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Good pads for home use?

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Post #1 · Posted at 2017-12-23 08:43:45pm 6.2 years ago

Offline Mr.Music
Mr.Music Avatar Member
2,088 Posts
United States
Reg. 2010-08-28

Hi, I've been playing stepmania using a ps2 pad a lot lately and I'm kind of looking for a pad that's more durable and can be used to clear higher difficulty songs. Right now the pads I have are only good for songs up to 14 difficulty, even though I've cleared most 17s on DDR A.

Right now I'd just like to know what people like and recommend, I would be fine with either a sturdy soft pad (I have a good chair that doubles as a bar) or a metal pad, but I know those can be expensive. Ideally, I'd like to find something cost-effective and durable, but I know that can be a challenge.

Thanks to anyone that can help

Post #2 · Posted at 2017-12-23 09:03:16pm 6.2 years ago

Offline Zowayix
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1,144 Posts
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Reg. 2009-09-19


Last updated: 2017-12-23 09:06pm
I've found the Wii pads (plus a GC to USB adapter) to be sturdier than the PS2 pads, and I've used one for 5 years without a hitch*. Metal pads are of course sturdier in the short run, but they're very expensive and every last metal pad I've tried in the past 8 years has become broken with arrows not responding in less than a year.

*"Without a hitch" as in I've never had arrows stop responding on me. I've had ghost stepping problems, but I hear that was caused by me folding the pads a lot when storing them. Leave the pads flat all the time and this should never happen.

Post #3 · Posted at 2017-12-23 10:08:54pm 6.2 years ago

Offline Mr.Music
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2,088 Posts
United States
Reg. 2010-08-28

Quote: Zowayix
I've found the Wii pads (plus a GC to USB adapter) to be sturdier than the PS2 pads, and I've used one for 5 years without a hitch*. Metal pads are of course sturdier in the short run, but they're very expensive and every last metal pad I've tried in the past 8 years has become broken with arrows not responding in less than a year.

*"Without a hitch" as in I've never had arrows stop responding on me. I've had ghost stepping problems, but I hear that was caused by me folding the pads a lot when storing them. Leave the pads flat all the time and this should never happen.

I actually have a wii pad that I use and like better than the ps2 pad (I had two but the down arrow stopped working on one), but the problem is I have a PC adapter for the ps2 pad but not the wii one. So that limits what songs I can play when using the wii pad

Post #4 · Posted at 2017-12-23 10:55:06pm 6.2 years ago

Offline Thunderbird
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277 Posts
United States
Reg. 2016-07-22

I've had a pair of Cobalt Flux pads for 14 years now, and they still work well. Sadly, the company seems to have gone under quite some time ago, but if you can find one, I feel like it's well worth it.

I never had much luck with soft pads. I destroyed all of the ones I used within a few months, including at least one that was included with one of the PS2 games (but I forget which one).

Post #5 · Posted at 2017-12-23 11:32:48pm 6.2 years ago

Offline Nemoide
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28 Posts
United States
Reg. 2017-11-01

I have a Cobalt Flux and I'm eternally grateful that I was able to order one back when the company was in business. It's such a simple piece of tech that even if something DOES go wrong, it would be pretty easy to fix. But they're so hard to get that I wouldn't count on finding one. BlueShark pads were the other hard pad with a top-notch reputation, but they're even harder to find.

I've never used one but I've heard mostly good things about Precision Dance Pads. If I was going to buy a new pad right now, that's what I'd get. But there's a pad on the horizon that aims to be the BEST: Impulse Platforms; it won't be available to even preorder for at least a few months AND it's theoretically going to be USB/PC-only and will require an adapter to work with a PS2/Xbox/Gamecube. But it could very well be worth waiting for.

I would say avoid no-name-brand pads off sites like eBay or Amazon. And I don't know how DDRgame.com has managed to stay in business for as long as they have, but I'm personally pretty skeptical of their metal pads.
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Post #6 · Posted at 2017-12-24 12:08:59am 6.2 years ago

Offline playe
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Reg. 2014-04-23

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Going to chime in here because I had a feeling they'd be brought up. I'd actually suggest not going for a Precision Dance Pad. Their reputation lately has not been really good, and the price they charge for their pads is insane ($350) especially considering what it's made out of. Which is literally just some lexan, aluminum foil, and some wires all sitting ontop of an MDF board. (Which anyone could easily make for about $200 or so)

Personally speaking. I think that if you want good multi-console compatibility, you'd be best off either searching for a Cobalt Flux or the like. Or if you'd rather a brand new pad, then simply build one yourself. The latter is the option I'm personally going to be going with, and the biggest draw for it to me is that you'll be able to customize it to your own liking. Things like sensitivity, lights etc. All of that could be decided by you.

If you have the money, and only look towards playing on PC though, then yeah. You can definitely go with the Impulse Platform pads once they release. Of course you can always still build your own pad for PC gameplay since the option is always there. It's all up to whatever route you want to go.
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Post #7 · Posted at 2017-12-24 12:11:29am 6.2 years ago

Offline Quickman
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United Kingdom
Reg. 2013-08-17

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You don't have a good choice unless you either hold out for Impulse or you keep your eyes on eBay for a Cobalt.
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Post #8 · Posted at 2018-03-10 05:13:16pm 6 years ago

Offline akio
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388 Posts
United States
Reg. 2010-11-08

Sorry for bumping an old thread like this, but D-Force Deluxe pads are great if you miss the old Red Octane foam mats. They're sturdy AND can be used for Pump if that's your thing. USB only though.
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