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GP-Wiz40 or IPAC, which interface is best?
UberCade:
Hey everybody, I'm still in the planning phase of my MAME cabinet, but I already have most of the materials purchased, and I'm trying to decide on an interface. I've been looking at the new GP-Wiz40 with Roto-X at GroovyGameGear and the I-PAC^4 at Ultimarc. I don't care much about the price, I just want the best possible interface for my setup. I'm building a 4-player control panel, and with all the buttons I'm going to be using I will need to purchase 2 of the GP-Wiz boards to have enough inputs, but I will be purchasing the eco boards because I have no problem soldering and they're cheaper than the screw terminal boards. I also will have 2 rotary joysticks so the Roto-X feature is appealing to me. The I-PAC^4 has enough inputs for me, but I would need to purchase a separate rotary joystick interface. I'm also going to be using two trackballs, although only one will be installed in the control panel itself because the only time I will be using two trackballs is on the rare occasion I want to have a Marble Madness showdown with somebody, so I plan to install one in a separate housing which will plug in to the main control panel via a molex connector. I'm also going to install one spinner. That means I will also need to purchase an optical interface, which would be either the Opti-Pac or the Opti-Wiz.
So has anybody actually been able to compare the two shops' interfaces? Does the I-PAC have any features the GP-Wiz doesn't have? Should I go with GGG or Ultimarc? Again price is not a consideration between the two, I just want the best my money will buy.
opt2not:
I too would like to know! *bump*
ivwshane:
I'm partial to gpwiz's myself for their easy configuration as well as plug in play capabilities and multiple simultaneous button presses.
genesim:
I LOVE my Ipac4. It has been nothing but goodness for me.
I have never tried a GP-Wiz though..so I can only give you half of it. ;D
Franco B:
I can't really comment on the interfaces but if you go with the GP-Wiz I would go for the screw terminal version if money isn't a problem for you. Not only will it be easier to initially connect your controls, it will also be 100x times easier if you have to do any maintenance etc.