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4-way joystick shootout! (Leaf-Pro, Sanwa JLW, Ultrastik 360, Seimitsu LS-32-02)
RandyT:
--- Quote from: shponglefan on May 26, 2013, 10:45:08 pm ---The 360 I had kicking around and thought it might be interesting to compare since it's the only "true" 4-way of the bunch (due to its digital setup).
--- End quote ---
Nice review, but I think this statement is worthy of some discussion :). Why do you believe this is the only "true" 4-way you tested?
shponglefan:
--- Quote from: RandyT on May 27, 2013, 09:11:44 am ---Nice review, but I think this statement is worthy of some discussion :). Why do you believe this is the only "true" 4-way you tested?
--- End quote ---
Because it is digitally programmable, it can be made never to go in a diagonal direction regardless of the physical restrictor.
In contrast, the rest of the sticks were using restrictors to avoid the diagonals. But in in theory if you manage to trigger two switches, it's going to be interpreted as diagonal.
Maybe I should also note that I tested the robustness of the restrictors on all the sticks by playing some 8-way shmups. I didn't notice any issues hitting diagonals with any of the sticks. But prior to comparing them, I wasn't sure if that might be an issue or not.
RandyT:
--- Quote from: shponglefan on May 27, 2013, 06:45:04 pm ---
--- Quote from: RandyT on May 27, 2013, 09:11:44 am ---Nice review, but I think this statement is worthy of some discussion :). Why do you believe this is the only "true" 4-way you tested?
--- End quote ---
Because it is digitally programmable, it can be made never to go in a diagonal direction regardless of the physical restrictor.
In contrast, the rest of the sticks were using restrictors to avoid the diagonals. But in in theory if you manage to trigger two switches, it's going to be interpreted as diagonal.
Maybe I should also note that I tested the robustness of the restrictors on all the sticks by playing some 8-way shmups. I didn't notice any issues hitting diagonals with any of the sticks. But prior to comparing them, I wasn't sure if that might be an issue or not.
--- End quote ---
What makes a joystick a "true" 4-way actually goes beyond the ability of the user to actuate diagonal directions. In theory, nearly any joystick can be modified to only be able to hit one switch at a time. The HAPP Super tries to do this, by using a smaller round actuator. In practical terms, however, these arrangements do not offer true 4-way performance. What makes a proper true 4-way is not only the inability of the user to actuate a diagonal, but also (and perhaps more importantly in terms of gameplay) the inability of the user to physically move the stick in a direction which represents those diagonal directions. I.e. physical restriction.
A perfect example, again using the HAPP Super, is that the actuator can be flipped over so that it can only actuate one switch at a time. But it is a very poor 4-way in that mode. However, the addition of a restrictor plate, and a little tweaking, turns this into a very decent performing "true" 4-way stick.
Joysticks which limit actuation only electronically, or by the ability to actuate a single switch without physical restriction, are considered "pseudo-4-way". This can be an improvement over 8-ways, depending on the stick/interface design. This is not to detract from other advantages they may have in a given installation, only that they are not the ideal form.
mgb:
yeah, what Randy said.
I thought that statement about the 360 being the only true 4 way seemed a bit odd also.
true 4 way comes by mechanical restriction not software.
Gray_Area:
--- Quote from: mgb on June 01, 2013, 01:27:59 pm ---yeah, what Randy said.
I thought that statement about the 360 being the only true 4 way seemed a bit odd also.
true 4 way comes by mechanical restriction not software.
--- End quote ---
Obviously his conception was of software before hardware, which is a little noob-ish.
My experience with the Happ re-issue is it blows chuncks. The shaft movement through the diamond restrictor felt like a trap; the corners suck you in and don't easily let you out. I can see why Randy made his corners rounded, and why others have modified the Zippy restrictor accordingly.
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