Anyone tried one of these very cheap joysticks?

[jimmy2x2x]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.37485

Looks like it can switch from 4 to 8 way

No sure whether its cheap or just inexpensive.

[alfonzotan]

No, but for that price, it's worth having one on hand for a spare.

[Ginsu Victim]

Being on DealExtreme definitely should give you pause. Since the shipping is free, though, if you've got the cash to blow on it, give it a shot. It's most likely CRAP, but you might find an option for those on extreme budgets (though I recommend spending the extra money and just buying a good Happ Comp or Sanwa -- a ---smurfy--- joystick can ruin an entire cabinet).

[RandyT]

It's similar to a number of Chinese joysticks currently being produced.  I have some experience with sticks like these and my best guesses are;

It will probably be loud and "clicky".  The switches used in these are usually very cheap and have heavy spring tension.

8-way - It will be nice and smooth rotation-wise, but, assuming they have the "blade" style micros, it will probably be very heavy in the diagonals, making 4-way games lousy in 8-way mode.

4-way - Again, assuming the "blade" style micros, expect to be able to hit the diagonals very easily, even in 4-way restriction, which is not good.

Again, these are things I have seen on very similar sticks, so they may or may not apply to this one.  Best way to know is to order one and wait 3 to 4 weeks for it to arrive .  Dealextreme is a neat place, but don't be in a hurry.

RandyT

[Ginsu Victim]

Order from them a few times, then order from Randy. The gripes about GGG shipping time will disappear.

[jimmy2x2x]

Shipping to UK is 10 days average.

Lots of guess work here, I was hoping someone might have actually tried one.

Although Randys synopsis seems a very likely outcome.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, there are plenty of these cheap Chinese knockoffs floating around. They might look okay, but they are almost always crap.

[RandyT]

Shipping to UK is 10 days average.

With any orders I have placed, it always seems to take that long just to get a ship notice.  Probably depends on what you order.  But, that's part of the experience with Dealextreme, so I'm good with it.  You just have to plan around it.

If you think it's cheap, and it really only takes 10 days to your doorstep, then order one and you can be "the guy" who helps others who don't have much cash and have to typically wait twice as long 

RandyT

[jimmy2x2x]

You have talked me out of it! for the price difference, I think I might be happier with a ls32 or jlw

DX has always been a bit of gamble, especially with the knock off stuff, 50/50 for me.

Its great for buying unusual items to give to friends as novelty gifts, that kind of thing - not sure about expecting long term functionality out of most of their product line.

I was hoping someone might have one of those sticks, and have something half decent to say about it 'Crap for street fighter, but a killer 4 way' or something

[divemaster127]

I would buy the jstick from andy & he is in the uk

[Ginsu Victim]

I would buy the jstick from andy & he is in the uk

+1

[kowal]

JLW clone from baolian

he should have good diagonal on 8way and correct 4way mode
Yenox microswitches - cheap, OF=175g (X-arcade micro)

price 10$ and free shipping is ok
but better buy original JLW or J-stick

[RandyT]

JLW clone from baolian

That isn't the same stick.  There are several clones out there, and while similar in appearance, not all of them are built the same.

RandyT

[divemaster127]

That is what I do not understand why would someone waste there money on something that is so cheap & end up just trashing it.  Spend your money on a quality items from happ, ultimarc or GGG.  I ship 200 orders per week & the one thing I always tell everyone get the best cp, controls, computer etc you can afford that way you can do all of this one time.   If you buy a bunch of cheap crap, you will end up spending a lot more $$$ in the long run...I have seen this many times.
dm

[jimmy2x2x]

Well its not all about cost and authenticity for some people, some like experimenting with lots of different controllers, sometimes swapping out actuators, springs, switches etc to make something that really suits them, something personal.

Grouping all knock off's as inferior might be short sighted, as randy pointed out there are lots of variations, some will be better than others and some may even surpass the originals they where cloned from (tighter spring, shorter throw etc).

Lastly as pinballjim mentioned, some knock off's are so good, you cant tell the difference.

With all that said, without trying that specific model out, its hard to pass judgement, all we have is an educated guess.

Does anyone know why happ controls are so popular? Is it just down to nostalgia/familiarity/durability, or do they outperform other brands in some area?  I have watched a few different broadcast competition events, and the top tier players always use jap controls (sanwa/seimitsu)

[divemaster127]

Happ is just considered the industry standard.  They produce industrial arcade replacement parts.  Besides happ, ultimarc & GGG are the best quality parts on the market.

[jimmy2x2x]

Forgive my ignorance, I have never used a GGG or Ultimarc manufactured stick.

Would those sticks out perform a ls32 or jlf in some way?

I consider the jlf the perfect fighting stick, loose spring, short throw - ideal for rolling, with a square gate its the best ive seen.

And the ls32 is the perfect all rounder, very responsive spring, shorter throw than the jlf, excelling for twitch shmups, but not too tight to use for other genres.

Which GGG or Ultimarc models should I be looking at to better those two sticks, Ill check em out!

[ark_ader]

Randy is right on the mark.  They are  .  Much louder than the X-Arcade sticks (before cherry modification).

Just order this from Randy, and save yourself the trouble. 

