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Needing unbiased opinion on the Ultimarc Mag-Stick
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drventure:

--- Quote from: GeoMan on November 24, 2013, 11:48:40 am ---In 4-way it is fine, in 8-way so-so. Why not buy an Ultrastick 360? It switches to the correct mode automatically (with MAME) and you can play analog games too.

--- End quote ---

+1/ They're pricier, but they're so much more flexible.

However, I think the magsticks have a more "old school arcade like" feel to them, and they do allow true 4-8 way switching.
opt2not:
Search engine is your friend. This question has been asked and answered many many times.
Xiaou2:
And the Ultrastick 360, is mediocre with everything is does.  For example, analog will suffer as theres not enough travel, and digital games will suffer because theres too much travel.  Pop in some additional cash to get a restriction plate, will make the digital games better.. and the analog games worse.

 Furthermore, certain games just feel and react better with leafswitches -vs Micros,  ...and the same case can be had in reverse.

 Basically... theres no such thing as the Ultimate 'everything' stick.

 IMO, its far better to get the correct tools for the correct job.   You can place a 4 way, for example, almost on top of a typical 8way stick, and have both playable at any time, in nearly the same place, without switching, nor straining to reach far into the panel. 

  Just place the 4way about 1/2" to 1" above the 8way.. and make it so the center shafts are offset about 3".  The top stick being shifted to the left, so that when rotating the top stick, your wrist & arm doesnt contact the bottom stick.   These are rough estimates, so make a full test panel (with actual sticks screwed in place) to make sure of the spacing before committing to finality.

 My prototype was built like this, but I messed up making the top sticks a little too close horizontally.  Other than that, the design is sound and works great.

Fursphere:

--- Quote from: drventure on November 24, 2013, 01:35:54 pm ---
--- Quote from: GeoMan on November 24, 2013, 11:48:40 am ---In 4-way it is fine, in 8-way so-so. Why not buy an Ultrastick 360? It switches to the correct mode automatically (with MAME) and you can play analog games too.

--- End quote ---

+1/ They're pricier, but they're so much more flexible.

However, I think the magsticks have a more "old school arcade like" feel to them, and they do allow true 4-8 way switching.

--- End quote ---

And less buttons.  An Ultrastick in native "joystick/gamepad" mode is eight buttons.  Thats 6 buttons for the panel, one coin in, and on player 1 start.   Thats it.

No shifted functions (its not a keyboard encode without buying an i-pac to go with it). 
chopperthedog:
I have a pair of magstik+'s in my multiwiliams machine. The short throw and mechanical feel make them great for defender, stargate and joust. The square restrictor 8 way mode with the short throw is borderline useless (almost impossible to reliably hit up/down/left/right). After some time I realized I never actually used the 4 four way mode in this cab. I discovered if you flip the actuator and put the stick to 4 way mode it makes for a very nice octagonal 8 way action. Since doing so I have tripled my Robotron high score to 292,025. Imo I know I wouldn't like to use the magstiks in any other situation i.e. pac, donkey, fighters (as you mentioned). Like Xiaou2 said "correct tool for correct job", you could just build 5 machines that covers a wide variety of controls like I did  :applaud: .



Donkey has original joystick along with a midway reunion stick, IL comps/happ comp buttons and spinner in next cab, gt fore complete conversion panel that I got from happ cheap years ago along with an aimtrak, multiwilliams with the modded octagonal 8 way magstiks with goldleaf buttons and my SI cocktail has a pair of servo stiks.


good day.
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