2 final questions before I buy parts.

[dcsgguy]

Hello all,  I am just about ready to purchase the parts for my CP and I had two final questions:

1.)  How bad is the clicking in the 8-way joysticks?  I was going to get the Ultimate 360's but two of those are pretty expensive.  The only reaon I wanted them is becasue they are quiet.  Is the clicking really that audible when it is beneath a metal CP and the audio is coming from the speakers when the game is playing?

2.)  Can you rate my CP build?  I think it should work fairly well.  All the admin buttons are going to be hidden on the bottom of the CP (Tempest style CP)  The two buttons in the corners are player 1 and player 2 buttons.

[Kaytrim]

The clicking IMHO is not too bad.  I don't even hear it when I am engrossed in a game.  Your buttons will also click unless you are getting leaf switch buttons.  There is another joystick option, the Happ P360 stick.  This is an optical stick that has no switches so no clicking.   If you must have quite controls but don't want to spend a tone of money go with the P360 sticks and get some leaf switches from Ponyboy.

For your CP I would recommend that you put a coin button there for each player unless you plan on plugging in tokens all the time.  There are also a few admin buttons that are almost necessary, Quit and Pause.  Have you selected your encoder card yet?  If not I personally recommend the Groovy Game Gear line.  The Ultimarc cards are an excellent option as well.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[dcsgguy]

I'm not too worried about the clicking.  I just don't want some loud clicks becoming so annoying it takes away from the game.  I modified the CP to have two coin in buttons.

I plan on putting the full set of admin buttons on underneath the CP.  You won't be able to see them on this drawing.

As far as an encoder I was looking at the mini-pac.  What is your opinion on that?

[Tiger-Heli]

Clicking isn't really a problem (for most of us, drives some people nuts), but you might want to go with Happ Supers or Comps over Ultimates, see http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=65972.0

[Tiger-Heli]

As far as an encoder I was looking at the mini-pac.  What is your opinion on that?

Probably your best value if you want the spinner interface as well as the keyboard.  The IDE cable can be tough to work with, and the Ultimarc harness for it is more than the board itself, but the board itself is a good choice.

[Chris G]

You could also consider getting a USB spinner like the TurboTwist2 (bought one, love it), then you would only need a button interface instead of the minipac...

[Tiger-Heli]

You could also consider getting a USB spinner like the TurboTwist2 (bought one, love it), then you would only need a button interface instead of the minipac...

Agreed, I should have caught that.  Highly recommended over the Happ spinner for less money as well.

[Chris G]

Before someone corrects me:  button/joystick interface.   

[dcsgguy]

When you say button interface do you mean something like a jpac?  Who makes the turbotwist?

[Chris G]

Groovygamegear makes the TT2.  They also make an interface or the IPAC from Ultimarc.  There are a few other options too.

[Kaytrim]

The turbotwist is made by Groovy Game Gear.  The also make the KeyWiz and GPWiz interface cards.  If you want to go with the TT2 then you can get all your stuff from GGG in one shot and save on the shipping as well.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[dcsgguy]

I would like to order everything one place just to make it easier.  How is there sales support.  I will definitely have questions (what I need to buy to make everything work..i.e. wiring harness, mounting plates etc...)

[NoOne=NBA=]

How is there sales support.

GGG's support, both before and after the sale, is absolutely top-notch.
And, for the record, so is Ultimarc's.

[Kaytrim]

The GGG KeyWiz is a keyboard encoder card that connects via the PS/2 port on your computer.  The GPWiz is a gamepad encoder and connects via USB.  I have both of these cards and would recommend them to anyone.  You can get the TT2 with either PS/2 or USB and it would be seen as a mouse.   GGG also carries a few of the Happ joysticks and buttons so it is defiantly a one stop shop.

RandyT is the owner of GGG.  He is a regular here on the boards and his customer support is top notch.  His encoder cards come in two styles, Max and Eco.  The Max models are more expensive but give you screw terminals where the Eco model is 1/2 the size and you solder your wires to the card or you can get the solderless version where you use an IDE cable.  For a newbe I would recommend spending the extra cash and get the Max version.  You still have to do all the wiring but the connections to the encoder card are much easier.

[dcsgguy]

This is EXACTLY the type of info. I needed, thanks everyone!

[Tiger-Heli]

Everyone else beat me to it . . .

I would like to order everything one place just to make it easier.  How is there sales support.  I will definitely have questions (what I need to buy to make everything work..i.e. wiring harness, mounting plates etc...)

Support is top notch from either GGG or Ultimarc.  RandyT from GGG is a member and active on the forums here.

Really you don't need mounting plates, the TT2 mounts in the same hole as a pushbutton.  You might want to get some quick-disconnects from Randy - not sure if he sells wiring as well, but Radio Shack would have that as well.

GGG sells the GP-Wiz (looks like a gamepad to the PC and is USB) and the KeyWiz (looks like a keyboard to the PC and is USB PS/2).

For a desktop CP, I would consider the GP-Wiz - allows you to mount a hub in the panel, plug the GP-Wiz and TT2 into that and have one cable to connect to your PC.  Non-MAME games will need some configuration to work with the gamepad, but not a big issue.

For a full arcade cab, I recommend the KeyWiz - better compatibility with other non-MAME emulators.

Note that the TT2 interface will also support a trackball down the line if you decide to add one.

[Chris G]

Hey guys - how much is Randy kicking back to you?  I'm getting $20 per referral...

Juuuuust kidding.  

[Kaytrim]

One word of advice about GGG.  Be prepared to be amazed at the unique products offered there.  Randy spends all his time inventing new stuff and he is the king of bling.  Multi colored lit buttons, trackballs, the best spinner on the market and tones of new stuff in the pipeline.  One of the items that I am waiting on is the new 49-way sticks and interface cards that are still in the works.  Though they are supposed to be out soon.  I would guess sometime in the next month or two but don't quote me on that.  He won't release them until he is sure that they are bug free.

