New Product: TurboTwist High-Low™ - Arcade Up/Down Spinner - GroovyGameGear

[RobotronNut]

Heh, lucky, squeezed in there:

Tested xp home + mame 0.103 + 2 USB mice + 1 ps/2 mouse:  Mame sees all mice as one device.

whew!     thanks for checking!

[Havok]

Randy,

Will there be a Steering Wheel option with the TT-HL spinner ?

Or shall that remain an exclusive option for the TT2 ?

I would think a wheel wouldn't work well with the hl spinner...

[TPB]

I would think a wheel wouldn't work well with the hl spinner...

Yes, that's what I suspect.

We'll await the official response from Randy.

[Tiger-Heli]

FWIW:
From 0.105 to 0.117, mame "forced" multimouse (there was no option to turn it disable the behavior).   
For winXP, mame 0.104 and prior do not support separate multiple mice, period.

Except for the MAME Analog Plus or NoNameMAME variants - but thanks for the info, u_rebelscum!!!

[Lilwolf]

If he doesn't want to add a few inches for a wood mount because of additional stresses, I can't imagine he would want to add a steering wheel so people have a big handle to get extra torque on.

Randy, GREAT JOB!

I would think a wheel wouldn't work well with the hl spinner...

Yes, that's what I suspect.

We'll await the official response from Randy.

[Minwah]

Can the main parts be removed from the mounting plate so that artwork could be applied easily over the plate (once installed), and then assemble the parts again afterwards?

[RandyT]

Will there be a Steering Wheel option with the TT-HL spinner ?

I wanted to actually try it before answering.  But the answer is as others have already guessed.  It works, but if one were to press down while using it (hard not to), the same concerns apply.  So it won't be an option for this spinner.  However, if one really wanted one of the wheels, understanding that they would be using it at their own risk, I will provide it with the TT-HL by special request.

Can the main parts be removed from the mounting plate so that artwork could be applied easily over the plate (once installed), and then assemble the parts again afterwards?

Yes, as long you are careful not to lose the spring

RandyT

[tommyinajar]

Again...I am wondering...what games,  other than Discs of Tron,  will utilize this device?

Anyone?

I am trying to determine if it is in my future or not. 

I believe an old favorite of mine  "Front Line" Used the push

[RetroBorg]

I believe an old favorite of mine  "Front Line" Used the push

As tigerheli has already stated: Tin Star, Wild Western, and Front Line used a cam actuated by a spinner knob, which looked liked a spinner with push action, but was actually more accurately an 8-way joystick that was always in one position.

Here is a picture of a Front Line controller:

[Kremmit]

Here is a picture of a Front Line controller:

Hmm, that's interesting.  I've never seen one like that before.  Mine, and all the other ones I've ever seen, have a totally different housing & knob.  Looks like they both do the same thing, though. 

[RetroBorg]

Hmm, that's interesting.  I've never seen one like that before.  Mine, and all the other ones I've ever seen, have a totally different housing & knob.  Looks like they both do the same thing, though. 

I'd like to see a picture of yours, I've only seen this type before.

[Neverending Project]

I'd like to see a picture of yours, I've only seen this type before.

Easy there boys. This is a family environment. No need for "you show me yours, and I'll show you mine. "

[RetroBorg]

Easy there boys. This is a family environment. No need for "you show me yours, and I'll show you mine. "

It seems fair to me, I showed him mine now I want to see his! 

[tommyinajar]

Ahhh, thanks for the pictures, I kind of remember now- Not a true spinner.

 It WAS a few years ago. 

Now, can you map newer Mame versions to use a spinner ? Maybe, I should be asking who has a Front Line controller for sale....

[Kremmit]

I'll see if I can fish it out of storage.

[Minwah]

Yes, as long you are careful not to lose the spring

Excellent, thanks!

Think I will find myself ordering one of these in the new year...

[RandyT]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I need to bump the release back until right after Christmas.  It's been way too hectic this past week.

But I am working on getting the ball rolling...Sorry for the delay, and thanks for all of the positive comments.

RandyT

[TPB]

Randy,

Merry Christmas !!

Shall the DOT inspired knob, be made available as an option on the TT2 spinner ??

[TPB]

Shall the DOT inspired knob, be made available as an option on the TT2 spinner ??

Hi Randy,

Any word ?

I know it's the holiday season, but I noticed a recent post of yours in another thread, so it looks like you're back on deck.

I guess the TT-HL shall be up on the GGG site soon ?

[RandyT]

I guess the TT-HL shall be up on the GGG site soon ?

Yes.  However, there has been a last minute design change.  I spent all day yesterday, well into the morning hours, working on a new mounting plate design.  After laser cutting some installation templates, I came to the conclusion that the small plate would cause some ease of installation issues that might end up being insurmountable to those with limited woodworking skills.  I also liked the idea of being able to offer different colors, as well as a white  translucent plate so that a couple of LEDs (or RGB Drives™) could be mounted below and the plate could be illuminated.  So now, the mounting plate is a 2 1/4" diameter, laser cut from some tough acrylic which can be illuminated and allows for a more forgiving installation profile.

