IINE Taiko Drum Controller Pro Max US$128.05 (~A$211.13) Delivered @ IINE Official Store via AliExpress

First deal post since joining in 2009 (and using since 2006 or 2007)!

A highly rated drum for the popular game Taiko No Tatsujin. Seems to be the preferred upgrade over the standard Hori branded one that comes packaged with the game. The Hori one needs breaking in and modding to be usable, and my wife commented on the horrible lag when playing on a friend's one. The size of the IINE Pro Max is also better (35cm vs 25cm). Alternatives include the Rhythmagica TDC10 (smaller) and Taikoller (double the price).

19% TopCashback:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/897997

I was hesitant to buy it at $250AUD + GST last week, but I checked today and it seemed to drop $50. I used TopCashback for 19% on supported affiliate products, so I'm expecting the cost to be a bit under $185. I forgot to apply the AUAS13 ($13AUD off $99 spend). With everything combined, you should see the total price come to around $170AUD, which is a really good price for this drum.

Lots of discussion on Reddit and a few video reviews on YouTube:
https://www.reddit.com/r/taikonotatsujin/comments/1gv1fhm/an…
https://www.reddit.com/r/taikonotatsujin/comments/1c8jok2/ii…

u/Amaroko:

I have first-hand experience with four Hori Switch drums, two of the red IINEs (V2), one of the new IINE Pro Max, and a Taikoller.

All four Horis worked flawlessly. However, I found their sensitivity to be too low at first, but modding greatly improved it.

My first red IINE had a subtle defect (left don was occasionally not registering hits), whereas the second one worked just as well as a Hori. Modding them isn't really necessary, IMO.
A minor annoyance can be their device autodetect mechanism. If you connect them to a Switch, they'll present as a Switch Pro controller, and if you connect them to a PS4/PS5, they'll present as a wired DualShock4 controller. That always worked correctly for me. However, if you connect them to a PC, they should also show up as DualShock4, but sometimes get stuck on Switch controller mode, which made them unusable, and required one or multiple reconnects. Letting the user choose or override the device mode, like Taikoforce/Zhongtaiko/Taikoller do, would be preferable.

The IINE Pro Max is excellent, pretty much on par with the Taikoller, and due to its integrated gamepad and more portable size and weight, I almost prefer it over the Taikoller. No modding necessary at all, and I wouldn't recommend trying.
I got it for $135 with coupons during the 11.11 sale on AliExpress. So, about the price of two Horis, definitely worth it. Unfortunately, it's a bit more expensive now, but the Taikoller is much more expensive, yet not really that much better, IMO.
The Pro Max also has an autodetect mechanism, with PC keyboard mode added. If I plug it into my running PC, it connects a keyboard, with "dfjk" keys for drum hits. That's generally what you want for PC software. However, if I plug it into my powered off PC, and then turn it on, the Pro Max connects in DualShock4 mode… Again, letting the user decide would be preferable over any autodetect.

I have backed the Rythmagica TDC10, but since I haven't received it yet, I don't have a final opinion on it.
I like that it uses the superior wood + piezo construction of larger drums, and that it has a VESA mount. I'm unsure about its size - 10 inches / ~25 cm, slightly larger than a Hori and about the same size as a red IINE, which can feel a bit cramped after having gotten used to the larger drums.
I think I won't like its bluetooth + phone app requirement for gamepad buttons… since you realistically don't hit the bottom rim of the drum, why not integrate physical buttons there like Hori and IINE do?