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New Product (In Stock/Shipping) - Apache Controls Blackhawk Push/Pull Spinner

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patrickl:

The encoder wheel looks way too course yeah. How can you claim that the number of teeth won't effect the resolution (and hence playability)? There doesn't seem to be any gearing either. It could be an optical (as in CCD) sensor, but I seriously doubt that.

Maybe it's just my pet thing, but I like Arkanoid and a spinner should be able to play that.

KevSteele:

I don't know if this will help, but I've played Tempest, Arkanoid, and Discs of Tron extensively with the Blackhawk, and have seen NO backspin at all.

I can force backspin by ramping up the sensitivity settings in MAME, but at the default MAME settings there is absolutely no backspin and the controller works beautifully.

This spinner gives you a feeling of precision that I've thoroughly enjoyed. I'm going to hate to have to give this spinner away...

Kevin

Havok:

One thing I think that really has raised the bar here is the documentation. I am extremely impressed that a complete assembly\installation \troubleshooting document accompanies this. I think I will start saving my pennies for this one...

So, what's next on your plate?

(Please say Star Wars Yoke...)



Xiaou2:

Kev, backspin happens when an encoder is TOO sensative
for the game you are playing.. so no, it doesnt help.

 In this case, its a matter of not having as Much sensativity as the
original controller.   

 Dot uses an encoder that is huge..  same as in Tempest, 720, and a
bunch others.   There are about 176 spokes?..  which translates to
about 44 spokes registered for just a QUARTER turn of the spinner knob!

 As far as I can see..   Apache's  encoder is only  48 spokes  per revolution,
thus 12 clicks register per quarter turn of the knob.

 So... youd have to turn the apache over 3 full revolutions to equal one
revolution of the larger tempest encoder. 

 What does this mean?   

 When using a lower resultion encoder:   you turn the dial a full revolution
and it will barely move the character in the game.   

 To correct that, you can turn up mames values to compensate... BUT

 All that really does is make each sensed click into two or more clicks...
So.. instead of 44 clicks per revloition.. you get 88. 

 Sounds good?   But its not.  Because you didnt really turn it two click worth.
This means your control will be less accurate.   The character
may visibly  "jump" or "skip".. (as thats what its doing)   

 The larger encoders are much better for very presice control.. but,
many people have expressed wanting smaller footprint with spinners..
so these spinner people have opted for smaller encoders.

 However, the new breed of spinners boast a seriously impressive
amount of resolution.  These use a very different type of Opto sensor and
micro printed discs.  They are however, very expensive.

 For a games of DOT, maybe nobody will care that much.  (tho the
game really does need a lot of accuracy)    But for a game like Tempest...
you would notice it even more.   And Arkanoid.. thats way out of the
question.

 According to the way Arkanoid used a geared mechanism.. I think the
encoder spun something like over 420 clicks per one turn of the knob!

 Anything less that half of that.. and Arkanoid plays too sloppy, and is
too hard to controll well enough to be able to get far.

 Meaning, if you had an arkanoid controller, you might actually beat 2 or
more levels in a row without losing any balls at all.   Otherwise, be prepared
for much fusteration..




 

KevSteele:

Xiaou2,

All I can say is that I had the best games of Tempest I've ever played using this spinner. The control was great, and it felt wonderfully precise. I never felt I was out of control and the spinner stopped where I wanted it to no matter how quickly I snapped the spinner back and forth.

As far as Arkanoid - I didn't notice any problems, but I have to confess I suck at Arkanoid. Always have, always will. I'm probably not the best person to judge how precise the spinner was in that game, although I didn't feel I sucked any worse than normal.  ::)

DOT was a joy with this spinner, obviously...

Kevin

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