I-PAC vs KeyWIz Max

[njclifford]

Morning, 1st post so BE NICE!!!!!!

I have read all the associated articles on the differences etc... but in the article I was reading it only mentions KeyWiz vs I-PAC 4 . Now the MAX has PS-2 for keyboard and other features, what are the main differences between these two and what do most people prefer?

Down in Oz, it is cheaper to get the KeyWiz Max.

Also, is there a list of Games / Inputs needed.... am think of a 2 x 4way and 1x 2 way control console and want to see what games I am limited to.

THANKS!

Nick

[USSEnterprise]

I refer KeyWiz. It comes with MAME default on the rocessor. The keyboard switch also makes it easier, and its $5 bucks cheaer

[DrewKaree]

Go with the Hagstrom stuff.

I just wanted to throw that monkey wrench in there since I've been looking at them lately

[CheffoJeffo]

I am going to be nice, but you definitely HAVEN'T read all of the associated articles (you dirty fibber!)... check Tiger-Heli's guide for the answer to most, if not all, questions.

http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/index.htm

Not sure why USS Enterprise cites "MAME default on the (p)rocessor" as an advantage over the IPac, but to each his own.

For the functionality that you are looking for, I suspect that you would be happy with either, although I may be confused as to your intentions since I have never seen anybody put a 2-way stick on an emulator cabinet (although I like the idea, I suspect that you meant 2-8ways and a 4-way). 

Welcome to the boards and forgive me if I seem to be throwing you into the deep end with nothing but some smart@$$ comments ... it's been a whole two days since this question was last asked. 

Cheers.

[markrvp]

Go with the Hagstrom stuff.

I just wanted to throw that monkey wrench in there since I've been looking at them lately

He's being silly.

Read the article by Tiger-Heli that CheffoJeffo linked.  Both are good products that will serve you well.

[njclifford]

I am being silly.  That is the article I did browse through but obviously not well enough!

Thanks for that... I will read in depth before posting.....

I am a noob!

N

[USSEnterprise]

Not sure why USS Enterprise cites "MAME default on the (p)rocessor" as an advantage over the IPac, but to each his own.

I didn't think the iqac had the default MAME keymaq in its ROM.

My #Synonym fors also bad urinate# key doesn't work. Even worse, backsqace is also bad

[CheffoJeffo]

I didn't think the iqac had the default MAME keymaq in its ROM.

Do I have a lot of setting up to do before playing?

NO. Using the key-code programming is entirely optional. When the board is shipped, all codes are automatically assigned to MAME standard keys. As many people have found, this makes installation very quick and easy.

Cheers.

[markrvp]

What is an "iqac"?  It sounds like something a duck would say.

[Tiger-Heli]

Not sure why USS Enterprise cites "MAME default on the (p)rocessor" as an advantage over the IPac, but to each his own.

I can guess what is going on here - First off, the I-PAC/2 and KeyWiz both support the MAME default set out of the box.  (Neither supports P2 buttons 5-8 b/c MAME doesn't define defaults for these, so you have to manually set them, but that is a MAME issue, not an encoder issue.

The I-PAC/4 has a lot fewer inputs defined, mainly b/c MAME failed to define these.

The KeyWiz does define a lot of useful keys such as P (Pause), Esc, Tab, and Enter, hard-coded, but it has four extra inputs to play with.  OTOH, the I-PAC can be re-programmed as desired and will retain it's settings, and the KeyWiz will need to be re-programmed from a startup file if you don't use the default codeset.

BTW, short and sweet comparison is here: http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/main.htm#KeyWiz_vs._I-PAC2 but you will likely need to read a lot of the rest of the article for definition of terms.

[Lilwolf]

One advantage that was mentioned is that IPac keeps its settings between reboots.  (it was mentioend that keywiz needs to be setup everytime... samething).

this is a very nice feature.  ESPECIALLY if you plan on using a non-supported OS (dos/linux ect).  So you change it in windows, and then reboot into the other os.

but after all this, I never use it anymore

I have both, and like both.  I think keywiz are product lines are more active right now.  Randy is looking at new possibilities and building boards on them.  But even then, APacs are pretty new and cool item. 

So all in all... buy one of each and build two cabinets

[Havok]

Everybody always rags on the Keywiz for not saving settings. Why don't you do what I do: program MAME to use the default settings of the KeyWiz? There - no worries about reprogramming on boot. Done.

[Tiger-Heli]

Everybody always rags on the Keywiz for not saving settings. Why don't you do what I do: program MAME to use the default settings of the KeyWiz? There - no worries about reprogramming on boot. Done.

MAME already uses the default settings of the KeyWiz

I use the KeyWiz and almost never reprogram it.

The point was if say you mainly play ummm - let's say Golden Tee PC on your cab, and it won't allow you to change key assignments, and they don't match the KeyWiz defaults, the KeyWiz is SLIGHTLY less convenient (more so if you hot-swap it) than the I-PAC.

[Havok]

MAME already uses the default settings of the KeyWiz

I refer you to Player 2 controls!

 

The point was if say you mainly play ummm - let's say Golden Tee PC on your cab, and it won't allow you to change key assignments, and they don't match the KeyWiz defaults, the KeyWiz is SLIGHTLY less convenient (more so if you hot-swap it) than the I-PAC.

Golden Tee PC on my cab? Blasphemy!

However, I do concur with your point there, Randy..

Errm... Tiger-Heli.

 

[Tiger-Heli]

I refer you to Player 2 controls!
 

Errmmmn, yeah, I just posted that (Reply #9) this morning.  It's hell getting old . . .

[RandyT]

MAME already uses the default settings of the KeyWiz

I refer you to Player 2 controls!

 

That's a MAME thing.  Until they change the defaults to not use joystick buttons for the higher numbered buttons, you'll need to change it no matter what.

Or did I miss your point?

RandyT