Control Panel Help

[Vamp RN]

Looking to start my control panel and I just have a quick question.  I am going to do a 2 player panel with 7 buttons per player, some admin functions (select, esc, coin up, etc.), a trackball and a spinner.  What do I need to hook everything up?  I know that the ipac only has like 32 inputs I believe that there is an ipac4 that has like 56.  Can I use it even though I don't plan on having 4 controls and have button commands linked to the place for p3 up, down, etc?  Also can the spinner and trackball be hooked to this or do I need something completely different for those?  I really like the look of the classic controller kit from http://www.mameroom.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=CLASSICCPKIT (I may even just buy it and wire it instead of just trying to recreate it.)  Any help would be great.  I'm getting closer and closer.  I'm so excited!!!!

[mytymaus007]

any ipac will work!  if u buy HAPP usb trackball then it hook right to the pc via usb. Same for a spinner if you buy TT2 spinner from groovy game gear or an Apache push and pull spinner from Apache controls hook it up to pc via usb. Since you like the MAMEROOM CP Buy It its easier and less time consuming. After buying all the controls you can hookup everything in one weekend ready to play!! Only reason i would say to build your own CP is if you would like your controls to be different from the traditional layout. this is what i did!

[smalltownguy]

The Minipac will handle all of your needs. It will drive 2 joysticks with 8 buttons each, a trackball, spinner, and it will even light 3 LEDs for you. With the shift function, you can assign dozens of additional 'admin' functions.

Currently, my Control Panel has 2 joysticks with 6 buttons each, a trackball, and 2 LED's.  I have connects left over for 4 more buttons, 1 more LED, and the harness for a spinner.

Now, as previously, mentioned, you can get spinners, trackballs, and even some joysticks which have the interface board built right in, allowing you to plug it right into your PC's USB ports. Your only limits then are the number USB ports you choose to have on your PC.

So, my vote is for the Minipac.

[HanoiBoi]

Hey Vamp,

I wondered the same thing not too long ago.  I ended up with the IPAC4, and just received it this week.  I went with the 56 inputs vs. the 32 because I'm planning for the future...  I believe the difference between the IPAC4 and the IPAC2 was about $25.

Something you may not be aware of, and I only just learned recently; a joystick has 4 inputs, more if it has a trigger and/or buttons.  So, if you have 2 regular 4 input joysticks, 7 buttons per player, 2 coins, 2 starts, pause and esc/exit you are up to 28 right there. 

If you have the space, and may plan to add a flight stick (a la Tron) w/trigger, (with optional 1-2 thumb buttons).  That would be another 5-7 more inputs.

If you ever plan to add pinball, as I do (though I've not had much luck getting it to work well), you might want to add 2 flippers, 2 nudges and a plunger.  That would be another 5 inputs.

If you know that none of that stuff will happen, and you are looking to keep your buttons to a minimum by using shift functions as previously stated, I'm sure you could get away with an IPAC2. 

The answer to your main question...."Can I use it even though I don't plan on having 4 controls and have button commands linked to the place for p3 up, down, etc", I am not sure of, but I'm assuming so!  It just might require more mapping in software, I guess.  Hopefully someone will chime in for the both of us.