Author Topic: FIGHT!!! SHOWDOWN!!! ---- Tornado Spinner vs. Turbo Twist 2 vs SpinTrak---- ??? (Read 13777 times)

ARTIFACT · « **on:** August 10, 2007, 02:14:34 pm »

(UPDATED: included the SpinTrak in the showdown

)

Time for a showdown people!
I have to choose one!

Tornado Spinner

VS

Turbo Twist 2

VS

SPINTRAK

What is your take on this?
Which one should I get?

I may be able to bundle shipping from Divemaster127 on a SlikStik (don't know if it's Tornado or SpinTrak - sent Divemaster a PM waiting to hear back...) with other stuff I am ordering already.

Looking forward to see this showdown unfold

TOK · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2007, 02:34:49 pm »

I just ordered a Turbo Twist, upgraded knob and the energy storage cylinder (just to have the option of a longer spin). Since my control panel isn't huge, I like the small bottom profile. Also, knowing that it conforms to standard button size, I also already have the hole in my panel so I can just drop it in when it arrives.

fatfingers · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2007, 02:46:41 pm »

I have a tornado and like it. Note that I don't play arkanoid. Also note that I'm going to buy a turbo twist 2 because of the steering wheel option -- something to consider.

ahofle · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2007, 02:50:25 pm »

I can tell you that the TT2 does not feel cheap at all. It's quite an impressive piece of hardware. I haven't tried out a Tornado, but they look very nice too. I especially like their knobs.

Jeff AMN · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:08:47 pm »

I've built panels with both. I don't think you can go wrong either way. My personal cab has a Tornado, but I'd be 100% happy with a TT2 as well.

The TT2 wheel attachment is a HUGE bonus though.

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:33:05 pm »

interesting!

keep the info (and point of views) coming!

patrickl · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:34:03 pm »

Isn't the SpinTrak also available from Slikstik. At least I thought it was a cooperation between Ultimarc and Slikstik.

The SpinTrak would be a better comparison to the TT2

BTW I have a Tornado and I don't like not being able to play Arkanoid (and later versions) with it.

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:37:58 pm »

I forgot to say that the main game I'll use this for (at first, at least) is ARKANOID - which I played on my Amstrad CPC 6128 computer (CP/M) in 1987

I havent played many spinner arcade games while growing up... mainly joystick/wheel/gun games - thus I dont know what to look for /judge

ahofle · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:46:17 pm »

Patrickl is correct. You should be comparing the TT2 to the Spintrak, not the Tornado which has a much smaller resolution if I'm not mistaken: http://www.ultimarc.com/SpinTrak.htm

bfauska · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2007, 03:58:17 pm »

Quote from: ARTIFACT on August 10, 2007, 02:14:34 pm

To me - not having used or seen either one in real life - the Tornado looks MUCH sturdier / authentic.

The sturdier look is due to it's bulkier components and the flywheel/weight. The components inside the TT2 are actually more protected, and while being smaller may seem like a weakness for those components, it really shouldn't. High precision industrial rotary encoders (like an arcade spinner but for the real world) use disks made of acetate with lines printed on them, not large aluminum disks with notches, and they hold up to millions of cycles and years of use in abusive environments. The encoder board being mounted inside the Tornado also adds to the bulk and need for large built-in bracket, but the open design of the frame is actually susceptible to flexing, while housing the components inside a tube keeps the system from moving or flexing out of alignment.

While I don't have either one yet I intend to buy the TT2 because it looks to be constructed more like the industrial equipment I've come to trust in equipment at work that we use to lift and move scenery and people, an application where skimping on rugged and durable equipment can cause serious injury.

I can see your dilemma if you are already ordering from DM, while the shipping on the TT2 would definitely be less than the price difference between the two products, the knobs on the Tornado are a little cooler looking. But ultimately I think the TT2 is a better designed product at a lower price.

