Posted by Tom61 on 30, 2000 at 2:37 AM:
In Reply to: Why don't people use controllers instead of encoders/keyboards???? posted by Agent Davis on 30, 2000 at 1:28 AM:
Primary reasons for going with an encoder:
seems more professional than "hacking" a controller
more inputs possible, Sidewinders max out at 4 daisy chained, encoders can "expand" by using matrixies
much better DOS support (most DOS emus support only one or two Sidewinder pads at the same time)
soldering is usually not needed
Primary reasons for going with a keyboard hack:
cheap, you probably have several laying around
you fry one, so what?
can't get encoder easily in their country
101 to 104 inputs
compatable with DOS
I'm going with a Power Ramp hack myself, because it's cheap ($20 for 18 inputs, and daisy chainable) and easy (get a joystick and 8 buttons wired with no soldering). The reason you don't see these hacks very often is because it keeps going in and out of stock. It emulates a keyboard (same as an encoder) so it's compatable with DOS
: I'm puzzled as to why more people don't use two gamepad pro's or similar gamepad dolly-chained for their controls. These type of gamepads (ms sidewinder, gamepad pro) have at least 6 buttons each which is enough for your basic control panel, yet I see no one doing this. Why is that? On the gravis gamepads, i believe it has 8 buttons for a total of 16. 12 for the action buttons with 4 extra buttons for other functions.