New Product: TurboTwist 2 - The Ultimate Spinner / Paddle control ! From GGG!

[postalp123]

Hey Randy, still waiting on the possibility of buying a loose MiniRacer wheel off of you...

No rush 

[FrizzleFried]

Randy,

I am at work and have not messed with my spinner yet...but I do see any kind of instructions in regards to where to attach the wire that goes from the circuitboard to the spinner...

Also...that wire is pretty short.  I have a metal CP and can't easily attach the circuitboard to the CP and I am not sure if it will read to inside the cabinet while the CP is in it's open position.

Looking at the device,  it shouldn't be TOO difficult to figure out where to attach these two connectors BUT it would be nice to have something in writing...

That aside...the damn thing is SOLID feeling...especially with the added weight.

[RandyT]

I do see any kind of instructions in regards to where to attach the wire that goes from the circuitboard to the spinner...

The first 4 units shipped without docs because they weren't quite ready (last minute changes.)  Rather than hold up the shipments for a piece of paper, we sent them off.

Check your email, the PDF has been sent.

RandyT

[squirrellydw]

I know he sent me an email file.

Dam randy, your quick   

[FrizzleFried]

Hell yeah you are quick....DOCs in my email box as promised!

If I was within the first 4 units sent out...which number was I?  It would be sorta cool in some strange nerdy way to be #1...

[squirrellydw]

yeah me to

[vrf]

Thanks for the fast shipping!

So... sorry for the newbie question, but how do you take the black rubber knob off? It's like welded on or something. (Or at least it resists all my efforts at being gentle.) I want to try out the mini steering wheel.

Oh, no joke about the steering wheel, folks. This thing could be used as a deadly weapon. It sure is solid. (Although a bit scratched up on the bottom. No biggee, though.)

Thanks for the help!

[squirrellydw]

I think it has a small set screw on the side.  Uses an allen wrench I think.

[RandyT]

Thanks for the fast shipping!

Wow!  Taiwan already?  Cool...

So... sorry for the newbie question, but how do you take the black rubber knob off? It's like welded on or something. (Or at least it resists all my efforts at being gentle.) I want to try out the mini steering wheel.

The rubber is attached.  To remove the knob, you will need to stretch the rubber up from the bottom.  It will only allow you to do this over the screw hole, so you'll know where it is once you try to lift it in a couple of places.  It's a little tricky, but no visible screw hole or interruption in the rubber.  A small flathead screwdriver is required for the rubber ringed knobs.

Oh, no joke about the steering wheel, folks. This thing could be used as a deadly weapon. It sure is solid. (Although a bit scratched up on the bottom. No biggee, though.)

I told you they weren't cheap little toy wheels.   The little scratches and a little bit of wobble are going to be par for the course.  They are new and I polished them up, but they aren't precision / cosmetically oriented items.  However, they feel and work really nice (and don't look too bad either).


RandyT

[torez]

Randy, how about Omega Race style control knob?  I don't see new ones of these anywhere and I liked the feel of it.  The top would have enough space for a token, if desired.

[Bobbler]

Well it seems I was somewhere in that first 4. Thanks Randy, spinner arrived this morning. That's quicker than some items I have bought right here in the UK!

[RayB]

Randy, which knob would you recommend for Arkanoid?

[shardian]

Randy, how about Omega Race style control knob?  I don't see new ones of these anywhere and I liked the feel of it.  The top would have enough space for a token, if desired.

I have an pot based omega race spinner sitting around somewhere, and I don't know what the big deal is about that knob. That thing is super fugly and cheap looking.

[Havok]

Randy, how about Omega Race style control knob?  I don't see new ones of these anywhere and I liked the feel of it.  The top would have enough space for a token, if desired.

I have an pot based omega race spinner sitting around somewhere, and I don't know what the big deal is about that knob. That thing is super fugly and cheap looking.

Some guys like fugly... Kind of like going hoggin'...

 

Personally, I like sleek and sexy - the standard knob is good for me, or I may go the big blue route with an invaders decal. Have to get through Christmas first...

[FrizzleFried]

TURBO TWIST 2 MINI-REVIEW

I received my Turbo Twist 2 a few days after ordering.  Upon recieving the package,  I was initially surprised by the weight.  Having purchased 6 buttons as well,  it wasn't until I unpackaged the thing that I realized that the majority of the weight was the Turbo Twist's added weight I purchased.   The Turbo Twist 2 comes with the unit itself,  the weight (if purchased...and mine was already installed),  a separate PCB,  with 2 screws and little cardboard "feet" {edit: I have been informed that these stand-offs are,  in fact,  made of a resin substance,  not cardboard}, USB cable, and a short (12" or so) cable to attach the unit to the PCB.

I was impressed when I first took a good look at the Turbo Twist 2.  It is a very "clean" looking device and about as simple to install as can be.  The biggest pain-in-the-ass is mounting the included PCB somewhere close enough that the included wire will reach.

