Recently acquired used MAME cab with HotRodSE controls

[solid12345]

I got the cab really cheap with the stick and buttons wired up to a customized control panel. My buddy is a MAME snob who says I should rip that thing out and put in an i-Pac with all new controls but personally I think the money is much well better spent on getting a Wells-Gardner or other similiar tri-sync monitor. I mostly play fighting games and the controls feel solid to me, what are your opinions? I'll also add it is kind of nice to just select "Hotrod" as my controls profile in MAME.

[Jack Burton]

If you are a fighting game fan then I recommend you replace whatever encoder is currently in there with a Cthulu board from lizardlick.com

The I-pac is also a good product but I have heard that it occasionally has dropped inputs.  I used one in my cab for a long time and never had any problems, but the guys at shoryuken.com say that is has for them.

[NickG]

The Hanaho encoder (HotrodSE) is pretty good,  I have one in my secondary cabinet.     
Just check the encoder for blocking and ghosting by using the applications on the BYOAC pages. 

Care and feeding:
Avoid using cheap USB to PS/2 converters with it, as it may introduce constantly-held-key dropout - Just use the native PS/2 port.
Some motherboards may require that you have an additional keyboard attached to the encoders pass-through.

BTW, be aware that you can create a portable controls profile which will likely be compatible with future versions of mame for most any controller/encoder you decide to use.
 

[BobA]

I had a Hotrod SE and it lasted about 3 years until the controller needed replacing.   Replaced it with an ipac.   The controls are all from Happs and are good quality compared to the x arcade which uses their own brand of controls so they did not need replacing.   Nice solid control panel and the programmable ipac adds to it.

[severdhed]

i'd say if it seems ok to you and it is working, then spend the money on a monitor if you need one.  I'm all for upgrading to better stuff, but you have to prioritize...what is going to make a bigger difference in your gaming experience...an new monitor, or new controls?

 i say get the other stuff you want, as long as teh hotrod is working..then when you are happy with the other stuff, get some u360s and make your own panel

[Ummon]

Um, pictures please.

[solid12345]

Here is a photo since you asked Ummon!

[Turnarcades]

Decent panel but definitely switch the encoder - any member of the i-pac family will do a much better job and last longer, not to mention be much more versatile; remember other platform emulators don't have a hotrod option.