Author Topic: Special Offer: Announcing BYOAC Discount on Mini-PAC (Read 16039 times)

AndyWarne · « **on:** February 15, 2007, 11:08:07 am »

Announcing a special offer until end March Now Re-launching until end June!. Special pricing on Mini-PAC board for BYOAC participants.
Just to recap on the features:
28-switch keyboard-type interface combined with trackball and spinner interface.
USB or PS/2 interface. Just change the cable. (USB required for trackball and spinner to function).
Real EEPROM.
Solderless connection using standard header. IDE cable can be used. Pre-made wiring harnesses available at regular pricing.
Switch-less keyboard pass-through.
Macro support.
Keyboard LED support.
Advanced Panel Design Software for customization if required.
Self-test LED which indicates any wiring or switch problems.
Advanced shift function can use either a dedicated or shared shift button.

There is even a free shipping option on this board (without cable) at only $24.
Discount price with USB or PS/2 cable: $26. (plus DHL shipping).

Also on the discount page are PCB mounting feet and the LED harness.

To order use this link: http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=11

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2007, 11:31:05 am »

I'm confused Andy,

You state in your message above:

Quote

28-switch keyboard-type interface combined with trackball and spinner interface.

Yet your advertisement is for the MINI-PAC STANDARD which says on your website:

Quote

Mini-PAC Board for switches/joysticks only.

It is the MINI-PAC OPTI that says

Quote

Mini-PAC for switches/joysticks/trackball/spinner.

Now, the original price of the STANDARD is $29.00...so this deal provides a 20.8% discount...not bad, but if the deal is for a MINIPAC that includes "trackball and spinner interface", that would be one helluva deal being the OPTI's regular price is $69.00.

Can you please clear up this confusion before I pull the trigger...

Thanks!

steveh · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2007, 12:20:23 pm »

so wait does this encoder do both keyboard and mouse in one set.. or is it one or the other

ahofle · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:29:04 pm »

It does both.

AndyWarne · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:02:02 pm »

Yes the board does both.

Andy

leapinlew · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:10:39 pm »

Quote from: FrizzleFried on February 15, 2007, 11:31:05 am

I'm confused Andy,

You state in your message above:

Quote
28-switch keyboard-type interface combined with trackball and spinner interface.

Yet your advertisement is for the MINI-PAC STANDARD which says on your website:

Quote
Mini-PAC Board for switches/joysticks only.

It is the MINI-PAC OPTI that says

Quote
Mini-PAC for switches/joysticks/trackball/spinner.

Now, the original price of the STANDARD is $29.00...so this deal provides a 20.8% discount...not bad, but if the deal is for a MINIPAC that includes "trackball and spinner interface", that would be one helluva deal being the OPTI's regular price is $69.00.

Can you please clear up this confusion before I pull the trigger...

Thanks!

Sweet. Hurry up and buy one so you can put a trackball on that Joust cab.

steveh · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:29:45 pm »

its such a great deal. the site has crashed. lol

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:47:39 pm »

I can't find a price or part number for the wiring harness. Anyone?

Flip_Willie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:58:31 pm »

Quote from: JeepMonkey on February 15, 2007, 02:47:39 pm

I can't find a price or part number for the wiring harness. Anyone?

~~First item on this page I think: http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=3~~

Nevermind, that is the Extension harness.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

steveh · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2007, 03:03:57 pm »

Andy Why is shipping so expensive?

ahofle · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2007, 03:06:42 pm »

He's located in the UK.

ark_ader · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:49:17 pm »

Is the offer open to UK customers too?

NightStrm · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:06:08 pm »

I'm confused as well... how much is it for the pre-made wiring harness for keyboard controls?

Awesome deal... I think I'm going to pick one up for my new project...

mccoy178 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2007, 08:37:39 pm »

Thanks Andy! I ordered 3. These are perfect for small projects.

leapinlew · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2007, 09:09:29 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on February 15, 2007, 08:37:39 pm

Thanks Andy! I ordered 3. These are perfect for small projects.

How much was it with the free shipping?

mccoy178 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2007, 09:17:14 pm »

I'm just worried it won't fit in my basement.