EDIT:

Now that the spintrak has been added into the discussion... I like the look of it's housing much more than the Tornado, and it has a high resolution. The downside with it is that the cost with a knob and interface is about $20 more than the TT2, it takes up a little more room under the CP and you are still shopping through a second vendor (shipping again)

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2007, 04:15:02 pm »

Quote from: patrickl on August 10, 2007, 03:34:03 pm

BTW I have a Tornado and I don't like not being able to play Arkanoid (and later versions) with it.

Interesting! Tornado = no arkanoid then...

I'll loko into the spintrak as well - THANKS guys!

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2007, 04:22:45 pm »

(UPDATED - I have added the spintrak to the list at the top)

What about flyweight? do you think I should get one (to play Arkanoid first)?

On the TT2, is the "energy cylinder" essentially a flyweight with a different name?

Jeff AMN · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2007, 05:25:25 pm »

Quote from: patrickl on August 10, 2007, 03:34:03 pm

Isn't the SpinTrak also available from Slikstik. At least I thought it was a cooperation between Ultimarc and Slikstik.

The SpinTrak would be a better comparison to the TT2

BTW I have a Tornado and I don't like not being able to play Arkanoid (and later versions) with it.

Wait, what? I play Arkanoid just fine with my Tornado. You just have to adjust your mouse sensitivity and it feels perfect.

pie taster · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2007, 05:27:23 pm »

Someone in another thread mentioned the TT2 has an interface for the trackball??

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69758.msg713429#msg713429

Does that mean you can plug a trackball into the tt2?? Is that correct and do the other spinners support that?

Please note.. I AM A NOOB! So i'm sure I'm screwing this up.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2007, 05:27:34 pm »

Quote from: ARTIFACT on August 10, 2007, 04:22:45 pm

(UPDATED - I have added the spintrak to the list at the top)

What about flyweight? do you think I should get one (to play Arkanoid first)?

On the TT2, is the "energy cylinder" essentially a flyweight with a different name?

If you get the optional token knob with the TT2 you will not need the energy cylinder/flyweight. The flyweight makes the spinner spin longer and gives you a more weighty feel. I have an old Oscar spinner that was patterned after the Tempest spinner and it spins a long time due to the flyweight.

TTFN

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2007, 05:41:23 pm »

Quote from: ARTIFACT on August 10, 2007, 04:22:45 pm

What about flyweight? do you think I should get one (to play Arkanoid first)?

Not really; arkanoid was a geared spinner, and while the weight in the flyweight will help with the initial feel of a not moving spinner, it will also spin longer, which arkanoid's gears worked against.

Quote

On the TT2, is the "energy cylinder" essentially a flyweight with a different name?

Yes

Note that all three knobs should be interchangable between the models, so if you don't mind the extra shipping, or buy from a reseller that stocks both, you can mix and match. The two knobs that are special designed for a specific spinner AFAIK are the TT2's steering wheels and the TokenTop™, so I don't know it they'll work on other spinners.

I have the SpinTrak and TT2 and other older spinners, but not the tornado. The tornado was better than most other spinners when it first came out, but now its lower res is hurting it, especially with arkanoid. Otherwise it's still a good spinner.

That said, I like both the SpinTrak and the TT2. Both are high res (1000 cpr & 1200 cpr, respectively), and sturdy. I do like the TT2's button-like mounting for it's simplicity, but am not sure if it makes the knob (that I have) look too far off the CP. (I'm actually surprised it bugs me so, as the difference is almost not noticeable.

) Since I don't have the wheel, I don't know how it feels, but others here love it. The SpinTrak doesn't have the, errr, "flash" of the TT2, but it just works great. The spin res difference between TT2 and ST is noticeable side by side, but almost feel the same when either are compared with my older lower res spinners (ie, both are way better res than my 24-72 cpr spinners).

Some people are able to play arkanoid with low res spinners, but I can feel the difference on my lower res spinner even after adjusting the mouse sensitivity. The paddle seems to jump ro skip more rather than smoothly sliding, and it's missing ... something that playing with the TT2 & ST has. Responsiveness? Speed? Lag? Not that I can see, but maybe a combo of them?