I essentially dropped the unit in to a 1.125" (1 1/8") hole I had pre-drilled in my control panel in anticipation of the spinners arrival...mounted the pcb to my cabinet just under the control panel (i opted to use regular "PCB feet" I had laying around instead of the include stand-offs),  attach the wire from the PCB to the spinner (there is room for 2 "hot" and "ground" wires as well as connections for X, Y, and Z axis'...read the included documentation for information on exactly how to hook this up),  attach the USB cable to the PCB and plug the USB cable in to the PC.  The computer immediately recognized the unit as a mouse and the drivers installed automatically.

I went in to MAME.INI,  changed MOUSE 0 to MOUSE 1, and we were in business!  Initially,  my spinner didn't appear to work in MAME.  However,  I soon realized that the spinner was assigned as MOUSE 1 by Windows and my wireless mouse was assigned MOUSE 0.   So if the spinner doesn't work in MAME after you have activated it in MAME.INI,  you will have to go in to mames settings and change "paddle" and "dial" settings to MOUSE 1.

Once up and running I immediately ran Tempest.  Initially,  the settings in Tempest were set so high that a slight movement resulted in extreme movement...and anything more than a slow movement resulted in my guy randomly bouncing around.  After changing the sensitivity settings in MAME via the OTHER CONTROLS/ANALOG menu down to 18% things are running KICKASS.

Next came Arkanoid...I was prepared to have to modify the settings again,  but no,  whatever the setting is at for Arkanoid,  it is just right...the same for DOH...but Tempest came calling again. 

Being that this is my first HOME arcade spinner,  I can't compare it to anything other than "arcade" units,  and I have to say that this spinner performs on par,  if not better than the majority of the spinners I have used.   The key to what makes this spinner so attractive is the SIMPLICITY of installation as well as the COST!   This thing,  with weight and "big blue" knob costs on par with what some of the competition asks for their base model...some WITHOUT optical board!

Take it or leave it...but i give this device one hellva "THUMBS UP!"

EDIT:  I have been informed that the perfect setting for Tempest with the stock knob is,  in fact,  6%....so I was still WAY off.

[dynamite]

nice review. I hope to be picking up one of these bad boys soon too. What are the odds that by then someone will have put together a little sensitivity chart for all the games so that the initial setup for the rest of us goes a little quicker??

[torez]

Randy, how about Omega Race style control knob?  I don't see new ones of these anywhere and I liked the feel of it.  The top would have enough space for a token, if desired.

I have an pot based omega race spinner sitting around somewhere, and I don't know what the big deal is about that knob. That thing is super fugly and cheap looking.

Hehe, the old ones that are worn out are not exactly lookers, that's why I was hoping for something more "21 century" looking, possibly different colors and texture/tokens, but with the same approximate conical shape.  Just like the slight slope in the knob and the bit rounded top edge for comfort reasons and area of the grip.

[diverdown]

looks nice, are they just stickers??

I will most likely make the decals available separately so the Big Blue owners can put them on the knobs themselves.

RandyT

phew....... cos I wanted one, but big blue arrived in the mail yesterday


Bloody wife got hold of the package before I got home and locked it up till christmas day...... I'm sure it looked good though 

[diverdown]

Hell yeah you are quick....DOCs in my email box as promised!

If I was within the first 4 units sent out...which number was I?  It would be sorta cool in some strange nerdy way to be #1...

Hehe i think I count at least 5 people, including me who got the docs emailed to us.

To put the cat amongst the pigeons - my order number was 3000. So I guess if people look at their order number associated with the delivery of the TT2 we can see who was actually in the top few orders.

Any one else want to play?   

[FrizzleFried]

Order 2984 here...

[squirrellydw]

Haha, beat you by one      Order #2983

[Fozzy The Bear]

Haha, beat you by one      Order #2983

Sorry to bust your bubble boys.... I got Order #2982

 

Although I've also got the "wife locking it up till Christmas" problem 

It hasn't arrived yet though 

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[FrizzleFried]

...yah?  Well...uh...MINE IS UP AND RUNNING AND I'VE PLAYED TEMPEST WITH IT! 


Nanny nanny nah nah!


And you???  Hmmm???

 

[Fozzy The Bear]

MINE IS UP AND RUNNING

Which is more than can be said for my local postman....   

ROFL

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[squirrellydw]

I'm still building my cab, won't be done for about another 2 to 3 months 

[Fozzy The Bear]

Fortunately I think I can get a router bit into that hole and cut through the plexi and the wood and the artwork all at the same time 

If your luck is anywhere near as bad as mine, you will end up with a bunch of saw dust inconveniently nestled in between the artwork and plexi doing it that way LOL.   

ROFLMAO....  Don't you just hate it when when you know it's going to happen and it does!!!  I've now got to disconnect all the buttons, take them out of the panel, just to be able to lift the plexi enough to clean all the dust and plastic chips out. ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!           

