BNS DX Xtreme FUSION / SPARKLE Problems

[Random323542]

Hi everyone! Great forum you have here. My girlfriend and I played a DDR variant at Dave & Busters one night, and she enjoyed it so much I decided to buy some pads (along with StepMania) for V-day.

After reading through the threads extensively, it sounded like the BNS DX Xtreme Fusion / Sparkle pads were the way to go for less than $100 pads. And the Sparkle pad is PERFECT for my girlfriend (hearts ftw!). Anyway, they arrived in the mix set I ordered (1 SPARKLE for her, 1 FUSION for me)... And they worked perfectly the first day. USB was fantastic. No noticeable lag. Lots of fun!

However, the second day we tried to play -- the USB connector on the SPARKLE no longer worked. The FUSION is still fine. The SPARKLE didn't even register (computer can't see it)... completely dead. I purchased a PS2 -> USB adapter from Radio Shack for $10, and it actually works with the "dead" pad. (Ironically, it won't work with the "good" pad for some reason... figure that out.) Unfortunately, it's not designed for dance pads and won't remap the analog directions to buttons when you do the Up-Start-Select sequence.

Any ideas here? How could it work so perfectly, then break? Think it's just a lose connection in the USB wire? I'm tempted to take apart and rewire the XBox connector (since it's just a USB cable that's been rearranged).

I've contacted Buy-n-shop (BNS) several times for an RMA, tech support, but no response. I don't get the feeling they're not that fluent in english. Please HELP! Thanks...

[jpoppyz]

try hooking up the USB and PS2 adapter at the same time. trust me, it works sometimes. i have a BNS sparkle and have done it a few times.
_________________

[Random323542]

Argghhh! The other pad doesn't work now either (FUSION). And it won't even register with the PS2 -> USB adapter.

Although, interestingly enough -- when I hook up the PS2 -> USB adapter, THEN plug-in the straight USB cable... I get a "Unknown USB Device" error (in addition to the detected PS2 controller). So, whatever's causing the USB device to not register might have something to do with lack of power.

Or it could just be the switching system. Who knows. Aggravating!!!

I'm not sure if I should return them and get new ones or just go for a refund and try a different pad. I'd hate for the new ones to break after the RMA period is over.

Anyone else encountered anything like this?

I don't have a PS2, so I can't hook it up simultaneously. They seem like nice pads... and the cables even seem well built. Must be shoddy internals, however.

[daikenkai =[]

Actully, on th contrary, BNS Fusions and Sparkles are the best soft-pads you can buy.

[Random323542]

Am I the only one encountering problems? I only used the pads once with my girlfriend (we only did 1-3 footers... and we only weigh 165 (me) and 115 (her)).

So many people seem to vouch for them here. Guess I'll try again.

If anyone else has encountered similar issues, please let me know!!!

Thanks.

[jpoppyz]

on my PS2, i have to hook up both the PS2 plug and USB port into the PS2 for my BNS sparkle to work. I had problems with my USB port once on my mac, but when i just used my PS2-USB adapter it worked fine. dunno how your having so many problems! try rewiring the xbox port or try using the pads on a console if possible(just to see if it works)
_________________

[yukkell2007]

check this previous thread out:

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=123972

[orb]

i would not recommend messing with the internals. Try to contact the company; talk to them on the phone as they might not reply via email. Just a suggestion.

[yukkell2007]

check this previous thread out:

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=123972