Anyone have any experience with the GGG Super-Leaf Pro 8 Way sticks?

[SpatzST]

I am considering these to replace my HAPP Comp sticks which I think I am finally realizing are a bit difficult to hit the 45 degree angles when I need them too.  Any reviews or suggestions for other sticks? Keep in mind that my current holes are drilled for HAPP sticks, so any new joystick needs to match that, which the super-pro does.

Thanks
-SpatzST

[ChanceKJ]

No, but I have a GGG Leaf-Pro™ True Leaf-Switch Joystick. And if the Super is half the stick the Pro is you won't be disappointed.  Mind you I'm playing old Namco games with it (PacMan, Bosconian, Xevious, etc). Randy even fabricated a custom gloss black dust washer for me too.   

[WindDrake]

I use two Super-Pro sticks in my Multi-Williams machine, with Versaball2 shafts.

I ---smurfing--- love them. All the precision of a set of Wico's without the super heavy rubber grommet centering.

http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/finished-multi-williams-panel/
http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/groovygamegear-superpro-joysticks-versaball-2-shafts/

[Xiaou2]

I use two Super-Pro sticks in my Multi-Williams machine, with Versaball2 shafts.

I ---smurfing--- love them. All the precision of a set of Wico's without the super heavy rubber grommet centering.

http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/finished-multi-williams-panel/
http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/groovygamegear-superpro-joysticks-versaball-2-shafts/

 
 The Grommet, along with the rest of the Wico 8-way  leafswitch design...  is not merely meant for centering.   Its also to reduce impact forces from going into your hands/arms...etc.    I had a youngin over a few days ago, and schooled him on the differences between a  leaf-switch, and a microswitch..  from the reaction time.. to the  adjust-ability,  and the feel.   I visually showed him the way they work, and the way you can hair-trigger bounce (or vibrate)  a leaf button.

 After I equipped him with that knowledge..  I then asked him to compare a happs Comp microswitch joystick -vs-  a leafswitch joystick.  He immediately commented about how buttery smooth the leaf stick was .. and how he immediately noticed the shock force on the microswitch joy, when hitting the edges.

 Then I pulled out a set of microswitch buttons, and leaf buttons.   He commented again, in the same manor.

 Finally, I put him in front of the old  Asteriods Deluxe..   and had him give the leafs a whirl.   He was hooked pretty quickly.  And obviously sold on the technology of the controls.

 * Remember Kids *   You dont have to go to the furthest extent of a leafswtich or leaf joystick.   They activate well before that point.
But if you DO go past that point.. in a frantic high pressure spasm...  you wont feel much but a buttery soft thud.

 While it may not seem that big of a deal at first..  or even on short time game bouts...  it all adds up pretty quicky.   Its similar to walking around barefoot on a concrete floor.   The moment you put on a pair of soft cushy sneakers, and walk on grass..  the difference is immediately apparent.

 However, Leafs are IMO, not suited for Fighters.   There is no way to tell exactly when a leaf could actuate.. and so you may accidentally do something unintentional..   especially depending on how you have them set.   Micros are better in that sense... because you are kept in check with that high spring force buildup, right before activation.  You know right were that point is.. and know with tactile feel and even via sound.. when the switch has been activated.


 Also note, that many spring based sticks do not pivot exactly in center.   This is ok with a fighter..  because their moves are not as highly critical, as for example, a game of Robotron... where every split second.. you are barely escaping death, by mere pixels.

 In this way.. classics are better suited to true leafs..   to provide very fast and smooth response times, and far less fatigue.  Leaf buttons are especially needed on rapidfire games, such as Galaga, Haleys Comet...etc.   

 Classic game movements are generally circular.. or follow more of a flowing path.. rather than a more modern fighting game... which uses a lot of complex tapping sequences... like:  Back,Back, Forwards+Kick.   This is where a Leaf could prove problematic.  For one.. the timing of the sequence must usually be very precise.  If a leaf is out of tune.. or one is set different than another... then you cant pull of the sequence well.

 True leaf joys will often need less travel than a micro.  While this is good for quick dodging actions..  it can cause issues with accidental directions in a fighter... where the extra long travel.. can help to keep you in check.   The lighter feel and quick bounce back, will help maintain feel and momentum of the stick, for those sequential moves.   Where as the heavier feel, but shorter throw to activation Leafsticks, may absorb too much force for ease of highly critical multi directional special moves.


 Another this to consider is the shape of the handle.

  Balltop sticks seem to often from the top.   Even from the side.. you get a good hooking grasp on it, from multiple vectors.   A Bat is a little less natural at times... and the amount of flexibility isnt as good.   Held at the side, you can lose a lot of contact from one side.  Its not always as securely gripped and not as comfy.

