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Questions about a custom USB Control Panel - Any ideas or quotes are welcome!
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Jawadali:

--- Quote from: Arcades R Fun on June 13, 2006, 11:26:00 am ---Hello,
I have been building home arcade games since 2003.
I can help design any type 2/4 player control panel blank for you. It would be CAD designed and CNC cut. You can then save money and install the parts and wire it yourself. Check out my 2 e-bay auctions for the 2/4 player panels.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286589489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286585422&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Thanks,
Jack



--- End quote ---

Sorry for not replying any sooner (I just checked this thread today, and found out there was a reply I missed).

Those seem like really sweet CP cutouts! However, they're way out of my price range ($130 + ship & $190 + ship). I was planning to spend around that much for the whole control panel with parts and everything :).

Thanks for the offer though.


Does anyone else have any ideas or quotes? I figured that I'd save some money using USB controllers instead of using a keyboard encoder. This will most likely end up being a "showcase" cabinet (I think that's the right term).  I will be using a 32" TV with lightguns, so I don't think the whole project will be enclosed in a cabinet like a conventional arcade.

Anyway, I'm aiming for something similar to this when everything is done (although this one is done extremely well):

http://www.carobinson.com/games/DYNAMO%20-%20SHOWCASE%20CABINET.jpg




Circo:
For a CP like that the price is right, I dojn't see how your going to get it any cheaper.  The only way to really get a CP on the cheap is to find one from an existing cabinet.  Of course old 4player cp's are not very common.  A good rule of thumb is: get exactly what you want the first time, that way you do not have to buy it twice.  Even if it takes a little longer, make sure you get exactly what you want.  If you want to make one yourself you will probably be spending almost as much in proper tools as you want to spend on the whole project anyway.
Jawadali:

--- Quote from: Circo on July 05, 2006, 12:51:21 pm ---For a CP like that the price is right, I dojn't see how your going to get it any cheaper.  The only way to really get a CP on the cheap is to find one from an existing cabinet.  Of course old 4player cp's are not very common.  A good rule of thumb is: get exactly what you want the first time, that way you do not have to buy it twice.  Even if it takes a little longer, make sure you get exactly what you want.  If you want to make one yourself you will probably be spending almost as much in proper tools as you want to spend on the whole project anyway.

--- End quote ---

Thanks for the advice; the point about the tools is exactly why I'd prefer to buy a CP/CP parts than make them.

I know it's gonna cost around $100-200 (depending on 2-player or 4-player), but that would need to include the wood cutouts, the parts, and the electronics.

I know X-arcade has completed 2-player panels for $130 (which seem professionally made, although I've heard a few people complain about the quality of their joysticks), so that is kind of a rough benchmark as far as pricing goes
Circo:
X-Arcade is not all that bad really, and you could always switch out the joysticks later if you chose, but for your price range it might be a good idea.  Unless you want trackballs and spinners, etc.. etc.. but then you are going to go way over your budget just with the controls, never mind the CP.   The thing that you need to remember about x-arcade is that they are mass produced, therefore lower prices.  Plus it is a very simple layout but does work for many games.
Circo:
Also since you are doing a gamepad hack, I assume that you already have the gamepads?  Otherwise keyboard encoders are starting at around $20 these days and is probably more economical as well as a whole lot less work, than a hack.  Just food for thought.
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