Joystick Selection & Leaf Style Switches

[EddieArcadian]

Hello,
I've been out of the game (pun intended) for several years now, and I'm looking to build my cabinet.  I have a question on what joysticks to put in, and my options for simulating smooth-as-silk joystick movement (no clicks).  FYI, I have a Blitz '99 cab that I am keeping semi "original" looking - not adding any buttons to the existing 3-button CP, leaving the Blitz marquee up, etc.

Joystick Q's:
1. The Joysticks.  What joysticks do y'all recommend?  I'd like joysticks with relatively long to medium throw - something like Mortal Kombat sticks - the look and feel of those, but could be used on other games and function competitively.   I am open to totally "different" options too - if you like a stick for a certain reason, tell me why you like it as your general "all purpose" stick.
2. The Joystick Switches.  What are my options for joystick switches with no click, and a smooth-as-silk feel to them?  I know GGG makes the "Micro Leafs", and will most likely buy those, but wanted opinions on my options... not sure what all is out there.

Button Q:
3. While I have my mind set on joysticks with no click, I would like opinions about possibly leaving the buttons with clicky cherry micro switches.  I'd like your opinion on if I should leave those alone, or switch to leafs - I know the early cabs (ex. Galaga) use leafs, but I think most cabs (including the Blitz) historically used cherry switches.

Thanks so much to everyone for reading this and replying - y'all are great!

~DJ

[GeoMan]

Check the Ultrastick 360 joystick: http://ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html

They are analog, magnetic (so no-click) joysticks and fully programmable. Usable with any game.

[PL1]

If you still have the 49-way joysticks that came with the cab, GGG recently restocked GP-Wiz49's.


Scott

[EddieArcadian]

Nope, don't have the Blitz 49-ways anymore... I know those are pretty badassed.

What do you guys think of the basic Happ Competition sticks?  The U360's?  P360's?  Any others I should be looking at?

[PL1]

My personal favorite is a Happ Super modded with a Zippyy upgrade kit like this.

GGG has the Supers and the switches, but you may need to PM Randy since he only sells the switches as an upgrade on the Zippyy stick, not separately.


Scott

[chopperthedog]

Booo Happ. Get the IL's from paradise.


good day.

[PL1]

Booo Happ. Get the IL's from paradise.

IL Eurostick (Happ Competition) -- they're out of red and black.

IL Compact (Happ Super) -- they no longer even list the sticks, just the hollow shafts/LEDs.

IIRC Bryan won't be restocking the sticks.


Scott

[EddieArcadian]

The IL Eurostick = Happ Competition, correct???

I checked 'em out on Paradise - those definitely have the "look" I want with the long rubber handle.  I'd like in black....looks like I'll have to wait until they're back in stock at Paradise (unless anyone can recommend another vendor...)

Couple more Q's on the IL Eurostick...

Can anyone speak to the throw on them?  Can anyone speak to hitting diagonals on them?  Can anyone speak to their "spring-back" and/or resistance?  If I don't have a dedcated 4-way stick, will this work fairly well on 4-way games (so Pacman isn't a pain to play).

Thanks!!!
~Eddie Arcadian - Self proclaimed Video Game King & Bruce Leroy's Arch-Rival as seen in the all-hit movie The Last Dragon

[DGP]

I have HAPP Comp (IL) and they work fantastic for 4-way but they do take some getting used to for diagonal hits. However once you are used to the very tight movement in order to hit the corners they become very comfortable. They have the most sturdy feel to them of any stick I have ever played on and the spring back to center is fantastic. Over-all they are excellent all-around sticks considering how inexpensive they are.

That said it is likely that most would favor the u360 all around, but then they are at different price points. 

 
Jason

[PL1]

This post has links to Kowal's and Retroblast's joystick comparison pages.


Scott

[EddieArcadian]

DGP & PL1, thanks for the commentary and the comparison link!

[EddieArcadian]

One more question.   I used to have a Mag-Stick Plus and I absolutely hated it.  It had super short throw, the cherry switches were extremely click-ity, and it felt really stiff with very little "give".

My hesitation in looking into the U360 as a possibility is due to the fact it LOOKS a lot like the Mag-Stick.  Can anyone comment on how the U360 looks/feels as compared to the Mag-Stick? I know the U360 has gotten a lot of positive feedback as a great overall stick, but I can't get over the fact it looks like the Mag-Stick... is the U360 fairly "loose", or i it also a "rigid" stick?

