Getting a metal home pad.

DMS321 · 06-27-2007, 11:05 PM

I have been playing on the packaged-in soft pads for about 3 years now, which is 3 years longer than it should have been. I have finally decided to get a metal pad. Now, whatever research I have done has led me to these things:

CF either sucks or doesn't.
BS either sucks or doesn't.
AfterBurner either sucks or doesn't.

All the reviews were mixed, and everyone had a different say-so about things. So, I have come to you guys asking for your help in choosing a metal pad. Price isn't too much of an issue, so long as it isn't over $400.

I have also heard that making your own is the best choice, but I am too worried I would mess it up, seeing as how I have not found a really in-depth guide to building your own.

So help me out here, Bemanistyle!

WiLLiSTER · 06-27-2007, 11:23 PM

"CF either sucks or doesn't."

What research led you to that conclusion?

Mr_Owen · 06-27-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_gilbert

"CF either sucks or doesn't."

What research led you to that conclusion?

There are many first timer reviews where people post about crappy sensitive and ghost presses. These are usually attributed to too tight or too lose screws, though.

Later reviews from people who have had theirs for a while and began losing sensitivity just usually need to clean it.

DMS321 · 06-27-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_gilbert

"CF either sucks or doesn't."

What research led you to that conclusion?

Just a lot of looking around. Seen terrible reviews on it, seen great reviews on it.

Also, I do care about depressed panels/raised corners, for that arcade-style feel.

Mr_Owen · 06-27-2007, 11:35 PM

And most of the terrible reviews, as I said above, aren't even terrible, just minor qualms, and those qualms are caused by the customer's own doing. If the sensitivity is bad, the sheet metal is probably bowing because the screws are too tight. If they've had it for a while and begin experiencing bad sensitivity, then it probably just needs cleaned. Everytime someone has a sensitivity problem once having the Flux for a few months, a cleaning fixed it right away, and from then on they knew their Flux like the back of their hand and cared for it like their child.

Then get the arcade mod, problem solved.

DMS321 · 06-27-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Owen

And most of the terrible reviews, as I said above, aren't even terrible, just minor qualms, and those qualms are caused by the customer's own doing. If the sensitivity is bad, the sheet metal is probably bowing because the screws are too tight. If they've had it for a while and begin experiencing bad sensitivity, then it probably just needs cleaned. Everytime someone has a sensitivity problem once having the Flux for a few months, a cleaning fixed it right away, and from then on they knew their Flux like the back of their hand and cared for it like their child.

Then get the arcade mod, problem solved.

So the Cobalt Flux really is a great choice, eh? Alright, then. I will probably get it.

Mr_Owen · 06-27-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMS321

So the Cobalt Flux really is a great choice, eh? Alright, then. I will probably get it.

I haven't gotten mine yet, I'm just telling you what I've seen. Whenever I saw a bad review on DDRFreak, it turned out someone had the screws too tight or too lose, and whenever someone had problems after having their Flux after awhile, cleaning it fixed it. I've never actually heard of anyone having a problem with anything besides the control box (which can be replaced free of charge for six months and even if you have to buy a new one it only costs about 30 bucks).

DMS321 · 06-27-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Owen

I haven't gotten mine yet, I'm just telling you what I've seen. Whenever I saw a bad review on DDRFreak, it turned out someone had the screws too tight or too lose, and whenever someone had problems after having their Flux after awhile, cleaning it fixed it. I've never actually heard of anyone having a problem with anything besides the control box (which can be replaced free of charge for six months and even if you have to buy a new one it only costs about 30 bucks).

Well I have seen a lot of good about the Blue Shark, as well. It looks like a very good pad, and replicates the arcade style great from what I have heard.

Mr_Owen · 06-28-2007, 12:12 AM

Well, the Blue Shark I have played. It is very similar to the arcade, but of course, as with the arcade, the sensors will eventually weak or die and have to be replaced (which can be costly). The pad was disorienting for me, but I'm more of a home DDR player and an arcade Pump player.

My experience on a DDR cab is limited to one play because the only arcade that had DDR a few years back was always packed and I didn't want to bother with all the elitist asses there who would criticize me for doing anything less than Paranoia Max Survivor. Then that arcade closed and we were without any machines for two years until most recently when we received to Supernovas in town. I don't like the music selection of Supernova and do not play it either.

