Compatibilities of Zero Delay with keyboard switches

[charlieb]

Hi everyone! I am Charlie from Spain

This is my first post here and actually first time I ever register into a forum! I know...

I've got into the idea of building a wall arcade machine using a old screen i had and a small mini pc to install batocera on it and try some stuff...

For the design so far its going good however, I've got some  questions regarding the Zero delay controls....I ordered https://es.aliexpress.com/item/33028940079.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.a7e163c0xKVzXl Sanwa since i've heard it has good reviews...

For design reasons I was wondering if for the Function buttons (start, select, 1p,2p,Hotkey/esc) I could use keyboard switches like this https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/keyboards/matthew-wilson/the-kitguru-guide-to-mechanical-keyboard-switches/. After all they are just switches no?

My other question would be if I can just install the setup using only 17 buttons in total: 6 buttons for each player and then just the (start,select,1p,2p,hotkey esc)
Shared /or just assigned to p1.

Thank you everyone in advance

[javeryh]

Welcome!

A switch is a switch so a keyboard button should work as a standard pushbutton assuming you have an easy way to connect the two wires.

As for the kit you selected... I'm pretty sure those are not Sanwas but rather Sanwa knock-offs.  I can't comment on the quality since I've never used them but $30 for all of that is insanely cheap.... which makes me think that the parts are not that high quality.  In this hobby you typically get what you pay for.  I'm sure it will work though.

All of the admin buttons are generally shared between P1 and P2 (although you typically have separate start buttons for each player).  Not sure what you would use a Select button for though?  Most of my panels only have Start and Pause/Exit buttons for admin stuff.  If I need to change settings (almost never once the cabinet is set up), I plug in a USB keyboard.  Coin is handled with a coin door but lots of people like a dedicated button for that.

Good luck.

[Gilrock]

I'm not a big fan of those budget button/joystick kits.  I bought one for a bartop a couple years ago and I just trashed it to rebuild it with a better joystick and better buttons.  I like using leaf switches for everything now.  But that's just my taste.  I also had the zero delay encoders.  I would recommend and IPAC just because you may run into a situation where its easier to reprogram the key mapping and you cannot do that with what you ordered.  I know people want to use what they've already ordered but I've got a box of stuff I've ordered and then decided it wasn't the best option.  Yes for buttons you can use anything that closes the circuit.  Two pieces of metal that touch.  I wouldn't use those keyboard switches.  If you don't want regular buttons for those functions you can get smaller square buttons like what I used on my recent NES Bartop build.  They are small profile and work great for those admin buttons.  I would also question do you really need 6 buttons per player.  Are you really into fighting games?  Most games can be played with 3 buttons or less and then a 2 button combo if you need a 4th.

[charlieb]

Thank you guys for your fast reply. We'll I bought in the past a laser. Projector xiaomi for less than half the price, I can assure is the original one.  About they kit pad I hope I get the same result I let you guys know.

About what javeryh said. Indeed I'd be happy with being sure the exit button is mapped, the start button as well. So, in the games that requires press 1p or 2p. Do I need to map those? Is it mandatory? Or start exit would do?


Also, according for the buttons I bought, which would be the apropiate thickness of the panel where I have to drill the holes in? They are click buttons. I was thinking between 2mm to 3.5mm. Correct me if I am wrong.

The setup will have old school games, and also new titles that will require a controller for that but I got that covered.


I'll keep you post it for the controllers quality over all.

Thank you a lot