I-pac2 vs KeyWiz Max 1.5

[TeamTEOR]

Whats is the major difference? Is there anything I should be weary about?

[maraxle]

KeyWiz has 4 more inputs, Ipac2 can light up LEDs for CAPS, NUM, and Scroll lock.  Other than that, they're pretty much the same.  Take your pick.

Personally, I went with the KeyWiz for the extra inputs and the slightly lower price.

[TeamTEOR]

Thanks, I am glad to hear there are no major problems that they face. I don't need the LEDs, and 4 extra inputs is a nice feature.

[patrickl]

I-PAC supports USB. Might not be so much an issue now, but I found it a feature I needed already (no PS/2 on my PC).

Check Tiger-Heli's Keyboard encoder page for a comparison of all the current encoders.

[Grasshopper]

Two other important issues (at least for me):

The Ipac supports keyboard passthrough.

The Ipac retains its settings on power down.

Also the price difference has narrowed since Andy introduced the Minipac and IpacVE.

If I was buying an encoder today, I'd buy a Minipac without question.

I've just checked out Tiger-Heli's page. There is some excellent stuff there. I think he's covered just about everything.

[Hoagie_one]

the shipping rate from ultimarc still baffles me

[maraxle]

If I was buying an encoder today, I'd buy a Minipac without question.

I wouldn't.  I don't like the IDE-style header in place of the screw-down terminals.  That's personal preference, of course.

[Grasshopper]

the shipping rate from ultimarc still baffles me

I agree with you there. Shipping is definitely Ultimarc's Achilles heel.

I only live about 40 miles from Ultimarc's headquarters but for some reason I have to pay about the same shipping rate as US customers. I've ordered fairly large packages from Lik-Sang in Hong Kong and it only cost me about 50% of what Ultimarc charges.

[TeamTEOR]

Is it ok to wire up a 4 way and a 8 way joystick on the same port of them as well, or is it time for a second controller at this point? The goal is to have a 2 player machine with a 3rd joy in the center for the 4 way games.

[RandyT]

Is it ok to wire up a 4 way and a 8 way joystick on the same port of them as well, or is it time for a second controller at this point? The goal is to have a 2 player machine with a 3rd joy in the center for the 4 way games.

This is ok to do.  The only drawback is that the 4-way and 8-way will both be live (ie. someone could grab the other stick while one is in use and screw up your game.)  If this is an issue, you can just hook a toggle-switch  in-line with the ground going to the sticks.  That way, you can selectively enable/disable them.

Email me if you need a more detailed description.

RandyT

[TeamTEOR]

Nope, totally understand. I wonder now if there is a DPST micro switch that I can use with one of the normal pushbuttons and that would be the iceing on the cake.

BTW, thanks for the help everyone.

[Tiger-Heli]

One feature not mentioned - The KeyWiz shift function is independent of the buttons, so all 32 inputs are available for action buttons.  The I-PAC essentially borrows an admin input for the shift funcition.

Two other important issues (at least for me):
The Ipac supports keyboard passthrough.

Automatic keyboard passthrough.  The KeyWiz has a keyboard passthrough with a switch to select/deselect the attached keyboard.

The Ipac retains its settings on power down.

True.

Also the price difference has narrowed since Andy introduced the Minipac and IpacVE.

but the VE also does not retain settings on power-down.  (The VE is similar to a KeyWiz in USB only instead of PS/2 only and with LED support, although there are a number of other differences.)

If I was buying an encoder today, I'd buy a Minipac without question.

As someone else said the Minipac has an IDE header and can't use the latest software, but you do get half an opti-pac along with the encoder.

I've just checked out Tiger-Heli's page. There is some excellent stuff there. I think he's covered just about everything.

Thanks!