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Author Topic: GP-WIZ 49 question?  (Read 1895 times)

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MajorHavoc

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GP-WIZ 49 question?
« on: June 08, 2006, 05:59:15 am »
Now that the product has been out for a while:
 How do you like it?
How well does it handle the electronic restrictor feature?
Does it play nicely with I-PAC when used in the same cab?

I'm looking to maximize my upcoming cab  :)
 while minimizing the joystick count.   :laugh:

TIA
Mike



ppilot

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2006, 08:04:37 am »
I like it pretty well.  I got some used midway 49-way sticks off of ebay and have them in one cab, and some of the new Happs ones in the another cab.  I like the older sticks considerably more (personal preference; they are stiffer than the new ones.  I think a lot of people wouldn't feel this way.)  Also, you NEED the replacement grommet Randy sells for the Happs sticks, they work very poorly without it.

The GPWIZ-49 works fine with an IPAC.  I don't think you need one, but I had an extra (IPAC) and ended up using it (I like the 'shift' function better on the IPAC.)  Either way, no problem.

There are a few games that I have trouble playing.  Q-bert and frogger come to mind.  For the most part though, I think the electronic restriction works very well. 

Hope that helps.

Havok

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2006, 10:25:12 am »
To add to this: how about Tron? Are you able to play the light cycle phase properly? Also, what Mame compile are you using? I believe PowerMame has some built in extra functionality for the GPWiz?

DeLong20

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2006, 11:35:29 am »
I really like mine.  I have the midway 49-way with the GPWiz-49 interface and really like it.  Went together well and had no problems setting it up with MAME .83 and MAMEWah 1.61.  Just follow the instructions word for word and don't skip any steps and you shouldn't have any problems.  You might do some research on Powermame (FE).  It has the ability to automatically switch modes (8-way to 4-way to 49-way to etc).
You mean I can type anything I want in here and it will show up?

mccoy178

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2006, 11:55:23 am »
To add to the Powermame topic, it has intergrated 49 way autoswitching inside the mame.ini.  Otherwise, you can have it do the setting automatically or select what you want for each game.  Sir Poonga created a little program a while back that will also do the auto switching.  You use a batch file to call it up before each game starts.  So in summary, Powermame took the idea of Sirp's and intergrated directly into mame. 

I am very happy with the Midway 49 ways in my cabinet.  Just like the leaf buttons, they took a little getting used to, but I wouldn't have it any other way for the time being.

ppilot

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2006, 12:07:04 pm »
To add to this: how about Tron? Are you able to play the light cycle phase properly? Also, what Mame compile are you using? I believe PowerMame has some built in extra functionality for the GPWiz?

Well, the sticks don't work well for Tron, because (obviously) they're not top fire.  I'm sure they'll work perfectly fine for the light cycle phase.

I'm running (I believe) v.103, using SirPoonga's software to do the mode switching.  I believe that this is the ONLY software in use in my cab that's worked first time, straight out of the gate.  It's very easy to set up and use, and he gives very clear, detailed instructions.

lettuce

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2006, 01:04:35 pm »
So if your using Powermame, you dont need Sir poongas program?? Is standard mame in anyway better than using Powermame, and how does it fair if using a rotary mod with the 49 ways sticks?

Havok

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2006, 01:20:18 pm »
Well, the sticks don't work well for Tron, because (obviously) they're not top fire.  I'm sure they'll work perfectly fine for the light cycle phase.

Once we get Julian's joystick handles, I was thinking of performing surgery on a 49-way, that's why I was wondering how they perform in Tron...

ppilot

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2006, 02:04:55 pm »
Once we get Julian's joystick handles, I was thinking of performing surgery on a 49-way, that's why I was wondering how they perform in Tron...

Oh, you'll have to let me know how that goes.

Anyway, I'm sure they'll work fine.  The 4-way mode on the joysticks lets you hit the diagonals if you push the joystick to the limit of its throw at the corners (which I understand is pretty much what the Tron sticks did.)  I'm sure it'll work great for you.

markrvp

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2006, 03:17:14 pm »
Well, the sticks don't work well for Tron, because (obviously) they're not top fire.  I'm sure they'll work perfectly fine for the light cycle phase.

Once we get Julian's joystick handles, I was thinking of performing surgery on a 49-way, that's why I was wondering how they perform in Tron...

Tron works perfectly in 4-way mode.  The diagonals are still active in the very far corner.

MajorHavoc

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2006, 04:25:07 pm »
Thanks for all the feedback :applaud:

Now I just have to decide between the GP-49 and the GP-49 MAX.
Suggestions anyone?

Mike

Havok

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Re: GP-WIZ 49 question?
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2006, 04:39:04 pm »
Thanks for all the feedback :applaud:

Now I just have to decide between the GP-49 and the GP-49 MAX.
Suggestions anyone?

Mike

GP-49 Eco No Solder - You'll be able to easily swap it out if need be, plus cheaper: I used an IDE cable with a barrier strip (Which Randy also sells for cheap) to make the connections on my Keywiz, which is the same circuit board...