Joystick Problems

[djsting]

I have Happs 8-way joysticks installed and they do not seem to work quite right.  The are very sensitive to the diagnals when trying to move up/down/left/right causing the movement in the up/down/left/right directions not to work very well.  Is this because they are new and not worn down and gummed up like the ones we use in arcades?  Is there something else that I should be aware of that would make them more usable?  At this time it is VERY difficult and irritating to try and play games since you can not move very well.

[Apollo]

Which Happs joys do you have?

[paigeoliver]

All the Happ joysticks I have ever used favor the diagonals. One of the reasons why I am always telling people to avoid them.

[Apollo]

He he here we go again, lol  

[OSCAR]

Make sure you have the conical bushing (if you have a Super or P360) installed with the wide side towards the base.  If you have that upside-down, it will make the joystick act very funky and possibly cause these problems!




While the Happ sticks do favor the diagonals in their standard configuration, it's not nearly enough to cause the problems you are describing.  Use the exploded views on Happ's site to make sure your joystick is assembled correctly.  Nine out of ten times, problematic joysticks are usually installed wrong.  The rest is just feel...  

[djsting]

Now I can't remember if I bought the Ultimates or the Competitions.  They are now the same price but back in March/Feb when I bought them I think one was cheaper and that was the one I bought since they were only for home use.

If you're not buying joys from Happs then where are you getting them from?

[paigeoliver]

I usually don't buy new joysticks. There isn't much reason to do so. Used ones are fine.

My most recent joystick purchases were.

2 rebuilt Wico balltop leaf switch joysticks with new long "Robotron" handles. $20 each. Bob Roberts

A box of assorted joysticks and parts (forgot how much). BYOAC member

A couple Ms. Pac reunion sticks. Bob Roberts

One set of Battlezone sticks (traded a monitor that needed capped).

I also snag used sticks off ebay from time to time. I have at least a dozen right now that are not in machines;  2 happ supers, one Sega 4-way micro, 2 monroe leafs, 3 or 4 Wico leafs, one wico micoleaf (same stick as the Wico leaf, but has microswitches instead), one wico top fire leaf, 2 unknown compact leafs, one Ms. Pac replacement stick, a pair of mid 70s midway 8-way leafs, and a couple of assorted microswitch sticks.

[OSCAR]

I usually don't buy new joysticks. There isn't much reason to do so. Used ones are fine.

My most recent joystick purchases were.

2 rebuilt Wico balltop leaf switch joysticks with new long "Robotron" handles. $20 each. Bob Roberts

A box of assorted joysticks and parts (forgot how much). BYOAC member

A couple Ms. Pac reunion sticks. Bob Roberts

One set of Battlezone sticks (traded a monitor that needed capped).

I also snag used sticks off ebay from time to time. I have at least a dozen right now that are not in machines;  2 happ supers, one Sega 4-way micro, 2 monroe leafs, 3 or 4 Wico leafs, one wico micoleaf (same stick as the Wico leaf, but has microswitches instead), one wico top fire leaf, 2 unknown compact leafs, one Ms. Pac replacement stick, and a couple of assorted microswitch sticks.

eBay rules for picking up used joysticks!  

I like the "lot of X joysticks" auctions.  I picked up a box of 4 sticks not long ago for very cheap, like $20 or so, and one of the joysticks was a Sinistar joystick with the "spider" intact and in very good shape.  The other three were regular 8-way Wico leafs, but they come in handy from time to time...

[djsting]

Hmmmm.....  Looks like I may check out some of the used joysticks on ebay and see what's there.

Oscar, I'm glad you chimed in I have a question for you also.  This may or may not be related but I have your joystick restrictor setup and have difficulty with it working right.  Now honestly this may be due in part or whole to the joysticks, however it may not.  I bought joysticks for 3/4" wood control panel, I drilled the holes needed to mount your restrictor plate and the joystick to it, I did not route the wood at all.  Is this the proper mounting technique?