mag stick plus questions/need opinions

[milkit]

First off, do you have a mag stik plus and if so do you like it? would you buy again? how does the feel compare to joystick "x"?

2nd, do the mounting plate holes line up with the "inner" holes on a happ competition joy?
 

http://www.ultimarc.com/controldiags.html this looks like the screws are seperated 46x76

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/competition_joy_e.htm this is 76mm one way but doesnt show a measure of the inner holes in the opposite direction (the outter show 66m, so inner should be around 46, just want to verify)

thanks!

[Epyx]

I had a Mag stik plus on my first cab and *hated* it...terrible throw (too short for 8 way), mechanical feel with magnet (clunky movement) and is just awful for 8 way games. The only redeeming feature imo is the 4 way...it is decent in 4 way but not fantastic by any stretch.  Every other stick I have used since has been better (Universal, Comp, X-arcade, Sanwa JLW etc).

The measurements are different from the Comp but I would strongly recommend you steer clear of this stick.   Or maybe order 1 to start to see if you like it.  You may like it, who knows?

After using it for a few months I started playing all 8 way games on my 2nd player 8 way Comp joystick.  My favourite joysticks currently are the Sanwa JLW. I leave player 1 8-way and player 2 4-way for all my solo gaming...if someone is over I reach through the coin door and set player 2 to 8 way for games when required.

[AndyWarne]

I have said it before and probably will say it again.... joysticks are such a subjective issue, its rather like asking what type of car one should buy.

Rather than rely on the advice of one person, the best way to get an overall impression of the stick would be to search for it by name and read the various threads which mention the stick to gain an overall impression. You will find a couple of posters initially found a period of getting used to the short throw, for example:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100007.0

What I can say is that we have never received any direct negative feedback on the MagStik and plenty of positive...

Andy

[Epyx]

Agreed Andy, but you will also find just as many negative (which just furthers the being subjective argument). Either way you are correct it is *very* subjective.  I say that as a strong supporter of your products, just not the Mag Stick

I never bothered to email you my feelings directly because of the subjectivity of my feedback...but suffice it to say on this public forum there is enough evidence that many people subjectively dislike the Mag Stick!

And just so it doesn't appear I am picking on the Mag Stick...there are other sticks like the Omni (Prodigy) from Randy that are so fugly I wouldn't even *want* to try them purely based on the aesthetics! But again...me being subjective...

[opt2not]

First off, do you have a mag stik plus and if so do you like it?

Yes, for certain games the Mag Stik+ is great. For a top-panel switching joystick, it's probably the best there is.

That being said...

would you buy again? how does the feel compare to joystick "x"?

I would buy it again, depending on the project build I'm working on. As a 4-way joy, the Mag Stik+ is pretty nice, but the 8-way (because of the throw) takes a bit to get used to -- especially the diagonals.
There are certain games that require an 8-way, that just doesn't work well with this joystick. Examples are Robotron and Fighting games. These games rely a lot on the diagonals, and can be frustrating to play on a mag stik+.  But if you don't care about those, from my experience, I've found other 8-way games like beat-em-ups and Shooters to work fine with this stick.

If you do end up ordering one, I would recommend changing out the switches to more "lighter" triggered ones. The stock switches that come with it are pretty stiff.

I have said it before and probably will say it again.... joysticks are such a subjective issue, its rather like asking what type of car one should buy.

Rather than rely on the advice of one person, the best way to get an overall impression of the stick would be to search for it by name and read the various threads which mention the stick to gain an overall impression. You will find a couple of posters initially found a period of getting used to the short throw, for example:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100007.0

What I can say is that we have never received any direct negative feedback on the MagStik and plenty of positive...

Andy

Andy's right. It's all subjective.
Do a search on the forum, there's been plenty of discussions about this stick. Some like it, some don't.  But I fear that the ones who don't didn't give Andy any feedback on it.

Some people like it as a dedicated 4-way, optional 3rd/4th player 8-way stick.

Like I said, I like 'em for certain project applications.

[SammyWI]

I have a Magstik plus and it's a nice stick.  Depends on what you want, I guess.  It is very 'clicky' with the stock switches.  I managed to break one of the switches so I put in a Cherry switch and the difference is very noticeable.  A softer feel and it even feels like it has a tiny bit more throw with the Cherry switch vs the stock ones.  You have to switch the lever to the new switch but that wasn't too hard.

I was trying to use it as a 'all around' stick but I'm probably going to use my U360 instead.  Both kind of try to fill the role of jack of all trades, master of none. 

[TheShanMan]

Love it for 4 way. The short throw works really well in that case. But the flip side of the coin as others have stated, is that it doesn't work well for 8 way (IMO). A couple examples of games were given. Another example of being sensitive to accidentally hitting diagonals is Indy Jones (e.g. falling off a ladder because you accidentally hit up/left rather than up). So IMO if you're looking for a general purpose stick, spend the extra dough needed to get a U360. Best general purpose stick hands down IMO. If you're looking for a good 4 way stick that has the ability to do 8 way occasionally only then mag stick plus is a winner.

Maybe with practice you can become skilled at accurately using the mag stick plus in 8 way mode, but to me you shouldn't have to "learn" how to use a joystick.

[milkit]

Love it for 4 way. The short throw works really well in that case. But the flip side of the coin as others have stated, is that it doesn't work well for 8 way (IMO). A couple examples of games were given. Another example of being sensitive to accidentally hitting diagonals is Indy Jones (e.g. falling off a ladder because you accidentally hit up/left rather than up). So IMO if you're looking for a general purpose stick, spend the extra dough needed to get a U360. Best general purpose stick hands down IMO. If you're looking for a good 4 way stick that has the ability to do 8 way occasionally only then mag stick plus is a winner.

Maybe with practice you can become skilled at accurately using the mag stick plus in 8 way mode, but to me you shouldn't have to "learn" how to use a joystick.

are the u360s quickly switchable from 4 to 8 way? I thought they were one or the other having to remove the clip and flip actuator to change?

[wweumina]

U360's are analogue and inputs are read according to MAME maps or custom loaded maps on the stick itself.

You can install mechanical restrictors which require som diassembly to change (exception being square restrictor)

[wweumina]

Mag-Stik + is a good stick but does require some getting used to.

From my experience mounting holes do not quite line up with internal holes of more standard mounting plate but is nothing a drill won't fix.

[BobA]

I like them but that is a personal opinion.

Thread re Mag Stick Plus Mounting

New Link to Retroblast Article