FYI...

[slycrel]

  I've been looking around at controls the last few days trying to figure out what I'm going to buy.  I found out that the Happ Ultimate 8-way joysticks are $6.99 until Nov 30th.  Pretty good deal, I'm thinking about picking up a few.

  It looks like the Happ super or one of the ultimarcs are the way to go in general.  Is that correct?  =)  (Yes, I did do a search on the forums...)  I'm on a tight budget, so I'll probably go with the ultimates either way.

  Also, is the standard price for buttons somewhere in the $1.80-$1.90 range?  That's pretty much all I've seen.

Thanks in advance.

[paigeoliver]

I think www.therealbobroberts.com is a bit cheaper than that on buttons. Also, the only Happ stick I can even stand to use is the super, and I don't even like that one very much. I haven't used any of the modern import sticks, so I can't comment on them. I try to stick to Wico and other used 80s era sticks myself.

[Raider]

Oscar Controls has a comparision review on the 3 main sticks Happs sells. Sorry i don't have a link handy to it.

Ultimates have good diaganol movement IMO... Better than the competition brand. But there is a big difference between those other two and the supers. Basically in a nutshell I think the supers are way more fluid in feel and definitely a little firmer because of the heavier spring (WHich is an option on the ultimates). For fighter games for sure, you will be much happier with supers I feel safe to say.

I would say spend the extra dosh and get supers.

[paigeoliver]

Also, someone on ebay is selling sets of NOS wico microleaf joysticks. Those are pretty much the best microswitch joystick around. (They are not called microleafs in the auction though, I made that name up).

Just search titles and descriptions for Wico atari (I remember the auction having both words in it).

The reason I am suggesting them is because one seller has them cheaper than those Ultimates even.

[Cameronj]

I can find a bunch of Atari2600 wico joysticks, but I can't find any arcade wicos. Can you please please please post me an auction number?

Thanks,

Cameron

[slycrel]

  I actually passed those in my searching, at least the 2 player auction.  That was at the beginning of my search, so I have a better idea of prices now than then.  And per your advice I re-looked them up, and am seriously considering them.  The guy is apparently doing a couple auctions, one where I can get 4 for $25 shipped, which is good.  =)

  I'm doing a 4 player panel, so the R/B/G/Y color scheme was appealing as well for the happ ultimate.  My wife is helping me design this (she's a graphics designer), so I'll have to run the color scheme change past her, but I don't think that would be a problem--changing the sticks alone probably won't be a big deal.

  I should mention some of the games I'm planning on playing with some regularity are gauntlet and rampage, along with many of the fighting games.  And some fighters like raiden and rtype.  Sounds like these will fit those nicely.  I'll be adding (I hope) a 4-way joystick for some of the "simpler" games as well, so I don't think those will factor much into this specific decision.

  Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

  Anyone else have any opinions before I go out and buy something?  

  Oh, and cameron, refine your search to using titles and descriptions next time.  Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3254677908&category=13718

  --Jeremy

[Cameronj]

Thanks for the link man!!!!!! Just bought a pair. Yeah I should have thought about the advanced searching first.  

Cameron

[slycrel]

  Heh, sorry, looking back at that post that sounded kinda mean.  It was meant as light-hearted.  

[slycrel]

Doh, double post.  

[JoyMonkey]

Wico recently had their horizontal push-buttons on sale for $0.89 (I stocked up like it was the end of the world).

You could give them a call and find out what they are right now.

[slycrel]

  Ahh, fantastic...  Thanks!  I haven't called, but in their specials they still have them listed as 88 cents.  I'll drop a line here if they aren't that price, but I'm guessing they still are.  

[Cameronj]

Slycrel. No offense taken.