New product: GP-Wiz40 - GroovyGameGear

[RandyT]

The GP-Wiz received a little overhaul recently.  Costs on the parts are starting to go up, but I'm doing my best to ease the sting a bit by including some extra functionality.

The GP-Wiz40 has 40 dedicated inputs, 8 more than the previous model, which should make for a much more comfortable "budget" 4 player panel, and obviously all the digital inputs one could ever need for a 2 player panel.  It also includes GroovyGameGear's Roto-X™ Technology as a standard feature.  The AutoSensing code that is present on the RX version has been removed in this version so that the Roto-X feature stays completely dormant unless the user decides to add a rotary stick at a later time and configures his/her system to activate it.  The AutoSensing GP-WizRX40 version will be available at the same price, with the same extra 8 inputs, so you'll want to wait a couple of days for that one to post if you are interfacing rotary sticks at purchase time.

This is the layout and how the OS will report the inputs;

A complete description is available from the product listing at the GGG store.

Price:
$37.95 for the full version with 44 screw terminals
$28.95 for the "EZ-Solder" version. 

Quantity discounts are also available for both types, as shown in the product description.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us over the past 5 years, allowing us to offer new parts like this one.  There's more stuff coming, including a revisit to the smaller Eco boards and some other stuff I'm not talking about just yet

RandyT

[ShoLouie]

Wicked stuff Randy, cannot wait to place my big order for my first project!  Will be within the month, thanks!

Also, if i use just a normal joystick with this interface, can i use it as purely 40 inputs?

[RandyT]

Also, if i use just a normal joystick with this interface, can i use it as purely 40 inputs?

Absolutely.  This is why I elected to bury the Roto-X functionality unless it is specifically called upon by the user.  If you don't need it, you'll never know it's there.  Consider it merely a bit of "future proofing".

RandyT

[gatordad]

[/quote]

Consider it merely a bit of "future proofing".

RandyT
[/quote]

Are you hinting at something?

[RandyT]

Are you hinting at something?

Hmmm...hadn't actually thought about it that way.  It was probably subconscious 

RandyT

[u_rebelscum]

Are you hinting at something?

Hmmm...hadn't actually thought about it that way.  It was probably subconscious 

RandyT

Gahh, now you got me wondering what's possible....  Blue circle is for second USB port?  Red circle is for ... what? 
(Being seen as two gamepads would help many non-mame games play two player.  Am I on right track? )

[RandyT]

Nahh, you're reading too much into it.

I have just been toying with the possibility of putting out a 3-wire rotary stick that will connect right up to the board.  I have all of the parts here for it, but it's not high on the priority list at the moment.

That connector is the PS/2 connection.  There's a KeyWiz based on this design coming down the pike as well.


Oh, and the other one is a resistor pack.  Haven't even begun to work on that firmware yet, so it may or may not go unused

RandyT

[SavannahLion]

Is this version outright replacing the original GP-Wiz or are you going to carry both in yoru shop now?

[SavannahLion]

Oh, nevermind. I guess the GP-Wiz40 is the upgrade mentioned on the website.

(Being seen as two gamepads would help many non-mame games play two player.  Am I on right track? )

That would be nice. Perhaps have the computer see the device as two controllers behind a (virtual) hub? Not sure how that would impact performance or whether it breaks USB protocols.

[paulscade]

When do you expect the KeyWiz to be released?

[Ummon]

I've been prowling the thrustvector auctions on ebay lately (and missed some good deals) for a dual two-player panel. I like having standard admin buttons and this unit bridges the gap - for a good price, too. (Plus, I wasn't keen on having to use a separate LCD for programming, as is with the thrustvector.)

[huygens]

Any ETA on the Roto-X software? I hooked up an LS-30 and I'd like to give it a whirl :-) Thanks for the excellent product. The build quality is fantastic.

[RandyT]

Any ETA on the Roto-X software? I hooked up an LS-30 and I'd like to give it a whirl :-) Thanks for the excellent product. The build quality is fantastic.

Thanks for the kind words.  I'll send you something that will let you play until the release is ready.  Send me an email.

Randy

[huygens]

Thanks :-)
email sent. Subject: GP-Wiz40 software (BYOAC Followup)

[Kaytrim]

Randy,

I am patiently waiting for word on your new 49-way system.  Is this new board in preparation for that realization?

TTFN
Kaytrim