Whats the word with the xarcade parts?

[Anakin]

I'm thinking of getting the xarcade DIY kit but I've heard mixed reviews.  I want it because I dont have a clue how to use an IPAC and soldering control packs is not an easy thing for me.  This seems like the easiest way for me.  I also want it for the console connectivity.  So what do you guys think of the xarcade parts?  Keep in mind, I've never used all these other joysticks before as these will be my first.  I just want some decent joysticks to play my games with.

[monkeybomb]

The sticks and buttons are cheap knockoffs and it is very noticable to me during gameplay.  Their arcade cabinets are worse.  As a result I wouldn't touch anything they make.

[jfh2112]

I have an X-Arcade 2-player that I gutted & put in my CP. Wiring was a pain, as it was already wired for an X-Arcade and most of the Player 2 wires wouldn't reach, so I had to add some extensions to it - I wanted to be able to reassemble the X-Arcade later if I needed to.

The buttons feel about the same as the Happ buttons I have for my Neo-Geo layout; maybe a touch looser. The sticks are decidedly different, though, and they give me problems when trying to hit diagonals sometimes. You may want to consider different sticks.

[Anakin]

maybe i should just hire someone to hack a psx controller for me and buy some joysticks.  Street fighter, tekken, and soul calibur will be heavily played on my cab.  Too bad, it seemed like a good solution for me

[AtomSmasher]

why not just use a keywiz eco 2, no solder version.  Its cheap and doesn't require any soldering. 
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=200&zenid=5f2139bb716a4adac1d09c507654f2dc

[GoPodular.com]

I also want it for the console connectivity.

The ipac is pretty easy to set up.  A bunch of guys around here have one (or more  ) and we could walk you right through it.

As far as having a multi-purpose controller, check out my site.  I think this is the best way to go for multiple console/pc use.  If you want to use adaptors, your best bet is starting with a Playstation 1 controller and go from there.  It seems that this way will give you less chances of lag, but it can be a gamble.  If you don't want to solder, you'll have to find a controller that's from the "A-Series" and follow spiffyshoes tutorial.  All the other pads will require soldering.  The A-Series pads are few and far between though.

I don't know which consoles X-Arcade supports or which ones you want to play on, but check it out to make sure you're covered if you decide that route.

[AtomSmasher]

I somehow missed that you wanted console support, so the keywiz won't really help you there.  If you're not sure if you'll be able to set up the IPac, issue 4 of Retro Revival has a good tutorial on seting up the I-Pac, and its free to download.
http://www.retrorevival.co.uk/site/index.php

Also, the xarcade DIY kit as the interface, but using happ joysticks and buttons with it should also work quite well for you.  I don't think I've heard anything bad about controller board itself.

[destructor]

X-Arcade are weakest parts from all tested by me and kowal.

[divemaster127]

I have had a xarcade sold it within a month & build my own using happ, parts, some of the premade units use happ, slikstik for example, but I would not touch any of these units that are premade that do not use happ, esp. the ones using chinese parts you get what you pay for...
dm

[davieboynj]

X-arcade buttons are fine, and come in your favorite color, as long as it's black. 

X-arcade joysticks are like huffy bikes and nash skateboards.  They may get you in, but once you know what you're doing you'll never buy them again. 

With that said, i could see ordering the encoder if you wanted cross console support via a serial port switch.

[severdhed]

i have an x-arcade 2 player unit that i used for my control panel.  I had used it just like it came for about 2 years before i decided to build a cabinet.  when i did, i figured i'd just gut the x-arcade and build my own panel, thats where the fun began.  the wiring is way too short, i had to extend the wires on about half of the controls, which was very time consuming. (i made little extensions with crimp on connectors, so i could put the x-arcade back together someday if i wanted.)

it works well, now that it is done, but unless you are making a very narrow control panel, wiring could be a mess.  i dont know if the wiring in the build your own arcade kit is any better or not.  as for the buttons and sticks, they seem fine.  i dont have any first hand experience with any other brand of sticks, so i cant really compare them.  they all make a fair amout of clicking noises, but that doesnt bother me.  you can buy the two sticks and 20 buttons for $30, which is a good price.  lots of people say they dont like the sticks...but i dont have a problem with them.  ( i plan on replacing one with a magstik plus here soon to solve my 4way issues)

the best part of x-arcade is the console support, as far as i know, it is the only system compatible with xbox, Playstation/playstation 2, dreamcast, and gamecube. (looks like a 360 adaptor is still a while off, due to microsoft restrictions on peripherals). 

i have a dreamcast in my cabinet, as well as a pc, switching controls between the two is just a matter of flipping a switch.  works great.  also with teh x-arcade on the PC, you can have 4 different button configurations, so if you have some games/emulators that just wont let you customize the controls like you would like, you can do it with the x-arcade. (i use two, one set up specifically for playing DOOM, and one for everythign else)

i am happy with my x-arcade, although looking back, i probably would have went with an ipac or similar encoder...

as for tekken and soul calibur, i dont know about the rest of you, but they dont run to well on MAME for me anyway.  unless thats where the consoles come in to play.

a dreamcast is great for fighting games, and with the x-arcade and the dc vga adaptor, it is very simple to integrate into your cabinet

[NickG]

I used an X-arcade encoder for my control panel because of the console adaptors.  They work acceptably, but my problem now is, how to connect my jamma and unsupported consoles.  If only I knew what was going on in that little MPU...or where to find a controls switching board.