Author Topic: Where to buy I-Pac??? Opinions appreciated... (Read 2711 times)

Lumpy · « **on:** July 22, 2003, 12:42:00 pm »

I know you can buy them from Ultimarc and Game Cabinets Inc.

I'm looking at buying the 4-Player USB I-Pac.

Ultimarc = $69 + $12 shipping = $81
or
Game Cabinets Inc = $65 + $10 shipping = $75

Could anyone tell me the difference between the two besides 6 bucks. As in what kind of experiences you've had with either. I've heard a lot of good things about ordering it right from Ultimarc, but having support across the ocean makes me wonder. I live in the US.

CM · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2003, 01:42:04 pm »

You shouldn't have any fears buying from Ultimarc from within the US. I would guess the majority of us here have gone that route with no issues. Great service and support.

Lumpy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:03:45 pm »

I guess what I'm asking is it worth saving 6 bucks or just buying it from Ultimarc for the support end of it? I'll admit I'm new to this, so I just don't want to make any rookie mistakes.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:23:16 pm »

I bet he would give you the same support either way. Hes great!

But decide where you want your money going too. I'm guessing that Andy will make more if you buy it directly from him... But I don't know that..... It might take him more time to deal with the shipping / credit card stuff...

ErikRuud · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:32:57 pm »

I recently order a second I-Pac directly from Andy.

The I-Pac arrived at my house in Illinois FOUR days after I ordered it!

Order forom Andy!

RacerX · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:37:43 pm »

I ordered my Opti-pac straight from Andy and it arrived VERY quickly. Don't stress ordering it direct just because he's overseas.

BobA · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:09:38 pm »

Andy is great and shipping was very fast. UK to Canada. I like to go to the source.

BobA

grafixmonkey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:18:38 pm »

I was impressed how fast mine crossed the ocean. I've had orders from California take twice the time to arrive.

Andy designed it, and it's a very well thought out circuit that probably took quite some time to get right. Plus he answers tech support himself on this board. Give him your money.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:26:51 pm »

theres always the Key Wiz?

Lumpy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:39:17 pm »

I just looked at the Key Wiz. Is 32 inputs enough for a four player control panel? Does anyone have a review or comparison of the two? Sure I'd like to spend less money, but I also want something that will last and fit all my needs.

Why kind of differences are there between the two.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.....

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:41:57 pm »

~~32 inputs would just do 4 joysticks and no buttons. youd have to get the bigger model~~

What was i thinking. NM me. Brain stopped working sometime this morning

Lumpy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:46:34 pm »

I was on the Key Wiz site and didn't see a bigger model. Is there one that can handle 4 Player?

Has anyone used the Key Wiz and liked or disliked the results?

Jakobud · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:58:16 pm »

Quote from: Hoagie_one on July 22, 2003, 03:41:57 pm

32 inputs would just do 4 joysticks and no buttons. youd have to get the bigger model

4 joysticks @ 4 inputs each = 16 inputs...

Lumpy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:07:13 pm »

I'm planning on seven buttons each for Player 1 & 2. I'm not sure on players 3 and 4. What are the normal number of buttons. I can only think of 2for the Simpsons and TMNT.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:10:28 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on July 22, 2003, 03:39:17 pm

I just looked at the Key Wiz. Is 32 inputs enough for a four player control panel? Does anyone have a review or comparison of the two? Sure I'd like to spend less money, but I also want something that will last and fit all my needs.

Why kind of differences are there between the two.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.....

32 inputs can easily support 4 players and 3 buttons eachs, and theoretically support 4 players and 4 buttons each. KeyWiz has some neat features to make this happen.

Review, comparision should be done in a week or too. Keep watching this board, (hint, hint . . .)

Well, okay, it might be more than a week, but I might release the preliminary part early also . . .

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:10:35 pm »

Player 1 = 11 inputs (7 buttons+4 stick)
Player 2 = 11 inputs (7 buttons+4 stick)
Player 3 = 7 inputs (3 buttons+4 stick)
Player 4 = 7 inputs (3 buttons+4 stick)

Total=36

And that doesnt include admin buttons

Most 4 player games require 3 buttons

Lumpy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:15:38 pm »

Hoagie_one...thanks for throwing a wrench in my thought process

I just saw Andy was going on vacation in August and I wanted to start building my cab then. If I'm going to order the Ultimarc I probably should do it soon.

I really value everyone opinion on here, so if someone tells me to spend the extra cash I will, but if the Key Wiz does it all then I'd probably go with that. I do want Coin buttons and Player buttons, so I might have to go with the I-Pac.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:16:07 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on July 22, 2003, 04:07:13 pm

I'm planning on seven buttons each for Player 1 & 2. I'm not sure on players 3 and 4. What are the normal number of buttons. I can only think of 2for the Simpsons and TMNT.

