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X-Arcade PCB kit, What do you think?
The_Roker:
http://xgaming.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=XOS&Product_Code=XPCB&Category_Code=
I was thinking of purchasing this PCB kit and building my own MAME machine from an old SF2 arcade cab.
All I would have to do is drill another hole on the bottom left for the Neo 4 button layout.
Are these reliable? Do you recommend another kit?
at 59.99, it doesn't seem like that bad of a deal.
zaphod:
It depends on your intended use. If you plan to just hook up a PC to your cab and run MAME and/or other PC games, there are, in my opinion, better options. What many people use, myself included, is Ultimarc's I-Pac2 ($39) www.ultimarc.com. It doesn't come with the token amount of wiring that the X-arcade does but is a much better product. It is extremely simple to hook up and the customer service is fantastic.
However, if you plan to run a PS2 or X-box through this cab, and need the adapters the X-arcade sells, then the X-arcade PCB becomes a more attractive option. If that's not what you plan to do, stick with the I-Pac. You won't go wrong with it.
Just my .02
mahuti:
Why is the ipac a much better product? I have one and I like it, but from the specs it seems it is just diffferent. Not having a shift key sucks, but other than that, is there some sort of quality lacking in the x-arcade encoder?
zaphod:
--- Quote from: mahuti on June 08, 2003, 11:29:29 am ---Why is the ipac a much better product? I have one and I like it, but from the specs it seems it is just diffferent. Not having a shift key sucks, but other than that, is there some sort of quality lacking in the x-arcade encoder?
--- End quote ---
A lot is personal preference. However, I have an X-arcade and used it extensively for 5 months. I have built my own controller which uses the I-pac and have used it for the last 6 weeks or so. I can tell a big difference in response using the I-pac. Robotron for example, which I play a lot of, handles a lot better now. It fires quicker and moves about faster. It just handles better now, from the control viewpoint. The shift function is also very nice, as you pointed out. There is a big price difference, too, in the favor of the I-Pac.
By no means did I mean to say the X-arcade is a bad product. On the contrary, I have been very pleased with it. But there is a noticable difference in quality (meaning responsiveness) if you have the ability to compare them. Specs don't always tell the whole story.
mahuti:
That's cool. I haven't used the x-Arcade, but I was thinking of hooking up a few of my consoles.
Too bad they don't have an NES adapter.