I have white (translucent) in stock, but the other colors won't arrive until after the holidays.  I plan on offering the unit in Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, Green and an EI Version that comes with a lighting kit that can be attached to an LED-Wiz.

I'll be working on getting the photo updated to replace the one at the start of the thread and the documentation will follow quickly thereafter.

Sorry for the delays.

RandyT

[ids]

Was just about to order the Apache product when I noticed this thread - hurry and get it on your website!

Will the Apache knobs fit?  (I want other colours)

[tommyinajar]

I don't think anyone will mind waiting a bit longer, because you are trying to make it the best possible!

 

[RandyT]

Will the Apache knobs fit?  (I want other colours)

The knob is integral to the function of this spinner.  If you must have a different color, I suggest spray painting the knob or better still, sending it off to a powder coater for one of those "candy" finishes.

Any other knob than the one supplied or specifically designed for this spinner will yield poor results, even though they will likely physically fit.

RandyT

[TPB]

there has been a last minute design change.

Hi Randy,

We'll all patiently await the finished product.

No-one wants to see it released before it's had the finishing touches applied, so take your time.

We all know you're a perfectionist, who lives & breathes quality ... the best type of vendor to have !!!

Given you're redesigning a couple of things ...

I think it would be great if you could somehow incorporate the steering wheel as an option for the TT-HL (in all wheel sizes - 5", 6", and 7").

By this, I mean a proper, proven, "production-standard" option that's offered on the GGG website, with performance and quality of workmanship guaranteed.

That would be vastly more preferable to a one-off, ad-hoc, "by special request only" customisation with no guarantees.

I have no knowledge of the production design issues, so maybe I'm asking for the impossible.

But I just think it would be shame    to offer the TT-HL without the steering wheel option, which has been so popular on the TT2.

I understand the Up/Down functionality would ONLY work when the stock-standard DOT replica spinner top is in use.  The Up/Down functionality would NOT work when the steering wheel is in use, but that's OK, as long as it functions fine as a "regular spinner" in "steering wheel mode", without damaging the product (or the panel) in any way.

I've ordered 2 * XXL Mame panels from XGaming, of which I'm patiently awaiting delivery (anticipated delivery date has been pushed out until early this year, but that's OK, as they won't bill me until the panels ship).

When my panels arrive, I'd like to modify at least one of them, to include at least one spinner.

I was planning on the TT2 with the 7" steering wheel option (there's plenty of spare room on each side of the XXL panels, to accommodate the 7" wheel).

But now you've released the TT-HL ... WOW     ... it's VERY tempting, it looks awesome, but without the steering wheel option, I think I'd need to stick with the TT2.  I guess that wouldn't be a totally bad thing, I would save money by sticking with the TT2.

[RandyT]

I think it would be great if you could somehow incorporate the steering wheel as an option for the TT-HL (in all wheel sizes - 5", 6", and 7").

By this, I mean a proper, proven, "production-standard" option that's offered on the GGG website, with performance and quality of workmanship guaranteed.

That would be vastly more preferable to a one-off, ad-hoc, "by special request only" customisation with no guarantees.

I have no knowledge of the production design issues, so maybe I'm asking for the impossible.

One of the most difficult challenges involved in designing a product is finding a balance between cost effective design and resiliency against the dumbest thing a user will try to do with it.  Functionality is often wedged between and dictated by the outcome of that balance.

I can offer a wheel with this design, with a couple of limitations.  If a user (or his friend) is the type to get mad at a game and pound on the wheel when he crashes, or has kids who will use it as a "jungle gym" implement, then there's nothing I can do for that user.  The issue comes about when there is a problem and the user blames the manufacturer because it should be "tried and tested" as you have already inferred.  That's not the problem part, as all of my designs are "tried and tested".  The problem comes about when blatant abuse comes into the picture, and then you have to ask yourself at what level of abuse do you wish to design against, thereby escalating cost and complexity.  One could even take the not-so-extreme view that a device designed to do two things should be made to standard of the most physically demanding one and converted to the other.  In this case, it would result in a huge, expensive monstrosity, but it would hold up no matter what.  But then I also wouldn't be able to sell them.

That's why you see me making caveats about certain things that provide secondary functionality.

That being said, I will consider offering a special version of the wheel that uses a heavy felt pad on the bottom for the "seat", which will move the stresses from the shaft mechanism to the plate.  This, however, will eventually mar the acrylic plate and the wheel will not "free spin" as it does on the standard TT2.  It will also do nothing to prevent angry gamers or sugar-addled munchkins from breaking something.

As long as all of this is understood, I'll see what I can do.  Just expect these same caveats to find their way into the product description  

BTW, a new product image with the Blue acrylic mounting plate was put up on the first post last night.  Once again, these will be available in Black, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and a White that is very translucent and can color change with proper lighting.  The other colors also have very good translucency and can be illuminated as well.

RandyT

[tommyinajar]

Eh, bite the bullet and get a TT2 & the  TTH-L. Then you can play Blasteroids, Two Tiger, and

Even Super Sprint ( You get the TT2 with the wheel )

[Tiger-Heli]

and resiliency against the dumbest thing a user will try to do with it.

