DDR Pad Review thread

DJ LongCat · 10-02-2006, 09:08 AM

I think we need this thread mainly because some of us trust what others have to say about pads and we want some testimony before spending around $200-$400 on something that may only work for 6 months. Now, I am looking for a new metal pad but that isn't the whole focus of the thread. The real focus is getting reviews in here so people will know what to buy and what to stand clear of.

COBALT FLUX
Now, we have our most famous Metal pad, the Cobalt flux. It is one of the most trusted pads on the market. It’s known to last for years and still work perfectly.

From the website

Quote:

All electronics housed in a replaceable external box for unparalleled protection.
Only the finest available polycarbonate plastics and galvanized steel.
Wiring and electrics triple tested before shipping.
Platforms individually numbered, histories of each platform kept on file.
27 stage assembly and quality control process.
Designed, engineered and refined under the most rigorous testing conditions imaginable. The CF platform is designed to last for years under intense, competitive use.

NEW: 11 triggerable buttons. Including: 'X', 'O', 'Square', 'Triangle', Start and Select.
Durable, highly sensitive panel switches.
Comes ready to use with all Playstation® and Playstation 2® titles including popular dance games!

NEW: Thick, replaceable laminated decals for additional customizability.
Each panel secured down with flat 1/8" screws for added durability while still retaining a smooth playing surface.
Made with clear, shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastic.
Galvanized steel components and high-quality construction ensure maximum resilience.
No static lock up or build up.
Roughened rubber stripping ensures your platform will remain stationary on most surfaces.

Specifications:
28 gauge sheet metal contacts.
3/4" heavy-duty melamine baseboard.
Dimensions - 33-1/4" x 33-1/4" and 1" high, which makes for an incredibly low profile.
Weight Capacity - 600lbs+
6 Month Guarantee

I have not used a Cobalt Flux so everything I have said is mainly from reading other posts.

Cost is $300 and $50 for shipping.

Website

AFTERBURNER
Another pad that is kind of famous that’s been on the market for about a year now is the Afterburner from Roxor and Red Octane. I have not used this pad either so I don't know that much about it.

Details from website:

Quote:

EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:

Recessed Buttons
The first thing you’ll notice about the Afterburner is its recessed arrow buttons. These recessed arrow buttons accurately recreate the look and feel of an arcade platform and also let you know exactly where you are on the pad at all times.

Increased Sensitivity
The arrow buttons on the Afterburner are the most sensitive buttons RedOctane’s ever produced, which translates to much higher scores!

90-Day Warranty
The Afterburner features a full 90-Day warranty! If you experience a problem with your Afterburner Metal Pad you have the comfort of an incredible warranty.

PS2, Xbox, and PC Compatibility
No more fumbling with extra cables and adapters, the Afterburner Metal Pad is fully compatible with the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC!

Breakaway Cables
Thanks to the new breakaway cables you’ll no longer need to worry about damaging your metal pad if the pad becomes unplugged.

Hot New Look
With the stylish new arrow and brushed metal buttons the Afterburner Metal Pad is unlike any other dance pad.

Included Doubles Bracket
If you own two Afterburners there’s no need to buy a costly add-on just to play Doubles. The Afterburner comes complete with an attached bracket making it very easy to connect two pads.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

* Includes control box for PlayStation/PlayStation 2 / Xbox/ and PC (via USB) compatibility (separate control box not required)
* Heavy duty one-piece metal frame for durability
* Extended platform base for increased stability
* Shatter-proof polycarbonate and stainless steel surface for an arcade look and feel
* EVA foam base (non-slip bottom) to help prevent the pad from slipping
* Advanced wiring for maximum sensitivity
* Corner brackets that prevent sharp exposed edges
* No assembly required

Specifications
· Compatible with PlayStation / PlayStation 2 / Xbox/ and PC via USB
· One piece, all metal pad
· Pad comes fully assembled
· 8 buttons: 4 directional buttons, X, O, Start, and Select
· Non-slip cushion bottom
· Includes: Control Box and 9-pin cable
· Dimensions: 34"x38 1/2"x1 1/4"
· Weight 50lbs
· This product has sharp edges and plates which can cause injury.
Caution should be taken when lifting and handling the product.
Players are strongly advised to wear shoes while playing.

Cost is $250 and $50 for shipping.

Website

BLUE SHARK

There are many different pads from here so there are a lot to be reviewed.

Cost depends on the pad you pick

Website

IF THIS WAS TL : DR,
the whole point of this thread is to get as many reviews of pads as possible so we can just look in one area to get them instead of making a whole thread and waiting for an answer.

