DDR Metal Pad Buying Guide

[SwiftDancer]

Ok, I am sick of all of these unorganized threads etc.. lets make this thread a discussion of which Metal pads are best to get for what price range...
Ok from what I have seen
$300-$400 Price Range
Cobalt Flux http://www.cobaltflux.com
$200-$300 Price Range

$100-$200 Price Range
DDR Homepad's Design http://www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/
$199 - Red Octane Metal Pad - http://www.redoctane.com/redoctanemetalpad.html

The general consensus is that this is a good metal pad. It uses polycarbonate panels, foil contacts, and has a 60-day money-back guarantee. Also of note is that this model has about 2 inches of extra metal on the back, presumably to prevent slipping off the pad, or possibly for future additon of a trick bar.

This model uses a replaceable control box for electronics, with "start" and "select" buttons on the box. In the future, PC and XBox compatable control boxes will be available. However, unless you don't have a PSX or PS2, I would recommend getting a PC/PSX or XBox/PSX controller converter instead.

$149 - Cypher Games Playstation Dance Revolution Metal Platform - http://www.cyphergames.com/50501046.html

The general consensus is that this is an acceptable metal pad. It uses acrylic panels, foil contacts, and comes with a 14-day Guarantee (against defects only - otherwise a 15% fee applies.)

I can't tell offhand where the electronics are, but I assume that they're in an external control box. Any corrections would be appreciated.

$139 - Buy 'n' Shop BNS v2.51 Dance Revolution Hard Metal Dance Platform Pad - http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/44/VG-DDR-MPD

The general consensus is that this is an acceptable to good metal pad. It uses 'polycarbonated' panels, foil contacts, and comes with a 30-day Guarantee (against defects only - otherwise a 15% fee applies.)

The electronics are in an external control box, with start and select buttons on the box. Also of note is the fact that Buy 'n' Shop seems to be in direct competition with Red Octane. Both pads use roughly the same design (though the differences are more than cosmetic - for example, this pad doesn't have extra 2 inches in the back, and has metal corner pieces instead of diagonal arrows) Since BNS released a soft pad with foam inserts that was more or less identical with Red Octane's Ignition at half the price, history may be repeating itself.

Also, for $199, you can purchase the BNSUSA Evolution Dance Pad - It looks identical to this pad, except for the 'elevated technology.'

$109 - Lik-Sang Metal Dance Platform Deluxe with Rail - http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=0&products_id=3681&

I don't know anything about this pad, except the fact that it has a trick bar on the back. Lik-Sang doesn't seem to offer any sort of warranty or guarantee on this pad, either.

Variable Price - Build your own - http://www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/

Nothing more needs to be said, really.

Variable Price - eBay pads - www.ebay.com

With eBay, you can get all sorts of pads, including some not mentioned here. However, eBay pads are quite variable. You may get a low price, you may not. You may get a working pad, you may not. Unfortunately, most resellers don't seem to give or honor existing warranties or guarantees without excessive badgering, so be on guard.

Please tell me a good pad for 200-300 range and also, if you think I should add some or remove some or modify any of these.

I think this thread will benefit those who want to buy a metal pad, but does not feel like looking through all of the assorted threads.

[Tha DDR Playa]

[diabloslayer469]

You should also write the pros and cons for each pad. Like for the RO, the pro could be thats its only 200 and has poly-carbonated panels, and the con could be foil contacts.
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Liability insurance Forum

[Heffenfeffer]

Hey, I'm also in the market for a metal pad (actually, two, so that I can finally practice doubles without having to invest in parachute pants for token carrying) Here's what I think of the pads from what I've heard on this forum.

(Huge Disclaimer: I don't actually own any metal pad, and still have yet to use most of them described here. This info is what I've got from people posting on this forum and from manufacturer's web-sites. That's what I mean when I say general consensus - your mileage may vary. Also, I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Finally, you should stay away from the deadly chemical: Dihydrogen Monoxide. Not only is it a major component in acid rain, but accidental inhalation of it can be fatal.)

