DJ DAO vs DA?

jsw1188 · 03-22-2007, 10:49 PM

I'm looking to buy a ASC (either DA ASC, or a FP7-S) but I just can't decide which of the two to get. Anyone have experience playing with both?

For the DA ASC, anyone know the differences between DA soft strength, faux Sanwa, and Sanwa keys? I take it Sanwas are more similar to the real arcade (but I've heard they are a little harder to push down on)? I have no clue on the soft strength and faux Sanwa's though.

rmz · 03-22-2007, 10:55 PM

The DA thread would be a great place to ask the question about the DA keys, but I'll leave this open to discussion. I'm going to be keeping a really close eye on this, though, and if it devolves into fanboy flamewars this is getting the lock.

hidehide · 03-22-2007, 11:01 PM

If you are comparing DA to FP7-s. Then of coz DA, because FP7-S isnt even arcade spacing.
It really depends on the person's taste. Some might like Dj Dao PE more, some might like DA..
For the button issue, i heard even the sanwas are harder to press, it will be soften later. But it takes time..
I dont think the button is really a hard, i dont afraid its hard, i just scare its too soft..

jsw1188 · 03-22-2007, 11:05 PM

About how long would it take Sanwas to "break in"?

Evi · 03-22-2007, 11:11 PM

The DJ Dao PE is much closer to the real arcade experience. DA might be cheaper and give you some customization options, but IMO it doesn't look or feel like the real thing. Dao is pretty much as close as you can get without actually buying an arcade machine.

hidehide · 03-22-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsw1188

About how long would it take Sanwas to "break in"?

Im not sure, but I heard its like 1 year for people keep pressing it everyday.
So you might want to hire someone just to help you keep pressing the buttons, lol

dj Outlaw · 03-22-2007, 11:53 PM

I own a DJ DAO PE but I've played on the DA too. DJ DAO controllers are really good to play on, but the DA felt great to play on as well.

You should probably ask Steve about the strength of his keys, but I thought he used good american Cherry switches (Kind of a soft feel) on his pushbuttons for DA buttons with the spring strength being what determines the firmness. And Faux Sanwa was something like an Omron microswitch (Firmer feel) on the generic pushbutton. Sanwa sells their buttons with Omron switches, but charges much higher amounts for their buttons in comparison to other manufacturers.

DA
PROS
-Rotatable key Panel option
-Had the better stock turntable
-Even the non-sanwa keys felt comfortable to play on. (Most people seem to prefer the medium strength DA keys)
-You can get a very customized order (Painting, designs, LEDs)
CONS
-Doesn't emulate the cabinet's appearance as well as the DJ DAO

DJ DAO (PE)
PROS
-Looks very close to the arcade cabinet appearance. Very stunning to look at.
-The FP-7S and the PE use official Sanwa buttons. I never had any issues with the firmness of the keys
-Lights run off the USB cable included on the controller cord.
-You can now select different LED and lighting colors on the PE when you order
CONS
-The turntable is somewhat finnicky. You will probably find yourself having to modify the stiffness to make it comfortable to play on (it's pretty stiff when it first ships). I cut 2 pieces of thin fabric and wax paper to get pretty close to how the turntable should feel.
-No flippable key panel option. But most people don't tend to change their preferred playing style once they're that invested in a game.

Here's the way you might want to think about it
-Just getting into beatmania IIDX/moderate player? Go for the FP-7. It doesn't have those sanwa buttons, but hell, who really cares? It's much cheaper to go for the regular buttons that feel just fine.
-If you're a much more hardcore player, either go all the way for the PE or get a DA. The FP-7S kind of stands on that middle ground that really isn't worth it, I don't think. People tend to exaggerate as to how stiff those Sanwa's are. They feel just fine.

djdao · 03-23-2007, 07:35 AM

I think i can't say something.
I just explain the force to push the buttons.
sanwa buttons,have about 40g,and microswitch 100g,so the full force is 140g.
DA buttons,i dont know,you can test by poise or some standard weight dibs to test.
Djdao custom buttons,have about 40g, and microswitch 50g,so the full force is 90g.

Normally, keyboard is 70-75g,So kinesics think 70g is good force to beat.
But for 2dx,we think need more,about 20g or 30g.

That is our theoretics and experience for this.And we tested many older 2dx arcade,their older buttons are soft(maybe 60-70g).

And we need to think about the time to make the buttons and microswitch older.So the force will reduce.So new buttons need about 90-100g.

Sorry for my poor english.
If any questions.please reply.Thanks.

Hair · 03-23-2007, 09:18 AM

If you want something with a factory made feel, DJ Dao is the better choice. If you want to customize to your heart's desire, DA is the way to go. I've heard exciting things about the newest version of DA's medium keys, and Sanwas with Cherry Microswitches feel amazing - DA can easily provide you with that option, I don't know about Dao, but it's not too hard to get microswitches and replace them, so it's not a huge issue either way.

kaizoku · 03-23-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Get a DA. I got one and I'm loving it. Had it since last year in August, Steve is actually pretty good in making them arcade look alike. Especially the turntable base. Dao's working on an arcade look alike, don't know how that's going. But again I have a DA with faux keys. Works perferct.

Sorry for deleting this comment (I won't leave a name), but this is an example of what rmz and I are trying to avoid in this thread.

We're trying to make more of a comparison, rather than saying "buy this one". jsw1188 requested advice from people who played on both (if possible).

I have owned both controllers, and had them at the same time. My DA was an early model and used medium strength DA modded keys. The two were hardly comparable, seeing as how they used different buttons/switches.

What I CAN say is that the DA was not a bad playing experience. I feel most people in this thread have hit the nail on the head - if you want something very close to arcade feel AND look, go with the Dao. For more customization, go with the DA. The DA is also easier on your wallet

Sorry for deleting your last post Dao. Talk to me about it later if you need me to explain

Also, I lol'd at the fact that Dao always writes "Sorry for my poor English" at the end of his posts. Might as well put it as his signature, haha.

Wamsa · 03-23-2007, 01:24 PM

The point of the ASC is that it has _arcade_ feeling. It's not about how good it is to play on, it's just about the arcade feeling IMO.

I mean, as an example, if DA has buttons that are easier to press than DAO buttons, but DAO has more arcade exact pushbuttons compared to DA, I would buy DAO. That is just an example. I have no experience on either of the ASC:s because I build ASC:s by myself. We don't even have IIDX machines here where I live so I couldn't even compare.