How is this better than an commercial encoder?

[IG-88]

Is this just a keyboard hack? And how do they get away with no key ghosting or blocking?

http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-Arcade-Controller-2-Player-version-for-MAME-cab_W0QQitemZ5853977758QQcategoryZ106260QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[HaRuMaN]

Looks to me like it is nothing more than a keyboard hack, enclosed in a project box.  Ghosting and blocking may very well be a problem.  I personally would stick to commercial encoders, like I-PAC's.

[Tiger-Heli]

Could be a keyboard hack, or could be a custom PCB.

Regarding Ghosting:

If it is a keyboard hack - you can pick keys carefully and (usually) get 2 joysticks and 12 action buttons supported, 16 inputs (no I didn't add wrong).  He is claiming 17 main inputs, which is feasible using a keyboard with a 17x6 or 18x6 matrix.  He implies designed for MAME and I doubt you could get all MAME defaults using this method, but MAME also doesn't care what key you assign to an input, so that may be what he is meaning.

If it is a custom PCB, he could still use a matrix and use diodes to prevent blocking.

Or he could just be lying about it not having ghosting or blocking problems (that's been known to happen in the past . . .)

I agree that you are much safer sticking with a known commercial encoder.

[allroy1975]

GBP 25.00 (Approximately US $44.05)

Seems like a lot for something that looks like that.  I think you can get a Keywiz or IPac for like $35.

and it's ugly. 

[Tiger-Heli]

GBP 25.00 (Approximately US $44.05)

Seems like a lot for something that looks like that.  I think you can get a Keywiz or IPac for like $35.

and it's ugly. 

KeyWiz Eco 2 is $19.95 and no-Solder is $22.95.

Why do you think the KeyWiz or I-PAC is ugly and why do you care as long as they work?  (J/k) 

[allroy1975]

Why do you think the KeyWiz or I-PAC is ugly and why do you care as long as they work?  (J/k) 

No No, that ebay one is ugly.  I think the other two look cool.  I mean....maybe I'm backwards in thinking that stuff that looks like wires and circuit boards look cooler than a box. 

[Tiger-Heli]

No No, that ebay one is ugly.  I think the other two look cool.  I mean....maybe I'm backwards in thinking that stuff that looks like wires and circuit boards look cooler than a box. 

I got it the first time.  You missed the (J/k) and the  at the end of my post. 

[allroy1975]

I DID NOT!!!!   

[quarterback]

I'm not nearly as against this item as you guys are.   

Given, I'd never buy it, but a fully enclosed, pre-wired and pre labeled encoder 'box' that allows people to do a one-stop-purchase and just hook up their controls has some merit, I think.   There is no buying rolls of wire from RadioShack, no soldering, no separating all those tiny wires in an IDE cable, no QD orders from Peale, no crimping etc etc etc.

While this one may or may not be a basic keyboard hack (with any associated problems), I say that the idea is a good one.

[PetitMorte]

I'd very much like to see the inside of the project box.   

[allroy1975]

I should buy some KeyWiz's and sell them with the wires and criping and everything done.  Like that one, but with a Keywiz. 

Make a few bux.

[Tiger-Heli]

Given, I'd never buy it, but a fully enclosed, pre-wired and pre labeled encoder 'box' that allows people to do a one-stop-purchase and just hook up their controls has some merit, I think.   There is no buying rolls of wire from RadioShack, no soldering, no separating all those tiny wires in an IDE cable, no QD orders from Peale, no crimping etc etc etc.

Basically been done already with the Mini-PAC from UltiMarc - http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html (except Andy didn't drop it in a project box, but how hard could that be.  And from what I have mostly read on the boards, the $29 basic board has been popular, but the Mini-Pac with harness has not.

Also, keep in mind that you are bound to either have some wires too long or too short with this method.
[/quote]
While this one may or may not be a basic keyboard hack (with any associated problems), I say that the idea is a good one.
[/quote]
You are missing two key items -

Advanced features - Things like shifted inputs, programmability, USB or PS/2 connectivity, pass-thru connections, screw terminals, etc.

Support - If I buy from RandyT or Andy, I can be pretty sure that in six months, I can get a replacement if it breaks, or that they will make every attempt to make it right or troubleshoot it if I have a problem initially.  If I buy from Kev8556 on E-bay .  .  .  (not that he won't support his products, but that is an unknown. . .)

[quarterback]

Given, I'd never buy it, but a fully enclosed, pre-wired and pre labeled encoder 'box' that allows people to do a one-stop-purchase and just hook up their controls has some merit, I think.   There is no buying rolls of wire from RadioShack, no soldering, no separating all those tiny wires in an IDE cable, no QD orders from Peale, no crimping etc etc etc.

Basically been done already with the Mini-PAC from UltiMarc - http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html

and I think the same idea from Ultimarc is a good idea there as well, even if it hasn't sold well.  It's sold to people who might not have otherwise connected up any arcade controls at all

While this one may or may not be a basic keyboard hack (with any associated problems), I say that the idea is a good one.

You are missing two key items -

Advanced features -
---snip---
support

I don't think I've missed those key items. The lack of those features/support on this particular item doesn't make the idea of an all-in-one suddenly bad.

I'm just saying that the idea of an all-in-one-ready-to-hook-up-solution is a good one, whether it's done by Ultimarc for $46+$13 shipping, or by mister ebay for $44.05 + $10.50 shipping, I like the idea.   

Perhaps the Ultimarc is a better buy, for you personally, because of additional features that you are interested in, but not everybody necessarily needs those things.  And, for me, neither one is a better buy anyway, because I wouldn't pay that kind of money for an pre-wired encoder in the first place (as people might have guessed by my perpetual search for a cheap cocktail-table-glass-clip solution). 

[AndyWarne]

Note that each switch has a pair of wires running into the box, rather than a ground daisy-chain. Indication of a matrix being used.
Andy