Interface Board: Preference or recommendations?

[briankross]

Pi Model: 3 Model B
RetroPie Version Used: 3.8.1
Built From: SD Image
USB Devices connected: Standard keyboard, x2 Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad
Controller used: In progress...
Error messages received: n/a
Guide used: n/a
File: n/a
Emulator: lr-mame2003, AdvanceMAME 1.4
Attachment of config files: n/a
How to replicate the problem: n/a

I'm building a 1 player control panel (sits on lap) with one 4 way joystick, a trackball, and a dozen or so buttons. Do you have any preference or recommendations for which interface board to use with RegroPie?

I've read about various issues with different boards when trying to get a 2 player configuration to work properly, but since this will only be 1 player, perhaps I won't see those issues on this project.

The trackball is a HAPP 3" Solid Color Trackball with USB & PS/2 Interface, so I'll just need to consider the joystick and buttons, no led's.

I'm considering the MINI-PAC, but do I need a utility to configure? I may prefer the IPAC-2 only because of the screw terminals. When considering I-PACs, I'm unsure if any utilities are needed, if configuration is a hassle, or if RetroPie aficionados prefer something else.

The XIN-MO 1 might be the right fit, but does not work with Linux kernel greater than ver. 3.2. I don't know what RetroPie uses, but generally this kind of thing raises a red flag for future compatibility at the least.

Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

[lilbud]

Mini-pac should be used out of convenience. It is a smaller board. I myself have used one in an arcade stick.

It works perfectly and allows use of Trackball.

[briankross]

@lilbud

Nice, thanks!

I'd rather wire it manually though, create my own harness. By chance, would you know where to get the 0.1 inch pitch pin header connections, either individual or 40 pin blank header?

[lilbud]

Might want to try Focus Attack, that is where I bought most of the parts for my arcade stick.

[briankross]

@lilbud

I'll check it out, thank you.

Did you need to do anything special to get the mini-pac working in RetroPie?

[lilbud]

No, just in Ultimarc's software, make sure every pin is set to gamepad instead of keyboard.

[lilbud]

If you are buying from Ultimarc, shipping could take upwards of a week to 2. Because they ship from England and it has to go through customs, etc.

[briankross]

@lilbud said in Interface Board: Preference or recommendations?:

No, just in Ultimarc's software, make sure every pin is set to gamepad instead of keyboard.

Okay, this is where I have a disconnect. I'm assuming you're using this on RetroPie, so you installed the software for Linux separately, or is this a part of RetroPie?

[lilbud]

It is windows software WiniPac

[briankross]

@lilbud said in Interface Board: Preference or recommendations?:

It is windows software WiniPac

I see, so you program it with their software, connect it to your Raspberry Pi, boot up and all is well?

[lilbud]

@briankross Yeah, something like that