I can play "fine" with the low res spinners, but not as great as with either the high res spinners. (Still not as good as I was as a kid in the arcades though; maybe if I played as much....

)

ahofle · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2007, 05:48:43 pm »

Quote from: Jeff AMN on August 10, 2007, 05:25:25 pm

Wait, what? I play Arkanoid just fine with my Tornado. You just have to adjust your mouse sensitivity and it feels perfect.

You can play Arkanoid, but you can't achieve the same resolution/sensitivity of the original spinner without loss of accuracy (moving 2 pixels for every 1 spinner pulse detection for example). I have the same problem with my old Oscar spinner. It works if you adjust the sensitivity, but then it's a bit jumpy.

mcfreak · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2007, 06:45:26 pm »

I'll throw in my vote for the TT2. I feel like I started this battle from my comment in the other thread...

Anyway, if you are in Texas you can come try it out if you want!

theCoder · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2007, 02:47:29 am »

I'll be using the Tornado I picked up a year ago on my current project. The exposed wheel makes me a bit nervous, but it's paid for and appears to work fine. It has a small footprint and spins forever. I have no experience with the other spinners.

Encryptor · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2007, 07:21:02 am »

Personally I haven't used the Tornado or the SpinTrak but I have tried an original Tron spinner and the TT2 and the TT2 is MILES above the old original spinner!

The small footprint is a great feature because you don't need any more room than a button would take up and you can hook a trackball w/ 3 buttons up to the interface that comes with the TT2.

IMO it's an amazing feat of engineering and should I build another game the TT2 will be my spinner of choice unless something better comes out in the mean time.

Encryptor

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2007, 02:11:19 am »

thanks everyone!

I think I'll go with the TT2 + big knob

my CP is compact, and I can use the extra space saved.

thanks for all the input.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #21 on:** August 12, 2007, 02:20:16 am »

I own 3 Turbo Twist 2's...

...2 with the added "weight" and 1 without. Get the weight...it feels better...much better.

Donkey_Kong · « **Reply #22 on:** August 12, 2007, 10:45:53 am »

Quote from: FrizzleFried on August 12, 2007, 02:20:16 am

I own 3 Turbo Twist 2's...

...2 with the added "weight" and 1 without. Get the weight...it feels better...much better.

Have you tried the TT2 with the heavy weight token knob? How does that compare to a regular knob with the cylinder weight?

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2007, 10:54:04 am »

what's the diameter and height of the heavy weight token knob?

thanks

Donkey_Kong · « **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:14:52 am »

Quote from: ARTIFACT on August 12, 2007, 10:54:04 am

what's the diameter and height of the heavy weight token knob?

thanks

Diameter is just a hair or two larger than a token and its height (above control panel) is about an inch.

RandyT · « **Reply #25 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:28:47 am »

The diameter is actually quite a bit larger than a token. The grip section Is about 1.3" in diameter, as opposed to the .984" token inside. The bottom is a little larger at 1.486"

RandyT

TOK · « **Reply #26 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:47:54 am »

I just got the TT2 with the energy cylinder (bottom weight) and an upgraded knob, but not the token one.
Very nice spinner. Has a great feel to it, and I'm very pleased with the purchase.
I've had a pre-drilled hole in my panel for weeks, and it was nice just to drop it in, connect the USB adapter and have the spinner working within minutes.

ARTIFACT · « **Reply #27 on:** August 13, 2007, 07:01:54 am »

I asked GroovyGameGear directly for exact measurements and got an answer:

The height of the knob including the felt is about .880". The diameter at the "skirt" is 1.486" The diameter at the grip is about 1.3"

... I'm going to get a TT2 + Token Knob

zabrin · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:00:34 pm »

Don't mean to hi-jack. I just want to understand something. I just purchased (shipped today) a TT2 spinner with the big blue knob. I did not get the energy cylinder. should I have???

