RedOctane Metal Pad Review

Ike Pie · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 5:56 pm Post subject:

To answer Mysterio's questions...
The RO metal pad is rather flat and flushed, so it can be hard to feel your way around unlike the arcade. Also, the arrows are not as hard as the the arcade pads I play on.
And a metal pad flex? Are we talking about a flex as in how katana can flex and bend? If that's the case, then no.

And to answer DDRer7's question-- I don't know. I live near the RO office so I picked it up at their place.

bb · Trick Member Joined: 27 Jul 2003

hey frosty, do you think you can some pics of an opened up arrow: the bottom of the arrow the inside of the pad etc.

that would be pretty cool

DDR_Demon · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2003 7:33 am Post subject: thanks

Frosty thanks for posting those pictures. i'm buying the pad and can't wait for it to arrive. i would like more pictures of the pad like bb was saying. thanks again
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Evil Dr. Reef · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2003 11:20 pm Post subject:

I'm not surprised the pads get scuffed. While an arcade machine's pads are played on way more than a RO or CF pad will ever be played on (under normal circumstances), an arcade machine's pads are likely to be scuffed after the first day of use. I really don't care about the scratches, as long as the pad works fine. I really want to know how the pad holds up after a few months. So far it sounds good.
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DJX · Trick Member Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Location: CA

I, like so many other people it seems, am trying to decide between RO and CF. Has anyone hooked up the RO pad to a computer to play Stepmania, and if so, did you experience any problems? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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dudabo · Trick Member Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Location: UCONN

How do 2 of these together play solo?

dudabo · Trick Member Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Location: UCONN

lol

I mean how do 2 of these together play in doubles?

DDRer7 · Basic Member Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: U.S.

It took a week and a half, but I got my pad today, heres my review:

Construction
The pad is very sturdy, its metal. underneath the arrows and panels is wood. the brackets are a little crooked, but its nothin to worry about. The construction is not perfect, but it will last a long time. The wiring looks like 2 pieces of metal tape that contact with the thing under the arrow, and it is held apart with a thin layer of spongy foam.when i took one arrow off it messed up a light, but the lights are nothing special.

Sensitivity
sensitivity is good, but not great. my modded soft pads had better sensitivity, but this is closer to the arcade feel. The arrows feel a bit unrealisitic because the panels fit tight and they bow up in the middle a little, but they work fine. It might be just me.

i dont think this is going to break anytime soon, its sturdy and heavy, but i'd say if you had the money go ahead and get a cobaltflux, but this is a good alternative.

diabloslayer469 · Trick Member Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Location: Neo-Geo Land

Your modded soft pads are better than the RO metal pad!? How did you mod the pads and what pad is it?

mintsauce · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2003 5:56 am Post subject:

More sensitive, diabloslayer, not "better".

These pads sound good, but i'm still not convinced to buy one. God, i really hope CobaltFlux start distributing in Europe.

YmkFX · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Location: California

I was looking at the Cobalt Flux forums and Vance was talking about it. It's hard for them since they're such a small company, a few workers, he said something about shipping the pads in bulk via ship, but it would take to long, and shipping them by air is all they can do for now, but it costs as much as the pad. You should email Vance to inquire about shipping to Europe for cheaper.
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Housemaster · Trick Member Joined: 27 Dec 2002 Location: ARFENHOUSE!!!1

Cool beans. I'm ordering a RO metal pad today. I hope it's as good as you guys say!

genedefect · Trick Member Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Location: Redmond, WA

Just an update

3 weeks in now, and the pad is still good as new.

This thing rocks.

yalborap · Trick Member Joined: 01 Sep 2003

Hey, I was wondering, what would be better? Buying this, or making my own pad. Thanks in advance!

genedefect · Trick Member Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Location: Redmond, WA

Hard to say. Do you really know what you are doing and have access to some nice metal working equipment. If so, definately make it yourself.

If your way to busy, and have the extra money to spare, and don't have the equipment, then I would buy either the RO MEtal Bad or the Cobalt Flux.

yalborap · Trick Member Joined: 01 Sep 2003

well, the thing is, if I make one it's going to be really cheap, so I'm not sure it's worth it. But, my grandparents are pretty good at this kind of thing, so it shouldn't be a problem.

genedefect · Trick Member Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Location: Redmond, WA

Cool, best of luck/skill.

If you get one make the pad be sure to post pics and info up here

monkeykins · Trick Member Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Location: East Lansing

Ok, so it has been said it is rather flat and flush- compare it to a good soft pad with bumped up arrows. Is it easy to get lost on the pad or are they bumped down enough so you can keep track of where you are?
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genedefect · Trick Member Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Location: Redmond, WA

I would say they are bumped down enough to keep track for the most part.

Not quite as bumped down as the arcade, but not as flat as it appears CF is.

monkeykins · Trick Member Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Location: East Lansing

I ordered one last night. We will see if it can withstand the first day- I plan on having some people over and playing it hardcore, perhaps even setting it up int he lobby of my building and getting passerbys to try it out.
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Can it still be considered a video game if you sweat profusely while playing, and wildly waving your arms isn't unusual or out of place?