Connecting Joysticks & Buttons to keyboard?

[Retro_SA]

I'm busy ordering all my parts and for the first time I have to decide how to connect everything.  I'm on a tight budget and shipping everything to South Africa from different suppliers is costing me a bit.  So, instead of buying a keyboard encoder or Ipac or whatever, can I connect the buttons and joysticks to a keyboard?

I'm going to be using the Magstik Plus joystick & buttons from Ultimarc.

[Kajoq]

if you haven't already placed your order from ultimarc, I'd highly suggest just getting an iPac.  keyboard hacks exist, but have lots of problems, are very complicated, and simply aren't as good as an encoder.

[CheffoJeffo]

If you are placing an order from Ultimarc, add an IPac.

If you are interested in keyboard hacking, start with the article in the wiki.

[Retro_SA]

Ok, I decided to buy the Mini-PAC Standard with harness from Ultimarc.  Thanks for the advice guys.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yes, I agree.  Buy the I-pac.  Keyboard hacking will have ghosting problems (which can be worked around, but it is not worth the trouble).

~ DeLuSioNaL

[SirPeale]

In addition, Ultimarc also sells buttons and whatnot.  I'd get everything from them in the interests of saving on shipping.

And I'll say get a J-PAC instead of an I-PAC.  You'll need a JAMMA harness, but you can then wire your cab JAMMA compliant and if you get boards you can just pop them in.

[protokatie]

Ok, I decided to buy the Mini-PAC Standard with harness from Ultimarc.

Thats what I chose, as I am a first timer. Just out of curiosity, which minipac did you get? The one with the opti stuff, or the basic "buttons only" version.. I got the el cheepo buttons only version (Since I hadnt planned on a trackball or spinners) but may come to regret that decision, now that I may want to add such things to the cp.. (not really a bother tho, as minipacs etc arent exactly expensive)

In addition, Ultimarc also sells buttons and whatnot.  I'd get everything from them in the interests of saving on shipping.

Agreed, a good idea. (I did just that). One thing that perplexed me tho... Ultimarc resells Happs buttons for $1.95, but Happs sells them for $2.50 for under 100 count, and for $2.25 for 100+...  Is Andy losing money on the buttons to provide a fuller service? Or does andy have a special reseller deal? Also, Happs offers a purple button, maybe some of us here can convice andy to buy some of those to add to his line of Happ buttons...(that also would have changed my CP design, if I had known about purple Happ buttons.... oh well.)

[DeLuSioNal29]

One thing that perplexed me tho... Ultimarc resells Happs buttons for $1.95, but Happs sells them for $2.50 for under 100 count, and for $2.25 for 100+...  Is Andy losing money on the buttons to provide a fuller service? Or does andy have a special reseller deal? Also, Happs offers a purple button, maybe some of us here can convice andy to buy some of those to add to his line of Happ buttons...(that also would have changed my CP design, if I had known about purple Happ buttons.... oh well.)

Randy T and GroovyGameGear sells them for $1.35 (even cheaper) and he carries the purple one:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=188

And he's in the U.S. if that matters, so shipping will be cheap if you are based in the U.S.

[DeLuSioNal29]

In addition, Ultimarc also sells buttons and whatnot.  I'd get everything from them in the interests of saving on shipping.

And I'll say get a J-PAC instead of an I-PAC.  You'll need a JAMMA harness, but you can then wire your cab JAMMA compliant and if you get boards you can just pop them in.

I'm not sure a J-PAC would be the solution for him:
A) He is a beginner and that adds the more complex Jamma wiring to the mix
B) Even if he does get a JAMMA compliant board, the plug interface itself may be JAMMA compliant, but the pinout is different.  i.e. Mortal Kombat vs. Mortal Kombat II - Both JAMMA, but different pinouts
C)  The Mini-pac comes with a wiring harness to make things simple
D)  He is aiming for an economical solution (he does not want to have to buy an additional Jamma harness)

The Mini-pac is the way to go in my opinion.  Especially if he just wants to connect it to his PC to replace his keyboard controls with real joystick and buttons for MAME and emulators.

Good Luck!

~ DeLuSioNaL

[Retro_SA]

Thats what I chose, as I am a first timer. Just out of curiosity, which minipac did you get? The one with the opti stuff, or the basic "buttons only" version.. I got the el cheepo buttons only version (Since I hadnt planned on a trackball or spinners) but may come to regret that decision, now that I may want to add such things to the cp.. (not really a bother tho, as minipacs etc arent exactly expensive)

Agreed, a good idea. (I did just that). One thing that perplexed me tho... Ultimarc resells Happs buttons for $1.95, but Happs sells them for $2.50 for under 100 count, and for $2.25 for 100+...  Is Andy losing money on the buttons to provide a fuller service? Or does andy have a special reseller deal? Also, Happs offers a purple button, maybe some of us here can convice andy to buy some of those to add to his line of Happ buttons...(that also would have changed my CP design, if I had known about purple Happ buttons.... oh well.)