I like having a pad with some rebound to it (for an arcade pad, PIU does have this compared to DDR and some say has the best response), and the Blue Shark has absolutely none, which forces people to turn to the bar. The bar is flimsy and unreliable so there was no way I would use it. If you did get a Blue Shark, it's hard to tell how durable it is. Not many people have had the newest model for very long.

Mainly, if you get a Blue Shark wish for the best. If you get a good mat, you're in luck, but if you get a bad one, it can be difficult as hell to get help, because the customer service is horrible. My friend got his mat a month or two ago and from the beginning the X arrow didn't work, it auto-triggers all mines in ITG, and the sensitivity is variable. He finally just got a link to a thing to print off for prepaid shipping and handling to have it fixed. He'll still have to go to the post office and get a box to send it in.

If you get lucky, the Blue Shark can be great, if you get unlucky it can be horrible (including getting an entirely non-working, beat up mess sent to you). I've heard alot more discontent Blue Shark reviews (and mymybox has gotten bad reviews for years) than CF and I've also seen many MANY players saying they've had their CF for 2-4 years with it working just as good as the day they got it.

DMS321 · 06-28-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Owen

Well, the Blue Shark I have played. It is very similar to the arcade, but of course, as with the arcade, the sensors will eventually weak or die and have to be replaced (which can be costly). The pad was disorienting for me, but I'm more of a home DDR player and an arcade Pump player.

My experience on a DDR cab is limited to one play because the only arcade that had DDR a few years back was always packed and I didn't want to bother with all the elitist asses there who would criticize me for doing anything less than Paranoia Max Survivor. Then that arcade closed and we were without any machines for two years until most recently when we received to Supernovas in town. I don't like the music selection of Supernova and do not play it either.

I like having a pad with some rebound to it (for an arcade pad, PIU does have this compared to DDR and some say has the best response), and the Blue Shark has absolutely none, which forces people to turn to the bar. The bar is flimsy and unreliable so there was no way I would use it. If you did get a Blue Shark, it's hard to tell how durable it is. Not many people have had the newest model for very long.

Mainly, if you get a Blue Shark wish for the best. If you get a good mat, you're in luck, but if you get a bad one, it can be difficult as hell to get help, because the customer service is horrible. My friend got his mat a month or two ago and from the beginning the X arrow didn't work, it auto-triggers all mines in ITG, and the sensitivity is variable. He finally just got a link to a thing to print off for prepaid shipping and handling to have it fixed. He'll still have to go to the post office and get a box to send it in.

If you get lucky, the Blue Shark can be great, if you get unlucky it can be horrible (including getting an entirely non-working, beat up mess sent to you). I've heard alot more discontent Blue Shark reviews (and mymybox has gotten bad reviews for years) than CF and I've also seen many MANY players saying they've had their CF for 2-4 years with it working just as good as the day they got it.

That's a very compelling argument for the CF... it's just that I don't really like that rebound you get. I like the "rock solid" feel of the arcade pads, since I play SuperNOVA all the time at the local arcade. And even if I don't pay the extra money for the arcade setup, I can just remove the panels and have it be just the surface underneath. Though, I could just always go for the BS and wish for the best, as it seems to be the best choice for me. I dunno, it's just a really tough decision because of the cost of these things.

kyj197 · 06-30-2007, 12:28 PM

The best metal pad on the market is blueshark metal pad!

if you live in california, go to their office and test both cf and blueshark.

To me, blueshark metal pad is way better than cf

Mr_Owen · 06-30-2007, 01:44 PM

The experience with Blue Shark depends on the customer service, the quality of your pad (as it varies) and the shipping. I'm just hoping things work out for my friend after they replace his.

DiGiTaLDJ59 · 06-30-2007, 01:46 PM

i've had my CF pad for about 4 yrs now and it still works like a charm. i play DDR now and then and i can still AAA or SDG stuff on it. sometimes you have to look at pads will last on the long run to see if you get your money's worth.

Tranzworld · 07-01-2007, 04:27 PM

I have a Flux and TBH if you have the money for it...get it.

Blueshark is WAY overpriced imo, and isnt really worth $200 more than a Flux, if you get the arcade mod, you'll get more for your money.

People said the fluxes were bad because of a faulty part in them that they have fixed.

revenGmyass · 07-07-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMS321

I have also heard that making your own is the best choice, but I am too worried I would mess it up, seeing as how I have not found a really in-depth guide to building your own.

yep, its actually very easy to build, infact i would make one myself if i have all the necessary equipment