check out these switches

[paigeoliver]

http://www.channelbeat.com/products/parts/pump_it_up_parts/150.html

Are these the switches underneath the arrows on dance pads? Or do they have something else entirely?

I know they are supposed to have "membrane switches".

Or is it these?

http://www.channelbeat.com/products/parts/dance_dance_revolution_parts/115.html

Or are both of those basically the same thing?

And if so, then is there a cheaper source?

Unfortunately if I want a good pad then I am going to have to build, because no one seems to sell metal "Pump it Up" pads and I can't even find a source for used originals. Kind of wish I would have gotten into DDR instead, since that stuff is much easier to find.

There is always the last resort of buying a 51" Korean Import Pump it Up machine for $2800. I imagine I would get near half that back selling the guts out of it (leaving me with the cabinet, the 51" monitor, the pads and speakers, and I could just run StepMania in it, as it is better than the REAL PIU anyway).

[bionicbadger]

Build a Pad!  Its fun, and is cheaper than buying a metal pad.

I used the plans from http://www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/ and just finished on the weeked (I'll put up pictures whenever I get around to borrowing a digital camera again).  You don't really need switches if you use this design.  It uses two big (9"x9") pieces of sheetmetal for each arrow that are separated by a 1/4" and when you step on the arrow, the top sheet makes contact with the bottom sheet and completes the circuit.  You don't even need to hack a controller if you have an arcade cabinet, you can use your keyboard interface without any problems.

I really suck at DDR, but its something different and kind of fun.  The wife likes it too (though she is even worse at it than I am).

[NY_in_TX]

What are you using to play DDR?  Is there a PC version?

oh man I thought I was done with this!!  

this and that crazy "Pop and bounce" game from the the everything forum.

ny

[armad1ll0]

yes there is a DDR version, I've seen it in Fry's