Shopping list so far...

[shponglefan]

So far to make a 2 person controller I've planned on:

2x Ultrastik 360's
1x 4-way stick - still not 100% sure; thinking either Ms Pac Man from Tornado Terry, or another stick w/ 4-way restrictor
1x Turbo-twist 2 Spinner w/ 6" or 7" Mini-Wheel
?x Happ Pushbuttons - Is it worth upgrading the switches to the GGG micro-leaf?

1x IPAC 2 controller
1x Opti-Wiz

I've also thought about possibly using a Mini-pac instead.  Thoughts on that?

I think I'm going to forgo a trackball for now.  In planning the layout, I'd like to be able to use a mini-wheel with the TT2 and therefore I don't think a trackball would fit.

Any thoughts or alternative suggestions for this plan?

[smalltownguy]

Good choice on the 360's.

As far as the 4 way stick goes, unless you're truly looking for the 'restricted' feel of a 4 way stick, the 360's are completely configurable to all 4 way games and will serve you well (not to mention just about any other configuration too, like Qbert, etc). If you're still looking for the restricted feel, just ask Andy at Ultimarc for a restrictor plate and the medium spring set. That will free up the real estate you need for a trackball.

As much you might think you may not need a trackball, you're really going to miss being able to play games that use it. For group sessions, Golden Tee was pretty much a must for me. If you're concerned about the amount of real estate it takes up, you can always get the a 2 1/4" ball setup.

As far as a keyboard encoder goes, get the minipac. It's really the best way to go in a 2 player setup. Not only will it handle all the buttons needed for up to 8 per player, but it will also handle your trackball inputs, AND a spinner. It will even drive a few LED's using the keyboard's capslock, numlock & scroll lock outputs.

I saw your other thread on the mini wheels. Because they're portable, I'd lean towards trying them. plus, the Turbo Twist 2 will fit in a standard button hole, which is nice.

Better add a USB hub to your list, if you're planning on running 360's spinners, and a minipac.

[divemaster127]

If you are in the US, I can get you the happ & ultimarc items, just send me a pm, i sell in the buy/sell thread
thanks
dm

[bkenobi]

Not to knock on GGG, but if you are already buying from Ultimarc, you could save on shipping by getting one of Andy's optical controller options.  Perhaps even a minipac would have enough inputs for what you need.   

[shponglefan]

Not to knock on GGG, but if you are already buying from Ultimarc, you could save on shipping by getting one of Andy's optical controller options.  Perhaps even a minipac would have enough inputs for what you need.   

I'm planning to get a TT2, so I'll be ordering from GGG anyway.

[shponglefan]

As far as the 4 way stick goes, unless you're truly looking for the 'restricted' feel of a 4 way stick, the 360's are completely configurable to all 4 way games and will serve you well (not to mention just about any other configuration too, like Qbert, etc). If you're still looking for the restricted feel, just ask Andy at Ultimarc for a restrictor plate and the medium spring set. That will free up the real estate you need for a trackball.

I want the extra joystick in part because I'd like to have a joystick in the center for older games where you can't play 2-player at the same time (i.e. Galaga, Dig Dug, etc),plus having a true restricted 4-way.

As much you might think you may not need a trackball, you're really going to miss being able to play games that use it.

The only game I really want it for is Marble Madness, but I can live without if need be.  And while it can also double as a mouse, I can always use a wireless mouse for when I need it.

Better add a USB hub to your list, if you're planning on running 360's spinners, and a minipac.

Already have one.

[Gamester]

So far to make a 2 person controller I've planned on:

2x Ultrastik 360's
1x 4-way stick - still not 100% sure; thinking either Ms Pac Man from Tornado Terry, or another stick w/ 4-way restrictor
1x Turbo-twist 2 Spinner w/ 6" or 7" Mini-Wheel
?x Happ Pushbuttons - Is it worth upgrading the switches to the GGG micro-leaf?

1x IPAC 2 controller
1x Opti-Wiz

Any thoughts or alternative suggestions for this plan?

