Which controller interface should I go with based on the following controls:

[jkonami]

I'm planning to finally build a cab, and I'm trying to figure out what the easiest way to do this as far as connectors go.  It's gonna be MAME only, so I'm thinking this could be entirely USB, so I don't know if I need to go with an i-pac or just buy stuff wired for USB in the first place.  I also don't know if the mini-pac would suit my needs, but I'd like to hear if there are any downsides to it compared to the regular ipac.  Are there any other controllers I should consider?  So here's what I need to hook up:

Two joysticks (The mag-stick plus looks like what I want with switchable 4/8 way!)
16 Fire buttons
2 1P/2P start buttons (I'd like these to flash when a coin is inserted)
A "Pause" button
A trackball (I'd like this to be used as a mouse, too - how do you make a left/right mouse button situation work using your fire buttons?)
A spinner (I am deeply saddened that I can't buy that engraved MAME spinner top from Oscar controls anymore - or can I?)
Working coin door (I'll probably get a coin validator and then some tokens from arcade replay)

Also, I'm planning to make the control panels swappable so I can later build a panel with a wheel and shifter on it - so I thought I'd make a small recess for a foot pedal at the bottom of the cabinet.

Anyone have any suggestions?  This doesn't have to be budget, but I'm the kind of person to try and get the best deal possible - and I also would like to have the stuff work really well without making any concessions, but I'd also like to balance that with ease of wiring - so if I can do this all with USB, I would!

I'm a little overwhelmed with the options, so I apologize if you seen many posts like this - I just wanted to get some ideas before I started buying parts, which I'm going to have to do a little at a time (I'm not limiting myself to a budget, but I won't be able to buy everything at once.)

Also, speaking of buying everything at once - what stuff can I wait to buy which can be installed after the cab is constructed?  For instance, the coin door - I could probably buy the coin door I want and install it, but buy the coin mech and tokens later on.

Thanks for reading!

[Kaytrim]

I'll break this down to two venders and what they offer. 

First is Ultimarc.  Lets start off with the joysticks.  You want the ability to switch them from 4-way to 8-way.  Look at the Ultimarc Ultrastick 360.  This joystick gives you the ability to change the mode electronically.  It also acts like a encoder with up to 15 buttons with the latest firmware enhancement.  That should take care of the sticks and all the necessary buttons.  If you want to stick with the Mag-Sticks then look at the Mini-Pac

For the trackball you can use the Opti-Pac.  This should handle both the trackball and spinner.  It also handles the mouse buttons.  These can be mapped in MAME to be the action buttons for the trackball games.

Now from Groovy Game Gear (GGG).  GGG is going to be releasing in the near future a multi purpose joystick of their own.  This stick will require a special encoder card, the GPWiz49.   The GPWiz49 will allow electronic mode selection and button connections.  There is even rumors that there will be a rotary enhancement for the new stick. 

For your trackball and spinner GGG has two very nice devices.  The ICE-T trackball and the TT2 spinner.  These come with thier own encoder cards to which you can attach buttons.   

If you like bling GGG is your source for everything bling.  Starting with the LED-Wiz card you can control all the LEDs that are used to light up any buttons and the ICE-T.   GGG also has several options for lighted buttons.  The most versatile is the Electric ICE buttons.  These can be lit by the RGB-Drive boards.  In combination with the LED-Wiz you have a full rainbow of color available to you.  This is also part of the ICE-T trackball.  Take some time and look over the site.

Welcome to the boards and enjoy this hobby.
Kaytrim

[moriartyds]

I second what Kaytrim said. 

If you don't want to pay for the 360 joysticks though, you can get the cheaper Happs Super and combine it with an Ultmarc ipac.  I don't have the minipac, but I think they're similar.  It the ipac2 should work with your configuration (although I don't know why you need 8 fire buttons).

You can get a Happs trackball that plugs straight into PS2 or USB (or the Ice one from GGG).  I'd recommend the turbo twister2 spinner from GGG.  Get both trackball/spinner with USB  and you can skip the optipac.  The TT2 spinner comes with a mame token top option BTW.

You can always buy the coin door later as you mention, but it's easier to install it when you're building the cab (unless you make the front door/panel removable).  The con mech usually comes with the door, and it's easier IMO to get one that accepts quarters than having to buy tokens (assuming you live in the US).  Look for a working over/under Happs coin door on Ebay for cheap.

[AndyWarne]

Just to point out, the Mini-PAC will handle all of these controls via one USB cable, and the optional wiring harness will allow them all to be connected in a matter of minutes.
Andy

[mrbones]

I wouldn't recommend mini-pac to anyone (Sorry Andy). I have to reprogram mine every time at boot up so its a real pain in my side. I've contacted Ultimarc's tech support months ago and it went unanswered. I've tried a number of registry fixes but the problem persists.

Andy, if you have a fix for it I'd be glad to try it.

Other than the reprogram problem I have, the product does work well. So, I guess it depends on how you look at it.

-mrb

[divemaster127]

I have sold over 50 of the mini-pacs & this have been a real good product with 0 issues, I also use the minipac & highly recommend it.
dm