Dance mat: reviews, which is better, features and types

A dance rug was coined as a toy. But it was so popular with the public that it was necessary to develop new models. Now it is used by both children and adults, and interest in studies on the dance floor mat is only growing. There are so many types and models that it is sometimes difficult for a buyer to decide. Which is advised to choose a dance floor mat reviews, which is better according to experts?

Description of the dance floor mat

A dance pad is a keyboard on which a melody is played with the feet. This is also karaoke, where music is created by pressing the necessary parts with stops. This is a simulator that allows you to get rid of excess weight. And - fun and exciting entertainment.

In appearance the product looks like a real rubber mat, but with large bright buttons (arrows). Inside is a microprocessor. Using a cable, the mat is connected to a computer or TV.

Included with the dance mat is a disc with the program Stepmania. There are recorded hundreds of diverse musical compositions. If they are not enough, you can add new ones. It is necessary only when choosing a model to pay attention to whether it supports a flash SD card.

After connecting to the TV (AV socket), a rug image appears on the screen. Music is playing. With each bar, a certain area is lit up. From the bottom up the screen the arrows move, each of which corresponds to its button. The pace of their movement corresponds to the rhythm of the music. The dancer must have time to hit his feet on those areas that are lit up, but already on his rug. You need to jump when the arrow hits the square. For each "hit" there is a score.

Classification of dance floor mats

Now they are issued so many species that they can be classified according to several parameters.

Models of dance carpets by purpose:

• For professional competitions;
• Universal.

According to the principle of action:

• DDR (Dance Dance Revolution);
• PIU (Pump It Up).

Rugs type DDR can have 4 or 6 buttons. All of them are in front of the device.

In the Pump lt Up arrows are plotted around the circumference. The center is often active. A shooter can be up to nine. There are no rugs with the PIU system, only panels.

On the basis of the construction:

• Rubberized rug;
• Solid platform.

Both types have their advantages. Flexible rubberized convenient to carry, transport, hide for a while. But they are short-lived, you can dance on them only in socks, so as not to damage the surface. Sometimes it can slip. Suitable for beginners dancers.

Strong, stiff platforms are reliable, but heavy. When they are made, metal is used. They are inconvenient to transport and store. They are worth more than rubberized. But you can dance with them with such enthusiasm as you can afford.

By the method of connection:

• To the TV;
• To the computer (laptop) through USB-port.

Dance mats do not work with prefixes (except Nintendo Wii).

They differ in the language of communication with the host. This largely depends on the place where they buy a rug. If they are official representatives, then they have certificates and instructions in a language that the client understands. But it happens that the program begins to speak in English (at best) or in pure Chinese. What do customers do?

If you can not install the disc you received with the rug, or read it, users do not despair. They throw it away, and the program is downloaded on the Internet.

Different dance floor mats on the interface (understandable-incomprehensible), coloring, software.

Some models have soft inserts, which increase comfort and sound insulation. They extinguish the blows of the feet, so on the rug with such an inset you can dance without risking the anger of neighbors from the bottom. These are pieces of foam rubber with a thickness of 2.5 cm. The insert consists of 6 parts-puzzles, which can be removed during transportation.

Connecting to a TV

Connect the connectors according to the colors of the "tulip" sockets and to the outlet using the adapter that comes with the kit. On the screen, you will see that the TV has switched to the "Video" mode. Next, there will be pictures with a description.

You must select the type of TV - LCD or CRT (normal). The program saver appears.

Then:

• Choose a mode of dance;
• Determine the number of buttons;
• difficulty level;
• The dance floor;
• Set of melodies;
• Choosing a certain one, you start to dance.

Connecting to a computer

The operating system of your computer should be no lower than Windows 98, the processor clock speed from 600 MHz, RAM 128 MB. Places on the hard disk 650 MB.

When you connect to a computer, Windows automatically installs the drivers. The connection is made without the use of an adapter, otherwise the mat may fail.

What year of release is it advised to buy a dance mat (reviews)? Which is better? Users note that when using a flash card, you need to pay attention to ensure that the mat was the last generation (from 2013 release). Otherwise, the arrows will go monotonously, at the same pace for all the melodies you recorded. And in new mats (graphics 32 bits), the user himself sets the pace of their movement.

How to choose a dance mat

Reviews "which is better" in many ways depend on what you need it for. After all, in principle - a toy for children and adults. And the requirements of these categories can not be the same.

If it is a gift to a small child, it is better to take flexible models of thick but soft material. For children, the usual thin flexible mat is also suitable.

For young men and women who seriously engage in dancing and who want to take part in competitions, it is necessary to take platforms. Of course, they are more expensive. But for a favorite business, money is not a pity.

In order to throw off excess weight and slightly tighten the figure, a rubberized flexible dance floor mat with a few buttons (4-5) is sufficient.

Buttons

Some buyers can not understand why different hands have a dance mat (reviews). Which is better to choose?

Each of the buttons indicates the direction: Down, Up, Left, Right. In some models there are additional buttons "Up to the left" and "Up to the right" or the center is also a button.

• Standard set - 4 hands - needed for DDR dance.
• The 6-hands (DDR SOLO) mode is a bit more complicated and is not used for gaming alone. This is due to the fact that a large number of arrows does not fit on the screen. On machines is almost not used.
• A set of 8 shooters was needed only in one game, which is not used now. But the rugs continue to be produced with 8 arrows. Therefore, if you need 4 buttons, you have to buy from 8.
• Mats of the PIU type use 5 (4 plus center) or 9 (8 plus center) arrows.

