The Pad Arena Thread:Which pad is better? Ask/Find out here!

Vehe · Basic Member Joined: 18 Jul 2009

Quick question, sorry if this is not in the right area. Normally I'd search for the answers myself but you've got some pretty long threads here at DDRFreak.

I'm returning to DDR after a few years' break (couldn't play in the college dorms because for some reason people don't like to hear staccato thudding on their ceiling every night )

I'm looking to invest in a new metal pad. I had one a couple years back but the plastic on the arrows eventually cracked and the platform bowed. I had to gut and repair it several times, but that's now long gone.

People say good things about Cobalt Flux. It's a tried and true pad. But is it particularly loud? I'm getting an apartment on ground level so that I can play at home again, so at least the thumping will be at a minimum, but do the pad's arrows click loudly, especially if I wear shoes? I play on Heavy/Challenging, so that's kind of a make-or-break factor for me. I'm not sure the neighbors would appreciate loud clicking all day long.

Has anyone tried out the new mod kits Cobalt Flux has out that add raised squares to simulate the arcade feel?

The tl;dr version: Is the cobalt flux pad loud with shoes, bearing in mind it will be used in an apartment? What are the biggest drawbacks to cobalt pads?

Thanks loads.

DAVE101 · Trick Member Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: Indiana

Stepping on the panels isn't particularly loud, occasionally you will get a high pitched squeak but you don't have to worry about sounds of that frequency traveling through walls.
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Vehe · Basic Member Joined: 18 Jul 2009

Thanks for the input. Do they still have a bit of lag when connected to a PC or has that been fixed in newer models?

Edit: I also see that the Stepmania site doesn't list Cobalt Flux pads on their recommended list. Anyone know the reason for that? Is the TX series preferred?

Aurora Borealis · Basic Member Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Location: UCLA

OK, I was thinking about getting an Ignition 5.0, but it seems my dad is willing to pay the extra $60 to get the Afterburner if it's worth it. I've read the comments, and they don't seem too good, but a $140 metal pad (with free shipping) IS pretty cheap. I play mostly 9s and the easier 10s (may soon be playing the harder ones when I get this pad). Should I take a chance and get the Afterburner, or just get the Ignition?
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DAVE101 · Trick Member Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: Indiana

Anything higher than 10 is extremely difficult to play on a foam pad. That's all I'm going to say.
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ChilliumBromide · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR

I'd just shop around for an off-brand hard pad for half that price. I got a couple for $73 each way back when; and that was after shipping. Are they incredible pads that work perfectly without any modification and require no knowledge of maintenance? Absolutely not. Are they a hell of a lot better than any foam pad? You bet your buttocks they are.
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Suko · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA

I can't agree with Tofu on this one. Back when I first started playing, generic hard pads were absolute garbage. My brother bought two between 2003 and 2004 and they both deteriorated to unusable junk within months.

Now, this was in 2003, not 2009 and my bro and I are 6'-6" tall and weighed around 250 lbs at the time. Because of this, we stuck with the Ignition Pads on plywood until I bought a Cobalt Flux in 2006.

I have been very pleased with my CF since. It's a simple design, which makes repairs and maintenance simple and painless. I love my textured black arcade mod for it (I would stay away from the clear lexan arcade mod, it squeaks like a nest of birds when you play on them).

My only complaint is the price and lack of native USB support. I feel that for how simple the product is, it shouldn't cost more than $250 bucks with the arcade mods. In fact, I believe Tofu made a post somewhere about making a homepad knockoff of the CF for less than $150.

Another suggestion is that anyone who wants a CF but doesn't want to pay up-the-nose for a new one should post in or watch the marketplace sub-forum.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=31
People are selling CFs on there regularly, and usually you can get it in decent condition.
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yukihime · Trick Member Joined: 12 May 2008 Location: Philly, PA

Suko, not being a technical or DIY person, but reading so many posts I agree with you re: the CF and the price premium they're charging given how little support they seem to give these days. I wrote them a while ago asking if they would ever consider making something like the CF but a "light" version - as in actual weight along with USB support. Got a very snotty, nasty reply. Turned me off of ever thinking about spending money and dealing with that kind of attitude if something did go wrong.

Now some of you may be able to get said "generic" hard/metal pads and know how to mod them, have the tools, strength and skills. I know it's not brain surgery but for some of us it may as well be.

I would love to get a metal pad. But between the price and weight, there's just no way.

I can't physically lift 40 to 60 lbs, then have to try to get to the third floor of a 100+ y/o house and then jump up and down on it? Not gonna happen.

What I think for many people would be a good thing is something along the lines of a CF as far as how it's made since most people do like the simplicity, ease of care and they don't normally break. But something that's kind of a "hybrid" with the guts of a CF, perhaps the ability to put a rug over the top ala Trinpad for those who live in apartments, have neighbors, family, roomies you don't want to completely drive crazy and something that weighs in the neighborhood of around 20lbs.

PG made a 20lb pad that doesn't slip, has handles built in, channeled wiring. Problems? Arrows too small, bottom sensor WAY too small, arrows so thick it's like stepping on concrete - there is NO give, too recessed and far apart and finally insanely expensive. Oh and the body's plastic so it's a huge dust magnet.

If someone could build said hybrid, have it work, be dependable and not crazy expensive, I believe there is a market for such a pad. I'd definitely be looking at it, as I'm sick to death of paying good money for dense foam pads that no matter who makes them starts dying within a few months (at most) - and that's with taking very good care of them.
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SteveChiller · Basic Member Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX

SteveChiller · Basic Member Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX

Well, I guess I got really lucky and searched Craigslist and found someone selling 2 Colbalt Flux pads for $220! But I am in San Antonio and he was in Austin. it was worth the drive to get them. One of them was used and the other still had the white plastic wrap on it. Nice! so yes, I'd say they are worth the money. Check CL maybe you'll find a good deal as well.