Metal Dance Pad Discussion

[plucky]

disclaimer: I may have missed a current discussion, especially if there is one in another forum. If so, please just point me in the right direction by PM and feel free to delete this thread. If not - here goes!

Seeing the following thread (Dance Pad ) I thought it would be a good idea to open a pad recommendation/review thread that is more current than other ones I see out there, which are a few years old. Maybe not much has changed for individual pads, but that doesn't mean their relevance hasn't changed (new software, interfaces, etc).

I am finally seriously considering buying a dual metal pad setup. Information that is relevant to ME is as follows - I am (currently) running Stepmania 3.9+ Redux on a Windows XP machine with a redoctane Ignition 3.0 (I think it's a 3.1, more in a sec).

My playing style thus far has been soft pad in socks, with the hardest songs being Max 300 and Freak (from the Bantu pack). I'm 6'1" and ~155lbs. I broke 3 Ignition 3.0s within their 6 month warranty period, the 4th one lasted quite a bit longer (different packaging, maybe different materials? Thus my 3.1 guess). It is now a "Frankenpad", as I have replaced the foam, and patched the top with both duct tape and vinyl patches.

I was considering buying dual Cobalt Fluxes, but that was based on research from a few years ago, when you could get the dual setup for $500. I see they have an "Arcade Special Edition" pad now, but at $380 for just ONE pad is a tad high for what I'm looking at (plus, is it any better than their other pads, other than the 2 year warranty?)

So, here are some questions for discussion, especially for people who have been in the market for pads recently.

1) What old pads are still available? What changes have been made to them? Are they compatible with current OSs?
2) What new pads are available?
3) Which pads have options for "Arcade Style Setups", i.e. raised panels, handle bar, etc.
4) Which ones have more than 4 pad sensors (any with a full 8 or 9 square setup?)
5) What are the warranty's like?
6) What else am I missing?

Thanks in advance, hope there's some interesting things to talk about

[plucky]

I'll give this one bump. In the 2 years I haven't been keeping up with simfiles, etc, it looks as though topics like this have really dried up, which makes me sad, it's good exercise for me, and I have yet to A Max 300

[thefantomfreak]

I think part of the reason why there isn't much talk about pads is because there isn't much innovation going on. DDR has peaked, and I don't think there's a big enough market for pricey but high-performance pads anymore. Afterburners are cheap and pretty well made, Cobalt Flux still sells their regular pads; you can get two for less than $600.

[Drayne O]

Originally Posted by thefantomfreak

I think part of the reason why there isn't much talk about pads is because there isn't much innovation going on. DDR has peaked, and I don't think there's a big enough market for pricey but high-performance pads anymore. Afterburners are cheap and pretty well made, Cobalt Flux still sells their regular pads; you can get two for less than $600.

pretty much this.

[Norkusa]

Just go with the Flux. I just ordered my 2nd one today. My first CF is about 6 years old and still going strong but is REALLY worn down. I'm 6'7" & 200lbs and play almost every night for at least an hour. About half of the screws are stripped and a couple of the lexen panels are cracked, but it still works like a champ. No other pad I owned even came close to lasting as long as my Flux did. Had an Afterburner 2.0 once but that didn't even last me 3 months.

And don't get the Arcade Special Edition. It's basically just a regular flux with a molded plastic base board. And you won't be able to install the arcade mod kit on it either. The 2-year warranty is pretty much useless too since I've never heard of a flux breaking down that soon.