[Kaytrim]

Hey guys - how much is Randy kicking back to you?  I'm getting $20 per referral...

Juuuuust kidding. 

I wish   I'd rather be paid in hardware though.  I'd just spend my pay on his stuff anyway.

[Tiger-Heli]

Look through Randy's whole site as well.

I often miss stuff I know he has when I'm trying to find it, but he has tons of cool stuff.

[Kaytrim]

I completely forgot that he has the quick disconnects as well.  The only thing that he is missing is the wire.  Otherwise he has everything you need for your cabinet controls.

[DaveMMR]

One word of advice about GGG.  Be prepared to be amazed at the unique products offered there.  Randy spends all his time inventing new stuff and he is the king of bling.  Multi colored lit buttons, trackballs, the best spinner on the market and tones of new stuff in the pipeline.  One of the items that I am waiting on is the new 49-way sticks and interface cards that are still in the works.  Though they are supposed to be out soon.  I would guess sometime in the next month or two but don't quote me on that.  He won't release them until he is sure that they are bug free.

Yeah.  I went in there looking for an encoder - and ended up spending a couple of hundred dollars on LEDs, Electric Ice buttons, a couple of LED-wizes and so-forth.  Try and resist... 

[dcsgguy]

Do I need both a Max Encoder and a keyWiz?  What do each of those do?  I only thought I needed one encoder.

[bfauska]

GGG sells the GP-Wiz (looks like a gamepad to the PC and is USB) and the KeyWiz (looks like a keyboard to the PC and is USB).

Tiger,  Um... I am sure you know the right answer since you are practically THE authority on the various encoder options, but what does the KeyWiz plug into?

Do I need both a Max Encoder and a keyWiz?  What do each of those do?  I only thought I needed one encoder.

You will just need to choose one of those.  You only need one encoder if you are using a TT2 for your spinner, it will handle itself.  The KeyWiz Eco or the KeyWiz Max are your best options from GGG if you want the most versatility, but if you need USB go with the GPWiz.  Of course if you are using a 49 way stick then there is also the GPWiz49, but I don't think that's relevant in this case.

I wish I could buy all the stuff I want at Randy's site, but you know...  I need to eat, and pay rent and stuff.  Too much cool stuff.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Do I need both a Max Encoder and a keyWiz?  What do each of those do?  I only thought I needed one encoder.

The Keywiz Max and the Keywiz Eco are exactly the same as far as features go. Except that the Keywiz Max has an additional keyboard passthrough port and switch on it, that allows you to connect a PS2 keyboard at the same time as the keywiz and switch between them. Other than that, they are identical. Yes! you only need one of them.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Fozzy The Bear]

Tiger,  Um... I am sure you know the right answer since you are practically THE authority on the various encoder options, but what does the KeyWiz plug into?

Don't be a smart arse... Tiger made a typo. Everybody makes a mistake now and then. As you well know the Keywiz plugs into your PS2 Keyboard Port.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[bfauska]

Tiger,  Um... I am sure you know the right answer since you are practically THE authority on the various encoder options, but what does the KeyWiz plug into?

Don't be a smart arse... Tiger made a typo. Everybody makes a mistake now and then. As you well know the Keywiz plugs into your PS2 Keyboard Port.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Sorry, didn't mean to be a smartass.  I seriously believe that Tiger is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to encoders, rather than say "Tiger you were wrong"  I tried to make a joke, and point it out so he could fix it.  The thread was clearly started by a new comer and I didn't want them to think that the KeyWiz was a USB solution. 

Normally I TRY to be a smartass, this time I was not.  Hope nobody took any offense.

[blueznl]

I grew up in Europe on Suzo's Competition Pro's and Suzo's Arcade (C64 / Atari800 style joysticks) so clicking comes to me naturally 

Most of the (generic) arcade cabs I ran into had switches as well, so to me switches feel natural, and leaf switches don't.

Go figure.

[Tiger-Heli]

Do I need both a Max Encoder and a keyWiz?  What do each of those do?  I only thought I needed one encoder.

The Keywiz Max and the Keywiz Eco are exactly the same as far as features go. Except that the Keywiz Max has an additional keyboard passthrough port and switch on it, that allows you to connect a PS2 keyboard at the same time as the keywiz and switch between them. Other than that, they are identical. Yes! you only need one of them.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Just to further clarify -

In addition to what Fozzy posted - the biggest difference between the Max and the Eco is the screw terminals.  The Eco uses solder points and the Eco no-solder uses in IDE header that you can connect an IDE ribbon cable to.  For a new project (and really unless you absolutely need bare minimum cost), I highly recommend the MAX with the screw terminals, as it is much easier if you change your mind on how you want the buttons wired later.

There are also Eco, Eco no-solder, and MAX version of the GP-Wiz encoders.  The only difference between these is the wiring connection methods, as above.

[Tiger-Heli]

Don't be a smart arse... Tiger made a typo. Everybody makes a mistake now and then. As you well know the Keywiz plugs into your PS2 Keyboard Port.
Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Normally I TRY to be a smartass, this time I was not.  Hope nobody took any offense.

Hehe, no harm no foul - I corrected my original post.  (Although if Julian hadn't replied I probably would have just answered you that it was PS/2 and not caught that you were quoting where I mis-typed USB originally, so it's all good in the end. 

[rdowdy95]

Just want you to know I use the KeyWiz Max 1.5 and it is very nice and good.  It has Mame Default setup and a good programming utility to customize the thing to your own liking.