another "which joystick" thread

[mnewt]

I'm currently finishing a build based on the Taxi Cab bartop project which has removable control panels. Because I move around a lot in my job, building a full sized machine or many snaller dedicated machines in not really feasible. As such, I have decided to build instead, different control panels for one machine.

(amongst other things)I wish to build a panel for 8 way games (such as fighter and shumps) and one for 4 way games (Pacman, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug etc...).However, I am unsure which joysticks to purchase. I was looking at Randy's Pac-Pro for Pacman but don't know how suitable it would be for other 4-way games. Maybe a Leaf Pro, U360 or Magstick would be better???...the thing is I don't really know. Likewise, what would be the best for 8-way games?

Incidentally, I'm not a fan of clickiness, so microswitch joysticks would not really be an option for me.
I appreciate there is a great deal of expertise kicking around these forums and would be grateful of any help

thanks

[EMDB]

Simple math: no clickiness + 4-way + 8-way = U360

[yotsuya]

I was looking at Randy's Pac-Pro for Pacman but don't know how suitable it would be for other 4-way games.
thanks

At this point in time, I can easily recommend the Pac-Pro. It's awesome for 4-way games.

[shponglefan]

I did a review awhile back where I compared a few 4-way joysticks in a variety of games: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132361.0.html  Note that I haven't gotten ahold of a Pac-Pro yet.

For 8 way games, the Sanwa JLF is the best fighter stick (i.e. Street Fighter II et al).  But I found the Seimitsu LS-32 works very well for shmups, beat 'em ups and side-scrollers.  So depending on what types of games you play the most, you'd better off going with one or the other.

edited to add: Oops, just read you don't want micro-switches.  So that rules out the Sanwa and Seimitsu sticks...

[mnewt]

Thanks yotsuya - I quite fancy trying out the Pac-Pro for 4 way games.

Cheers for the link shponglefan - great reviews and a very informative read. I actually have a couple of u360s and am very happy with them but am curious as to how the other sticks perform. Does anyone have any experience with the Leaf-Pro for 8-way games (or 2-way games with the restrictor)? I'd be interested to know what they're like.

Thanks once again for the feedback

[yotsuya]

I WILL add that I am going to be testing out a new joystick pretty soon. I'll post results when I can.

[Ginsu Victim]

Simple math: no clickiness + 4-way + 8-way = U360

This. I love my U360s.

[deadmoney5]

I was looking at Randy's Pac-Pro for Pacman but don't know how suitable it would be for other 4-way games.
thanks

At this point in time, I can easily recommend the Pac-Pro. It's awesome for 4-way games.

this..

[keilmillerjr]

I purchased mag stick plus's, and paid extra for ball tops. I was happy with the switching ability, but not happy with the feeling. Very short throw. Very noisy, even though they are advertised as being quiet. If this stick was refined, it could be really good.

I then decided to just get dedicated 8-ways that were good. I purchased Sanwa JLF's from paradise arcade, including their silent kit. Throw feels right, quiet, and highly customizable. You can literally change everything, throw, height, restrictor, spring weight, etc. It's an amazing stick.

[mnewt]

 "I purchased Sanwa JLF's from paradise arcade, including their silent kit."

I didn't know about this. I'd be interested to know just how silent it makes the joystick. Will search for some YouTube videos when I've got a better internet connection.

[keilmillerjr]

"I purchased Sanwa JLF's from paradise arcade, including their silent kit."

I didn't know about this. I'd be interested to know just how silent it makes the joystick. Will search for some YouTube videos when I've got a better internet connection.

It's not dead silent, but I do not think you would be able to hear it through a control panel. Compared to my previous sticks, the difference is simply amazing.

[yotsuya]

I have the silent kit on this joystick I am testing out, and I have to concur with keilmillerjr. Once I'm done testing, more later!

[mnewt]

Sounds promising.  If you could share the results of any more testing yotsuya, that would be great

[pbj]

As a kid growing up in the conversion hell of the jamma era let me be the first to say I've yet to encounter a new joystick from the last 15 years I haven't liked.