Four player games are pretty well split between 2 and 3 buttons.

But, if you're playing a 4 player, 3 button game, you don't need Player 1 and two buttons 4 through 7, so these 8 buttons can double up as Player 3 and 4 inputs.

creatine28 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:21:39 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on July 22, 2003, 03:46:34 pm

I was on the Key Wiz site and didn't see a bigger model. Is there one that can handle 4 Player?

Has anyone used the Key Wiz and liked or disliked the results?

I've had my Key Wiz for around 2 months and it works pretty well, no problems at all and it was very easy to setup. I have the middle model. I don't have an Ipac, but from what I understand they are pretty similar, except the key wiz is a bit smaller.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:23:43 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on July 22, 2003, 04:15:38 pm

Hoagie_one...thanks for throwing a wrench in my thought process I just saw Andy was going on vacation in August and I wanted to start building my cab then. If I'm going to order the Ultimarc I probably should do it soon.

I really value everyone opinion on here, so if someone tells me to spend the extra cash I will, but if the Key Wiz does it all then I'd probably go with that. I do want Coin buttons and Player buttons, so I might have to go with the I-Pac.

Jumping the gun a little here, but heres how you do it:

Coin buttons 1 through 4 - 4 inputs
Players 3 and 4 joystick and 3 buttons - 14 inputs
Players 1 and 2 joystick and 3 buttons - 14 inputs

Players 1 and 2 buttons 3 through 7 won't be used for 4-player games, so they can be the Player 3 and 4 joystick directionals.

For MAME, you can get by without start buttons - I'll have a page on that soon (or see my last comments in this thread http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=8351;start=msg63244#msg63244

For pause and Esc and admin functions you can use shift functions. Working on a page about that now.

Lumpy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:29:00 pm »

The only thing with re-using some of the buttons is that if my buddies find out that's what's going on. I can see them messing with each others games during a drunken stooper. Has anyone run into that? I'm just trying to cover all my bases before I go ahead and order something.

Sorry for all the questions, but my hacked MS Sidewinders just are cutting it anymore and I don't have a lot of money to throw around. This will probably be my birthday present from the wife.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:32:33 pm »

There also the MK64 if you want to be really confused on your options

http://www.geocities.com/ron347/

Also, both the KeyWiz and MK64 are non-USB, if that is really critical to you. If it is, tell my why, and I might try to change your mind.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:41:21 pm »

yeah, that MK64 is a monster but is a little more costly

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:43:42 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on July 22, 2003, 04:29:00 pm

The only thing with re-using some of the buttons is that if my buddies find out that's what's going on. I can see them messing with each others games during a drunken stooper. Has anyone run into that? I'm just trying to cover all my bases before I go ahead and order something.

Sorry for all the questions, but my hacked MS Sidewinders just are cutting it anymore and I don't have a lot of money to throw around. This will probably be my birthday present from the wife.

Yes, people messing with others games can be a problem. Can be somewhat controlled if you are careful who is at the Player 1 and Player 2 sticks.

You could add a switch to break the ground on the unused P1 and P2 switches, but that's getting complicated, and if anyone figures out where the switch is and what it's for, it could defeat the purpose.

You are really stretching the KeyWiz to make it do this, but it's also about half the price of the I-PAC/4 or MK64 . . .

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:46:34 pm »

Quote from: Hoagie_one on July 22, 2003, 04:41:21 pm

yeah, that MK64 is a monster but is a little more costly

$69 with shipping as against $75 and $5 of that goes to this forum.

He's talking about the I-PAC/4 remember.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #25 on:** July 22, 2003, 04:47:37 pm »

good point

Lumpy · « **Reply #26 on:** July 22, 2003, 07:10:02 pm »

Ok.... this isn't funny. You got me really confused. That and I just downed a six pack while playing ping-pong. (No arcade cabinet....have to pass the time some how.)

What should a newbie buy? Which is the easiest to setup and has the least issues with?

OSCAR · « **Reply #27 on:** July 22, 2003, 10:41:12 pm »

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on July 22, 2003, 04:32:33 pm

There also the MK64 if you want to be really confused on your options

http://www.geocities.com/ron347/

Also, both the KeyWiz and MK64 are non-USB, if that is really critical to you. If it is, tell my why, and I might try to change your mind.

Nah, if you wanted to confuse someone, you would have mentioned the MAMI encoder.

http://www.3tronics.com/keyboard_controller.htm

Note that I have yet to hear of anybody that has used this encoder in a project, but it's out there...

Apollo · « **Reply #28 on:** July 23, 2003, 12:00:13 am »

Get the IPAC4.
You know it will do the job and it has the most users so any questions you have when you are using it can easily be answered on this forum.
There decision made.


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