OK, I got the stick installed last night. We're having a big party on Saturday, and it's the first time I've had a lot of non-family people over to play in the game room, so I'm working on overhauling it. This stick is part of the overhaul.
I mentioned when I got it how quiet the stick is. For four-way games, I like the original Reunion, but like all microswitch sticks, it's clicky. The click doesn't bother me so much as the having to wait to activate the switch. That's just the nature of how microswitch joysticks are. Because of that, movements always feel a bit more exaggerated to me. That's the main reason why the Pac-Pro™ appeals to me.
Installation-
I put my original Reunion sticks on my
HaRuMaNcustoms.com cocktail kit. I fabbed my own control panels, so the sticks were mounted on metal panels. Since the Pac-Pro uses the same body, it was a simple matter to unbolt the old Reunion and swap in the new one. I did have to shift the wiring, though. For example, the switch that handles the "UP" command on the original reunion is not the same on the Pac-Pro. All that means is that I had to shift each connection over 90 degrees clockwise. My wiring, from top, right, down, left was red, orange, green, yellow. On the new stick it is yellow, red, orange, green. Not an issue by any stretch, but it was something I had to do. Just noting it for posterity's sake.
The stick fit the mounting hole pattern perfectly, of course. I did bend the leaf connects a little on the bottom and side switch for better clearance. The leafs stick out a bit more than a microswitch, and you have to add on the length of the quick disconnects, but again, it wasn't an issue.
I installed the panel back on to the cocktail, fired it up, and tested it out.
TESTING-
I immediately noticed that scrolling felt smoother in the AtomicFE menu that I have set up. I was pleased. I went down to Pac-Man speed hack and loaded it. I've gotten fairly good at it, so I wanted to see how it felt.
Wow.
Just wow.
In fact, initially it felt TOO good. Moving around was fluid, but because I was so used to waiting for the click to tell me that I could change direction, I missed some tunnels and passageways. Once I got used to it, it felt fine. Because of the built-in molded restriction on the stick, there are no dead spots. The leafs felt very responsive, especially when I loaded up Galaga. If you've used a Reunion, it's the same feel without having to wait for the click.
The only thing that keeps it from being a perfect replica is the use of a spring for centering as opposed to a rubber grommet. In some instances, you can slightly hear/feel the spring when you make your initial move, but that has no effect on gameplay. I just mention that for those who might expect an EXACT replica of an old-school leaf. I'm sure the spring will ride up with wear. The stick works as advertised and expected.
I know that cost-wise, they are a bit high, but I've done the Zippyy in 4-way mode and the Sawna for 4-way mode as well as tried some other sticks, but there is no comparison. The Zippyy just feels too loose, and the Sanwa, while fine, doesn't feel like a Reunion. I've played with the knock-off Reunions you can get on eBay for $15, and there is a difference between the actual Happ Reunions that are in the mid-$20 range. With that in mind, the Pac-Pro is definitely worth what you pay for it. The stick has one job- to serve as a physically-restricted interface for 2- and 4-way games, and it does it quite well.
In all, it's a GREAT pickup. Once the holidays are over, I'm going to get a second one for Player Two.