I bought the basic one, just for the buttons and joystick.  I'm not going to have a trackball.  Unfortunately I can't buy everything I need form Ultimarc, they don't stock everything.  For example, they only have one coin door and it's not the type I want.  They also don't have anything like t-molding or marquees etc.  But I've only heard good things about them, so I decided to get everything I can from them.

[SirPeale]

Andy buys in massive bulk, so he gets a serious discount.

Check out the Happ resellers in Buy/Sell/Trade.  Their average price IIRC is around $1.50 a button.

[divemaster127]

My happ concave buttons are $1.34 each im in the US
dm

[DeLuSioNal29]

My happ concave buttons are $1.34 each im in the US
dm

Yes, I would recommend divemaster.  I bought an ipac4 from him and I have an Arcade VGA 2 on order.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[protokatie]

Yes, I would recommend divemaster.  I bought an ipac4 from him and I have an Arcade VGA 2 on order.

So, I should do my Ultimarc transactions through DM? Avoid the whole "across the pond" thing and buy "local"...


Edit:

Also, DM do you have a website, or do you just do this stuff through PM/Email?

[divemaster127]

The most common items I carry are under my buy/sell tread on the forum, if you want something that is not listed just send a pm with what you need & i can get you a shipping quote
dm

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yes, I would recommend divemaster.  I bought an ipac4 from him and I have an Arcade VGA 2 on order.

So, I should do my Ultimarc transactions through DM? Avoid the whole "across the pond" thing and buy "local"...

I would say so.  You save on shipping and it will get to you rather quickly.  I'm pretty sure that he's "endorsed" by Andy at Ultimarc.  DM is this correct?  I'm assuming so because when I had a tech support issue, Andy answered it for me an he said that he would contact divemaster on the issue directly.  So I'm guessing he's the official US reseller?  Not sure.

Either way, my transaction went smoothly and ANY Ultimarc products I buy from now on will be through him.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[protokatie]

You save on shipping and it will get to you rather quickly.

Shipping from Andy starts out at 12 bucks, so it might be a good thing. As to speed, I ordered my minipac from andy on a sunday (GMT) and got it on Tuesday... So I dont think time is a matter. I will look into DM tho, in the future. It would be smart of Andy to have a US based reseller (Esp if DM got off his lazy arse and made something of a web page! (a decent one, not like the one the american looking brit made))

EDIT: Not to say TurnArcades is bad, but if I didnt know the guy... well... ya know.... Id like to buy his stuff (not in the UK, so I cant).. erg...

I hate being negative... esp when the product looks so good, but the website... sucks....

ARG!

* protokatie throws american football at samshaw HARD! (Out of frustration)

[divemaster127]

yes, andy & I worked out a deal 3 years ago, that I was a reseller on the forums here, he's great to work with you on tech issues also.
dm

[AndyWarne]

The above is correct, DM is our official reseller for BYOAC customers. We will offer the same level of support if you buy from him as if you were to buy direct.
DM does not really need a webpage to be able to sell in this way because he is selling from this site, with the product info and support being on our website Ultimarc.com

At the present time we have not found a need to have "real" resellers except in certain countries, although this policy is always under review.
The feedback we get suggests that we are able to ship to USA destinations faster than many US-based vendors and our shipping prices are reasonable. OK they are higher than USPS domestic but are on a par with US tracked courier delivery and arrive just as rapidly.
Also this policy enables us to keep prices low and offer the best possible pre and post-sales support.
Andy

[milhouse]

Just to follow up on what Andy said, I have spent way too much money on products from both GGG and Ultimarc and have found that shipping by Andy is beyond reasonable.  I consistently get items (in NJ, USA) within 2 days of ordering at extremely reasonable shipping prices.  I wish USPS was as fast.  I choose USPS when I buy from GGG and even though Syracuse is only about 250 miles away it usually takes an extra day or two (but not the fault of Randy - I'm too cheap to use UPS).

[protokatie]

DM does not really need a webpage to be able to sell in this way because he is selling from this site

Seems understandable, but it would be beneficial if DM had an easy to edit "one shot page" that showed what he had in stock and the prices for it... (IE, not so much as an order page, but more like a menu) It would reduce the number of PM's and Emails he gets about a certain product, if he had a simple "one page with items on it" list.

Just something for DM to consider, and I am sure many here would help make the basic HTML for such a thing for free (I could ) And it would be a good addition for the community.

(Added: I would have prolly ordered off of DM, if there was a page to peruse his resellers' stock)

[CheffoJeffo]

Seems understandable, but it would be beneficial if DM had an easy to edit "one shot page" that showed what he had in stock and the prices for it... (IE, not so much as an order page, but more like a menu) It would reduce the number of PM's and Emails he gets about a certain product, if he had a simple "one page with items on it" list.

And if he doesn't, will you post complaining about it in other threads ?