I'm sure this has been asked ad nauseum but...

SirWickedFoot · 09-08-2007, 06:19 PM

I'm thinking about buying a Cobalt flux... It seems that as far as pads go that is gold standard. I can currently get AAs on 8 and 9 heavies relatively consistently, but want to get as good as I can on DDR and I know the only way I will is by having a pad that allows me to.

I use StepMania and have over 1000 songs on it. I'm using red octane ignition 3.0 mats right now, but I want to be able to use the Flux with stepmania

From what I've read, pretty much every single PS2-to-USB connector out there either:
1) Doesn't work
2) Causes Lag

To complicate matters, I read that the makers of Cobalt Flux have recently updated their control box (yet they STILL don't support X-Box/USB?

) and that it doesn't work with the EMS USB2, which previously looked to be the only PS2-to-USB adapter that actually worked.

Can anyone with a Cobalt Flux help me out?

Also, I'm obviously new and love the site

EDIT: Sorry for posting in the wrong area... I just now found the Simulation Area.

ΩOMEGAΩ · 09-08-2007, 09:44 PM

its alright this time for not posting in the right section, just dont do it again.

There are some converters that do work. Ia m pretty sure RedOctane's works. I use a Smart Joy... but sadly the company that made them went out of business, so they are a bit rare to find, but if you find one they work great!

As far as dance pads, I see you want a metal dance pad, Cobalt Flux is good, i mean I have a TX2000, and the really only reason i have that was so I could have a bar.

I hope I didhelp you out a little.

Cali · 09-08-2007, 10:55 PM

Always remember that a flux is a completely flat pad. I hated it cuz I like my indentions where the arrows are.

ΩOMEGAΩ · 09-08-2007, 10:58 PM

I also would like to point out that you should get a pad you know will not break. Like I said before I have a TX2000, it breaks ALOT, I have to solder the pad at least once every month, I had to foil the dance pad to be more sensitive, and I broke the panels on the dance pad.

I also broke a TX1000 beyond repair. lol.

SirWickedFoot · 09-09-2007, 12:38 AM

It just seems like metal mats all either
1) Break too easily
2) Aren't compatible with USB
3) Aren't even available for sale anymore.

I'll find a great mat like the blueshark brand, but they aren't even sold anymore... or the cobalt flux, which is great, but which has serious issues with USB... or the Red Octane afterburner which is compatible with USB, but is kind of weak when it comes to quality.

Doesn't anyone sell a mat that is in stock, doesn't break easily, and that is compatible with USB O_o?

Kalek · 09-09-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirWickedFoot

I'll find a great mat like the blueshark brand, but they aren't even sold anymore...

uhh...what?

IMHO, cobalts are HORRIBLE. If you still want to get one, I remember reading on DDRFreak that the new control boxes are xbox 360 (aka USB) and ps2 compatible. I don't know how much truth there is to that though, knowing DDRFreak.

In terms of a USB adapter, I'd rewire the arrows to X, O, Square, and Triangle (if I wasn't actually going to use a ps2 ever) and get a Radioshack usb adapter. The Radioshack USB adapters are AMAZING and have very very little lag, however they have the joy axis problem which the rewiring would fix. If not, you could go with a trio linker plus, which isn't quite as good as a radioshack in terms of lag, but it still should be ok for DDR.

SirWickedFoot · 09-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalek

uhh...what?

IMHO, cobalts are HORRIBLE. If you still want to get one, I remember reading on DDRFreak that the new control boxes are xbox 360 (aka USB) and ps2 compatible. I don't know how much truth there is to that though, knowing DDRFreak.

In terms of a USB adapter, I'd rewire the arrows to X, O, Square, and Triangle (if I wasn't actually going to use a ps2 ever) and get a Radioshack usb adapter. The Radioshack USB adapters are AMAZING and have very very little lag, however they have the joy axis problem which the rewiring would fix. If not, you could go with a trio linker plus, which isn't quite as good as a radioshack in terms of lag, but it still should be ok for DDR.

I posted that before I did additional research. It initially looked like all of their products were sold out but I later found that they're updating their line.

It appears that they are releasing a "2007 edition" of their BlueShark for X-Box 360 in the near future. X-Box 360 uses USB, so you know what that means! ...no screwy adapters... No rewiring... Another upside to the 2007 is that it's only 2" high instead of 3".

Also, I know what you mean about the Cobalt Flux pads... I basically spent the entire day yesterday reading about mats and the Cobalt Flux pads, while "indestructable" do not have recessed buttons, chip on the bottom, and as far as I know, are still a pain in the butt with PS2-to-USB connectors.

As for the BlueSharks... I'm seriously considering purchasing one once they're released. Yeah they're friggin' expensive, but they're basically arcade quality, it'll be native USB, and if anything ever breaks on it, they have every single replacement part on their website, so I don't have to spend 60 bucks just to ship it back when I can fix it myself for 20.

intercourse forum boredom · 09-10-2007, 11:22 PM

I have a CF, yes there good endurance wise, but if you intend to practice on this so you can get better at the arcade your in for a bit of a surprise, yes its flat and it makes it harder for you to play when you go to the arcade. An arcade adapter can fix this but I have yet to try that out. I have also tried using a USB adapter with the CF and yes there is a good amount of lag, but from what I hear that these printer ports cancel out the lag heres a link. Playstation Cable Adapters-Dance Dance Revolution Playstation TO PC Single link LPT cable. (Connect your Dance Pad to PC to play DDR PC)

Another big problem with the mat is that it moves A LOT, unless you intend to just play slow songs you'll be fine, but when you get up to 10's and up the pad tends to move a bit. Thats all I have to say about that, I hope this helps.

Mr_Owen · 09-13-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapo

I have a CF, yes there good endurance wise, but if you intend to practice on this so you can get better at the arcade your in for a bit of a surprise, yes its flat and it makes it harder for you to play when you go to the arcade. An arcade adapter can fix this but I have yet to try that out. I have also tried using a USB adapter with the CF and yes there is a good amount of lag, but from what I hear that these printer ports cancel out the lag heres a link. Playstation Cable Adapters-Dance Dance Revolution Playstation TO PC Single link LPT cable. (Connect your Dance Pad to PC to play DDR PC)

Another big problem with the mat is that it moves A LOT, unless you intend to just play slow songs you'll be fine, but when you get up to 10's and up the pad tends to move a bit. Thats all I have to say about that, I hope this helps.

You don't need to that printer converter thing if you're getting a new Flux, because it now has a USB connector. You plug in one of the USB cords you would plug into a modern printer and download a driver. Although I did have problems getting it to remember the pad. I had to reset it everytime I started the PC up again. I'm still using my Blade because my Flux is more awkward for me right now. Although a lot of that is due to the fact that I replaced the screws with some bigger ones that fucked up my heel and left it bruised for the past week. I'm going to get CF to send me some normal panels to replace the arcade mod because it hinders my play style (which was adapted on my flat Blade).