metal ddr pad recommendations?

[theob42]

hey guys,

my arcade project should be done in about a month and i wanted to also pick up a pair of metal ddr platforms for it as well. Any recommendations? I want ones that have the bar at the back, and be sturdy and accurate. Has anybody had experience with some of the various pads? I want to get something that will last but that isnt ridiculously expensive. any suggestions? any sites that you trust that have good metal pads cause theres so many ones out there, not sure which site is good? yes i ahve googled for them but I wanted some info from someone who has bought some online. or experience with that.

thanks again!

[Shieldwolf]

COBALT FLUX ARE THE BEST METAL PADS!
In my humble opinion.

They are not cheap though.

[gatordad]

Red Octane and Cobalt Flux.
I have 2 cobalt flux pads and really like them alot.
Watch craigslist they show up often for a fraction of new. I paid 175.00 for 2 CF pads via craigslist.

[theob42]

ok great thanks ill look into those! What do you think of the iON Pro pads? any good?
the ion ones have metal arrows. how durable are the arrows on the Cobalt and Octane pads cause most likely ill be playing with shoes most of the time.

[Mauzy]

COBALT FLUX ARE THE BEST METAL PADS!
In my humble opinion.

They are not cheap though.

Agreed. Same (if not better) accuracy as a factory fresh arcade set. Can't get any closer without buying a machine and refurbing the sensors.

[theob42]

i noticed the cobalt flux pads dont have that railing on the back.

[theob42]

 what do you think of these pads?

http://www.discountddrpads.com/metal-arcade-with-34tapeswitch34-sensor-p-1931.html?osCsid=db5b3c0fccaabadc630180841a77b157

[gatordad]

what do you think of these pads?

http://www.discountddrpads.com/metal-arcade-with-34tapeswitch34-sensor-p-1931.html?osCsid=db5b3c0fccaabadc630180841a77b157

For 899?
Here is what I suggest.
Buy a cheap pad first, any pad, set up stepmania and try it out, if it's gets alot of playtime then you know for certain you will not be wasting your money on something that won't get used.
FYI.....I hardly ever play on the pads (cause I suck at it) but my daughter and her friends play frequently.

[theob42]

yup true enough, thanks

[RandyT]

I've done more than my share of research on these things, and almost pulled the trigger a couple of times. 

One thing I know for certain is that when it comes to these, there is kind of a "catch 22".  It's good advice to see whether you like the game before dropping a ton of cash, but the quality of the pad directly affects the experience you will be using to judge whether you "like the game".  Playing these games on a POS soft pad is brutal, and you'll quickly become frustrated and stop wanting to play.

So chances are, if you are considering this type of outlay for a good one, you already know that you are "into it". 

I wish I had some experience with a good one to give you a recommendation, but I don't.  What I can say, though, is that the method used to sense the arrows is the biggest consideration.  Any half-capable carpenter can design a sturdy platform, so that's not usually the flaw (unless you try to go very cheap).  The real platforms use 4 of these so-called "tape" sensors per arrow, so it's no accident that they are so responsive.  The hitch is that even the best wholesale price I have seen on these sensors is about $16 a pop.  That's $192 per platform in just sensors!  The one linked to above uses these, but only 2 per arrow.  Probably enough, but still not the same as the arcade version.

In any case, you tend to get what you pay for with these, even if you do your research.  An arcade quality platform is going to cost nearly arcade prices.  No way around it, unfortunately, which is why I'll probably build my own when the time comes.

RandyT

[Cakemeister]

What gatordad said. CF are the  of home dance pads.

[theob42]

yeah thanks for the advice. the pads will definately be put to good use and yes im definately into the whole ddr thing. but so far those are the closest to arcade quality pads i could find that arent thousands of dollars, other pads just say something like "advanced wiring for sensing" or something similar so these ones have some new "tape switch" sensors which sounds like an improvement over the more ambiguous "advanced wiring" or 'Touch Sensitive Technology'.   i had no idea the real arcade pads had 4 of these sensors per pad.

these pads are a step up
http://www.ddrgame.com/dance-dance-revolution-2-ion-master-arcade.html

 but way too expensive. and like you said it is about the sensors they have. this one seems way over priced and only benefit is that its a supposedly sturdier/thicker frame and thicker handle bars and stuff but yeah its definately out of my price range. and doesnt seem to have any improvements in the sensors over the other pads below.

so it looks like im leaning towards these pads

http://www.discountddrpads.com/metal-arcade-with-34tapeswitch34-sensor-p-1931.html?osCsid=db5b3c0fccaabadc630180841a77b157

[theob42]

anybody have any idea how many sensors the cobalt flux ones have? or how good they are at sensing? because they seem to be quite popular according to the posts.

im more of a quality person, id rather get something of higher quality and have it last (but im definately not spending way too much for minor quality differences). then having to get some other pads in a year or so after the sensors breakdown or something like that. although with the melta pads they should be sturdy enough to withstand any normal usage.

also i noticed the cobalt flux doesnt have the handle bars on the back. thats something that I think would be useful if you wanna eventually get really good at the game. 

[Mauzy]

ow good they are at sensing? because they seem to be quite popular according to the posts.

COBALT FLUX ARE THE BEST METAL PADS!
In my humble opinion.

They are not cheap though.

Agreed. Same (if not better) accuracy as a factory fresh arcade set. Can't get any closer without buying a machine and refurbing the sensors.

[RandyT]

One of the things I didn't like about the CF was the "single plane" construction.  Are they still like this?

RandyT

[theob42]

they have a few different version , one of which has raised corner and center buttons , which in effect would make the UDLR arrows lowered. is that what you mean? i guess the lowered buttons would have that arcade style feel.

https://www.cobaltflux.com/xcart/home.php?cat=249

[RandyT]

Cool.  I didn't see that talked about on the regular product page.  I know it used to be a bone of contention with the purists, so I'm glad to see they added the option.

RandyT

[Paul Olson]

I have owned the Red Octane one for a few years now, and it has always worked great. Accuracy seems good, and it stands up to my weight just fine, which is impressive (I am not little by any stretch). The pad has a foam bottom, but it still feels solid when you are using it, and it doesnt damage the floor.. This one doesn't have a rail though. They are around $200 new.

I just wish Red Octane would put out an adapter for the 360 and the Wii. I'll have to try to hack something one of these days I guess.

[Shieldwolf]

ddrfreaks is a great forum site that's a good place to check for info.

I wish someone would make one that had light up arrows like the real deal, not the crappy row of led's like I've seen on some pads.

Hey RandyT that's a mod project with your name all over it