I want other people to give as many reviews as possible so we'll have a good idea on which pad to get. I will edit this post to bring as many reviews as possible. If someone has already reviewed a pad you wanted to review, then just give your review anyway. I want to get as many opinions as possible on this.

Also, when doing this, try to give the cost of the pad with shipping, the website, and a huge title like I did so its easy to find.

OTHER PADS THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLAYED ON THEM:
Cobalt Flux
Afterburner
Blue shark
Ignition pad
Any pad that has been bought off eBay.

ceraf · 10-02-2006, 11:19 AM

BlueShark Metal Dance Pad http://www.mymybox.com/ddrmbsgxg.html
- recessed buttons
- good sensitivity
- arcade sensors
- $299.95

BNS DX Xtreme Fusion / BNS DX Sparkle http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/4985/VG-DDR-ULTDX/
- raised buttons, foam insert
- need more info on this...heard it had better quality than RO ignitions

DJ LongCat · 10-02-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceraf

BlueShark Metal Dance Pad http://www.mymybox.com/ddrmbsgxg.html
- recessed buttons
- good sensitivity
- arcade sensors
- $299.95

BNS DX Xtreme Fusion / BNS DX Sparkle http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/4985/VG-DDR-ULTDX/
- raised buttons, foam insert
- need more info on this...heard it had better quality than RO ignitions

Could you give a bit more information than basics? Also could you say if you have owned or at least played on it.

I want to have people give reviews for pads that they have used in one time or another (But of course me because I started this thread wanting to know about which pad to use so I couldn't really say anything personal about them because I have not used them ever.

Fred 00 · 10-02-2006, 06:02 PM

Cobalt Flux: The best pad on the market, as said before, it is $350.
Weighs about 38 pounds
Comes with grip tape to secure corners
Optional doubles bar to connect two CFs.
Comments: I love this pad. My scores improved so much its not even funny. The pad has a nice look and lasts a minimum of 2 years.
Pros: Best pad, very sensitive, worth the money, extremely durable.

Cons: In my personal experience, the cobalt flux can be either a gift from god, or the most biggest, insensitive paperweight. It all matters how tight/loose the screws are. Also, the screws are raised, meaning you can hurt your toes on them. The pad is flat, for all those recessed panel lovers.

Ignition pad off ebay: (Vortz ignition pad, to be more specific)
Dont remember cost or weight.
Pad has a very nice look.
Arrows are raised on a cardboard(?) surface underneath the pad.
Comments: This pad was pretty good while it lasted. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. Good for the casual ddr player who can do 6-7 footers. I got this pad and destroyed it in a matter of months. It's not because of weight, because I'm pretty skinny. The material connecting the surface of the pad to the side can tear, and holes can be made in the platform. Slides around very easily.

Pros: Decent, cool looking, and pretty sensitive
Cons: I piece of crap after 4 months of daily 8-9 footer play. Can be broken in almost every possible way.

yah, thats about it.

JasonMath · 10-02-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred 00

Cobalt Flux: The best pad on the market, as said before, it is $350.
Weighs about 38 pounds
Comes with grip tape to secure corners
Optional doubles bar to connect two CFs.
Comments: I love this pad. My scores improved so much its not even funny. The pad has a nice look and lasts a minimum of 2 years.
Pros: Best pad, very sensitive, worth the money, extremely durable.

Cons: In my personal experience, the cobalt flux can be either a gift from god, or the most biggest, insensitive paperweight. It all matters how tight/loose the screws are. Also, the screws are raised, meaning you can hurt your toes on them. The pad is flat, for all those recessed panel lovers.

Ignition pad off ebay: (Vortz ignition pad, to be more specific)
Dont remember cost or weight.
Pad has a very nice look.
Arrows are raised on a cardboard(?) surface underneath the pad.
Comments: This pad was pretty good while it lasted. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. Good for the casual ddr player who can do 6-7 footers. I got this pad and destroyed it in a matter of months. It's not because of weight, because I'm pretty skinny. The material connecting the surface of the pad to the side can tear, and holes can be made in the platform. Slides around very easily.

Pros: Decent, cool looking, and pretty sensitive
Cons: I piece of crap after 4 months of daily 8-9 footer play. Can be broken in almost every possible way.

yah, thats about it.

With the Cobalt Flux, you can buy an arcade-style mod kit (from here) from the company that raises the squares other than left, down, up, right, thus making the main squares depressed ($25, with $10 shipping and handling).

