Needing unbiased opinion on the Ultimarc Mag-Stick

[DarakuTenshi]

I'm contemplating using that joystick in my cab and was hoping to place my order for all my CP stuff today. I'm used to using the Competition Joystick from Happ and I don't want to get stuck in a rut always falling back on that joystick. I've not been 100% happy with those as they do not play games like Pac-Man very well. The Mag-Stick has intrigued me, but I do have some worries about playing games like Street Fighter and accidentally switching it over to a 4-Way in the middle of the game. The other issue I have is the magnets... again worried that it will hold my joystick in a certain direction not giving me the chance to quickly change directions in games again like Pac-Man or Donkey Kong.

Does anyone have any real personal opinion on these joysticks that could give me a quick lowdown on it?

[edit]
And now I noticed they have a Mag-Stick and a Mag-Stick Plus...

[Fursphere]

I have two of these joysticks in my cab.

1) I've never had the magnets "hold" it in one disrection
2) I've never had it "accidentally" switch between 8 way and 4 way.  You have to deliberately do it.

For 4 way games, and SHUMPS its awesome.  Really short throw.   For fighting games - I find myself fighting the joystick more than the game.   Its hard (for me) to do some of the more complex moves with this stick. 

I actually like the feel of the Sanwa JLW better - But you have to get to the bottom of that stick to switch it to 4 way mode.  Where the Mag-Stick you can do it from the top - which is really nice.

I've heard the new server stick has a better feel to it.

[Brian74]

Only good thing is you can switch them from the top. I hate the short throw and they are too sensitive. I try to move forward and all I do is jump.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

[dgame]

They are okay for shooters and beaters but not as good for fighters. The throw is too short.



 

[GeoMan]

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.

[drventure]

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.

+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]

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.

+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.

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  .



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.

[DarakuTenshi]

For those of you who have given reliable information I thank you. You have addressed the issues I was worried about with this stick.

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.

I would love to use the Ultrastick 360, but they are way out of my price range for this cab.

For those of you who default to the regular...

Search engine is your friend. This question has been asked and answered many many times.

I'll let you know that I did that, and did not find all that great of information. This is why I asked for an unbiased opinion on the stick. I even found a review through the search engine, but it was from someone who does not have much experience with arcade joysticks. So thank you for your addition to this topic, it was very helpful.

[Fursphere]

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.

I would love to use the Ultrastick 360, but they are way out of my price range for this cab.

This statement is false.  I'll show you why...

Magstik Plus = $39
I-Pac = $39  (If you want gamepad devices an A-Pac is $43)
Ultrastik = $59

2x Ultrastik = $118

2x Magstik Plus + 1x I-Pac = $117

Assuming your putting in 2x joysticks, it might as well be the same price.  If you're only getting 1x Magstik Plus and an Encoder, its actually MORE expensive.

[DarakuTenshi]

Actually I'm recycling an iPac that I bought 10+ years ago.

[edit]
Though, now I've watched a video with the U360 and it's really enticing. Maybe it's worth the extra dough to just pick up a couple of those. But, then I have to pay extra for the longer shaft and restrictors.

[EMDB]

Actually I'm recycling an iPac that I bought 10+ years ago.

[edit]
Though, now I've watched a video with the U360 and it's really enticing. Maybe it's worth the extra dough to just pick up a couple of those. But, then I have to pay extra for the longer shaft and restrictors.

And an UltraStik is the only way to get decent Q*Bert control in a non native cab...

[tron84]

And an UltraStik is the only way to get decent Q*Bert control in a non native cab...

There is another way for Q*Bert.  The 49way joystick with Randy's GP-Wiz49 interface from GGG.
Set it on the PURE Diagonal DRS mode - Restricts joystick output to Diagonal directions only.
made for Q*Bert & Congo Bongo

[keilmillerjr]

Excerpt from my Silent Sanwa JLF Joysticks from Paradise Arcade  review.

As far as how they feel, I got a wide assortment of accessories so I can change the feeling if I wanted. I sold my unused Mag Stick Plus joysticks because I didn't like how they were stiff, short throw, and very noisy. The only downside to these new joy sticks is that they are not switchable from 4-way to 8-way on the fly, like the Mag Stick Plus joysticks. I figured that the majority of the games I would want to play are 8-way anyways. The Mag Stick Plus joysticks are awesome due to their on the fly switching, but I feel like I made the right decision for myself.

If Ultimarc made the magstik plus quiet and completely customizable like the sanwa jlf, I'd be all over it. It's not a bad stick, but I couldn't see how it would be a great all around stick. That being said, I only hand tested these sticks, not mounted in an actual cabinet yet. I still have to build the cab. So take my opinions however you wish with that in mind.

[chopperthedog]

And an UltraStik is the only way to get decent Q*Bert control in a non native cab...

Option #3: Servostiks set to 8 way mode (the controls.ini needs to be edited to 8 way instead of 4 for auto switching purposes) and edit game specific controls in mame so that only diagonals will be recognized. I have it set up that way on my cocktail table.


good day.

[EMDB]

And an UltraStik is the only way to get decent Q*Bert control in a non native cab...

