ASC Preferences?

Ichigo Style · 04-19-2007, 12:29 AM

I'm heavily considering starting to play Pop'n, with an influx of money coming my way very very soon.

The only time I've played it was at Otakon last year, i'm not sure if it was a DA or a Ransai, so I'm here to ask the Pop'n community as a whole, which ASC is built the most solidly?
Customization is nice, but unnecessary, and I've heard quite a bit of smack talked up about noise with DA's, but all in all, longevity of the controller life is what i'm looking for, consensus?

Hudson · 04-19-2007, 12:41 AM

DJ Dao. I've played on a KonamiStyle ASC, Ransai, DASC, homebuilt, mini ver.1 & 2, and a Dao. Dao is the most arcade accurate. Everyone I know whose played on my Dao has immediately purchased a Dao for themselves, and they've never been happier. It's that good.

But I GUESS that's just a popular opinion.

Ichigo Style · 04-19-2007, 12:50 AM

Arcade Accurate really isn't that much of a deal for me, means I live no where near a pop'n machine and probably never will even be to one, how are they as far as controller life?

Hudson · 04-19-2007, 12:54 AM

About the same as Ransai or DASC. Maybe a little less, I think. Ransai and DASC are also US-based, so if they break they'd be easier to fix than to have it sent back to China.

Considering you're just getting into pop'n music, I'd say whichever is most affordable for you would be your best bet. So long as you don't get a KonamiStyle ASC, I'd say you're pretty good off.

Ichigo Style · 04-19-2007, 12:59 AM

Desktop Arcade is out of New Jersey if i'm correct, but if it does break, will DA or Ransai fix my controller? (For a fee I assume)

Hortence:The Muleface Mod · 04-19-2007, 01:04 AM

Actually with a lot of ASCs, it only requires a little bit of electronics knowledge to fix. The toughest part (and it's not even that tough) is getting a hold of new microswitches to replace the ones you have when they wear out. I know I handle repairs for Random (since I work for Ransai in essence), and it's not too tough to do. As long as you know how to do the most basic maintenence or have someone who can run you through it the first time, you should be fine no matter what you pick up.

Ichigo Style · 04-19-2007, 01:12 AM

Ransai's site seems a bit. . . jumbled? Whats the average wait on controllers there? I see a list, but its a bit hard to follow.

Hortence:The Muleface Mod · 04-19-2007, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ichigo Style

Ransai's site seems a bit. . . jumbled? Whats the average wait on controllers there? I see a list, but its a bit hard to follow.

Send a message to Scott at Air Random on AIM or via a PM on the site if you're interested in ordering. I'm not sure if new orders are open right now, since he's trying to catch up on the (admittedly very late in coming) IIDX controllers and Pop'n controllers that have been back ordered for a while.

EDIT: Oh, duh. Also if you played at Otakon 2006, it was a DesktopArcade controller, unless you happened to use my blue Daikenkai styled Ransai after the Pop'n tournament.

D.J John · 04-19-2007, 08:14 PM

i have an DASC and its perfect.the only thing is that it is kinda loud.if you watch videos of players new to pop'n,they will most likely be using a dasc.its a little more for acsesories ie.lights and designes but the wait isnt very long mabey 2-4 weeks? i asked mokai how long for his ransai he said about a year wait.they are different in many ways.i say do some research and watch videos of different controllers and pick what ever you like best.bye-bye.

animesuperj · 04-20-2007, 12:33 AM

I have a homemade ASC, and it does it's job. It really wasn't hard to build, I think it only took about a week from start to finish with painting and everything. Only thing I'd say, is it's loud. I could probably have built it better to not be so loud, but I'm lazy. I have played on a Ransai as well, at people's houses and ACen's. Really like them, just don't know how likely it is to get a new one. Could check marketplace for a used one if anything.

If you have the time and desire to build one, they're not that hard. It was actually kinda fun, and makes the game a little more fun knowing I got to make the controller for it. At least to me.

616 · 04-25-2007, 06:30 PM

I happen to have a ransai and i dont know how old it is cause i bought it used, BUT i know its old as they dont even offer to apply the logo thats on mine anymore. it works like a charm(after Soldiering the ground wire back XD)

my58vw · 04-28-2007, 01:41 PM

I love my KASC - it just does not light up - I have played quite a few of the ASCs, and they all seem about the same to me...

kaoss · 05-01-2007, 07:37 AM

The controllers at Otakon last year were DA, I think.

Having played Ransai and DA, I prefer DA by a small margin, even though the one I own is a Ransai ("Borrowed" it from a friend but he has no interest in getting it back

).

mightyjon-o · 05-03-2007, 02:06 AM

Generally, if you get into any sort of Bemani, expect to be dedicated enough to solder whatever breaks. That being said, I own a Ransai and around a year after the control cord started to short out. But it wasn't a problem I just translated wire colors and soldered in a new cable. I've never played on desktop arcade controllers, but I think any Pop'n controller is going to be loud.

Either way it doesn't sound like desktop arcade and ransai are too different and if you're starting out you probably won't notice the difference.

Larrikin · 05-04-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaze

About the same as Ransai or DASC. Maybe a little less, I think. Ransai and DASC are also US-based, so if they break they'd be easier to fix than to have it sent back to China.

Considering you're just getting into pop'n music, I'd say whichever is most affordable for you would be your best bet. So long as you don't get a KonamiStyle ASC, I'd say you're pretty good off.

Whats wrong with the Konami one. I own the Konami one and never really noticed much of a difference between it and the DA and Ransai