Kremmit · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2007, 11:31:59 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on February 15, 2007, 09:09:29 pm

How much was it with the free shipping?

Quote from: mccoy178 on February 15, 2007, 09:17:14 pm

I'm just worried it won't fit in my basement.

Also, does it work?

leapinlew · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:14:39 am »

Thanks Andy! I ordered 2

Guess I'm building something soon!

SodaPopinksi · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2007, 01:06:47 am »

Does it include the harness, and if not where can you buy that seperately? (can't find it on the site either) thanks!

AndyWarne · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:37:50 am »

The special offer only covers the board. It is aimed at those who are looking at a very cost-effective but feature-rich interface and are prepared to spend a little more time with the wiring and save on the cost of the harness. I believe many people visiting here fit into that category.
Of course the board with the various harness options is available as normal and details can be seen on http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html. There is a "click to order" link there.
Andy

Paladin · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2007, 08:40:05 am »

Thanks for the great deal Andy!

Scumgriever · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:07:53 pm »

Seems like an awesome deal!!
Just wondering about shipping to Australia, Sydney specifically. The free shipping one says its not for the likes of us dirty Aussies

But I dont mind paying for shipping, i'll still save money if my calculations are correct.
I went thru the order pages up to 'submit your order to us' and it had $16, that seems ok but just posted wanting to double check... And to say hi, I havent had much of a chanch to get online recently, looks like I picked a good time to pop my head in.

nostrebor · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:09:33 pm »

Andy,

If you click the board only option ($24, free shipping), it does not let you select between USB or PS2. As I understand the docs, it MUST be USB for spinner/trackball functionality. Is this board available usb? How do I tell the shopping cart to make it so?

Thanks!

Scumgriever · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:18:30 pm »

Thats because the free shipping option doesn't include a cable. You have to supply your own. the mini-pac itself is the same regardless of which cable you ordinarily would choose to have it shipped with.

If I understand correctly that is.

nostrebor · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:07:23 pm »

Quote from: Scumgriever on February 16, 2007, 12:18:30 pm

Thats because the free shipping option doesn't include a cable. You have to supply your own. the mini-pac itself is the same regardless of which cable you ordinarily would choose to have it shipped with.

If I understand correctly that is.

I was under the impression that the board was either headered with a PS2 port or a USB port. Maybe he just sends an infamous green adapter if you order USB?

Flip_Willie · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:19:20 pm »

Quote from: nostrebor on February 16, 2007, 05:07:23 pm

I was under the impression that the board was either headered with a PS2 port or a USB port. Maybe he just sends an infamous green adapter if you order USB?

There two are female Ps/2 plugs on the board. He ships either a Male ps2 to Male ps2 cord or a male ps2 to male USB cord.

Hope that makes sense.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

Matth9 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2007, 09:13:01 pm »

Now THAT is impressive...timed the offer with my tax return arriving in my bank account!

Order submitted.

muzland · « **Reply #27 on:** February 18, 2007, 06:48:40 am »

Hi Andy,

Can you confirm what cable I would need to connect this up in USB mode --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- I order?

Is is as simple as hacking together a 6 pin ps2 to a 4 pin USB? If so what connections do I use for the two data lines?

Thanks
Muzland

AndyWarne · « **Reply #28 on:** February 18, 2007, 11:00:46 am »

All of our boards are dual interface, USB and PS/2 and auto-detect the interface they are plugged into. In PS/2 mode the cable is a pretty standard one ie Mini-DIN male-male but in USB mode it is a special cable as mentioed above. But you can use those small (yes usually green for some unknown reason!) plug adaptors which are supplied with dual-interface keyboards and mice. Don't use a PS/2 to USB active converter (eg Belkin).
The free shipping option is fine to OZ.
Andy

BobA · « **Reply #29 on:** February 18, 2007, 02:43:50 pm »

Thanks Andy

Placed my order online.

nostrebor · « **Reply #30 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:16:05 pm »

Quote from: Flip_Willie on February 16, 2007, 07:19:20 pm

Quote from: nostrebor on February 16, 2007, 05:07:23 pm
I was under the impression that the board was either headered with a PS2 port or a USB port. Maybe he just sends an infamous green adapter if you order USB?