Z.

ahofle · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:03:58 pm »

I think the general consensus is you should get either the "ESC" or the token knob if you like it to spin longer and feel 'weightier'.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #30 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:18:15 pm »

Quote from: Donkey_Kong on August 12, 2007, 10:45:53 am

Quote from: FrizzleFried on August 12, 2007, 02:20:16 am
I own 3 Turbo Twist 2's...

...2 with the added "weight" and 1 without. Get the weight...it feels better...much better.

Have you tried the TT2 with the heavy weight token knob? How does that compare to a regular knob with the cylinder weight?

Unfortunately I have not tried the heavy weight token knob so I can't make a comparison...but I'd be happy to if someone would like to donate one to the cause!

jasonbar · « **Reply #31 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:50:24 pm »

Howdy-

I'm getting my MAME setup to the point where some game are playable, though my interface & control panel still have a ways to go...

I've got Tempest working somewhat well, but I wanted to get a little help in tuning in the spinner. I have a dedicated Tempest sitting right next to my MAME cabinet, so I'm trying to tune in the spinner to feel juuust right. And then I won't have a need for my Tempest anymore & will sell it off. I'm surprised that my 800x600 Betson monitor displays vector graphics pretty much as nicely as the original vector monitor. Sure, there are some slight jaggies on the Betson, but there are also faint jaggies on the original vector monitor, since there seems to be only so fine a resolution for the phosphor dots on the screen...soooo, who wants to start fighting for a great-condition Tempest w/ monitor upgrades in Los Angeles?

Anyway...

I have a Tornado spinner that came w/ my SlikStik Quad, and I also added a push/pull Apache Blackhawk (for Discs of Tron, of course!).

The Tornado feels much better for Tempest, as it's lower to the control panel (since you don't have to get your fingers under it to pull upward).

The Tornado has aaaaaaaaaaaaaawesome bearings that, combined w/ its aluminum heft, let it just spin & spin & spin & spin...the original Tempest knob is light plastic & I had new bearings in there about 2 years ago and they're already kinda frumpy...If I spin the Tempest spinner & let go, it stops almost immediately. For a while, I was playing Tempest on MAME & it seemed as if there was a weird lag or overshoot & that MAME wasn't emulating the spinner well, but then I realized that it was just the extra mass & rotational moment of inertia that tended to make it harder to switch directions & stop as nimbly as on my real Tempest.

So, I tried to mess with the Analog Controls settings until it was close, but I don't think I've got it quiiiite right. I have Digital Speed set to 0 & Dial Sensitivity set to 35%. Are there other settings to tweak, or does anybody have recommendations on the "sweet spot" settings for Temepst w/ a Tornado?

Thanks!
-Jason

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #32 on:** July 06, 2008, 03:13:07 am »

Being that Tempest's spinner doesn't use bearings...I am just wondering how you replaced them?

AndyWarne · « **Reply #33 on:** July 06, 2008, 06:56:02 am »

The SpinTrak is discontinued in its present form. We found it was too expensive to produce.
We found a manufacturer with an off-the-shelf product which was almost perfect so it will be replaced by this, with our own interface which will be 16-bit USB 2.0, which is necessary for the high resolution to avoid backspin or slowdown.
We will be continuing to supply all the Slikstik-style anodized knobs.
Andy

jasonbar · « **Reply #34 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:55:31 pm »

Well, "bearings" as in non-ball bearings, or "bushings". :]

Thanks,
-Jason

Quote from: FrizzleFried on July 06, 2008, 03:13:07 am

Being that Tempest's spinner doesn't use bearings...I am just wondering how you replaced them?

davidgilmour · « **Reply #35 on:** April 07, 2015, 07:48:02 pm »

Quote from: ARTIFACT on August 12, 2007, 02:11:19 am

thanks everyone!

I think I'll go with the TT2 + big knob

my CP is compact, and I can use the extra space saved.

thanks for all the input.

Is that the best choice for Arkanoid?

dashingw · « **Reply #36 on:** April 07, 2015, 09:10:56 pm »

Geez, this post is like 7 years old, maybe you should have started another one.....


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