Dilemma Concerning Mats

[labyrinthworm]

Okay,

I have a dilemma, and I know it's been covered in topics before, and I have done tons of research, but I am trying to get some FIRST hand opinions (to me - i know im so selfish!)

Anyways. I have been playing DDR for a few years now, and on Standard/Heavy (depending the song), and my ignition pad is starting to act really FUNKY (it just hits random arrows when it feels like it, i think its a wiring problem) - and I am looking to get a NEW pad, this time METAL.

PART 1 of the problem

NEXEN (the new 2008 edition / black slick, sexy)
BlueShark
Cobalt Flux

Now, I really want to get the NEXEN because it looks so damned awesome, but I have heard the sensors aren't as good (true?) and it doesn't come with an arcade bar (option at all)

Blueshark looks good, but is the most expensive (450 with bar), but after a lot of reading it seems to be up in the air with their customer service as well as some pads being AWESOME and some pads not being so awesome?

Cobalt Flux I hear lasts a long time, yet I have heard reports of cracking from the lexium plastic (or whathaveyou) that they use.

Anyone have a basis of WHY which one is best?

PART 2 of the problem

what adapter is best, i have spent the last few days discovering StepMania (where was I?) and have about 3000 songs now, so when i get a metal pad, i want to be SURE it hooks up to my PC correctly, with no lag, no problems!


__

basically, i only want to buy ONE pad for a LONG time from now on, I paid 100 for my ignition and it lasted me a good two years, but I am getting better and I want the more arcade feel, so instead of just buying another foam pad, i wanna upgrade, but I want to be SURE the purchase is a good one (since it's so damned expensive)

THANKS ALL

(this was my first post, i love this site, I found it earlier today, there's some great sim files !!!)

[recessionatalus]

the pads from mymybox seem to be a huge gamble. some people have had no problems with them, some have had nothing but trouble.

cobalt flux doesn't seem to offer much in the way of good customer service these days, either :/

if you're going for a more arcade-style feel with a minimal chance of sucking, the blueshark is probably the best idea. the cobalt will probably never break on you, but you'll have to get used to the flatness of it. i've heard nothing but bad things about the nexen so don't bother with that.

[「dj.TK」]

I'm sure you get a Arcade raiser kit for the CF.

I plan to get a CF soon if they ever decide to f**king ship to Australia.

[Goldensunboy]

If you plan to get a BlueShark, get the PS2 version. (with an adapter, of course) I've heard the XBOX version of BlueShark doesn't like being hooked up to the PC. Many people have said the PS2 version works well with StepMania. I plan to buy two of them in February, when they are in stock again.

Cobalt Flux is also pretty good, if you don't want to shell out the money for a BlueShark; this pad is pretty good too. Only complaint for me is that it use tapeswitch, so you have to feel your foot bend the arrow inwards every time you step correctly. Knowing where you are on the pad is a little tough and takes getting used to, it's hard to play tough songs with lots of stream without missing a few, in my experience. IamChris4life uses CF though, and there's no doubt he's good with it.