Quote:
Originally Posted by zorahk  True but even DJ dao buttons are better than happ. |
DJ Dao has begun using buttons that are harder to push (the spring is tighter) which is very very far away from the arcade experience. You have to MASH the buttons to get them to register, making ANY song over a 25 rating impossible. I ordered a DJ Dao controller and have been using it, leading to horrible scores. No amount of pounding, smashing, or holding down has broken the controller in after almost a year and daily play for 2+ hours a day.
Eventually, I switched out the buttons for HAPP buttons (much easier to press, like the arcade), and I see what you are saying--they were not registering at times, especially on EX songs but this is not the button itself, it is the microswitch. I replaced the cherry microswitches that come with the HAPP buttons with OMRON's and it registers every time now and works great. The only difference I have noticed with HAPP is that the spring is almost 'too' loose, so it does not pop up fast enough sometimes on certain EX songs to be able to push it again and register another hit. My solution to this was to take the button apart and 'pull' the spring apart so it is just a little bit tighter for play.
The reason the reverse method (loosening the spring) above does not work for the DJ Dao buttons is because the spring is much thicker on those buttons and I was unable to loosen them up to make the buttons easier to press.
I have heard that Coinop Express (google it) has buttons that are higher quality than HAPP, but not as good as SANWA. However, you have to order those buttons in quantities of 80, making it unavailable to anyone wanting to just build one controller.
After working on my controllers a bit and switching out some buttons, I have concluded that DJ Dao has the best framework, motherboard and microswitches, but the buttons HAVE to be switched out in order for it to be even close to the arcade experience gameplay-wise. Oh, also, Desktop Arcade uses easy-to-press buttons, but I do not believe they are HAPP. They could be the ones from Coinop Express, but I have never asked the owner.
To recap, the best configuration I have come across:
Microswitches: Honeywell or OMRON (Avoid CHERRY microswitches!!!)
Buttons: HAPP or possibly Coinop Express (DJ Dao buttons HAVE to be replaced)
Also! I almost forgot:
Motherboard: DJ Dao, HANDS DOWN.
Forget soldering a PSX controller motherboard--DJ Dao has a custom Pop'n Music PSX/PS2 controller motherboard with everything pre-wired, including the power for the buttons to light up. Lights are USB-Powered, so no external power adapters. It is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in a Pop'n ASC. He sells the motherboards on his site for $20 with $20 shipping--please be aware though that it does not come with the custom wire hookups. You have to email him directly to ask for those--last time I checked with him, he said the whole setup (Motherboard + Wire hookups to buttons) would be $30 + $20 shipping = $50 for no soldering whatsoever.
I hope this helps any of you thinking about making an Pop'n ASC!
PARANOiA2MB
Illuminated button Wiring Guide "I need one" 