When choosing a dance mat, go around the nearest entertainment centers and see what kind of machines are installed there (DDR or PIU). Proceeding from this, make a choice: do you need an active center.

If you do not care, then choose the usual 8-point mat. But it's better to take the 9-arrow panel. It will allow you to work in different modes.

Additional buttons

It is advisable that your rug has additional buttons that allow you to guide the game from the "workplace". These can be buttons "Start", "Cancel" or at least the first one.

In older models, these buttons were placed on a separate panel. But it turned out that this way to manage the rug is uncomfortable.

Famous and popular models

3 2 bits of the Dance Pad Deluxe Piu (PC-USB-TV). Compatible with a computer and TV, which expands the scope of its use. Works in DDR and PIU mode. There is a soft insert. In addition to music, there are 8 games.

Dance Mat. Works with computer game DDR Hottest Party 3. On the screen the character makes certain movements, and the dancer should exactly repeat them. The game allows you to connect 4 mats. But you can dance yourself. The size is 95 x 85 cm, the thickness is 0.8 cm.

What are the reviews about the dance mat of Dance Mat?

I like users that he:

• Suitable for children and adults;
• It is convenient to work with it;
• There are 3 levels of difficulty;
• Promotes weight loss.

I do not like that the rug slides on the floor during the dance, and the fact that it does not connect to the TV. Price translated into rubles - about 500 rubles.

Reviews and prices for Dance Mat Mat Mat makes it even more popular. Few people, seeing the video with the dance, did not want to buy the same. Reviews say that basically it is written out from China, in shops it meets less often and costs more.

Mats for children

Often parents ask to advise the best children's dance floor mats. The types purchased for children from 4 years (namely this age is considered to be borderline for use) are inexpensive flexible mats. For example, 8 bit X-tream for TV and PC. The price for "Aliexpress" is 11-14 dollars. Positively evaluate such a dance floor mat all the reviews.

Which is better for a girl? A model from the same price range - Hello Girl (TV and computer, 16 Bit) pink. It operates in two modes.

For games alone, buy Stay Cool Duplex Wireless (32 Bit, for TV and PC). The price is 6700 rubles.

If a child likes entertainment, and he "dances it to holes", it makes sense to buy a model more expensive.

User reviews of X-tream

User feedback indicates that the dance floor mat brings a fun atmosphere to the family. All the household try to dance, and the others watch with interest what they will get. But on sale there are different dance floor mats. Which to choose?

The X-tream model is liked by users at a price, by the choice of difficulty levels, refereeing, speed of music and movements. Start with the minimum settings. It is very important for a child to get at least a small, but a victory. Then the difficulty level is increased. I like the fact that light songs are marked with a special icon. This allows you to correctly distribute the difficulty level.

Note that after installing the disc, you need to check the settings. It happens that the buttons on the rug need to be adjusted again.

Reviews about other models

Users in most cases do not specify the name of the model of the purchased device. From the description it is clear that the mats they have purchased are the usual flexible ones for 8 arrows.

Positive feedback received the mat of Dance Performance II Stay Color (PC-USB-TV).

Consumers note a comfortable non-slip coating. It is believed that a two-meter wire is often not enough for convenient use. The presence of waterproof EVA-gasket is considered superfluous, but not decisive in the choice. But the fact that there is a connection to the TV, like, especially those consumers who do not have a computer.

It is convenient to connect a dance mat Dance II Performance to the laptop. User reviews indicate that it makes it possible to use it at parties. But the emphasis is on emotional details ("having fun") without going into technical specifications.

Wireless dance floor mat

For those to whom wires interfere with dancing, a wireless 32-bit Stay Cool model has appeared. It connects to a computer or TV (not all models) using a wireless adapter. Menu in Russian. Included are 2 wireless joysticks and a 2 GB flash card. Price 5400 rub. What are the reviews about the dance floor mat 32 bit Stay Cool? Users like that it has 6 difficulty levels when connected to a TV. Good graphics, very colorful pictures. Conveniently, there is an anti-slip coating.

Observed shortcomings

Velcro rugs fidgeting and do not stick tight to the floor. Lay on a fleecy surface can be, and hold on will be better. But then you have to manually remove all the villi that are stuck.

Some users did not manage to master the dance floor mat. After several unsuccessful attempts, it was abandoned. Other users explain this by saying that the device was not properly tuned or with the musical capabilities of the problem.

Dance mat and health

Real feedback on the dance floor mat suggests that it can be beneficial to health.

As a result of work on it:

• The concentration of attention develops;
• Muscles of the legs are strengthened;
• The body becomes more flexible and fit;
• Excess weight is thrown off (in one procedure from 300 g);
• The mood improves, which is also good for health.

An hour of dancing on the carpet can save up to 1.2 thousand calories. At the same time the process of disposal is very pleasant.

Users argue that fitness classes, for which they pay a lot of money, do not give such an effect, as dancing on the rug. Pay attention to the fact that all muscles are involved in the process. Therefore, they advise using a mat to improve the figure.

It is only necessary to correctly calculate the amount of time a child or young person should spend on this device. Parents pay attention that long, for several hours in a row, classes on the rug lead to the fact that the calf's legs begin to hurt in the child. Therefore, they advise to keep the process under control.