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Since Robotron sticks aren't readily available, what's the next best thing?
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jasonbar:
Howdy-

After fussing with GGG Micro Leaf switches & the folded paper trick to quiet my switches, I've gone back to my standard clicky joysticks across my "2-Joystick-Games" row of controls on my panel.

I'd *love* to get 4 proper Robotron sticks, but those are rather hard to come by.

What's the next best, readily available red ball top leaf switch stick that I should look for?

Thanks,
-Jason
HHaase:
That all depends.  Is the ball color more important, or is the shaft length?   There's some 8-way wicos on e-bay from time to time with the leaf switches, but almost always short shaft.  Bob Roberts has short replacement sticks in a bunch of colors, or long shaft's in blue or plum. 

Heck, there's a guy right now in the for-sale section with a half dozen bare 8-way bases for real cheap and some red-top shafts at a decent price.  At those prices, I'd snag them up and start building up new ones. 
jasonbar:
Howdy-

Thanks for the prompt & helpful reply.

I definitely want/need red to go w/ my cab's color scheme & my nostalgia requirements.  :)

I'm a bit ignorant on shaft length.  I understand that Robotron sticks are a little longer than standard sticks, which is what makes them special & hard to find.  Can you please elaborate?

Thanks,
-Jason
HHaase:
Well, hopefully somebody with more knowledge than me will chime in to confirm it.  But the basic version is that they are the same 8-way leaf switch sticks.... just that the sticks were longer.  I believe that all the other parts were the same, and can be interchanged mechanically and electrically.  The good thing is that replacement switches and a lot of the other parts are still easy to get. 

And it seems that it's both the long and short stick versions that are hard to get these days in a leaf switch stick.  Everything now seems to be microswitch.   I know what you mean about the microswitches, I don't like the feel of them either.

-Hans
FrizzleFried:
Robotron used WICO sticks with 4" shafts.  The "standard" WICO stick shaft length is 3.5".  The 3.5" variant can be had much easier than the 4".  Hell,  I have a few extra 3.5" shaft sticks sitting around collecting dust... but I am not sure of the ball colors (if they match) or if the centering grommet is good in them.  I'm pretty sure I have 4 or 5 though... I'll take a look at them tomorrow.

If you're using a metal CPO,  the 3.5" sticks will work great.  If you're using a wood CPO,  the 3.5" sticks will be a bit short,  though still usable.

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