Ultimarc 8/4-ways vs. any Happs joysticks?

[Jakobud]

How do these Ultimarc joysticks feel?  I have Happs Competitions in my cab and for my next project I'd love to have some good switchable joystick so I can enjoy my 4 way games better.  How easy is it to switch the Ultimarc joysticks?  On the T-Stick, how easy is it to move that little toggle switch?

[Jakobud]

no one?

[john_mame]

Can't say how they feel compared to the happs since I only have the t-sticks, but the little switch is incredibly easy toggle.

[eightbit]

The t-sticks are very stiff. They have a really short throw. I love them. There are the best 4/8 way switchables that I have used. In 4 way mode they work and feel like a 4 way. Many of the switchables don't actual restrict movement they just prevent the corners from registring not from moving into the corners.

The toggle switch is very easy to use. I was going to rig up a way to toggle it from outside the cab but its easy enough to reach through the coin door and switch it.

[Jakobud]

If the toggle switch is really easy and lightweight to switch, then that must mean that the restrictor plate rotates very easily also... While you are playing in 4-way mode is it possible to hit the corners hard enough that you actually rotate the restrictor plate at all?

[EvilBEAVER]

I did the external switch thing on my cocktail.

I dremeled the ridges that hold the restrictor plate slider off so that only a horizontal movement of the switch was necessary.  Then I drilled a small hole in the small knob at the end of the restrictor lever and inserted a small cotter pin.  The cotter pin was attached to a small screw-eye that was in turn screwed into the end of a small dowel rod.  The rod passed through a hole I drilled on the left side of the control panel box.

The worst part was having to attach all of the controls to the control panel and attach the wiring with this contraption already assembled and the control panel attached.

Once installed I attached a large wooden bead to the external end of the dowel rod.

Now I need only push the plunger in for 8 way and pull it out for 4 way operation. The Plunger only extends a couple of inches when out and is on the side of the control panel that would face the wall.

The T-stick is stiff and at first I did not like it but it does grow on you. It is quite good for those four way maze games.

[eightbit]

If the toggle switch is really easy and lightweight to switch, then that must mean that the restrictor plate rotates very easily also... While you are playing in 4-way mode is it possible to hit the corners hard enough that you actually rotate the restrictor plate at all?

Its not like the other rotating restrictor plates that can have that problem if you leave them loose enough to rotate. You pull down on the toggle before pulling it then it clicks into place when you switch it.

[Todd H]

What would really be cool was if there was a program that, when you selected a 4-way game, told a tiny hidden motor under the control panel to flip the switch on the t-stick for you.  It would work the same way for 8-ways.  I know...it's a crazy idea, but a man can dream.