so i finally scored myself a namco stick from trading my modified ascii sanwa stick.
the buttons were pretty dirty when i got it but after desoldering the buttons and cleaning it with rubbing alcohol, the buttons look like brand new. i have mixed feelings about this stick. not too fond of its light weight but the parts are superb. they’re definitely better than anything hori put out nowadays (hraps included). everything just feels more solid. i dont think i’ll use it much, but its a nice stick to collect. i’m tempted to put in an octogate, but it just feels so wrong to modify this stick even though putting in an octogate doesnt modify anything permanently.
I’ve scored 2 extra Namco’s this month, waiting for delivery. I don’t particularly like the buttons myself, the stick is pretty good though. The whole attraction for me is just the look of them, and the ultra low profile, they just sing to me.
I got a bunch of parts laying around, and I am considering building a supergun out a HRAP. I recently built a supergun, and put it into the smallest box I could fit the power supply in. After finishing It though “Hey a HRAP is much bigger than this box, I should just integrate the supergun right into the stick.” I’m sure this is no huge revelation for anyone, but it just came to me.
I plan to mount the power supply and video encoder inside one HRAP. The Jamma harness will exit the stick where the console cord normally is. On that same side will be a computer style AC pass though for the power supply, as well as the video and audio outputs. On the right side of the stick will be a 15 pin D-Sub that will connect the stick to another HRAP (in the future) for two player support. I am also thinking about breaking the 2nd player control wires out of the Jamma before it goes into the stick to avoid the 15 pin.
Potential problems I see:
Space of course, its going to be tight:D
Because of the double wall design of the HRAP, it is going to take a bit of cutting to get all the connectors mounted in the outside shell of the stick. Not really a big issue.
Cooling the power supply, I will have to mount a fan in the stick and a vent. Might be a pain to make look right.(i.e. not a hack job)
Not going to mount a speaker in the stick, all audio will have to be played on external speakers.
Anyone done this before?? Any input?? What would the value of something like this be??
You’d think buying a TV should be pretty easy; lay out your requirements, see what fits. Instead, my biggest concern (input latency) is one property that none of the manufacturers will talk about or advertise, testing yourself is only slightly difficult, but requires a store have one of the TVs in driving distance (doesn’t happen) AND even then, you could end up with a TV with a different core display and properties than the one you tested.
And the only way to be absolutely sure requires paying 5-10x as much as the matching television, just for the privilege of getting something WITHOUT the bells and whistles of the picture processing units.
I feel the need to hug my old reliable 36" CRT, but since it seems you can’t buy anything anymore with S-Video outputs, I sure as hell can’t watch a DVD on it.
After some testing, I was able to improve my wireless connection…by moving my phone away from my computer. I guess they both use the 2.4Ghz band.
I have a wireless-g pci card in my 2001 dinosaur, and ever since I moved into this new room, my wireless has been weak. It gets better when I open the door haha but that’s not always the best thing to do.
Just ordered a plexi for the TE as well. Should arrive next week along with the parts for the HRAP (plexi, Seimitsu buttons and bubble top) Now to crank out some art for it.
I’m starting planing phases on the classiest stick ever made. Now I just need to figure out where I could actually do the woodwork on it… and figure out a way to get a white shaft cover for a JLF.
If it helps, I bought a Seimitsu shaft cover and all I needed to do was shave a little plastic from the inside bottom and it fitted like a glove on my JLF.
DevilsFang, that would be absolutely freaking awesome if you managed to get that working. That sounds like the sort of project Gummowned would take on! :lol:
I’m certain that would be worth a LOT though. I mean, seriously, it’s an arcade machine in your lap basically, just plug in the arcade board, TV, power supply, and you’re good to go right? I wouldn’t have much use for it myself, but dedicated Supergunners would be able to take a lot from your project if you get it done. :tup:
You’re damn right that’s heaven! God, I really wish I could go to an arcade operator’s convention. It’d be the best convention I’d ever attend! :lovin:
In any case, watching the Trading Outlet these days is crazy! It looks like the optical joystick has gotten revived momentum in this year of 2010. I’m seeing more ASCII sticks being sold this past month than I’ve ever seen being sold all of last year. I don’t even want to tread on the prices people are willing to pay to get a Sanwa FLASH 1. I’m not one to talk since I myself paid $207.00 for mine, but everyone must be crazy paying these prices for an optical joystick, out of print and rarity be damned. :looney:
