Joystick question for new member

[ninjasquirrel]

Hey everyone, first off I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has posted on BYOAC over no telling how many years.  This forum truly is a WEALTH of knowledge for anyone interested in this obsession!  I've been lurking, like many, for many months and have decided to dive in with an original 2 player MAME bartop build.  I've been working like crazy to get the software end figured out and I think I'm almost there.  Now comes the fun part...for me at least.  Building the beast!

Ok so the first question is about joystick selection.  I know this is completely dependent upon who answers and I've read many previous posts on this topic but I still need to hear some views.  Of course I'm running mame but also want to run: snes, nes, n64 (maybe), atari 2600, and some pc games, that's probably about it, not too crazy.  I'm interested in all games including the classics, pacman, galaga, donkey, etc but I also really like the new shumps and fighting games like marvel vs cap.  etc.  I like the idea of using the u360 but its a little $$ for me at this time, especially for 2! Plus I've read that they are just ok with the fighters..it's a general purpose stick so it makes sense. I've read really good things about the happ Competitions and I like the price, but would they be decent for my other emulators snes, etc? I know that they are a pain in the rectum when it comes to 2 and 4 way but is it playable or just useless?
Then of course there's the intermediate...the sanwas and the seimitsus which sound nice and sturdy, and have the ability to switch between 2-4-8 ways, even though it looks like from below with removal of restrictors, which is fine I guess.  The price is higher but not too bad.
I like a stiff spring feel, medium throw, and mostly bat top...maybe : ) just depends. 

The cab will have 1/2" baltic birch cp top and only the 2 joys along with 7 buttons apiece and the standard other buttons.  I know everyone has answered this question before but I never could find anything as far as console emul go and joys.  Thanks for any input on this and I'll be talking to you all again soon I'm sure 

[:oj]

I like a stiff spring feel, medium throw, and mostly bat top...maybe : ) just depends.

Maybe a T-Stik will be the right choice for you. Pretty stiff spring, bat top, short travel and switchable from below by a small lever.

[ninjasquirrel]

Thanks for the replay :OJ.  Haven't heard much about the T-stick, Ultimarc right? Do you use one? How do you like it for general purpose? And do you know a good place to buy one, I checked ultimarc and divemaster, didn't see it though. I do like the idea of a switch instead of loosening screws etc.
What about the Sanwa JLF sticks (j-stick i guess)?  Any input on these?
Any more input would be great, thanks

[:oj]

The JLF is quite uncomfortable in switching.

Regarding the T-Stik: Sorry, I forgot, Ultimarc isnt selling them any longer, but they offer the quite soft Mag-Stik (similar to T-Stik, but magnetically centered instead of a spring). I'm still selling the original T-Stik, but I'm afraid buying from me will be to expensive for you (bad shipping rate for non-EU countries).

Another option which allows you to use any joystick you want may be this: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99502.0 - but it's still in a test stage and has to be reviewed.

[ninjasquirrel]

Very interesting piece of equipment, the e-limitator!  It sounds like a good possibility, just have to wait for the reviews to come in. 

You mentioned the mag stick, sounds like it must be much looser without the spring like you were saying, is it much different then the happ comps when it comes down to it, at least with 8 way games?  I should just snag some competitions and see what can be done with them...there's a difference between thrifty and cheap and i'm teetering  I'm just trying to find the best solution for the best price for a decent overall joy.

[:oj]

Yes, Mag-Stik is soft, T-Stik quite stiff. Compared to the Competition Sticks the throw and way to engage of an T-Stik / Mag-Stik are much shorter. If you are unaccustomed to this fact, you probably have some problems at the beginning of usage.

erm... I really forgot to guide you to Kowals famous site about joystick comparison: http://www.kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/artZESen.htm - have fun

[ubiquityman]

I have tried the JLW, the Happ Competition, and the U360.
I have found a few minor issues with the U360, but overall, that'd be my first choice.
Without the analog function, some games won't work as well and the panel is less universal.
Mame does support the analog function quite well.
N64 did have 1 analog stick, although I'm not familiar with U64 to say if that is properly supported.

[ninjasquirrel]

Thanks ubiqman for the input, from all i've researched the u360s are great for overall use. I 'just' ordered 2 comps to see how I like them...at least for all 8way games including the consoles I listed (I have no hope for 4way). I am new to all this so a little trial and error is to be expected, so I started with the cheap work horses to see how everything feels.  Also there is no reason why player 2 will ever need anything besides the competition so I think I'm ok with the possibility of replacing player 1 with a u360 later.  How did you like the console emus with the comp even without the analog?  It's just hard to shell the $$ right out of the gate for the u360 without getting use to all this...gotta love the learning curve on a budget!

Nice website with comparison :oj !

Good news is that I have parts coming! Getting exciting now! Just have to get an LEDWiz to light everything up. I'm using 1 color leds not RGB so shouldn't be too bad to hook everything up.

Let's see who all is reading this...if i want to light random led's, that aren't assigned to a pushbutton, will ledblinky or the default wiz program handle this? In other words, I'm thinking about having leds light up in concession like at a drag race (you get the idea), once a game is launched from Mala  frontend. Is this possible? I haven't dove into this aspect yet, so I was just going to see if I could get a warning before I give it any further thought.