First, you really need to determine how many pushbuttons you're going to use before you can truly finalize your list.  The U360s can each control up to 8 buttons.  Depending on how many buttons you choose to use, you may not even need the IPAC.  Also, as another poster stated, the U360s are completely configurable on the fly, so unless you just demand the feel of a restricted 4-way, they will work fine.

Also, unless I'm missing something, you shouldn't need the Opti-Wiz...  The TT2 spinner comes with its own controller board which, incidentally also has a trackball input.

[shponglefan]

First, you really need to determine how many pushbuttons you're going to use before you can truly finalize your list. 

Minimum 7, possibly 8 for P1 and P2.  Plus coin + start for each, plus 2-3 admin, plus 2 for 4-way joystick.

Also, as another poster stated, the U360s are completely configurable on the fly, so unless you just demand the feel of a restricted 4-way, they will work fine.

I plan to have the extra joystick regardless, so I'll probably just go with a restricted 4-way.

Also, unless I'm missing something, you shouldn't need the Opti-Wiz...  The TT2 spinner comes with its own controller board which, incidentally also has a trackball input.

Didn't know that.  So then I won't need the controller for that.

[smalltownguy]

Also, unless I'm missing something, you shouldn't need the Opti-Wiz...  The TT2 spinner comes with its own controller board which, incidentally also has a trackball input.

Is this true? If that's the case, then I've just figured out a very inexpensive way to justify having both a spinner and trackball on the same cab.

Here's the parts I already have for my cab build 2.0:
U360
Trackball
assorted buttons & switches

So, for the low low price of just one more U360 and a TT2 (with the 7" wheel, of course...) I should not need an encoder board, right?

[syph007]

Also, unless I'm missing something, you shouldn't need the Opti-Wiz...  The TT2 spinner comes with its own controller board which, incidentally also has a trackball input.

Is this true? If that's the case, then I've just figured out a very inexpensive way to justify having both a spinner and trackball on the same cab.

Here's the parts I already have for my cab build 2.0:
U360
Trackball
assorted buttons & switches

So, for the low low price of just one more U360 and a TT2 (with the 7" wheel, of course...) I should not need an encoder board, right?

Thats correct, the TT2 spinner does 3 axis total, so you can use X for spinner, then y and z for trackball.  Others have done this fine.  Only catch if you care is that it does not do mouse buttons.

[RandyT]

Thats correct, the TT2 spinner does 3 axis total, so you can use X for spinner, then y and z for trackball.  Others have done this fine.  Only catch if you care is that it does not do mouse buttons.

Actually, the TT2 interface does do mouse buttons just fine (3, in fact).  Also, a trackball can be connected to it by putting the spinner on Z, leaving X and Y for the trackball.  However, IIRC, recent versions of MAME no longer fix the Z issue imposed by Windows, so this is not very convenient (need to patch, or use an earlier version of MAME.)  A better bet would be to get a TB like the Electric-ICE-T, which also has it's own interface (plug and go).  MAME will differentiate the two.  You'll also have a high-power RGB lighting unit and better resolution than a stock TB, not to mention an additional 3 mouse buttons under MAME.

RandyT

[syph007]

Thats correct, the TT2 spinner does 3 axis total, so you can use X for spinner, then y and z for trackball.  Others have done this fine.  Only catch if you care is that it does not do mouse buttons.

Actually, the TT2 interface does do mouse buttons just fine (3, in fact).  Also, a trackball can be connected to it by putting the spinner on Z, leaving X and Y for the trackball.  However, IIRC, recent versions of MAME no longer fix the Z issue imposed by Windows, so this is not very convenient (need to patch, or use an earlier version of MAME.)  A better bet would be to get a TB like the Electric-ICE-T, which also has it's own interface (plug and go).  MAME will differentiate the two.  You'll also have a high-power RGB lighting unit and better resolution than a stock TB, not to mention an additional 3 mouse buttons under MAME.

RandyT

Ah good to know, I have one, and didnt realize it could. You shoudl update the description on the item page to add that you can use mouse buttons with it.   When I looked last it didnt say that.