Also, from what I understand the U360 doesn't use micro-switches... therefore, is it not clicky at all?  Is it pretty smooth, and does it simulate a leaf feel?

Back to the leaf switches - has anyone used the GGG Micro-Leaf switches on an IL Euro/Competition stick?  How'd it work? 

Also thinking about the Happ Supers.  Reading this thread got me thinking about the Supers:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,129973.msg1330109.html#msg1330109
I remember good ole' paigeoliver from years ago, and I remember he had a LOT of good commentary.  To quote him "you can't go wrong with Supers. They have a perfect balance between primary directions and diagonals (something not all sticks can claim) and they have the round zone of motion that many classic games are going to want. I have owned A LOT of arcade games and I have never had a machine with supers on it and felt the need to swap out the sticks. I can't say the same about ultimates or competitions."

Thanks,
Eddie

[keilmillerjr]

Do you need 4 way and 8 way switching on the fly? If not, I purchased the Paradise Arcade silent sanwa jlf joystick, and it is extremely quiet. Paradise arcade also makes lots of multiple different stiffness springs, gates and thicker actuators. You could literally purchase every little nick knack and taylor it to your needs based on trying it out, and swapping the parts until you get the feel that you like. They sell bat tops too.

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/sanwa-joysticks/696-paradise-silent-jlf-joystick-0855742006960.html
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/107-battops

I also purchased the ultimarc gold leaf buttons and they are almost dead silent using leaf switches. The only possible downfall is that they do not have lit versions.

http://www.ultimarc.com/goldleaf.html

[EddieArcadian]

Wow, appreciate the links and insight Keilmillerjr.  I hadn't seen those leaf buttons before... those look amazing with the short actuation.  The more I think about the games I'll be playing... probably a lot of NES games on the machine... and I think a quiet/leaf switch on the buttons would feel better for Nintendo games.  It pains me to switch from cherry since the Blitz (and most 80's/90's games) had cherry switches, but it's for the best.  Anyone else have comments on cherry vs. leaf for their cab?

 The JLF keeps popping up on threads as some folks' fav stick.  Interesting.  I like the customizable aspects... will google this one further.

I read up more on the U360, and I think that is currently #1 on my hit list... with the adjustable restrictor plates/levels of throw.... adjustable springs... and the fact that it's not gonna mess up on diagonals and 4 way games.  Yep... think so...

Q on U360:  Out of the box, does it already "know" which MAME games are 8-way/4-way/49 etc. so if I startup Pac-Man, it automatically goes into its 4 way mode?

Thanks!
Eddie

[Minwah]

Q on U360:  Out of the box, does it already "know" which MAME games are 8-way/4-way/49 etc. so if I startup Pac-Man, it automatically goes into its 4 way mode?

No, you have to get your FE to launch an app to set the joystick 'map' to be 8 or 4 way (or analog) mode.

Button wise, I recently bought some of the GGG True-Leaf buttons to try. I haven't used them much, but love them so far. I think they will be the buttons I use from now on, unless space is really an issue.

[EddieArcadian]

Can anyone tell me more about the app that needs to launch from my Front End that will quickly/automatically configure the U360 to the appropriate style (4/8/49) stick for the game?

FYI, I have a tiptonware hard drive which appears to be basically a modified HyperSpin FE.

Thanks in advance,
EA

[Minwah]

Can anyone tell me more about the app that needs to launch from my Front End that will quickly/automatically configure the U360 to the appropriate style (4/8/49) stick for the game?

This should tell you everything you need to know:

http://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_prog.html

[McHale]

Is that program even still necessary?  MAME has joystick_map built in as default so you can place a joystick mapping in the gamename.ini (if you aren't happy using the defaults that are configured for each and every game) and it will load auto-magically without any additional software or additional mapping necessary.  I was under the impression if you didn't use the ultrastik software for the mapping, it'd be a full 360 degree stick.  MAME sees the 360 and applies the joystick_map to it.  I've tested it with an analog XBOX 360 controller and it works perfectly.

-Mc

[Minwah]

Is that program even still necessary?  MAME has joystick_map built in as default so you can place a joystick mapping in the gamename.ini

I'm using quite an old version of Mame, so I didn't know about that. It sounds like it does much the same thing.