DDR Dance Pad Help

[Lunis]

This Christmas, my parents got me DDR Max and a soft dance pad. It was really fun to play, but I kept losing my place on the arrows and missing buttons. Also, the pad kept sliding around. So my parents have been thinking about getting a hard dance pad. Hopefully it will solve these problems. So now, they've found a dance pad sale somewhere, and have decided to get me one. The only thing is, they say they don't know which ones are the best quality. Neither do I, actually. So I'm asking you who've played DDR on home dance pads: "Which hard dance pad do you think is the best, and why?" Are arcade size arrows better? Can you feel where you are on the pad better? Which pad has the best quality? Give me all the information you have! And thank you.

[everdred12a]

The only hard pads I've ever seen are Cobalt Flux pads. They're pretty decent - they're heavy enough to keep from moving around while you play, and are pretty receptive. But, like all home pads, it takes awhile to get used to because the arrows aren't lowered like in the arcades (you know, the metal is raised up and the arrow buttons are lowered in the arcades). That's the only problem I've ever had with them. I think they run about $300, though.

Here's a link in case you want to check it out:
http://www.cobaltflux.com/main.htmlc

[ShiroiHikari]

If you can't get a Cobalt Flux (man, I'd like to have one of those...) look into a Red Octane Ignition. It's not metal, but it's a lot harder and a lot heavier than those regular soft pads. Mine doesn't move around and it's easier to feel the arrows. You can get them at GameStop or EBGames for like, 99 dollars.

[Debitt]

Red Octane pads pwn my soul. they're cheaper than metal pads, and they work just as well. They're really durable, too. My old pad lasted 2 or 3 years before the vinyl gave out.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

1. Do NOT get a metal pad! They require SOOO much pressure x__x its not even funny

I own a red octane ignition pad (BEST soft pads ever) Basically they are double layered with a thick foam insert.

Here is where you can get it
http://www.redoctane.com/ignitionpadv3.html

Note, do NOT buy any imitation double-layered foam-insert pads. My friend has an imitation and it's totally not working now.

[Raiden no Kishi]

: : loves his RedOctane pad : :

You need one. DO IT. DO IT NOW.

.rai//

[desperado]

My red octane's back button broke the 2nd month after I got it.

[Lunis]

Okay, thanks again, everyone! My dad ordered the Red Octane Ignition pad, and it will arrive in about two weeks!

[Zilch]

Just to secure your purchase, Red Octane pads rule. Simple.

[Da Rabid Duckie]

Just to secure your purchase, Red Octane pads rule. Simple.

Seconded, it's some of the highest quality 3rd party stuff you can get.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Seconded, it's some of the highest quality 3rd party stuff you can get.

Red Octane isn't necessarily 3rd party is it? I mean when you look at mad katz or pelican...

Maybe Red Octane is like...... 2nd party or something

[Da Rabid Duckie]

God bless Wikipedia.

"Third party" or "aftermarket" goods and services are modifications to products by someone other than the original manufacturer or supplier

In case of DDR, a Red Octane pad would be third party since it's a Konami product. In case of Guitar Hero, the Red Octane guitar is a first party accessory since it's a Red Octane product. Though if Red Octane was contracted to Konami to make a pad to be bundled with the next DDR game, it'd be second party.

But speaking of Mad Catz, it's pretty rare for something 3rd party to be the better of the original product, but Red Octane manages to do this in spades.

The Red Octane DDR pad > j00