Ultimarc Mini-Pac: Anyone reviewed one yet?

[M3talhead]

Andy (of Ultimarc.com) it seems has released a new product that compliments his growing "-Pac" lineup of home arcade encoders. The Mini-Pac. it seems has all the functionality of the IPAC-2, but it tiny in comparison! Not only that, it comes with its own pre-crimped wiring harness for simple "drop-in" CP installations.

Anyone had any experience with them? I know he produces great products and is a really great guy, but this was the first time I saw this particular product on his site.

[Q*Bert_OP]

Great!!!!

It saved me about 30-45 mins of crimping/stripping wires

[pointdablame]

The Minipac has been available for quite some time now.  I've used one and really really liked it.  The wiring harness is great for lazy types like me.

I have another one sitting here at my desk waiting to go into my new bartop.  I highly recommend them.

[toolaa]

I was new to the scene and after some research I settled on the Mini-Pac.  I had quit a bit of trouble figuring out which version of the software I was supposed to use.  The Ultimarc site had a ton of information but I struggled at first to find the right software and instructions to program the unit.  I agree that the wiring harness was well worth the time savings for me.  I did have to lengthen a few leads to reach the end of the panels.  Overall was really satisfied and I would buy another one for my next cab.

[Tiger-Heli]

Product has been around a long time (probably about a year and a half).

Review should be coming to RetroBlast soon.  (No, I'm not involved in it, just heard through the grapevine).

Note that you have to use USB to use the trackball/spinner interface.

In a rare moment, I somewhat disagree with Pointdablame, although I haven't used one.  The basic board has full functionality and is a great value if you don't mind hacking an IDE cable.  The harness will likely tend to either have wires shorter than you need or longer than you need, and when you add the cost of the harness, you could buy a standard I-PAC or KeyWiz and a mouse hack.

But that's really a cost/convenience issue.

More info is in my comparison table:  http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/main.htm#THE_PLAYERS

Software compatibility is here:
http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/main.htm#I-PAC_Software_Compatibility
(You need the old WinIPAC (non-IPD software).

Also some quick comments in the Head-to-Head Section:
http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/main.htm#HEAD-TO-HEAD

[M3talhead]

Thanks for the info Tiger. When I did my first MAME cab (about 2 years ago), I used the older IPAC, the one with the PS2 ports on opposite ends. After I sold that cab and built the one I currently have now, I knew exactly what I wanted to control the inputs I planned on having. It was a nice supprise to see that Andy had redesigned the encoder and "upgraded" it to what it is now. I guess since I already knew what I was shopping for, I skipped over the Mini-Pac. I'm not saying that would have proven to be a better solution for this cab, but its nice to know he's cranking out and improving new products! 

[pointdablame]

In a rare moment, I somewhat disagree with Pointdablame, although I haven't used one.  The basic board has full functionality and is a great value if you don't mind hacking an IDE cable.  The harness will likely tend to either have wires shorter than you need or longer than you need, and when you add the cost of the harness, you could buy a standard I-PAC or KeyWiz and a mouse hack.

But that's really a cost/convenience issue.

Actually, I should have mentioned that I used one in a bartop, and plan to use my next one in a bartop as well, so I never had short wire issues.  Long wire issues are easily solved with some wire management IMHO.

I will admit that with the wiring harness, its not a great deal dollar for dollar.  However, the ability to wire up the panel in five minutes flat made it worthwhile for me, as well as the fact that the board itself is TINY.

And I still like ya Tiger, even if you don't ALWAYS agree with me 

[AceTKK]

IMO, the value of the Mini-Pac is in it's ability to handle keyboard inputs AND trackball/spinner in one small, inexpensive board.  It replaces both the IPAC and OptiPAC for what, $30?  The wiring harness is overpriced, but if you'd rather spend money than time it's a nice option.  One thing that the Ultimarc site doesn't really make clear is that the harness is NOT required to use the MiniPAC in its full capacity.

-Ace-

[DreamArcades]

I've been using the mini-pac for over 1 year in all our arcades. The harness isn't cheap, but cheaper than paying someone to wire it by hand.
Plus you can always just use an old IDE cable as a wiring harness. It saves sooo much time