There two are female Ps/2 plugs on the board. He ships either a Male ps2 to Male ps2 cord or a male ps2 to male USB cord.

Hope that makes sense.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

Yup. This makes sense.

The trigger has now been pulled. Thanks Andy.

Texasmame · « **Reply #31 on:** February 20, 2007, 05:52:21 pm »

Wow. Great deal. I have one in my cab and am very happy with it.

AndyWarne · « **Reply #32 on:** May 23, 2007, 03:54:49 pm »

To celebrate the fact we have just shipped an order for 400 Mini-PAC boards to one customer, we are bringing back the special BYOAC offer for one more month!
See first post for the special order link.
Cheers
Andy

Grasshopper · « **Reply #33 on:** May 23, 2007, 04:03:26 pm »

Can you tell me how many simultaneous keypresses the Minipac can handle in USB mode? Is it the same number as the standard Ipac i.e. 15?

Also, slightly off-topic, but has the Minipac with 36 button inputs now been shelved?

AndyWarne · « **Reply #34 on:** May 23, 2007, 04:24:12 pm »

It is 12 plus any (or all) which are assigned to the following:
LALT, LCTRL, LSHIFT, LWIN, RWIN, RALT, RSHIFT, RCTRL.

The 36-input board in its present guise will not appear but a future version will have 36-plus inputs. This new version will definitely appear as I am committed to doing it for an OEM customer.

Andy

steveh · « **Reply #35 on:** July 23, 2007, 01:19:45 pm »

Andy are these still available at this price? I am trying to decide what to do, and right now i am leaning towards purchasing 2 ultra sticks, and i will need an encoder for the other 2 players (3 and 4) If this deal is still available please let me know.

Dervacumen · « **Reply #36 on:** January 04, 2011, 08:50:03 am »

I got one of these and finally got around to using it in a project. Unfortunately, I had to build a PS2 Male-Male cable to hook it up to my keyboard port. Problem is, it's not recognized. I've been working with Andy trying to figure this out but so far no luck.
Before I send this back to him I was hoping to hear from anyone here that also purchased these and have successfully installed them in a machine. My questions:
1. I don't see an LED on here. Is there an LED on this board, and if so, where is it? Mine doesn't light up.
2. I don't know what pins on the minipac need to be wired. The notes from Andy say a "typical PS2 cable". What's typical? If someone could point me to a link where I can get one in the USA I'll try that route before sending this one back...I just want to complete this project ASAP and sending stuff back and forth across the world takes a little time.
If anyone has one that they know works AND a cable to hook it up I'd be interested in purchasing it. I was going to buy another one from Andy but I don't see this style one his site anywhere, neither do I see a PS2 Male-Male cable.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

leapinlew · « **Reply #37 on:** January 04, 2011, 09:03:17 am »

Quote from: Dervacumen on January 04, 2011, 08:50:03 am

I got one of these and finally got around to using it in a project. Unfortunately, I had to build a PS2 Male-Male cable to hook it up to my keyboard port. Problem is, it's not recognized. I've been working with Andy trying to figure this out but so far no luck.
Before I send this back to him I was hoping to hear from anyone here that also purchased these and have successfully installed them in a machine. My questions:
1. I don't see an LED on here. Is there an LED on this board, and if so, where is it? Mine doesn't light up.
2. I don't know what pins on the minipac need to be wired. The notes from Andy say a "typical PS2 cable". What's typical? If someone could point me to a link where I can get one in the USA I'll try that route before sending this one back...I just want to complete this project ASAP and sending stuff back and forth across the world takes a little time.
If anyone has one that they know works AND a cable to hook it up I'd be interested in purchasing it. I was going to buy another one from Andy but I don't see this style one his site anywhere, neither do I see a PS2 Male-Male cable.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

I used 4 total. 2 from this order and I ordered 2 more.

severdhed · « **Reply #38 on:** January 04, 2011, 10:39:16 am »

man...thanks for bringing up a 3.5 year old thread and getting my hopes up.

Malenko · « **Reply #39 on:** January 04, 2011, 10:41:22 am »

Quote from: severdhed on January 04, 2011, 10:39:16 am

man...thanks for bringing up a 3.5 year old thread and getting my hopes up.

I know right? I was about to order like 5


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