Thinking about a HRAP for PS2 shmups. Questions!

[dnbiola]

Okay, I've tried to search old threads and not be Super Newbie and here is what I've come up with. I would like a nice stick for playing shmups on PS2, Dreamcast, and Genesis. I don't have a PS3 or XB360 and probably won't be getting one anytime soon. I have a 2-player X-arcade stick (not the tankstick) with adapters and I'm thinking about selling it in favor of the HRAP found here:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-m-7 ... -2sxy.html

Apparently, the better buttons for shmups are the Seimitsu buttons correct? I see they have them here:
http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/pushbuttons.shtml

To use the HRAP on Genesis and Saturn I could buy Tototek adapters:
http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php? ... 2c5cab312b

And for Dreamcast, I could get the Total Control Plus:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-h5-49-en-70-en.html

I don't know...maybe I'll keep the X-arcade stick to play 2 player fighters w/friends and get the HRAP for shmups. I'm not sure if I can even afford this right now.

Anyway, does this sound somewhat sane? Thanks for your help!

[ncp]

It is worth mentioning that that particular HRAP version does not accommodate a seimitsu LS-32, which is pretty much the most popular stick for shmups. If you like the Sanwa JLF (which I personally do, but it seems the vast majority of posters here do not share that opinion), which it comes with, then it'll be fine.

[it290]

Button preference between Sanwa and Seimitsu is really a matter of personal taste. I like the Seimitsu buttons, but the Sanwas are perfectly fine and work great on their own.

The Sanwa JLF is also a damn fine stick, and again it comes down to personal preference. Many people tend to prefer a Sanwa for fighting games, but either that or an LS-32 will work great for both shooters and fighters. My advice would be to go with the HRAP, see how you like it, and try modding from there.

ncp is right about the LS-32, but I believe the LS-56 will fit that particular stick - you may want to do a bit of research on that point as this is from memory. There are also HRAP models out there with Seimitsu parts already built in, but they're quite a bit harder to find.

edit- oh, and FWIW, I have both the Tototek and Total Control adapters and they both work great with my HRAP.

[dnbiola]

Thanks for the feedback folks! Yeah, I might find that I like it fine and don't need to mod. I probably don't have enough experience to know the difference anyway! I'm assuming the buttons that the HRAP come with are Sanwa?

And it looks like I could use the Cube Joybox for the Gamecube/Wii. Any good?
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-g4- ... 0-14p.html

it290, thanks for letting me know that you like the Tototek and Total Control adapters. The quality of those adapters will probably influence my decision to buy the HRAP.

[it290]

It depends on which model you get, but IIRC the buttons in the model you linked are not Sanwa but Sanwa-knockoffs. However, they're still quite decent. The stick itself is a Sanwa part.

edit - I don't have any experience with the Cube adapter. I have a PS2->Gamecube adapter, also made by Tototek, which works quite well, but I haven't used it with the HRAP so I can't comment on the functionality there. It also doubles as a keyboard port, so you can use it for PSO or the like (kinda useless now, I suppose).

[dnbiola]

It depends on which model you get, but IIRC the buttons in the model you linked are not Sanwa but Sanwa-knockoffs. However, they're still quite decent. The stick itself is a Sanwa part.

edit - I don't have any experience with the Cube adapter. I have a PS2->Gamecube adapter, also made by Tototek, which works quite well, but I haven't used it with the HRAP so I can't comment on the functionality there. It also doubles as a keyboard port, so you can use it for PSO or the like (kinda useless now, I suppose).

So it looks like the HRAPSA has all Sanwa parts? (as opposed to the Amazon orange one). It looks like it's the same price (w/shipping): $200:
http://www.japanvideogames.com/PS2-Hori ... j-rap2.htm
Eek. But if I was going to go for it, the SA seems the like the better choice, right? Better parts and better color scheme (I think).

Thanks again for your help folks. I'm just wanting to make sure I'm going to be pleased with my purchase before I drop $200 (I don't think I've ever spent that much on even a console!).

[it290]

Yep. That one is all Sanwa. If you can get it for the same price it's definitely a better deal. They also made the HRAP SE version which has Seimitsu parts, but as I said it's fairly rare.

[ncp]

Somewhat relevant inquiry: Has anyone used the Gamecube Joybox that dnboila linked? Gonna probably grab one but if someone here has used one and can vouch for its functionality (ie no input lag) that'd be great.

Also: SA is a better deal, yeah.

[dnbiola]

So here is a HRAP2, modded with Sanwa parts that ends today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3DWatching

It's at $135 (about $151 w/shipping) right now.
What do you think? A good deal?

For an extra $50, there is the HRAP2SA, new:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HORI-Real-Arcad ... 7C294%3A50

Thanks for your opinions!

[Elixir]

SA stands for Sanwa, SE stands for Seimitsu. So if you buy a SA from eBay, you'll still need to order the Seimitsu stick on top if it, as well as shipping. SEs are very rare and don't come up half as much as SAs do.

If you really wish to modify a HRAP yourself, the best option is to get an original HRAP2 (silver/red), since they aren't rare. Order parts from akihabarashop, and follow the HRAP modding tutorial on shoryuken. I did this for my first stick.

I actually have a full Seimitsu HRAP1 for sale, if you're interested. PM me for more information on that.

[StarCreator]

Be careful when selecting a case intended for installing Seimitsu parts, as a lot of HRAPs don't have the necessary mounting plate. As I believe HRAP cases weld their mounting plates, you wouldn't have a lot of luck trying to modify one that wasn't compatible...

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[dnbiola]

I just got a like new HRAPSA for $150 and I'm liking it so far! Thanks again guys!!!