$299 - Cobalt Flux Pad - http://www.cobaltflux.com

The general consensus is that this pad is the pad to beat. It uses sheet metal contacts, polycarbonate panels, and comes with a six-month warranty in which the platform will be repaired free of charge. Also of note is that this model is compatable with a doubles bar (for an additional charge) that will space the pads at arcade width.

This model uses a replaceable control box for electronics, though the "start" and "select" buttons are on the pad itself (but they only trigger in the rear to minimize game-resetting mishaps.)

$199 - Red Octane Metal Pad - http://www.redoctane.com/redoctanemetalpad.html

The general consensus is that this is a good metal pad. It uses polycarbonate panels, foil contacts, and has a 60-day money-back guarantee. Also of note is that this model has about 2 inches of extra metal on the back, presumably to prevent slipping off the pad, or possibly for future additon of a trick bar.

This model uses a replaceable control box for electronics, with "start" and "select" buttons on the box. In the future, PC and XBox compatable control boxes will be available. However, unless you don't have a PSX or PS2, I would recommend getting a PC/PSX or XBox/PSX controller converter instead.

$149 - Cypher Games Playstation Dance Revolution Metal Platform - http://www.cyphergames.com/50501046.html

The general consensus is that this is an acceptable metal pad. It uses acrylic panels, foil contacts, and comes with a 14-day Guarantee (against defects only - otherwise a 15% fee applies.)

I can't tell offhand where the electronics are, but I assume that they're in an external control box. Any corrections would be appreciated.

$139 - Buy 'n' Shop BNS v2.51 Dance Revolution Hard Metal Dance Platform Pad - http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/44/VG-DDR-MPD

The general consensus is that this is an acceptable to good metal pad. It uses 'polycarbonated' panels, foil contacts, and comes with a 30-day Guarantee (against defects only - otherwise a 15% fee applies.)

The electronics are in an external control box, with start and select buttons on the box. Also of note is the fact that Buy 'n' Shop seems to be in direct competition with Red Octane. Both pads use roughly the same design (though the differences are more than cosmetic - for example, this pad doesn't have extra 2 inches in the back, and has metal corner pieces instead of diagonal arrows) Since BNS released a soft pad with foam inserts that was more or less identical with Red Octane's Ignition at half the price, history may be repeating itself.

Also, for $199, you can purchase the BNSUSA Evolution Dance Pad - It looks identical to this pad, except for the 'elevated technology.'

$109 - Lik-Sang Metal Dance Platform Deluxe with Rail - http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=0&products_id=3681&

I don't know anything about this pad, except the fact that it has a trick bar on the back. Lik-Sang doesn't seem to offer any sort of warranty or guarantee on this pad, either.

Variable Price - Build your own - http://www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/

Nothing more needs to be said, really.

Variable Price - eBay pads - www.ebay.com

With eBay, you can get all sorts of pads, including some not mentioned here. However, eBay pads are quite variable. You may get a low price, you may not. You may get a working pad, you may not. Unfortunately, most resellers don't seem to give or honor existing warranties or guarantees without excessive badgering, so be on guard.

Well, that's what I've got - did I leave out any major players? Hope this helps!

- Heffenfeffer[/b]
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[Mikeweiser]

Someone please replace the first post, with the post above.

[diabloslayer469]

He forgot to say that the RO pads currently use cheap foil. Which makes them bad. That cyphergames pad isn't an acceptable pad! It uses cheap foil and acrylic which easily breaks! It is a very poor pad! All pads with foil are going to have problems with the contacts! The lik-sang pad is no good. It uses acrylic, which easily breaks, and I believe it also uses foil.
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Mercedes O405

[Guderian]

Were you expecting him to say expensive foil?


It's foil, not all acrylic arrows are gonna break, some very satisfied people have them. This thread is trying to be biased so it can be a resource to all others.
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Huh? I don't get it...