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A n00b with some questions :)

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Chris G:
What a dedicated guy - working on his birthday.   ;D

Have a good one, Andy!  :cheers:

Tiger-Heli:
Closer . . .

--- Quote from: mallclerks on April 10, 2007, 12:43:08 pm ---With that Trackball I would then also need to buy a Trackball Mounting plate ($16/Ultimarc)
--- End quote ---

You could probably get the plate cheaper (when you figure shipping) from either www.therealbobroberts.com or DiveMaster or Ponyboy on the B/S/T forum, who are Happ resellers.  Not opposed to Ultimarc, but their shipping to US adds a lot to the price.


--- Quote ---I could then Install the trackball into my control panel, then plug it into the USB port on my computer.  Do I need a power source for this, or does the USB connection provide it?  This is one thing I am unaware of, besides that everything else I *think* makes sense to me.
--- End quote ---

I think the USB connection provides it, RandyT at GGG could confirm.  If not you just route 5V or 12V from the PC power supply.

The Mini-Pac is also a viable option for your setup, although you then would need to combine the sticks to get back down below 28 inputs.


--- Quote ---Use an Ipac:VE ($37/Ultimarc) or Keywiz Max 1.5 ($35/Groovygamegear)
With the Ipac:VE or Keywiz Max 1.5 I could then have the following configuration since I have 32 inputs:
total = 32 inputs
Would I be correct in this thinking.
--- End quote ---

Yes, however, using separate inputs for joystick 1 and 3 and the Joystick 3 buttons requires additional setup in your software (MAME), but avoids any confusion.  Combining them makes an easier software setup, but both Stick 1 and Stick 3 will control player 1.


--- Quote ---Also using the Keywiz would be the better choice if I am thinking of this correctly, since joystick 3 would need to be a custom codeset, which with Ipac:VE it will not save that setting when the unit is turned off, which with the Keywiz it will save all settings in eeprom?
Is my thinking of all of this sound about right, or have I totally got off track?

--- End quote ---
OOOPS! Now you just got off track.

First off, you don't want separate encoder codesets for player 1 and player 3 (although you could do it this way), what you want is joystick 1 to use the arrow keys for Player 1 in dual joystick games and Joystick 1 to use your joystick 3 inputs in single joystick games.  This would usually be setup in MAME.

Second, the KeyWiz has no EEPROM.  Both it and the IPAC VE lose any custom codesets on power down.

The advantage to the KeyWiz, IMHO, is it has a very well thought out default codeset, so you don't need to re-program it.  (IMS the VE either repeats or doesn't assign some default codes, so you have to re-program it if you use all 32 codeset).  The KeyWiz does have a virtual EEPROM, where it writes the last loaded config set to a file and automatically loads it to the unit on a re-boot.  The VE could be programmed to a custom set at bootup automatically as well, but I don't think you can have it load the last used set automatically (although I would want my MAME default set loaded with either encoder.)

The VE has the advantage that it is USB, but if you have PS/2 ports on your current and any likely replacement computer that really doesn't make a difference.

I have seen USB trackballs around the $60-$75 price range, but that is more than the Menace/Optiwiz option.

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: AndyWarne on April 10, 2007, 01:16:40 pm ---Get the Happ trackball. This is far superior to the Betson which makes a loud rumbling noise. Betson trackballs all had to be swapped out by the manufacturers of Golden Tee, and replaced with Happ.
--- End quote ---

I wasn't aware of this, and in fact just read a post yesterday where someone preferred the Imperial - Reply #8 by Shorthair here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=65324.0


--- Quote ---Wiring one dedicated 4-way in parallel with player 1 is quite common and although Tiger-Heli is right, I have not seen the possible "messing up" by player 2 being raised as an issue before.
--- End quote ---

In fairness, I would guess more people combine the two than have them wired separately.


--- Quote ---Or you could go for 4-8 way switchable joysticks.
--- End quote ---

True, I forgot about this option, even though I use them personally.  Although IMHO, it is hard to find a stick that feels perfect for both types of games, so I would probably use a dedicated 4-way if you have CP real estate for it.


--- Quote ---and its my birthday today so I feel like indulging a bit..
Andy
--- End quote ---

Happy birthday, Andy :cheers:

mallclerks:
Okay, so lets try this, below is everything I should technically need to make a control panel that would work:

Mini-PAC Opti. With Harness (p/n MP1)
Happ trackball from menace (Of which I can use this if I order the Happ T/B Harness)

1/2 player start (2 inputs)
1 player b1-b6 (6 inputs total)
2 player b1-b6 (6 inputs total)
pause / escape (2 inputs)
joystick 1 4-8 switchable (4 inputs)
joystick 2 4-8 switchable (4 inputs)
2 coin (2 inputs)

total = 26 inputs, leaving two additional inputs available.  BUT, Does the trackball take up any of those inputs?


(edit - I am assuming that to use a coin door I can rig it so it works along the same wires as the coin1 and coin2 buttons?.  I have yet to decide if I shall use a coin door though.)

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: mallclerks on April 10, 2007, 02:43:53 pm ---Okay, so lets try this, below is everything I should technically need to make a control panel that would work:

Mini-PAC Opti. With Harness (p/n MP1)
Happ trackball from menace (Of which I can use this if I order the Happ T/B Harness)
--- End quote ---

I am not sure what trackball harness you need to connect the Happ to the Mini-Pac (if any).  Andy can advise you on that.

Contradicting what I posted previously, if you are getting the interface and possibly other items from Ultimarc, you likely should get the trackball plate from them also.


--- Quote ---joystick 2 4-8 switchable (4 inputs)
--- End quote ---

Joystick 2 could be a standard 8-way.  I think Karate Champ was about the only really popular dual 4-way game.  OTOH, you might want the same stick for P1 and P2, just so the "feel" is the same.


--- Quote ---total = 26 inputs, leaving two additional inputs available.  BUT, Does the trackball take up any of those inputs?
--- End quote ---

No, just the opposite, you get an additional 2 (with the mini-pac, sometimes 3 with other interfaces) inputs for the mouse left and right buttons.

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