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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: southpaw13 on February 26, 2010, 11:14:52 am

Title: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: southpaw13 on February 26, 2010, 11:14:52 am
What's the cheapest encoder or way to hook up 12 switches?  I'm an Ultimarc fan but need something simple and cheap this time....

Thanks again...
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: ark_ader on February 26, 2010, 11:19:30 am
KeyWiz Eco. (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=200)  :applaud:
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: bkenobi on February 26, 2010, 11:27:24 am
Cheapest is to use an old keyboard and hack it up (that's FREE).  Don't do that...

The keywiz eco used to be just under $20USD but it appears to have gotten a little more expensive to build.  The only way you will get cheaper is to find someone off ebay/Craigslist who is basically giving their encoder away.

EDIT:  Oh yeah, the other way is to get a cheap joystick and hack it up.  You might have a tough time finding one with 12 buttons though.

You could try this one if you want to make your life difficult!
http://tinyurl.com/ydu9lx3 (http://tinyurl.com/ydu9lx3)
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: mwong168 on February 26, 2010, 11:47:59 am
You could pick up this pad from groovygamegear.com for $6.95

(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/large/Pcjp_LRG.jpg)
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=258 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=258)

Another member on here posted recently how to padhack it using RJ45 cables and connectors.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99264.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99264.0)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=99264.0;attach=139678;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=99264.0;attach=139680;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=99264.0;attach=139688;image)

Looks easy enough to do and inputs appear to work perfectly accoding to supadave and there was another thread I found where some guy hacked 4 of them for his 4 player control panel.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: ark_ader on February 26, 2010, 01:35:29 pm
I got them one of those off Randy, and they are great.
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: southpaw13 on February 26, 2010, 01:37:10 pm
Has anyone seen a USB number pad (keypad) that can be hacked?

Thanks....
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: Havok on February 26, 2010, 01:45:16 pm
Haven't seen it in person, but here's an option:

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Numeric-Keypad-Laptop-Notebook/dp/B0026P77NA/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1 (http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Numeric-Keypad-Laptop-Notebook/dp/B0026P77NA/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VVPAAscpL._SS400_.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: southpaw13 on February 26, 2010, 02:37:22 pm
Exactly!  Looks like something that can be found cheap!  Anyone ever try it?
Title: Re: Cheapest way to go?
Post by: Havok on February 26, 2010, 03:05:51 pm
It's $11.94 shipped - just get it!

 ;D