MAME Arcade Joysticks

[Terr1]

Hello

I have build my own arcade that's semi-finish but usable.

However I have not used it much due to the sucky joysticks.. They are not precise and do not always activate correctly (I have checked wires).. I got the cheapest zippy joysticks.

I really want more joy out of my arcade, can you give me any tips to which joystick to buy? I want GOOD QUALITY, that simply works 100%
I already have an IPAC controller.

I would prefer 4way and 8way configurations, physical restrictor would'nt be bad. Will be used for NES, SNES, MAME (old school 4 way, like donkey kong and such).

I have checked UltraStick 360, but it's rather expensive and I already got the IPAC. Any help is greatly appreciated, I want to use my aracde

Here is my current prototype control board: https://www.linuxgeek.dk/fixed/control1.png
I got some cheap buttons as well, not sure If I should replace... I bought a MAME arcade DIY kit.. cheap components, but made the woodwork easier

[mgb]

Many on here like zippyy joysticks but I personally think they are sloppy.
Are you sure they're not registering or is it that you're trying to play 4 way games with the joysticks in 8 way mode.

Zippyys have the smaller mounting paterns si you'd need to replace them with something like Semitsus or sanwa JLFs.

[big10p]

I have the same joysticks as you and really like them. However, I did have to replace the supplied square restrictor gates for round ones. I found the square ones pretty much unusable on 4-way and 8-way games.

[Terr1]

Then something must be wrong with my setup..

It's not that I don't like the joystick per se, its just dosent always activate even though I hear the microswitch go click, pretty annoying in donkey kong when you cant be 100% sure you can move

Any ideas?

I thought of buying Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT, I guess they are similair? The connectors seems better with the Joystickharness JLF-H , seems more solid than the crimp connectors I'm using.

[Slippyblade]

its just dosent always activate even though I hear the microswitch go click, pretty annoying in donkey kong when you cant be 100% sure you can move

You are playing a 4-way game with an 8-way restrictor.  Swap the restrictor to 4-way and that problem will go away.  What is happening is that you are, for example, running right then press up to climb a ladder.  For a brief moment, you are clicking into the diagonal and hitting up and right at the same time.  The original electronics didn't know how to handle that since the joystick was designed so that was not possible, so the "up" command never registers.

Swap the restrictor.

[Terr1]

I do use the 4way restrictor plate that was shipped with the zippy, but maybe it dosent work correctly?

[PL1]

Like Slippy mentioned, DK is notorious for locking up on diagonals until you center your stick -- it is not a good game to test whether your stick/switches/wiring are actually working or not.

If you insist on using gameplay to test your stick, choose an 8-way game or change the restrictor to the plus/cloverleaf and choose a 4-way game that doesn't lock up when you accidently hit diagonals.

BTW, you can fine tune the Zippyy by carefully bending the lever arms like this.



Green zone = OK to bend
Red zone = Avoid bending

Have you tried either a keyboard tester like the one packaged with KADE Loader or the gamepad tester in Windows? (not sure which style of encoder you are using  )

If the keyboard tester or gamepad tester doesn't register joystick presses properly, you may need to do continuity checks with a multimeter to ensure that you have good microswitches and solid mechanical (wiggle wires and look for continuity to be broken) and electrical connections in the harness?

If the microswitches are bad, consider getting the LS-32 switch upgrade kit from Paradise Arcade Shop. (great product, use them in all my Zippyy and Happ Super sticks  )

If your crimps are bad, Paradise has pre-fab daisy chains and rainbow packs of pre-crimped wires.


Scott

[mgb]

I think some pics from the op may be helpful.

[Terr1]

Hey

I tried replacing a few of the questionable cramps..

Here is my control board:

Full board:
https://www.linuxgeek.dk/fixed/diagnostic/fullboard.jpg

IPAC:
https://www.linuxgeek.dk/fixed/diagnostic/ipac.jpg

Joystick1:
https://www.linuxgeek.dk/fixed/diagnostic/joystick1.jpg

Joystick2:
https://www.linuxgeek.dk/fixed/diagnostic/joystick2.jpg

I Use winIPAC for testing as well.. sometimes (semi rare) I hear the microswitch click, but it dosent register, when I release and retry it works.. Its just annoying when it happens during barrel jumping gaaah

It seems to be working alittle better after I changed a few cramps.

[mgb]

One thing that many people do with those sticks is they shave the plastic on the 4-way restrictor so that its less of a plus and more of a diamond.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Terr1]

I will try the mentioned tweaks. Thanks for taking your time to give advice!

[GORF000]

Thank you I will also try this mod on my zippy!

[big10p]

Hmm, maybe my joysticks aren't zippy after all. My restrictors are completely different to the pic above. 

[mgb]

Hmm, maybe my joysticks aren't zippy after all. My restrictors are completely different to the pic above. 

Sounds like maybe you have Sanwas or Sanwa knockoffs?
A pic would help

[big10p]

Hmm, maybe my joysticks aren't zippy after all. My restrictors are completely different to the pic above. 

Sounds like maybe you have Sanwas or Sanwa knockoffs?
A pic would help

Yeah, they're Sanwa JLW-TM-8 knockoffs. I just assumed they were zippy.

http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/products/Classic-Ball-Top-Arcade-Joystick.html