optipac and ipac question

[infamous360]

I am planning on making a controller with 2 spinners on it and 14 buttons. I was wondering if I can hook an optipac into an ipac... I would also like this controller to be used on my playstation2 as well

Thanks

[Hoopz]

The Opti-pac must be connected to the computer as will the I-pac.

[infamous360]

oh ok thanks... I guess its easier to buy 2 usb spinners then

[northerngames]

I dought the spinners would work on the ps2 but the may.

also 2 usb spinners are not going to allow a 14 button usage you would still need the IPAC.

you also could get a mini-pac with opti where it is a ipac and optipac all in one smaller pcb.

[infamous360]

I dought the spinners would work on the ps2 but the may.

also 2 usb spinners are not going to allow a 14 button usage you would still need the IPAC.

you also could get a mini-pac with opti where it is a ipac and optipac all in one smaller pcb.

yeah i know... I am getting an ipac just not an optipac

[northerngames]

mini pac with opti would be alot cheaper then usb spinners but then a regular spinner is a little harder to install where GGG has some that mount in a standard button hole so those type usb spinners would take like 10 minutes to install in any CP lol.

[infamous360]

I have been thinking... I might not even need the spinners anyway...

can more than 1 button be wired to a single slot on an ipac?

[Fozzy The Bear]

I have been thinking... I might not even need the spinners anyway...

can more than 1 button be wired to a single slot on an ipac?

You can wire as many buttons to it as you like..... Each one of them will only produce the same keystroke on the output though. Each button is only an open contact that closes when you press it. So it doesn't matter if you have 10 buttons connected to the one contact. each one of the ten buttons would produce the same output.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[infamous360]

Thats perfectly fine with me =D I am thinking of ways I can build an iidx controller without having to use KOCs and still being able to make them work on playstation2

[northerngames]

ultimarc may also sell ipac to ps2 console adapter's but I'm not 100% sure on that.

[infamous360]

they do =D

[MonMotha]

Seriously, import a couple of Japanese KOCs and hack them to shreds.  Unlike the US versions, these don't usually die for no reason.  They can be had for about $70 each, which is less than you're considering spending on al this gear and they do EXACTLY what you want.  As a bonus, they even include the optics you need, and a handy wiring pigtail for all your buttons (including start and select, which bring your total up to 10 buttons per player plus the two optical inputs).  Heck, they even include a correctly made toothed disk for the optics, if you want to use it.

I don't normally advocate hacking up console controllers, so if that's what i'm suggesting it's a safe bet that it's the easiest and cheapest route.  If you want USB for sims, just grab a cheap playstation to USB converter.  This is seriously how almost ALL 'professional' IIDX ASCs are built.  It's not how I would build it, but since you don't want to build it the way the actual machine is built, this is probably the best way.

To answer the other quesiton that came up, "spinners" don't normally "work" on the PS2.  Support is up to the game, but the way IIDX is set up, clockwise rotation is mapped to the up arrow on the D-Pad, and counterclockwise is mapped to the Down arrow (yes, this is slightly not what you'd expect).  If you continue to rotate, it just continues to say that the button is pressed.

[infamous360]

Alright.. what import site has the iidx controllers in stock tho?

[MonMotha]

Well, now that Lik-Sang is gone, the biggest option is Play-Asia, who lists them as out of stock right now.  Not sure why; they've always had plenty in the past, and they are certainly still being made.  YesAsia sells the games, but I don't think they sell the controller.  You can check Toys and Joys in Hawaii, but they tend to be a little pricy.  Failing that, hop on Bemanistyle and post a want to buy.  You can probably get a couple used ones in good shape for a decent price, especially since you don't care about the buttons themselves.  They also show up on ebay occasionally, or hit up Yahoo Auctions Japan via a deputy service.  Some deputy services will also be happy to just go buy one at retail or off any online Japanese retailer, but of course they'll charge you a fee for the service.  I didn't realize Play-Asia was out of stock.

Most people who actually play on them like the US controllre better since the buttons don't suck, so I think importing the Japanese one may be falling out of favor.

That said, I've been planning on making an ASC out of that bmIII turntable I have, since my machine is currently several hours away and will be for a while.  Somebody else I know also has a bmIII turntable (he gave me the one I have).  The same interface board could be used for your stuff.  If you are interested, even a couple more brings the price down substantially, so my friend would like it if you were to buy some   PM me if you are interested.

[infamous360]

pm'd