get an IPAC and a wiring kit to cut and crimp my own wiring and forgo the x-arcade encoder....or whether it I use what I have and "MacGyver" my existing wiring.

Is there a negative impact if I go the route of splicing and adding onto the existing x-arcade wiring (other than looking like a dog breakfast)

[leapinlew]

You can extend your wiring with no problems.

You might be happier with an iPac but since you got the xarcade already see if it works for you. I’m betting you can complete the wiring pretty quickly.

[Scooby]

Hi! I had to make a similar decision when I did my wiring. I just went for the cheapest solution. I soldered the wires directly to the contacts. Best connection you can get. No risk of loose connections. Take a look at the pic...

But you can extend your existing wires and make them as long as you like. But it will look a bit messy.

[paigeoliver]

Sell your x-arcade gear and buy better stuff now.

[pbj]

$20 cash in hand for your xarcade gear.

[knid]

I'm kind of worried now about the x arcade kit I have.  What about it is not good?

If the encoder is garbage then wouldn't it make more sense for me to go with an ipac?

[paigeoliver]

Everything X-arcade makes is low quality. The encoder isn't terrible, but it is far from the best. The sticks and buttons are lower quality clones of Happ's old stuff. If you are going with a full cabinet then I suggest trying harder on the controls. Spend less on the PC.

I'm kind of worried now about the x arcade kit I have.  What about it is not good?

If the encoder is garbage then wouldn't it make more sense for me to go with an ipac?