 This again has factors... depending on the gametype.  A classic's moves are well suited to very quick precise control.. so a well gripped balltop helps in this respect.   Where as the Fighter tends to be more loose and slides around.  The bat helps to keep a wide angle of surface contact.. while remaining very loose with the grip.

 And if your holding a balltop from the top... you gain leverage, and possibly more overall precise control.


 Finally, if your using a Happs Microswitch joystick... your diagonal issues could be related to the plastic spacer being worn down too much.  You can flip it over, and get more life out of it...  but eventually you will have to replace it.   

[monkeychunkuk]

Wow great read I'm considering picking these up myself

[SpatzST]

I use two Super-Pro sticks in my Multi-Williams machine, with Versaball2 shafts.

I ---smurfing--- love them. All the precision of a set of Wico's without the super heavy rubber grommet centering.

http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/finished-multi-williams-panel/
http://wdarcade.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/groovygamegear-superpro-joysticks-versaball-2-shafts/

 
 The Grommet, along with the rest of the Wico 8-way  leafswitch design...  is not merely meant for centering.   Its also to reduce impact forces from going into your hands/arms...etc.    I had a youngin over a few days ago, and schooled him on the differences between a  leaf-switch, and a microswitch..  from the reaction time.. to the  adjust-ability,  and the feel.   I visually showed him the way they work, and the way you can hair-trigger bounce (or vibrate)  a leaf button.

 After I equipped him with that knowledge..  I then asked him to compare a happs Comp microswitch joystick -vs-  a leafswitch joystick.  He immediately commented about how buttery smooth the leaf stick was .. and how he immediately noticed the shock force on the microswitch joy, when hitting the edges.

 Then I pulled out a set of microswitch buttons, and leaf buttons.   He commented again, in the same manor.

 Finally, I put him in front of the old  Asteriods Deluxe..   and had him give the leafs a whirl.   He was hooked pretty quickly.  And obviously sold on the technology of the controls.

 * Remember Kids *   You dont have to go to the furthest extent of a leafswtich or leaf joystick.   They activate well before that point.
But if you DO go past that point.. in a frantic high pressure spasm...  you wont feel much but a buttery soft thud.

 While it may not seem that big of a deal at first..  or even on short time game bouts...  it all adds up pretty quicky.   Its similar to walking around barefoot on a concrete floor.   The moment you put on a pair of soft cushy sneakers, and walk on grass..  the difference is immediately apparent.

 However, Leafs are IMO, not suited for Fighters.   There is no way to tell exactly when a leaf could actuate.. and so you may accidentally do something unintentional..   especially depending on how you have them set.   Micros are better in that sense... because you are kept in check with that high spring force buildup, right before activation.  You know right were that point is.. and know with tactile feel and even via sound.. when the switch has been activated.


 Also note, that many spring based sticks do not pivot exactly in center.   This is ok with a fighter..  because their moves are not as highly critical, as for example, a game of Robotron... where every split second.. you are barely escaping death, by mere pixels.

 In this way.. classics are better suited to true leafs..   to provide very fast and smooth response times, and far less fatigue.  Leaf buttons are especially needed on rapidfire games, such as Galaga, Haleys Comet...etc.   

 Classic game movements are generally circular.. or follow more of a flowing path.. rather than a more modern fighting game... which uses a lot of complex tapping sequences... like:  Back,Back, Forwards+Kick.   This is where a Leaf could prove problematic.  For one.. the timing of the sequence must usually be very precise.  If a leaf is out of tune.. or one is set different than another... then you cant pull of the sequence well.

 True leaf joys will often need less travel than a micro.  While this is good for quick dodging actions..  it can cause issues with accidental directions in a fighter... where the extra long travel.. can help to keep you in check.   The lighter feel and quick bounce back, will help maintain feel and momentum of the stick, for those sequential moves.   Where as the heavier feel, but shorter throw to activation Leafsticks, may absorb too much force for ease of highly critical multi directional special moves.


 Another this to consider is the shape of the handle.

  Balltop sticks seem to often from the top.   Even from the side.. you get a good hooking grasp on it, from multiple vectors.   A Bat is a little less natural at times... and the amount of flexibility isnt as good.   Held at the side, you can lose a lot of contact from one side.  Its not always as securely gripped and not as comfy.

 This again has factors... depending on the gametype.  A classic's moves are well suited to very quick precise control.. so a well gripped balltop helps in this respect.   Where as the Fighter tends to be more loose and slides around.  The bat helps to keep a wide angle of surface contact.. while remaining very loose with the grip.

 And if your holding a balltop from the top... you gain leverage, and possibly more overall precise control.


 Finally, if your using a Happs Microswitch joystick... your diagonal issues could be related to the plastic spacer being worn down too much.  You can flip it over, and get more life out of it...  but eventually you will have to replace it.

thanks for the info! As I am looking to play both fighter games and regular arcade games, this is making me think twice on replacing all the joys.