Option #3: Servostiks set to 8 way mode (the controls.ini needs to be edited to 8 way instead of 4 for auto switching purposes) and edit game specific controls in mame so that only diagonals will be recognized. I have it set up that way on my cocktail table.
good day.

I guess that isn't very accurate because movement will only be triggered if you hit 2 switches at once...

[Fursphere]

Q*Bert = build a panel for just Q*Bert

Anything else is a compromise. 

[EMDB]

Q*Bert = build a panel for just Q*Bert

Anything else is a compromise.

That's a bit shortsighted... An Ultrastik with the correct mapping and connected digitally (via an iPac) gives exactly the same control as a dedicated 45 degrees rotates 4 way stick.

[Fursphere]

Q*Bert = build a panel for just Q*Bert

Anything else is a compromise.

That's a bit shortsighted... An Ultrastik with the correct mapping and connected digitally (via an iPac) gives exactly the same control as a dedicated 45 degrees rotates 4 way stick.

Assuming you like the feel of an ultrastik.  That's a compromise in itself. 

[chopperthedog]

I guess that isn't very accurate because movement will only be triggered if you hit 2 switches at once...

Operative word being "guess", since you haven't tried it. Works like a charm with a square restrictor and mame config-ed right.


good day.

[Fursphere]

Q*Bert = build a panel for just Q*Bert

Anything else is a compromise.

That's a bit shortsighted... An Ultrastik with the correct mapping and connected digitally (via an iPac) gives exactly the same control as a dedicated 45 degrees rotates 4 way stick.

So can you answer this.

If you hook up both the Ultrastik 360 USB output (gamepad) AND the output to the IPAC (keyboard) - they're supposed to work (output) at the same time.  SO a button press = gamepad button + keyboard output.

I can see this causing problems in newer (Windows) based games....   

[EMDB]

Q*Bert = build a panel for just Q*Bert

Anything else is a compromise.

That's a bit shortsighted... An Ultrastik with the correct mapping and connected digitally (via an iPac) gives exactly the same control as a dedicated 45 degrees rotates 4 way stick.

So can you answer this.

If you hook up both the Ultrastik 360 USB output (gamepad) AND the output to the IPAC (keyboard) - they're supposed to work (output) at the same time.  SO a button press = gamepad button + keyboard output.

I can see this causing problems in newer (Windows) based games....   

I think the U360 works in one of both modes (USB / digital) at a time but Andy should be able to answer that one...

[Fursphere]

He did.  I emailed him last night.

It outputs both at the same time - so you really have to choose one or the other and unplug the one you don't plan on using. 

[opt2not]

I'll let you know that I did that, and did not find all that great of information. This is why I asked for an unbiased opinion on the stick. I even found a review through the search engine, but it was from someone who does not have much experience with arcade joysticks. So thank you for your addition to this topic, it was very helpful.

You're not really good at searching are you. Well I've personally written about the mag-stik about a half a dozen times in the last few years.
I found a bunch of threads in the first 2 search pages that pretty have all the opinions about the Mag-stik, and "unbiased"...(for whatever really means)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,103273.msg1093561.html#msg1093561

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,106319.msg1126608.html#msg1126608

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,112309.msg1191815.html#msg1191815

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,76762.msg1399891.html#msg1399891

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130793.msg1339555.html#msg1339555

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131098.msg1343611.html#msg1343611

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131017.msg1342530.html#msg1342530

[DarakuTenshi]

I'll let you know that I did that, and did not find all that great of information. This is why I asked for an unbiased opinion on the stick. I even found a review through the search engine, but it was from someone who does not have much experience with arcade joysticks. So thank you for your addition to this topic, it was very helpful.

"unbiased"...(for whatever really means)

Unbiased [un·bi·ased] [adjective] - showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial.

[edit]
I'm not trying to be a jerk about this, but... yes I did search for the answer first and what I found was unhelpful. So for someone to ask a question and to be replied to with what you said earlier is not helpful. I'm sorry to have put you out by asking the question. The easy way to ignore a question that you do not want to answer is to... not press reply.

[pbj]

Oh god, next he'll be breaking out wikipedia and then end up on my block list.

 

[DarakuTenshi]

Oh god, next he'll be breaking out wikipedia and then end up on my block list.

 

I'm sorry, I'm really not trying to offend anyone.

[opt2not]

Yes, I understand the definition of the word. English is my native tongue, from what I'm reading, it isn't yours. My questioning is this:

Needing unbiased opinion on the Ultimarc Mag-Stick

Does anyone have any real personal opinion on these joysticks that could give me a quick lowdown on it?

Well which one is it then? personal opinions are biased...they're personal!

Most of what I linked you covers a lot of what you're asking about,  other than accidentally switching which doesn't happen on the Mag-stik because it takes a lot of pull and twisting force to change modes.
But most other issues are covered in the plethora of links I posted.

The easiest way to answer a question is to first tell them to look it up themselves, then linking what they could have looked up on their own, then berate the person for asking the question in the first place.
With these simple steps, you too can prevent over-redundancy is thread posts.

[DarakuTenshi]

Again, I'm sorry for putting you out. Rather odd that you were the only one who took issue with it, but thanks for your help brother.