Happ balltop for Pac-man or ultimarc J-Stik Ball-Top joystick?

[anthony691]

I want a different feel from my current joysticks and think it is time I get a 4 way balltop.

Which should I get? The Happ one can only be mounted in metal and isn't true 4 way. The ultimarc one switchs between true 4 and 8 way, but I don't know if it can mount in wood.

Price works out to about the same, if I should get the Happ one instead of the J-Stick should I buy it from Happ or Bob Roberts?

What is your expierience with these sticks?

[paigeoliver]

THe Ms. Pac/Galaga one is a true 4-way. I got several of them from Bob Roberts. Worth every penny.

[anthony691]

Interesting... it was only electronic 4-Way right? I want one with a restrictor plate (I think). Can you mount it into wood?

What was shipping on that from Bob Roberts?

What is the deal on the leaf sticks?

[paigeoliver]

It is not just an electronic one. It has the correct restrictor plate and everything. Feels great. Best out of the 3 different true four ways and the couple switchable ones that I have.

I got those as part of a larger order, and I don't really recall what the shipping was.

You will need a mounting plate to use a wooden panel. (I believe oscar has them).

[Wade]

I use the Ultimarc J-stick ball tops.  They are supposed to be mounted to a metal CP but I just routed the bottom of my wooden one about 2/3rds of the way through.  I suppose the height may be 1/4" lower than it is supposed to be, but it feels fine to me and everyone who has used my cab.  I imagine the other 4-way sticks can be mounted in the same manner.

I am very happy with the J-sticks as both 8 and 4 way sticks.  However I haven't played on an original 4-way stick since building my cab so I can't say much about the authenticity of the feel.  If someone is interested, I could make a trip to some local arcades and see if I can find a 4-way stick to compare with.

Wade

[BASSOFeeSH]

j-sticks have a longer throw.  Otherwise they're great.

[jdjuggler]

Sorry to restart an old topic.... But,
I was curious about the j-stik travel distance.  I've heard that it has a long throw.  But, I've also read and quoted from Andy Warne --- "you can also reduce the physical travel by flipping over the 4-8 way restrictor plate, because the square cutout in this plate has a chamfer on it."

My question: Is the shorter throw after flipping the restrictor plate similar to short throw of the ms. pacman/galaga stick?
JD

[JackTucky]

My MsPac Galaga replacement from Bob Roberts doesn't have a restrictor plate.  I had to turn the doo-hickey on the shaft around so it couldn't hit two switches at the same time.

I asked Bob Roberts via email and he said this was the only one.

I'd like to see a picture of your restrictor plate.

Art

[jakejake28]

wico stc 500s for me... short throw, gr8 2,4,8 way and great feel

[zero-one]

Hi jdjuggler,

I emailed Andy at Ultimarc just the other day with the same question.

Here's the relevent parts of his respond.

"Turning over the [restrictor] plate [of the J-Stik] reduces the travel. This is the full mechanical travel. The travel until the switch is actuated can also be reduced by bending the switch levers.
 
The full travel is either 24mm or 20mm."

I would say this is just barely noticable but I don't have facts to back me up. I plan on getting these for a single player/classics control panel.

jakejake28, the Wico STC 500 looks 'odd' to me. The 2-4-8-way feature is something important to me but I haven't heard anyone comment how easy it is to switch between say 8-way to 2-way vertical. Looks like you need a screw driver. Care to comment? Also, does it do 4-way diagonal?

Cheers,
zero-one

[jakejake28]

switching is a breeze, loosen the screws so much and its done with a flick of the wrist. it does not have a 4-way diagonal tho... and it does look wierd, but routing out the bottom and a circle for that lil space does the trick...

[Kitbasher]

I agree the Wico STC 500 does look odd.  It is fairly easy to switch between 4 and 8 way.  I just got the only one that Bob had at the RealBobRoberts.  I installed it in the desktop controller I made for my wife (secretly its for me to play classic games).  Really improved my game in Burgertime and Pacman.  It has a very short throw and is very precise.  It was a good purchase.  My only negative comment is it is very tall, compared to my Happs super on my controller, so it looks a little odd.  But functionality and the overall engineering that went into this stick are excellent.  

[JODY]

It is not just an electronic one. It has the correct restrictor plate and everything.

I've got several of the Ms. Pac-Man / Galaga Anniversary sticks from Bob Roberts and none of them have restrictor plates.  Diagonals don't register but I can move there.