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Complicated question about the Mini-Pac

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AndyWarne:
I have answered by email but the major points here:
I think either the Opti-PAC or Mini-PAC solution is fine. The Opti-PAC fully supports two trackballs in Mame. I have just amended the website info which incorrectly stated that you need Analog+.
The Mini-PAC would also work. Traffic on the USB bus is not an issue at all, its tiny. There will be no lag.
The issue of the trackballs possibly getting swapped over is a good one to raise, but I don't think it would happen because I believe that DirectInput would keep the devices identified correctly by the port they are plugged into. I cannot guarantee this though as I have never tested that this is the case. Its not especially difficult to swap them over in Mame if that were to happen.

The Mini-PAC harness is designed to be used with the add-on extension wire pack for larger panels where a couple of the switches on the end might be too far away.

Andy

 

Avrus:

--- Quote from: AndyWarne on July 20, 2007, 04:58:13 pm ---I have answered by email but the major points here:
I think either the Opti-PAC or Mini-PAC solution is fine. The Opti-PAC fully supports two trackballs in Mame. I have just amended the website info which incorrectly stated that you need Analog+.
The Mini-PAC would also work. Traffic on the USB bus is not an issue at all, its tiny. There will be no lag.
The issue of the trackballs possibly getting swapped over is a good one to raise, but I don't think it would happen because I believe that DirectInput would keep the devices identified correctly by the port they are plugged into. I cannot guarantee this though as I have never tested that this is the case. Its not especially difficult to swap them over in Mame if that were to happen.

The Mini-PAC harness is designed to be used with the add-on extension wire pack for larger panels where a couple of the switches on the end might be too far away.

Andy

 

--- End quote ---

And thanks for responding to my email inquiry so fast Andy.  As a Canadian I've found it very difficult getting responses out of suppliers, and both you and Rick at Starburst responded very quickly. Edit: Oh and how could I forget Rick @ Nieman displays, responded almost immediately.  Although the supplier never ended up getting back to me, your turn around in emails was fantastic.

In the scenario above, would each Mini-PAC support 2 joysticks + 1 trackball + 1 spinner?  If so, the value of the Mini-PAC (not even factoring in the harness) is incredible.

miles2912:
If your CP is going to have 2 trackballs then you might want to consider an opti-pac and the i-pac.  If you have 1 TB and 1 spinner then the mini-pac is a great deal.  I ran my TB to the mini-pac and my spinner is usb so I am only using one function.  4 joysticks share 2 inputs and a few of my buttons overlap.  Everything has been going strong for well over a year now.  The pre-made wires that come with it make it even nicer.

You can see the mini-pac all ready to go  ....

Avrus:

--- Quote from: miles2912 on July 21, 2007, 11:21:04 pm ---If your CP is going to have 2 trackballs then you might want to consider an opti-pac and the i-pac.  If you have 1 TB and 1 spinner then the mini-pac is a great deal.  I ran my TB to the mini-pac and my spinner is usb so I am only using one function.  4 joysticks share 2 inputs and a few of my buttons overlap.  Everything has been going strong for well over a year now.  The pre-made wires that come with it make it even nicer.

You can see the mini-pac all ready to go  ....



--- End quote ---

I'm going to have a bit of a frankenpanel.  4 sticks + 1 dedicated 4 way, 3 trackballs, two spinners.

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: AndyWarne on July 20, 2007, 04:58:13 pm ---The issue of the trackballs possibly getting swapped over is a good one to raise, but I don't think it would happen because I believe that DirectInput would keep the devices identified correctly by the port they are plugged into. I cannot guarantee this though as I have never tested that this is the case. Its not especially difficult to swap them over in Mame if that were to happen.

--- End quote ---
This has been mentioned a lot in the past on here.  I believe if you plug the mini-pac's into the same pair of USB ports (or a hub plugged into a single USB port), they can swap positions.  If you plug the mini-PAC's into different pairs of USB ports, (like a front panel and a rear panel motherboard connector) they will not.

(But I always only plug stuff in as I need it, so can't verify for certain myself).

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