However, another con to the Cobalt Flux is that it's not easily transportable. That's fine if you are a junior high/high school student who has the pad in a constant place, but if you need to move the pad frequently, then it becomes a burden. (I have to move my pad (an Ignition) once every week to the Student Center (a block or so away from my dorm room) for my Music Video Gaming Club. I couldn't imagine moving a 38-pound pad that can't be taken apart without driving with it to the Student Center (and I don't have a car/SUV on campus).)

My Ignition (Red Octane) is very transportable (which is nice). Unfortunately, in 3-4 months, 3 of the 4 corners just outside the center square were cracked. In addition, the Ignition does slide (about a foot during normal length heavy charts), though it doesn't slide as much as soft pads without the insert.

irvineking1980 · 10-05-2006, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playa129

Could you give a bit more information than basics? Also could you say if you have owned or at least played on it.

I want to have people give reviews for pads that they have used in one time or another (But of course me because I started this thread wanting to know about which pad to use so I couldn't really say anything personal about them because I have not used them ever.

here is the blueshark metal pad review

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewt...120766&start=0

Quote:

OK I've had plenty of time to try out both of these pads. Before I go on, I should mention that I've played on virtually every type of dance pad out there including the RedOctane Afterburner, Cobalt Flux, various TX series pads, too many foam/soft pads, and I even built my own according to RipTide's design.

The BlueShark is by far the best home pad available without a doubt. MyMyBox prides their BlueShark for using real arcade foot sensors, but that doesn't even beging to describe how amazing it is. This pad is extremely accurate to the arcade design in ways that the CF can't even imagine. For starters, the arrows actually rebound instead of mushing in like the CF, which makes drills a lot easier. It also feels much sturder than anything else because it weighs significantly more. Furthermore, the BlueShark has more depth to it, so when you step it makes a nice hollow sound that is much easier to recognize if you're off beat or not

The Nexen pad doesn't feel as solid as the BlueShark, but I was pretty much expecting that. The Nexen easily gets you the most bang for your buck considering it's the same place as the RO Afterburner. The arrows are recessed slightly (probably 1/16") which is really only noticeable if you're in socks or barefoot. The arrows don't hold up as well as the BlueShark, but they still offer just as much rebound as any other pad. It's extremely easy to move between arrows and the pad is also sensitive, but it's not so ridiculos that you'll be holding down arrows accidentaly like with a CF. For the most part though, the panels are firm and hold up well during heavy play no problem.

Overall, if you can afford the BlueShark is clearly the best way to go. It's a sensitive pad with real arcade sensors and is an almost an exact replication of the arcade pad, and simply put this is the best way to go if it's in your price range. If you're on a tight budget, the Nexen is a good pad for $200 that seems like it will hold up fairly well (I'll keep you updated if anything happens). From my first impressions, if you have enough money for a Cobalt Flux you're better off buying either a BlueShark or two Nexens. The BlueShark offers the best home experience without question, and the Nexen pads will let you enjoy worry-free gaming for an affordable price

Last edited by vesper on Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total

Blue0ctane · 10-05-2006, 03:25 PM

OK, so the Afterburner.

Pro: It has perfect sensitivity.
Con: But after a few months you start to hear the steps go PLUNK each time you step on them.

Pro: It has recessed arrows.
Con: They are sometimes hard to hit during crossovers.

Pro: The paint job is nice and shiny.
Con: Until a month of tedious play. The paint will start to scratch off easily.

Pro: It does stay still.
Con: Until you start playing Expert songs.

Pro: It connects to your PC via USB port.
Con: The USB connector is terrible. People say it's better to use a PS2 to USB converter.

spkru · 10-06-2006, 10:49 AM

Ok so that's my point of view

Plastic dance mat -> good for newbie
PRO: is good if you've never play dance games
CONS: 9footers? Buy something new

TX2000+ -> good to try songs on stepmania
PRO: Good sensors. Hey, i can bar rape this!!
CONS: ...after 10 footers the bar is broken.

I know not anyone have an arcade near home, but I suggest everibody to star twith a plastic mat then move to arcade.
Cobaltflux is a really good homepad, but here in Italy is soooo expensive get one of those.

Sorry for BED INGLISH

Blue0ctane · 10-07-2006, 11:49 PM

Don't worry, your English is better than certain people's *coughPAYCHECKANDOMEGACUBEDcough*.

eluyes · 10-08-2006, 12:59 PM

A cobalt Flux is all you need I have one and there the best.

DJ LongCat · 10-08-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluyes

A cobalt Flux is all you need I have one and there the best.

Please say why it is good.

Thats why this is a review thread.