Posted by ChrisF on August 07, 1999 at 20:30:44:
ok, got my two powerramps, call them PRA and PRB.
As I type this both are connected to this pc.
The Upside...
First I tested PRA->PRB->Keyboard right out of the box.
That worked and BOTH powerramps could be configured
seperately either via the keyboard or through
the included software.
Next, I hacked PRB and tested it. I did this
so if there was a problem it had to be with PRB.
Then I hacked PRA and all is well.
It's like this things are made to be taken apart.
On each, the 8 main buttons and joystick
microswitches have wires pre-attatched.
This makes life very easy. Half the work is done for you.
Next each also has 6 smaller buttons.
These are the only buttons needing to have wires
soldered onto the contacts. Still quite easy.
So total you get 2 joys with 14 buttons each.
The diagonals on the joys can also be programmed
though I haven't found a use to do so yet.
Maybe with Q*bert it would be useful.
The Downside...
very minor so far, PRB has a button get stuck
every now and then. A couple of taps clears it up.
When play Asteriods I got stuck in a right spin
a few times. But very easy to fix on the fly
and a very minor gripe. PRA functions flawlessly
even when PBR do this. So I'd suggest making
PRA your main buttons board and PRB your
secondary (less used) buttons board.
As far as I've seen 2 PowerRamps is the way
to go. You could have a 4 joystick setup with
4 buttons for each, and still have 4 buttons
left over for coin, start, pause etc.
Later ~Chris