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

 

[RandyT]

ROFLMAO....  Don't you just hate it when when you know it's going to happen and it does!!! I've now got to disconnect all the buttons, take them out of the panel, just to be able to lift the plexi enough to clean all the dust and plastic chips out. ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
 

First, try just loosening all of the nuts.  You might be able to lift the plastic enough to blow out the dust without having to disconnect everything!

RandyT

[Fozzy The Bear]

First, try just loosening all of the nuts.  You might be able to lift the plastic enough to blow out the dust without having to disconnect everything!

Yeah! Thanks for the suggestion Randy.... I did try that first, but the static on the plexi was holding it in there, even with a serious air blast from the compressor. 

In the end I took everything out... my Joysticks are bottom mounted on the 8 ways and and top mounted under the artwork on the 4 way. So I was able to leave those in place and just remove the shafts and just the ball top on the 4 way. The rest of the buttons were easy enough to get out.  I also have a nice tidy well tied down wiring loom, so it was a piece of cake to put back in again. Took a lot less time than I was expecting.

I now have a nice clean 1-1/8" hole ready for Christmas Morning! 

   I really must post some pictures at some point....

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

 

[RayB]

Randy, which knob would you recommend for Arkanoid?

[RandyT]

Randy, which knob would you recommend for Arkanoid?

By the end of next week there will be a knob available that I expect will be better for this type of game than any other knob prior to it. 

The cost may put it out of reach for some, but it might just prove to be as big a "forehead slapper" as the design of the TT2.  Details will follow when I get a unit for testing. 

As for the closest in size of the current "low-cost" knobs, I would say that "Black Dimple" would be the ticket.  "Big Blue" is also quite good with a a little bit of extra sensitivity (100% for DOH and about 50% for Arkanoid.)


And in the FWIW department;

For those who haven't figured it out from the above, there is a knob diameter to "transitions per revolution" ratio that must be maintained to closely duplicate the feel of the originals.  A knob smaller than the original will need lowered sensitivity, while a knob larger than the original (like "Big Blue") will want increased sensitivity.  If anyone is wondering about the value of resolution higher than the original control, this would be it.


RandyT

[patrickl]

Wouldn't the "feel" be more connected to the angle of rotation rather than the diameter of the knob? Especially when it is within one revolution. At least that's how I play. of course a bigger knob will feel different too, but the angle of rotation is far more important to me.

[RandyT]

Wouldn't the "feel" be more connected to the angle of rotation rather than the diameter of the knob? Especially when it is within one revolution. At least that's how I play. of course a bigger knob will feel different too, but the angle of rotation is far more important to me.

Smaller knobs have a shorter circumference, meaning that less of it travels through your fingers to make the same amount of on-screen movement.  Likewise, a larger knob will have a longer circumference, so it will feel like you are turning the knob more, even at the same angle ranges. 

Both are important, but unless you turn the knob exclusively with your wrist (most will not) the amount of knob surface traveling past your fingertips will be a very large contributor to the feel of the gameplay.

RandyT

[Fozzy The Bear]

WAHEY!!!!!!!   

My spinner arrived today! Although I still haven't seen it because my other half has locked it away in a draw....    How will I survive two weeks without it knowing it's there 

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[RayB]

Thanks for the info Randy.

[Havok]

Randy - inventory is getting a little low...

Don't you dare run out of stock when I finally get some cash to buy this!!!

 

[monkeybomb]

Randy - inventory is getting a little low...

Don't you dare run out of stock when I finally get some cash to buy this!!!

 

I bet he makes more when these are gone.  But I could be wrong.

[RandyT]

Randy - inventory is getting a little low...
Don't you dare run out of stock when I finally get some cash to buy this!!!

Heh.  That number is just the current finished inventory.  The process is rather involved so we do them in batches.  I still have a good quantity of parts on the shelf and I'll be making sure the supply issues of the first version won't be rearing their ugly heads on this one.  The updated design was partially to prevent those types of issues.

Side note:  The machinist called today and said the TokenKnobs are finished.  When I asked him what he thought of the design of the finished part, I believe his response was "gorgeous".  I'll be picking them up tomorrow, so I should have something to show / talk about tomorrow evening.

RandyT

[JustMichael]

Pictures please!!!!

[JoyMonkey]

Side note:  The machinist called today and said the TokenKnobs are finished.  When I asked him what he thought of the design of the finished part, I believe his response was "gorgeous".  I'll be picking them up tomorrow, so I should have something to show / talk about tomorrow evening.

I'm on the verge of putting in an order, but I think I might wait until the TokenKnobs are available. Any news?

[Donkey_Kong]

Order placed just now.

Says the TT2 is sold out after I placed my order...randy I don't think you will miss in the special instructions...
Please Add BYOAC TOKEN KNOB and charge accordingly