HELP ME!!!!

[ajent__smith]

please help me decide. too many joysticks to chose from. I just want a good 8 way, is that to much to ask? PLZ RESPOND. I really appreciate it.

BTW the website for it is http://www.freewebs.com/mamecab

[Sasquatch!]

First off, welcome to BYOAC!

Secondly, please use a more descriptive subject title than just "HELP ME!!!".  It'll help people help you.

Thirdly (and to hopefully start answering your question), what games or styles of games are you primarily interested in playing?  Some joysticks are better than others depending on what kind of game.  It's kind of like asking "What's the best car to buy?"  The answer depends on what you're going to be using it for, because the "right" car for you depends on whether you plan on using it for hauling around your kids to soccer practice or for drag racing down I-5.

[Sasquatch!]

Oh yeah, and read these two articles/reviews first if you would:

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/joycompare/joyreview1.shtml
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/joycompare/joyreview2.shtml

And then let us know your thoughts on them.

[ajent__smith]

as far as a joystick, i want a durable stick for fighters and shooters. Everything from streetfighter to 1942 to cow-dudes. I've played on microswitches & i dont really mind them. so i guess that the compition is for me, right?

PS- thanks for responding

[Gunstar Hero]

The comp is a great choice, or if you want to spend a bit more, the P360 is awesome.

[ajent__smith]

thanks for the idea, but I'm a little frugal, and the P360 is a little to much for me. I think Ill go with the comp.thanks for posting!

BTW: do you think I need a keyboard encoder if I'm only planing on using a street fighter config (2-P an 8-way and 6 buttons each), or will ghosting be a problem?

[MnMCaputo]

definitely go with the comps for your cab, as for an encoder, its worth buying one to save yourself a headache, i have a ipac, and recommend that, but the keywiz is a couple of bucks cheaper

[ajent__smith]

well, scince its gonna be a 2P cabinet, wont i need an IPAC^2? and i really dont mind soldering a keyboard (i have 2 spares), but ghosting is what concerns me.

[Gunstar Hero]

Almost any encoder will support 2 people with something like 9 buttons each. Hack if you're feeling commando, but the encoder saves mucho headache.

[ajent__smith]

one thing that limits me is money, and I have plenty of time for decoding a keyboard. does anyone know how many keys can be 'safe' (non-ghosting)on a matrix?

[SOAPboy]

well, scince its gonna be a 2P cabinet, wont i need an IPAC^2? and i really dont mind soldering a keyboard (i have 2 spares), but ghosting is what concerns me.

i have an IPAC 2 on a 2 player cab.. trust me, its much easier to just be done with it..

6 buttons per player, p1 start p2 start, and coin buttons..


the ipac isnt to much, its just enough.


i was on a budget too.. but i knew a keyboard would suck.. id rather have my CP work properly than have some special paint or stickers.. you can always get the extras later

[paigeoliver]

As someone who has done over 20 mame cabinets I can tell you for certain that trying to save $30 on an encoder is the single worst mistake you can make. If you can't afford $30 then this is the wrong hobby for you.

[SOAPboy]

As someone who has done over 20 mame cabinets I can tell you for certain that trying to save $30 on an encoder is the single worst mistake you can make. If you can't afford $30 then this is the wrong hobby for you.

/signed

i did my cab on a tight budget (300USD) i went over... ended up costing 400..

and im still adding to it.. Marquee, sideart, ect..

[missioncontrol]

you better go with an encoder it'll save alot of time and aggrivation in the end...I just recently tried hacking a keyboard after many hours and frying the cpu of an old pentium 1 I finally said the heck with this and decided it's worth it buying an encoder........

[Sasquatch!]

The Competition joystick sounds like it'd fit your bill nicely.  And I'm going to echo the sentiment of everyone here who's saying that you should buy an encoder.  Seriously, it's a step that you don't want to "cheap out" on, especially if you're doing this for the first time.

[ajent__smith]

OK, I think ill go with the IPAC2. it seems like the standard now, and thank you all for helping me decide.my next question is what to build the cabinet out of. I'm leaning toward the traditional particle board and vinyl.

[Gunstar Hero]

Yep yep.

MDF works well and is pretty cheap. I used lots of  L brackets too.

For my next cab I wanted to try melamine (sp?)

[missioncontrol]

most go with MDF...I'm using plywood, but I've got a belt sander I'm going to use to smooth it up.........

[GGKoul]

please help me decide. too many joysticks to chose from. I just want a good 8 way, is that to much to ask? PLZ RESPOND. I really appreciate it.

BTW the website for it is http://www.freewebs.com/mamecab

Check out the joystick reviews at http://www.retroblast.com/hardware.html

[fatbasta]

I guess I'm too late, but my vote is for the keyboard hack.  You have to try the hack at least once.  There is nothing more impresive to your friends than to pull open that contol panel and say," Yea, I tore apart a keyboard and to build this." It's very Macguyver'ish. 
If the hack doesn't work, you've only lost a few hours of your time, burnt a couple fingers and had an experience that few will share.
I say hack away,  this forum is called "Build your own Arcade Controls" not "send I-Pac $60 and have them build your Arcade Controls". 

Hack away my brother... Hack away...

[NoOne=NBA=]

The KeyWiz Eco is even cheaper than the I-pac.
My TIME is worth way too much to me to even THINK about a keyboard hack.