Which is better, IPAC, or JPAC - opinions please.

[payment_due]

I used to have a MAMEcab before, but I did not build it. I bought it complete, it was just a regular candy cab with the ArcadeVGA/JPAC combo and it worked great.  I've read about the IPAC but I don't know what advantages there are to having an IPAC to a JPAC or vice versa.

I read the FAQ on Andy's site and I do see the differences, but I am just curious as to what everyone else prefers.  Thanks for any info.

[pcb]

I've read about the IPAC but I don't know what advantages there are to having an IPAC to a JPAC or vice versa.

If you are going to use a computer monitor, then there is no reason at all to do the JPAC thing.  Why wire the cabinet JAMMA when you don't have to.  (Wires are not right for a computer monitor anyway).

I personally, like to use a Flatscreen LCD these days and a I-Pac.  Easy, Easy to do.  Basically, just put a computer in the cabinet, then wire up your USB control panel out side the game, plug it in and your done.  No extra headaches wiring jamma first.

For most MAME cabinets, JAMMA is not enough anyway.  For me, its much easier to just only think about the panel wiring once.  And let the i-pac and usb take care of the rest.

Best,

 - Mike -

[payment_due]

Hmm. thanks for the info pcb.  I figured an IPAC configuration would be more difficult. I guess it could be what with the amount of wirework that would basically have to be redone, but it would completely remove the necessity to have a Keyboard/mouse connected to the cab in some way, right?

When I had my JPAC version, I still had to use a mouse/keyboard to fiddle around with the system, so you could still actually see them sitting on top of the cab.

[pcb]

Well, if you had a trackball and mouse buttons on a mouse hack, you wouldn't need the mouse, but you'll always want to keep a keyboard around in case you need it.  But, if you setup the PC correctly and only use the cab for mame, you'll not need the keyboard after you sent up the system, but that is the same with an IPac or a JPac.

[CheffoJeffo]

I'm a JPac kinda a guy, although if I was scratch-building a cab and not using an arcade monitor, I'd be more likely to go with an IPac.

OTOH, even with gutted generics, I like wiring for JAMMA and having the flexibility down the road. I pulled the PC Rig out of my vertical MAME and replaced it with a 48-in-1 -- total elapsed time was about 35 seconds.

[FrizzleFried]

If you use an arcade monitor the JPAC is the way to go.   You keep the cab wiring JAMMA you can then remove the JAMMA harness from the JPAC and plug it in to JAMMA board as well...