Like when a user connects a 12V DC LED marquee light up to 120V AC and then blames you when the product fails, right Randy?

[TPB]

Like when a user connects a 12V DC LED marquee light up to 120V AC and then blames you when the product fails, right Randy?

I remember that discussion, it was quite amusing.

I guess novices are, now and then, prone to making inadvertent mistakes.  I'm a novice myself when it comes to circuit boards, wiring, metalwork, and woodwork - so I won't be casting any stones.  But, having said that, it's not fair to hold the vendor to ransom in such circumstances !!

Considering the cost of the part was only about $15 (from memory), I believe Randy made a fair offer of a $5 discount on the purchase of a replacement light, but the purchaser didn't think this was good enough ??

I can offer a wheel with this design, with a couple of limitations. ... I will consider offering a special version of the wheel that uses a heavy felt pad on the bottom for the "seat", which will move the stresses from the shaft mechanism to the plate. ... I'll see what I can do.  Just expect these same caveats to find their way into the product description  

 

Fantastic Randy !!  No problems about the caveats in the product description.

Eh, bite the bullet and get a TT2 & the  TTH-L.

I don't want frankenpanels.

There's only room for so many controls, so it's best to get "multi purpose" controls (as long as they're top quality, from reputable vendors such as GGG) that can be used to play the largest variety of games.

I am considering two spinners, but in this event, I'd want both to have steering wheel capability, to allow 2 player action in Super Sprint.

I really love Super Sprint.

So, that'd either mean 2 * TT2's, or (presuming Randy offers a version of the TT-HL that works with the Steering Wheel option) 2 * TT-HL's, or perhaps one of each.

BTW, a new product image with the Blue acrylic mounting plate was put up on the first post last night.

Yes, I spotted the new image, it looks fab.

[vertygo]

Ok, am I crazy, or can I not find this on your website ?  Has it been scrapped ?

[TPB]

Ok, am I crazy, or can I not find this on your website ?  Has it been scrapped ?

Be patient ...

Randy's a perfectionist, and is making a few last minute product design changes, for our benefit.

Don't rush him, the product will be made available in due course.

If you need a top-grade spinner in a hurry, order the TT2.

[Minwah]

Is the mounting plate actually necessary?  In other words could the spinner not just be mounted to a panel the same thickness as the mounting plate (eg a metal CP or routed down MDF panel)?  How thick is the mounting plate?

Just trying to think of a way I can avoid routing the top of my CP, if possible.

[vertygo]

Not trying to rush, just wanted to make sure it wasn't me

I'm totally willing to wait for the HL rather than buy the TT2 at this point.

[RandyT]

Is the mounting plate actually necessary?  In other words could the spinner not just be mounted to a panel the same thickness as the mounting plate (eg a metal CP or routed down MDF panel)?  How thick is the mounting plate?

If you have a metal panel, or a 1/8" overlay, and can accurately drill the holes necessary, yes, it can be mounted without the top plate.  You could probably do the same thing with 1/4", if you had longer flat head 4-40 screws.  I wouldn't route MDF any thinner than 1/4" nor expose the internals to it's raw surface.  The plate keeps debris out of the race, so whatever surface is exposed to it needs to be be similarly hard, flat and smooth.  There isn't a huge amount of up / down adjustability to the knob, so that will be the limiter.

My apologies again for taking so long with this.  I still need to do a test or two with the steering wheel setup mentioned before.  I may add that option later in order to get this out there.

RandyT

[RandyT]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the TurboTwist High-Low™ is now shipping.  The store listing showing the available options can be found here.

I still need to add a few photos to the listing, but everything should be correct for getting your orders placed.

Thanks for being so patient.

RandyT

[vertygo]

Had a really weird idea today while I was dreaming of the HL.. is it possible, or even feasible, to use the HL (in combo with the steering wheel) as the gas pedal ? Ie. pull up to slow down (or speed up) and vice-versa ? I realize this would probably just completely destroy the thing within a few days, was just wondering if it was possible.

Cheers

[RandyT]

Had a really weird idea today while I was dreaming of the HL.. is it possible, or even feasible, to use the HL (in combo with the steering wheel) as the gas pedal ? Ie. pull up to slow down (or speed up) and vice-versa ? I realize this would probably just completely destroy the thing within a few days, was just wondering if it was possible.

Theoretically, yes.  But the wheel has been made in such a way that it would not work, because doing this is very much not recommended.

RandyT

[vertygo]

the speed at which you respond is downright creepy. Great, Amazing, but still creepy.

I figured that was the answer, but I just had to ask.

[RandyT]

the speed at which you respond is downright creepy. Great, Amazing, but still creepy.

I ordered a "life", but it still hasn't come in yet. 

RandyT

[vertygo]

I hope it's not coming from NJ..  (zing!)

[tommyinajar]

Ok I ordered my TTH-L can't wait to try DOT out.

Randy, now that the spinner is perfected & you have all this free time when is the 49 way coming out?