[jimmy2x2x]

OK, what is that stick known for - good all rounder?

[kowal]

 Spend your money on a quality items from happ, ultimarc or GGG.

sorry for quote
I have not anything to you
but
there is no no big difference between HAPP and bao lian
all is made in china:)
super joystick suck how X-arcade
now  difference is only micro xgaming/e-switch
competition - the same china story
believe difference between iL>HAPP is larger than baolian<HAPP


I think china JLW clone (and LS32) act not bad:P difficult joystick to faked: JLF, LS56, iL competition & magnetick, SUZO stick
 elements precision is critical on this stick - not for china worker.


for fighting/shmups and 4way best stick is still JLW jap ver with short shaft (27mm) but sanwa stopped production this model. next good stick is LS32, next J-stick.  I very like SUZO Universal STC good on shmups and 4way games (better from JLW) but medium on fighters.

[oyama82]

I will order chinese Zippyy sticks from ebay
sanwa and seimitsu are only good for fighting games,for all-round there is no difference

[kowal]

zippy made only microswitch
http://www.zippy.com/CON_PRODUCT_LIST.asp?pcs_rfnbr=7&lv_rfnbr=2&pcs_type=1


zippy use sometime baolian, sunbetty and other china firm http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/parts/joysticks.html

[oyama82]

whatever
they are very good for everyday mame use

[RandyT]

they are very good for everyday mame use

If by "everyday" you mean "just don't care and want a cheap joystick", then yes.  But I have evaluated the "Zippyy" (not the switch manufacturer of similar name) sticks and chose not to carry them on my store, unless I can figure out a way to fix them.  They are "clicky and sticky", and I'm not sure I could recommend them.  Maybe with new switches, new spring, more / different lube for the pivot and / or a lot of use, the feel of them might improve.  But out of the box.....bleah.

RandyT

[Ginsu Victim]

whatever
they are very good for everyday mame use

Wow, such brilliance. Enlighten us, please.

[oyama82]

tell me a better joystick for pacman,donkey kong,double dragon etc than this
sanwa?seimitsu?happ?tell me the reason why they could be better on those old games

also tell me a joystick that is not clicking.more or less all joysticks are clicking,so what

[trevski]

tell me a better joystick for pacman,donkey kong,double dragon etc than this
sanwa?seimitsu?happ?tell me the reason why they could be better on those old games

also tell me a joystick that is not clicking.more or less all joysticks are clicking,so what

A Suzo System 500 Eurostick modded with Microleaf switches from GGG  

/purr

I guess these are fine if you're on a really tight budget though

[oyama82]

suzo eurostick is not original never used in the arcades and its so tall
unsuitable

[trevski]

But its MY favorite stick.  

Kinda shows how conversations about the "best" stick are futile

[RandyT]

A Suzo System 500 Eurostick modded with Microleaf switches from GGG  

Heh.  Is that possible??  I'm thinking not, but I do have quieter switches that could go in those. (but if it's been done, I'd love to see a photo )

BTW, as a a side note, these sticks will probably end up being available in "black only" pretty soon.   At least that is what I have been told.  I think HAPP is starting to produce them, and I don't know if that means Suzo is ceasing production, or what.  But if that's the case, and you want a red or blue one, I suggest getting one now.

Oh, and the "never used in arcades" comment is totally untrue.  Played on several machines which used them in Germany while I lived there during my military service.  When you see one, you don't forget them because they do have a unique look to them.

RandyT

[oyama82]

I am european(greek) and also had played arcades in china
never seen those sticks before,only on home joysticks for amiga and atari st computers
for the older games the standart is a short balltop
for the newer games in greece we also had happ sticks
but never suzo 500

[RandyT]

I am european(greek) and also had played arcades in china
never seen those sticks before,only on home joysticks for amiga and atari st computers
for the older games the standart is a short balltop
for the newer games in greece we also had happ sticks
but never suzo 500

Uh-huh....so, using your logic, because I am American, and have never seen a Japanese joystick (or buttons) used in an American arcade, then they also were never used in arcades? 

The words "uncommon" and "never" have two different meanings.

[kowal]

suzo eurostick is not original never used in the arcades and its so tall
unsuitable

how 90% different stick on world
stupid explanation

STC disappear from SUZO on 2010 catalogue
I doubt to he be still produced, he will disappear how Inductive.
I still have 3:P

BTW
Italian firm use STC on cab

[oyama82]

come on,japanese sticks are everywhere in the world
ok at least accept that suzo 500 sticks exist but you can seldom see them in arcades
so few people are used to them

[kowal]

not in Poland, suzo is here.
forever

[jimmy2x2x]

I think a lot of generic UK cabs are fitted with these or at least clones of these

[oyama82]

with suzo 500???

[jimmy2x2x]

Yes, they look the same, tall shaft, same shape, distinct boot instead of dustwasher.

They might be clones, but on a lot of generic jamma cabs, I see this style (leisure 2000 etc)

[oyama82]

ok I see,I am a little outdated 
would you like such a stick for your cab?

[kowal]

this stick was everywhere in UK-Holland, Germany, Sweden, odd think that he did not come to Greece
and HAPP in Europe?
I never see HAPP in Europe all come from Spain!