I-pac2 or mini pac? whats the difference between _ buttons?

[JKD The Lad]

I have two quick questions:

1. is there any big advantage over getting a I-pac2 over the mini?
From what I've read the Mini is much easier to install and seems to also have the ability to work as a opti-pac

I'm making 2 boards, one with 2 8-way joysticks, 2 pairs of 16 buttons (plus a shift) and a second board with a spinner, trackball 6 buttons and a 4/8-way joystick
Before I order is there any reason why I would want a to buy a I-pac2 for ether of them instead of 2 mini-pacs?


2.Regarding buttons: whats the difference between the "PUSHBUTTON WITH HORIZONTAL MICROSWITCH" and the     
"ULTIMATE PUSHBUTTON WITH MICROSWITCH" on the happs website?
I'm still trying to decide what sort of buttons to buy.

[LeedsFan]

I copied this from the Ultimarc site for you:

"The I-PAC2 has 28 inputs. They are all programmable and are designated as 2 joysticks, 8 buttons each, plus coin1, coin2, start1, start2. One of the inputs is assigned as a shift key to access an alternate code set."

The Minipac is basically the same but with trackball/spinner inputs too. My advice is to get the Minipac for the board with the trackball/spinner. Minipac can also be bought with the correct wiring sockets for either Happs or Ultimarc trackballs.

The I-PAC will do you fine for the other board. Of course there's nothing to stop you using a Minipac on that one too and you have the option to use the trackball/spinner inputs at a later date if you choose to. The Minipac is about half the size of the I-PAC due to the way the wires connect to the boards. I wouldn't say either of them is "easier" to install than the other unless you were really cramped for space.

I'm not too sure about the buttons. Can't comment on them really.

[JKD The Lad]

   Thanks for the help!
I had read that bit about inputs on the site and thats what I figured but seeing a lot of form members buy I-pac2s instead of mini's made me worry there was something I was missing.

[u_rebelscum]

2.  The difference is the ultimates suck.   

Technically, the switch is mounted vertically on the ultimates, and the thingie that translates the vertical button movement into a horizontal to depress the switch is not as good as the other buttons.  The only nice thing about the ultimates is you don't need to remove the switch to screw/unscrew the button; however, you need to remove the wires (or the switch) to remove the button anyway, so it's a minor bonus in exchange for poorer game play.

Get the horizontals.

[Zakk]

I actually prefer the ultimates, It's a lot smoother motion on the buttons, because they are rubbing along the actuator switch, not slamming down on it.  Again, personal preference...and truth be told, I almost always install the horizontal buttons, I have the vertical ones on my personal machine, along with cherry microswitches with "green" actuator buttons.  Man, those things are just like tapping air.  If I could find a place that sold those "green" versions, I'd buy them out

[JKD The Lad]

Thanks for the advice guys! Its all been very helpful
I think I'll grab the horizontal buttons!