Encoder question

[31spoonerstreet]

I am about to make a parts order and had an encoder question.  After researching and the comments on this forum I am going to get my stuff from GGG and had a question on the best encoder for my setup.

I am just going to start with a standard single player 6 button standalone CP but then want to build a full arcade later in the year.

I imagine I will end up with the following.

Joystick (Maybe 360)
Spinner
Trackball
Pinball buttons
4 way
(Hopefully) Tron stick

Any thoughts on which model KeyWiz would be best for me long term?

Thanks

[Xam]

KeyWiz Max is what I have. Plenty of inputs and the SHazzam button allows for great versatility with admin functions.

Spinner and trackball can be installed USB (make sure to buy the USB versions).

I'm currently running 2 players w/6 buttons each and one 4 way.

Xam

[emerica]

KeyWiz Max is what I have. Plenty of inputs and the SHazzam button allows for great versatility with admin functions.

I'll second the Keywiz Max. I've had mine for about 3 or 4 years without any problems.

[31spoonerstreet]

Thanks for the input, now that there is the High-low spinner I have to get a Tron stick somehow too.

For now I'll just get the Max and the basics first then rob a bank or something to get the money for the other parts.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Sorry guys what is GGG?  I am starting to shop parts too and looking for the best items for best price....

thx
Jim

[knave]

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Thanks for the link.. however I am confused.. how many inputs do I need if I have
2 8 way joysticks
1 4 way
1 spinner
22 buttons?

I think a joystick needs 4 spots each and then 22 buttons I do not see an encoder that supports enough inputs?? I am i confused..yep.. anyone help.

also this shazam thing.. i am confused.. does it add 24 more inputs? from what i read you have to press a shift button or something>??  sorry been a while for me.

thanks
Jim

[unclet]

Yes, each normally used standard looking joystick has 4 microswitches (does not matter if it is 8-way or 4-way).   An "8-way joystick" simply indicates the joystick shaft can be moved into the corners which will result in two microswitches being pressed at the same time (ex: if you move the shaft to the top/left corner then the UP and LEFT microswitches will be both clicked).

So, with two 8-way and one 4-way joysticks you would have 12 microswitches (thus need 12 ports on the encoder), however, you could simply wire your 4-way joystick directly to one of your 8-way joysticks to save yourself from using 4 switches (thus reduce the amount of encoder ports you need to use to 8 ).   Basically, if you are going to use your 4-way joystick in the same manner as your 8-way but you just do not want to let it go into the corners, then you should wire them together.  If you plan to do separate things with your 8-way's and 4-way then you probably want to wire them separately.



As for the "Shazaam" thing ......

I THINK THIS IS HOW IT WORKS, ALTHOUGH LET SOMEONE ELSE CONFIRM THIS AS WELL!

I do not own a GGG encoder, but I believe this allows the user to mark one existing button (any button can be used?) to represent the "shift-key Shazamm button".   As a result, I believe the user can then hold this special button down while pressing another button to indicate another mapping from your encoder. 

For example:
Lets say you have 2 buttons (Player1Start and Player1CoinUp).   I think you can do the mappings like this:

Player1Start = button to indicate Player1 started game (but also mark this as Shazaam button)
Player1CoinUp = button to indicate Player1 entered a coin
Player1CoinUp(when Shazaam button held down) = Pause a game

So when the Player1Start button is held down you can then press the Player1CoinUp button to have it pause the game.

In this example you can do 3 functions with only 2 buttons, thus you only need 2 encoder ports instead of 3.

I might be am most likely incorrect with the exact description a bit, but at least you can get the general idea of what a Shazaam key lets you do.

[emerica]

there is a dedicated input for the shazaam key. It acts as a shift input which can be used for admin keys such as shazaam and p1 b1 is the enter key or shazzaam and p1 button 4 for the escape key. These are encoded by default in the keywiz.

[Turnarcades]

Don't know what it costs to get to the US, but for simplicity, try the mini-pac from Ultimarc - it's all pre-wired for two mouse inputs, two joysticks and 20 buttons.

[divemaster127]

If you guys are needing parts I try to offer the best prices available, the most common prices are listed on my buy/sell tread under divemaster127 its stickeyed in the buy/sell thread
dm

[emerica]

there is a dedicated input for the shazaam key. It acts as a shift input which can be used for admin keys such as shazaam and p1 b1 is the enter key or shazzaam and p1 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- is the esc key.

what happened to my post? I never wrote "BINGO!...to type" 

[unclet]

Edit your post and see exactly what you typed.

If I ever number things 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7) ....  then the 8th number displays at a smiley face instead

[emerica]

Edit your post and see exactly what you typed.

If I ever number things 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7) ....  then the 8th number displays at a smiley face instead

I should have wrote p1 button 4

b 4 put together = --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--

[unclet]

 

[knave]

Edit your post and see exactly what you typed.

If I ever number things 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7) ....  then the 8th number displays at a smiley face instead

I should have wrote p1 button 4

b 4 put together = --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--

Hehe, fun never ends with the autocensor...

To get back to the issue. I also wanted to have you check that you need 22 buttons.  I've been lurking for a while and that seems like too many. But Who knows you might have something special in mind. 

Assuming a two player six button (each) setup I usually see about 18 button inputs (w/pinball buttons) in a well designed panel.  Things you don't need are dedicated buttons for your trackball and spinner.  For those you use buttons from either player one or two.  So to summarize:

8 inputs for 3 joys (One 8 way is wired with the 4 way)
18 Button inputs. 12 play buttons 2 start 2 coin and 2 pinball (do we need a plunger button?)

There are still ways to save inputs by using the shift/shazam key. (some folks only put two admin buttons on their panel)

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Ok guys thanks for the clarification.  I do believe the last time I made a cab I doubled up on the inputs thats what I did I couldn't recall that until you mentioned it.

I figured the Shazam key was a shift key..thanks.

Now looking at it I will not need all those inputs..I was half asleep when I typed that.

thx
Jim

[clickhea]

i purchased my parts from DM, hes very helpfull and very quick to respond.