Just got my Vortz 3.0 - Quick Review

[PDub]

Well, my Vortz 3.0 pads (aka Ebay pads) just got in today, and first thoughts are positive!

The boxes came well packaged and packed, not that it was a big worry considering it's foam and a pad...



After unpacking the box, you get 6 foam panels (already assembled in sets of two), the mat, and a little bag of stickies & instructions (more about that later).



Pretty simple setup, just put the 6 foam pieces together, unzip the mat, and slide in place.



One thing that concerned me right away was the plastic zippers. I would think that with something getting so much impact and slide-force, that metal zippers would be better. I wouldn't think that it would be that much more expensive. But then again, the plastic may not even be a problem.



The bottom of the pad has some foam that seems to *stick* on carpet relitively well.



... grippey pads are included, but seem sort of a weak solution to sliding. I didn't even bother, I'd rather use a grip mat that I was using on my soft pads.



Ah, nice foamey goodness. Picture shows the top scrunched, but a little bit of adjusting once the foam is in fixes that right up.



First impressions:

It feels great, raised arrows, nice firm bounce when hopping on yoru toes. But, it's going to take some getting used to as you have to be much more deliberate hitting the arrows compared to a soft pad. It's seems to me sort of in-between the recessed arcade pads and the simple-squish of a soft pad.

Cord seemed somewhat short, but I tend to pull the pad away from the TV a bit. Probably wouldn't be a problem for someone with their console near the floor and playing relatively close to the TV. I already had extensions, so it wasn't a big issue.

One thing that sort of gets irritating, the non-standard 'diagonal' arrows will prevent you from hitting the normal arrows if you apply any pressure to them. So if you don't stand in the center, or directly on a standard arrow, expect misses even though you hit it.

Something I found rather amusing were the instructions. My favorite bits...

"Forbidden to use this product if your feet are seriously injured. Stop immediately if there is abnormal phenomenon in your foot, waste and back when using it."

and

"Strong jump or shake may cause influence to the video and audio output"

... not that they don't get their point across, but it's still funny.

One thing I noticed is that this thing looks exactly like the red octane pad that my buddy has. The density of the foam, the construction, the zipper, etc. the only thing that varies is the silkscreen on the pad. I know I've read that they come from the same supplier, but this sort made me a believer.

Something I also noticed is that the foam material seems like the same stuff I got for my little one for a play mat, except it was textured and this was not. I'm curious if you could mod a mat with that type of foam and a softpad. Hmmm...

Lastly, the smell. Wowza is it strong. I hope it goes away, but boy do they smell like when you go to the store, grab a box of shoes from the top shelf, and open them for the first time.... except about 100 times stronger. Seems like it's mostly from the foam, and isn't as bad once you zip it up in the pad. Lets hope the seal never breaks on that bad boy.

So, that's it... just wanted to share my two cents. Maybe someday, I'll be able to get the real deal... like a cobalt, or if I can sell a kidney, an Extreme cabnet

- PDub

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<edit> Forgot to mention these were 3.0 pads </edit>
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[xphoguytonyx]

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=49672
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~~~Tony~~~

[Mook]

[PDub]

[CrazyBabyDoc]

I've purchased two sets of his v3 pads and one set of v2.5. The v3 is worth the money. I'm in negotiations with Vortz to buy 120 pads for a research study. While talking with another supplier I was informed that almost EVERYBODY'S pads come from the same factory in China.

That smell is volatile organic compounds (VOC). I would unpack the pads and let them sit outside for a few hours (obviously not in the rain or direct sun).

[jbean3535]

Are there anymore auctions for these??? Links will be apperciated!
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[vsamaco]

[VxJasonxV]

phoguytony's link was VERY insightful.
This is a soft pad thread, and it's not in the soft pad thread.
There's a problem there somewhere.
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Amusing Pictures: lolddrfreak | Road of LoQ