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Which encoder do you use? and the main reason why
Stingray:
iPac because it works with Macintosh, which is what powers my cab.
-S
Grasshopper:
I've tried a keyboard hack. It worked fine and was easier to do than I expected but still not really worth the hassle.
I also bought an Ipac a couple of years ago. I prefer it to the Keywiz because unlike the Keywiz it keeps its setting on power off and supports ps/2 and USB connections.
The advantages of the Keywiz (4 extra inputs and allegedly more versatile shift key function) don't make up for those deficiencies IMHO.
However one thing I don't like about the Ipac is that some button inputs are shared with the keyboard LEDs. This apparently causes the shared buttons to become unreliable if the buttons are connected over a long cable. There is no mention of this problem on Ultimarc's site which is a bit disappointing. I've got round it by simply avoiding the 3 shared buttons. Unfortunately, this only leaves me 25 inputs which is barely enough.
Newer Ipacs apparently don't have this problem, but instead you see the LEDs flash briefly when the shared buttons are pressed. A minor issue perhaps but I'm a perfectionist.
Next time I'll definitely buy a Minipac unless something better has come along by then. Hopefully the 36 input version if Andy ever gets round to producing it.
I can't understand why anyone would buy a standard Ipac instead of the Minipac. The minipac is cheaper and has more functionality (either more inputs, or spinner/trackball support). OK it uses header pins instead of screw connectors but hacking an old IDE cable isn't a big deal IMHO.
Tiger-Heli:
Ok, this wasn't supposed to be a general discussion, but I would like to point out a few items:
--- Quote from: Grasshopper on October 13, 2004, 02:33:32 pm ---I also bought an Ipac a couple of years ago. I prefer it to the Keywiz because unlike the Keywiz it keeps its setting on power off and supports ps/2 and USB connections.
--- End quote ---
Agree on USB being a nice feature, however, the default codeset of both encoders is very good for MAME use and the default KeyWiz set is available after power-off, so it's not that big of a drawback, although it is a bit inconvenient.
--- Quote ---However one thing I don't like about the Ipac is that some button inputs are shared with the keyboard LEDs. This apparently causes the shared buttons to become unreliable if the buttons are connected over a long cable. There is no mention of this problem on Ultimarc's site which is a bit disappointing. I've got round it by simply avoiding the 3 shared buttons. Unfortunately, this only leaves me 25 inputs which is barely enough.
Newer Ipacs apparently don't have this problem, but instead you see the LEDs flash briefly when the shared buttons are pressed. A minor issue perhaps but I'm a perfectionist.
--- End quote ---
I have heard scattered reports of this also. One point, I am pretty sure the LEDs flashed briefly when the shared buttons are pressed even on the original boards, so I wouldn't count on newer I-PACs not having the problem you mentioned. (And this is true of all the I-PAC boards: mini-pac, VE, /4, etc.)
--- Quote ---I can't understand why anyone would buy a standard Ipac instead of the Minipac. The minipac is cheaper and has more functionality (either more inputs, or spinner/trackball support). OK it uses header pins instead of screw connectors but hacking an old IDE cable isn't a big deal IMHO.
--- End quote ---
Two reasons - First, the current Minipac can't use the new WinIpac IPD software.
Also, the current Minipac doesn't have more inputs. I agree hacking an IDE cable isn't a big deal, but here's an example where the I-PAC is a better choice than the Minipac -
Let's say you hook your panel up as
1 2 3
4 5 6
After it's built, you decide it would work better as
4 5 6
1 2 3
With the I-PAC, you could just re-wire the inputs and use a couple of longer wires if necessary. With the mini-pac, you really can't shift the wire locations on the IDE header end, so you would end up adding jumper wires to the buttons and possibly re-wiring the whole panel.
Okay, it's not that likely or serious, but still. . .
spidermonkey:
http://www.3tronics.com/MAMI2401_Info.htm
Just curious,is anyone running one of these ? They seem comprable to i-pac,keywiz,hagstrom...
Any reviews ?
Wizard of DelRay:
You've piqued my interest spidermonkey. I had planned on getting an IPAC/4 but it looks like the MAMI4801P could be perfect since it has enough inputs for the following setup:
P1: Joystick + 6 buttons = 10 inputs
P2: Joystick + 6 buttons = 10 inputs
P3: Joystick + 4 buttons = 8 inputs
P4: Joystick + 4 buttons = 8 inputs
That's 36 inputs so far plus another 8 for Start/Coin Insert and maybe 2 or 3 admin buttons. So about 46-47 inputs. More than enough. :)
Hope somebody with one posts some info.
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