Can i buy actuators(?) for a HAPP Comp stick to make diagonals a little easier?

[SpatzST]

The little plastic piece underneath the joystick that actually presses the switches.. wasn't sure if its called an actuator but I feel like ive heard that before.   I am having some issues hitting diagonals when I need to, feels like im aiming slightly off and missing it.  Or is there any modification I can do myself to ease the issue.

A little research tells me I may want to get the "white actuator" that the IL Eurosticks use, I cannot find them though.

[SpatzST]

maybe?

[mgb]

So what you saying is you currently have a comp?
It has a square actuator, right?

If that's the case, changing to a different actuator won't help any.
You'll notice that the actuator on that stick sits close to the switches which do have levers on them. If you compare it to a super, you'll see the super has a round actuator with switches that have levers on them.

You'd probably be better to just change out to supers and then you can tweak those little levers on the switches to get the sweet spot, action wise.

[Malenko]

wrap your existing actuator in electrical tape?

[JDFan]

wrap your existing actuator in electrical tape?

^ that should work -- One other thing to check is what size hole is cut in the CP and is it too small, not allowing the diagonals without hitting the side of the hole (on my bartop I had made the hole a bit too small (IIRC 7/8 inch) and was having trouble with the diagonals - recut the hole to normal button size (1 1/8 inches) and it worked much better. So something to check.

[RandyT]

The little plastic piece underneath the joystick that actually presses the switches.. wasn't sure if its called an actuator but I feel like ive heard that before.   I am having some issues hitting diagonals when I need to, feels like im aiming slightly off and missing it.  Or is there any modification I can do myself to ease the issue.

A little research tells me I may want to get the "white actuator" that the IL Eurosticks use, I cannot find them though.

As mgb stated, changing out the actuator won't help.  Any actuator issues mentioned in old discussions found on the web have long been remedied.  The current situation is that the stock switches have a somewhat low actuation point, which while making 4-way games more playable, reduces sensitivity for diagonals.  If 4-way performance is less important to you than a larger diagonal zone, then replacement of the switches to some with a higher actuation point would likely be the answer.   They may end up being more "clicky", depending on the switch (The IL version comes stock with some pretty stiff/loud ones, if memory serves me) but the diagonals should be more sensitive.

I am currently in discussion with HAPP about this, to see if there is something they can do with regard to their switch selection to increase the diagonal sensitivity, without going too far in degrading the 4-way performance.  But it's a slow process, with many people involved.  If that doesn't pan out, I'll look at sourcing some different switches on my own as an option.

The electrical tape mod will do the same thing, but may wear over time.  Fine as a stop gap measure, but probably not a permanent solution.

[Malenko]

recut the hole to normal button size (1 1/8 inches) and it worked much better. So something to check.

The electrical tape mod will do the same thing, but may wear over time.  Fine as a stop gap measure, but probably not a permanent solution.

100% agree with both of these. tape the actuator to see if it makes much difference AFTER you check the hole.

[SpatzST]

thanks for the replies. I will try electrical tape.  My holes are good, I checked that during the building/assembling process.  Seems like the diagonals need to be hit at exactly 45* or nothing triggers but il try the tape maybe it will help..

thanks

[Purple Tophat]

Not sure if this reply comes way too late, but Happ actually sells a "Williams Modified" Competition Joystick. You can find it on their site, but some vendors can actually get them for you cheaper than you can get them yourself. They come with gold microswitches with a higher actuation point, as well as harder springs. Basically they were the ones Williams used for their Mortal Kombat Games. The diagonals are way easier to hit, as that is critical for those games. I have them for my MAME project that I am finally getting back into working on, and my friend has had them on his MK/MAME cab for years. They are perfect!

The modified ones are $21.75 instead of the $14.99 for normal Competition sticks from HAPP directly, but as I said, some industry vendors can get them for your cheaper. Arcadeemulator.net was able to order them for me cheaper. Check it out here: http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/joysticks/50-6071-16

Part # 50-6071-16

You can also just buy the gold switches and the hard spring, swap them out yourself, and biggitty bam, you got yourself a true MK arcade fighter stick with good diagonals.

[SpatzST]

Not sure if this reply comes way too late, but Happ actually sells a "Williams Modified" Competition Joystick. You can find it on their site, but some vendors can actually get them for you cheaper than you can get them yourself. They come with gold microswitches with a higher actuation point, as well as harder springs. Basically they were the ones Williams used for their Mortal Kombat Games. The diagonals are way easier to hit, as that is critical for those games. I have them for my MAME project that I am finally getting back into working on, and my friend has had them on his MK/MAME cab for years. They are perfect!

The modified ones are $21.75 instead of the $14.99 for normal Competition sticks from HAPP directly, but as I said, some industry vendors can get them for your cheaper. Arcadeemulator.net was able to order them for me cheaper. Check it out here: http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/joysticks/50-6071-16

Part # 50-6071-16

You can also just buy the gold switches and the hard spring, swap them out yourself, and biggitty bam, you got yourself a true MK arcade fighter stick with good diagonals.

never too late! thanks for the info

[Unstupid]

Sorry, late to the party...  Instead of modding the comps just go and get some original IL Eurosticks, the stick the comps were modeled after.  They actually have a bigger actuator.

[RandyT]

Sorry, late to the party...  Instead of modding the comps just go and get some original IL Eurosticks, the stick the comps were modeled after.  They actually have a bigger actuator.

Have you actually taken measurements to confirm this?  Mine didn't show this to be true.

FWIW, HAPP seems to have taken steps to improve the diagonal situation on the Competitions.  I don't know whether or not it was done in response to my communications with them, but the current shipments have been much better in this regard.

[Malenko]

RandyT, you get my PM?

[RandyT]

RandyT, you get my PM?

Just now.  Check your messages