Encoder and control panel question

[BLah247]

I used the search function but didn't really find the information I was looking for.  There were some posts that seemed to contradict each other so thought I would post my question with specifics.

For my cabinet I will have the following controls;

2 8-way sticks
1 4-way stick
1 spinner
1 trackball
20 pushbuttons (that's 6 by each 8-way, 2 by the 4-way and spiner, 3 above each 8-way for coin, 1/2 player, & mouse)
4 pushbuttons (at least 4 for an admin panel for things like shift, start, enter, ect...)
1 or 2 lightguns (at some point)

Here's my question.  I plan on using MAMEWAH as a front end to MAME running on a Windows XP box.  I'm confused on what type of encoder I should use.  I'm thinking an I-pac right now but not sure on the version.  I read some posts that the Trackball goes through the I-pac and others that it just plugs into a USB port on the windows box.  Also do I need an Opti-Pac for the spinners and what sort of interface will I need for the lightguns?

Thanks for any advice.

[FrizzleFried]

You can find trackballs with USB interfaces or you can use an Optipac or something similar.   Same goes for the Spinner.

I used a Happ USB 3" trackball for one of my cabinets...plugs directly in to the PC.  I also use the Turbo Twist 2 spinner which also uses a USB interface.

The light guns will use USB and/or a VGA box I do believe...depending on the type you get.

I use a Jpac for both of my cabinets as I use an arcade monitor in them both.

[BLah247]

Okay I just looked it up and the spinner is USB.  The problem with the trackball is I need it to be translucent green.  Doesn't appear happs has a translucent green one that's USB.  They do have one that's not USB and comes with some sort of harness.  So do I need to use an optipac for that?

[Catastrophic]

If you end up with a Trackball that has the 6 Pin Molex instead of a USB (or serial) then you will indeed need an OptiPac, or something like it. 

I use an OptiWiz (and a KeyWiz!) from GroovyGameGear.com and really like it, you can order a cable that plugs in between the molex connector and the interface, no soldering required. 

On another note, you might want to consider placing your admin buttons somewhere other than on the actual control board.  I've seen some elegant solutions (smaller pushbuttons behind the coin door, for instance) and some "whatever works" solutions like just drilling some holes in the side of the cab.  The reason I suggest this is that you've already got plans for 20 buttons, 3 joysticks, a trackball and a spinner on the board.  While Dr. Frankenpanel would most certainly be proud, I find that the more cluttered the panels are, the better the chances for an inadvertent and unfortunate "oops!" button press.

Especially since these wonderful machines tend to be magnets for rowdy friends and alcohol.

Just my $.02.  Good luck with your build!

[BLah247]

Here's a picture of the CP layout I'm looking at doing.  It really doesn't seem all that crowded and the admin buttons will be going above that on a little piece I'm putting under the monitor.




Anyone know of some good lightguns?  Good as in cheaper and easy to connect...

[miles2912]

The admin buttons on my cp are used a lot.  Coin, Pause, Mouse 1 and 2.  You will be fine with your set up.  A mini-pac will save you some $$.  Get a happs non-usb trackball and plug into the mini-pac and then just use a standard usb spinner.  Some of the buttons will share an interface but I doubt that you will use the top buttons and the 6 packs at the same time.  Looks good so far..

D-

[QuixoteQuest]

That green panel looks very Alienesque. Very cool. Just a thought from what I've found: if you like to play any games with sweeping trackball use (like Golden Tee) it helps not to have sticks or spinner located above it on the panel. 

I have the 3" Happ that has the USB&PS/2 connection so it doesn't even go thru the Ipac. Neither do the mouse buttons. But that, you're right, doesn't come in green transluscent like the ones that come with the molex harness. 

[BLah247]

That's for the replies... I think I'm going to get the Ipac and an optipac with a non USB trackball... If I understand this right if I get non USB lightguns then I need the optipac as well?

Also I plan on putting mouse 1 and mouse 2 on the CP but what do those do anyways? Is it the moust left and right buttons? or some sort of toggle between mouse thing... thanks again

[Kaytrim]

Also I plan on putting mouse 1 and mouse 2 on the CP but what do those do anyways? Is it the moust left and right buttons? or some sort of toggle between mouse thing... thanks again

These would be the left and right buttons on a regular mouse.

[FrizzleFried]

I bought a Happ translucent blue 3" trackball that is USB...can't imagine why you couldn't find one that is green...

...by the way...if you are buying directly from Happ,  you are paying too much.  There are many people/dealers out there that sell the Happ trackball at quite a discount from the price listed on the Happ website.

[BLah247]

They don't have a green one listed on thier website.  I am going through a reseller from this board as well.  I hope to save quite a bit.

[QuixoteQuest]

You CAN buy the replacement 3" ball in translucent green but you can't just buy the USB/PS-2 track separately without a ball (at least that I can find)--so then you end up paying for a ball you're not using. And you need to do a separate lighting kit with that one. With the molex harness you can buy the trackball ready to go out of the box with two different voltage options for a light kit, in the ball color he wants. But it requires a different encoder board than the IPAC-2.

[QuixoteQuest]

Actually looking closer I see that Happ has "custom colors available" listed for the USB trackball. So perhaps a direct inquiry can result in being able to order it in green translucent--since they have that ball available separately. A reseller obviously wouldn't carry this combo in stock so who knows if they could get you a better price on a special order  compared with ordering direct from Happ.

[BLah247]

You CAN buy the replacement 3" ball in translucent green but you can't just buy the USB/PS-2 track separately without a ball (at least that I can find)--so then you end up paying for a ball you're not using. And you need to do a separate lighting kit with that one. With the molex harness you can buy the trackball ready to go out of the box with two different voltage options for a light kit, in the ball color he wants. But it requires a different encoder board than the IPAC-2.

But an IPAC-2 with an OPTIPAC would suffice this requirement right?  I don't mind using an additional encoder... it seems the USB ones are a lot more expensive then the ones with the molex harness anyhow.

[FrizzleFried]

Check out Tornedo Terry's...that is where I got my translucent blue trackball in USB...and looking it shows he does green as well...

http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

$82.99...no encoder needed...not bad i'd say.  Especially when you consider that price includes the mounting plate as well!

[BLah247]

Frizzle super find on that ball.  Looks like I can get the ball that I want without having to buy an Optipac and if I want to install some lightguns I can just look for USB ones.

Thanks a ton

[FrizzleFried]

While you are visiting the website,  check out his other stuff...decent prices and good service.