Need opinions on joysticks and buttons

[DataWest]

I'm looking forward to getting my 4 player control panel started soon. Wanted to ask you all some ?'s. I've heard good things about the J-Stik from ultimarc. I need a joystick that will switch from 4 to 8 way. Which ones are the best? And which buttons are the best? Haven't read good things about the newer happ ones.

*sorry I posted this in the wrong place last time.

[DataWest]

Anybody?

I think I have my sticks narrowed down to these 2 options. Please let me know if any other 4-8 way switchable are better.

OMNI_Stik
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=293

And the J-Stik scroll down a bit
http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=6

[BobA]

Both of the sticks you listed are switchable but you have to do it from underneath the CP.  The advantage of the mag stick plus is you do not have to open the control panel.   Some people do not like the short throw of the MSP but I have them and have gotten used to the feel.   

[Donkbaca]

for switchable four ways, most people I would say go u360's, you can get a top mount restrictor for it now.  Others sanwa jlw, which is what the jstick is.  Don't know much about the omnistick.    You probably only need 2 switchable ones, there are no 4 player 4 way games that I can think of

[DataWest]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah I should have been more specific. I am only buying the buttons and sticks for the 1 and 2 player right now. Cash is low LOL. Since player 3 and 4 only need 4 buttons and basic sticks Ill get them later.

Any comments on good pushbuttons?

[DataWest]

Also thinking about this one

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/super_joy.htm

because of this review.

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/reviews/joysticks/Joystick%20Roundup.pdf

Thoughts?

[emphatic]

What type of games will you be playing? The Omni Stik (aka the SUZO 500) is one of my favourite sticks for shmups, but I don't think it does well in games where you need to do bigger yet precise movements as it has a "hair trigger". Many classics don't mix well with a quick engage and super-short throw.

Those HAPP Super's are surely a nice allround choice.

[Donkbaca]

the supers are great all around 8 way sticks.  You can't restrict them to 4 way though

[dfmaverick]

I thought Knievel used them for his 4-way, just not on-the-fly.

Per Happ: "Change actuation to 4-way or 8-way simply by flipping actuator over"

These would work fine for his 3/4 player in 8-way.

[DataWest]

What type of games will you be playing? The Omni Stik (aka the SUZO 500) is one of my favourite sticks for shmups, but I don't think it does well in games where you need to do bigger yet precise movements as it has a "hair trigger". Many classics don't mix well with a quick engage and super-short throw.

Those HAPP Super's are surely a nice allround choice.

Mainly shmups and classics (zoo keeper etc) so I'm really trying to get something middle of the road. Thanks for all the comments guys.

Anyone bought anything from this place??

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/159-black-il-compact-joystick.html

The IL's are supposed to be the far superior Happ Supers. 4 way and 8 way too

[Donkbaca]

I wouldn't say far superior, they are basically the same. I have ordered from Bryan several times, fast cheap shipping, he's a good guy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DataWest]

Still havent decided on my sticks, but I know Im getting this!

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/299-import-flight-stick.html    looks pretty sturdy for $20.

cant decide on the buttons

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/60-il-concave-buttons

or

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/61-il-compeition-buttons

? which are more reliable? Im more of a fan of the convex, but what are your thoughts?

[emphatic]

cant decide on the buttons

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/60-il-concave-buttons

or

http://paradisearcadeshop.com/61-il-compeition-buttons

? which are more reliable? Im more of a fan of the convex, but what are your thoughts?

I think that the reliability is exactly the same (unless you play with really dirty fingers and the concave somehow stops the grime from seeping into the button  ). I'm not a fan of the concave either, I say go with the convex ones. 

[lokesen]

UltraStik 360 with a throw limiter. It automatically switches via MAME.

Best joystick I ever had.

[Cenobyte]

Both of the sticks you listed are switchable but you have to do it from underneath the CP.  The advantage of the mag stick plus is you do not have to open the control panel.   Some people do not like the short throw of the MSP but I have them and have gotten used to the feel.   

+1

MagStik plus user here and I'm quite satisfied with it, using the opportunity to switch from 4 to 8-way and back a lot. I used to only have experience with the X-Arcade sticks. They are 8 way and quite inexpensive sticks, but IMHO  good value, except for with the older, 4-way games.

[Donkbaca]

A lot if bad reviews for the magstick. But if you are playing mostly shmups and classics, the shirt through might not bother you.

I am also a fan of the x-arcade sticks, they too are happs super clones. They aren't truly switchable to 4-way though, like the super you have to turn the actuator over, which isn't a quick and easy thing to do, and there is no. physical restriction.

[mgb]

Don't rely on any Happ sticks for 4-way, 8-way switching. its not on the fly and its not true 4-way restriction.
I love the Sanwa JLWs but they have to be accessed from underneith for switching.
Alot of guys love the u360s.

[DataWest]

Don't rely on any Happ sticks for 4-way, 8-way switching. its not on the fly and its not true 4-way restriction.
I love the Sanwa JLWs but they have to be accessed from underneith for switching.
Alot of guys love the u360s.

Thanks for the info. I've pretty much decided on these...

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/104-sanwa-jlw-tm-8-joystick.html

Now I'm just trying to figure out how I'm gonna mount them in 3/4" MDF.

[mgb]

awesome sticks.
you may need to route and top mount them. I've seen alot about that here on the forums.

[DataWest]

awesome sticks.
you may need to route and top mount them. I've seen alot about that here on the forums.

Yeah I've been looking for a good tutorial. More has been written about mounting the JLF's, which have a MUCH wider mounting plate. The JLW's look very hard to mount into 3/4" MDF.

[mgb]

No the JLFs have a more narrow mounting base. The JLWs have a standard mounting base, same hole pattern as a Happ

[DataWest]

No the JLFs have a more narrow mounting base. The JLWs have a standard mounting base, same hole pattern as a Happ

Oh. What I meant was the 4 corners look alot closer to the switches underneath than the JLF's do.

So all I have to do is top mount them? I have no idea where to begin routing out the top.

[dfmaverick]

http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html#JLW

As you will see, there is a depth from the top mounting plate to the pushbutton. This is how much wood you will leave. How much, I don't know since I don't own one.

You will route the top plate shape into the top of the CP in the depth of the plate & screw heads.(Much like the jlf tutorial.)

You will then route the joystick base shape all the way through. Then, you may have to route the underside of the CP so the depth of the wood is the same as the depth from the mounting plate to the pushbuttons on the joystick. That would give you full clearance on the pushbuttons.

Hope you understood what I just wrote. This may not be how others would do it but just looking at it, this is how I'd do it.

[DataWest]

http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html#JLW

As you will see, there is a depth from the top mounting plate to the pushbutton. This is how much wood you will leave. How much, I don't know since I don't own one.

You will route the top plate shape into the top of the CP in the depth of the plate & screw heads.(Much like the jlf tutorial.)

You will then route the joystick base shape all the way through. Then, you may have to route the underside of the CP so the depth of the wood is the same as the depth from the mounting plate to the pushbuttons on the joystick. That would give you full clearance on the pushbuttons.

Hope you understood what I just wrote. This may not be how others would do it but just looking at it, this is how I'd do it.

Actually I think I did. Thanks!