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| z38gm:
After having finished reading the main site and browsing the forum for the past couple days I have come up with some specific questions before I start purchasing items to build my first control board. I guess first I should get some things out of the way. This control board will first be used as a stand alone box on a desk until I can convince the significant other that I need a full size arcade. I will likely design the cabinet before building the control box so that I will be able to drop it in with minor adjustment. I would like to make the control board two player and maximally compatible (I realize 100% compatibility is silly) with MAME and I would like to be able to hook up an N64 controller as well as a Playstation one for console emulation (the PS controller will be used for NES, SNES, Gensis etc..). To reach these goals it would seem, from my research, that I would need 2 joysticks with 8 buttons per stick as well as a start button per, one track ball and a spinner (preferably something that can also be used as a wheel unless there is a drawback to this method, are there?). Eventually I would like to add light gun support, but as of now am worried about the LCD TopGun reliability. Due to this I contacted Act-Labs and they implied that something is in the works and to contact them again in June. As of now I am looking at these items: Computer Interface: I-PAC2/Opti-Pack The I-PAC units were picked because I have read they are simply great and easy to use, especially because I won't want the permanency of having soldering these together. Joysticks: Happ Super Joystick The joysticks were just randomly chosen because they looked good and the description sounded good. I have read the UltraStick 360 is simply great, is it worth the extra money? If so, why? Are there any other sticks people would recommend? I play virtually every type of game. Buttons: Happ Competition Buttons/Happ Player Buttons The buttons are just typical concave buttons that are comfortable from the arcade. As far as a controller adapters, spinner/wheel and trackball go, I have no idea what to look for. Any suggestions along these lines? Nothing at all is set in stone, I am very new to this and would greatly appreciate any help in all areas, if I am forgetting something or looking at a non-quality part for any reason, please let me know! Lastly, is there anyway to rig such a unit such that an external accessory, such as a shifter and pedals, could be added/piggybacked via a single cable without opening the unit? Thanks in advance and sorry about the long post. |
| weisshaupt:
That is exactly how I started.. just a small CP... 2 Spinners are nice to have (no I don't have them yet...) the U360s from IPAC are great when paired with a system that will swap them to 4/8 way etc for you. If you have the money, the general consenus seems to be to buy the U360s.. I still use my original happ supers... Groovy Game gear sells really nice lighted buttons, if you go for that sort of thing (I Do) otherwise the buttons are the button are the buttons.. The Switches can make a difference and getting a Leaf type switch for your buttons makes them be quiet and gives them a slightly different (more arcady) feel. I use standard microswitches .. I think the Happ Trackballs are the best. They are also more expensive. I have an Old WICO in mine.. the new high-ball trackballs introduced recently at both GG and Ultimarc look tempting becuase they will be SOOO much easier to mount. As for making external controls, I would look at using Doc's method of a RJ-45 (ethernet cable) and jack on your CP somewhere that runs down to your other controls. My project has interchangable panels, and this is how allo fthe controls are connected to the IPAC4, the Joystick etc. You can also buy USB inserts for quickports for USB based controls. A Bit pricey a $10 a shot, but if you want them you want them. |
| Ginsu Victim:
I just switched to the U360 and there is no better stick. ANYTHING I want to play, I can play. (within reason...) It's easy to configure in your favorite frontend (I use Mamewah) to switch to the map needed for each control type. Awesome sticks that feel better than every stick out there (with the optional medium spring and a circular restrictor especially). Worth the money. |
| z38gm:
Well, I didn't really want to spend the extra money on the UltraStick 360, but I like to do things right from the start. So I will switch to that. With me I try to cheap out, but know myself well enough that if I get something that is sub par it will annoy me until I replace it. So sometimes I am willing to spend the extra money and get the upgrade and save myself money in the long run. Delaying gratification is something I am good at in these cases. As far as the Happ trackballs go, I was looking at them and realized they cost $100 and was wondering if there is anything else of similar quality at a lower price. I couldn't find too much, but don't know the best places to look. Also, how would such a unit get connected to something like the Opti-PAC or would a different interface be needed? It looks like the trackball has a harness that doesn't mate with the PAC unit? As far as the spinner goes how do these units fair? I know someone who has one and he said its not half bad. It is a USB unit so I wouldn't need the Opti-PAC except for the trackball, unless there is another solution. Are there any links to using RJ-45 as an external jack? I guess if I went that route it would certainly be easy and I would just need to build a couple of adapters as well as probably buy the IPAC4. Such a solution would be great for adding pedals, shifters, flight yokes etc... Another thought, I love pinball, I guess I should account for two buttons on the sides as 'paddles' and one on the front as the 'spring'. Is this common or am I just crazy? |
| Ginsu Victim:
--- Quote ---Another thought, I love pinball, I guess I should account for two buttons on the sides as 'paddles' and one on the front as the 'spring'. Is this common or am I just crazy? --- End quote --- Not at all crazy. I have them on my desktop control panel, but not on my arcade. I would've, but the way my cabinet and control panel were built, there's no good way to have them. Most people would recommend 2 on each side. For the plunger, you can either add it to the front, use a button already on your panel, or use an actual plunger (Search the forums and you can find examples. I think mountain did it...) |
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