Help identify this controller

[n3wt0n]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to identify this controller to see if I can order a RGB balltop kit for it.  I dont know why but I was under the impression that it was a Happ super or competition but I can't see any identifying marks on it and it also doesn't seem to match what Happ has on their website. This is not likely a new stick so I am wondering if it could still be a super or a competition, just an older style. Who knows, it may be neither. If you can identify this joystick could you please let me know?

Also, it has cherry microswitches on it. Both of my joysticks do. I also probably have a full working set for the buttons. I like the way they feel. It feels like an old arcade. Most of the joysticks and buttons that I have looked at come with new microswitches. Should I just take them as is or use the ones I already have? Are Cherry better than most stock microswitches or does this really matter? Do vendors offer deals if you order without them?

Any help with this stuff would be great. Thanks.

n3wt0n

[mgb]

It's either a Happ Competition, IL Eurostick or a knockoff

[n3wt0n]

Thanks MGB.  Has IL been around for a long time? I am assuming this controller has been around for quite a while.

[Nephasth]

It's not a controller. Its a joystick.

[Vigo]

I dunno, there are only four mounting holes, don't the Happ and IL both have 8? I'd almost say it is a Wico microswitch joystick, but it doesn't quite seem right on the underneath. Knock-off or mutt joystick, maybe?

[mgb]

Yeah, good point Vigo.
Maybe a knockoff

[n3wt0n]

Sorry Nephasth. My mistake.

Thanks Vigo. That is very helpful.

[paigeoliver]

That really isn't that great of a stick. There isn't anything technically wrong with it, but it is the cheapest American style stick that you can buy. I often replace those with something else when I restore a game.

I would chuck it into the parts bin and start over with something else rather than try to upgrade it. Don't bother trying to save money on switches. Someday years from now you will finally have a switch failure and you will be glad to have those cherry switches on hand for replacements. Cherry used to seem to be the standard for everything, which is why you see them in all the older games, but I haven't seen a lot of them in recent years, at least not in new equipment.

[kowal]

Hi!
 on 100% This stik is old and probably the first verion Ultimate Joystick
You can check this in Wico patents (It show up in their production)
It probably was never released as a Wico, immediately as HAPP Control

Ultimate is something how combo Wico and CoinControl 8 Way (aka Casino Stick on UK)
have similar actuator how Wico Microswitch but microswitch hub (and some other parts) come from Casino stick

This is not a good joystick. but I think it has a historical value. it is rather rare specimen

[Vigo]

Hi!
 on 100% This stik is old and probably the first verion Ultimate Joystick
You can check this in Wico patents (It show up in their production)
It probably was never released as a Wico, immediately as HAPP Control

Ultimate is something how combo Wico and CoinControl 8 Way (aka Casino Stick on UK)
have similar actuator how Wico Microswitch but microswitch hub (and some other parts) come from Casino stick

This is not a good joystick. but I think it has a historical value. it is rather rare specimen

Very interesting! 

Kowal's website has the best joystick documentation I have seen. He has reliable info. 

http://kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/apJOY.htm

[n3wt0n]

That really isn't that great of a stick. There isn't anything technically wrong with it, but it is the cheapest American style stick that you can buy. I often replace those with something else when I restore a game.

I would chuck it into the parts bin and start over with something else rather than try to upgrade it. Don't bother trying to save money on switches. Someday years from now you will finally have a switch failure and you will be glad to have those cherry switches on hand for replacements. Cherry used to seem to be the standard for everything, which is why you see them in all the older games, but I haven't seen a lot of them in recent years, at least not in new equipment.

Thanks for the advice regarding the switches, Paigeoliver. Very helpful.

Hi!
 on 100% This stik is old and probably the first verion Ultimate Joystick
You can check this in Wico patents (It show up in their production)
It probably was never released as a Wico, immediately as HAPP Control

Ultimate is something how combo Wico and CoinControl 8 Way (aka Casino Stick on UK)
have similar actuator how Wico Microswitch but microswitch hub (and some other parts) come from Casino stick

This is not a good joystick. but I think it has a historical value. it is rather rare specimen

Thank you  Kowal. Your site is amazing. I will put it in the bin and hold onto it as a rare specimen.   What would you replace this with? A simple HAPP ultimate?

Very interesting! 

Kowal's website has the best joystick documentation I have seen. He has reliable info. 

http://kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/apJOY.htm

Thanks for the link Vigo. I have bookmarked it so I can take a longer look a bit later. Any advice as to a similar replacement for this stick? How about a happ ultimate?

[kowal]

If You like this stick You can probably buy Happ Ultimate. The feeling is the same and parameters there is no difference between the new and the old.
the only difference is hole on mounting plate and pivot have rings (this is very strange and silly).
 I had this part but I did not know what exactly is.
found it in a box of arcade garbage from ebay.
 This slave fit on CoinControl and Ultimate. Now I know that it is the pivot from the old version of the Ultimate joystick.

as I say Ultimate is weaker than the Competition joystick and worst than Wico Improved actuator.
only good thing about it: have soft spring (more soft than Wico IA) and permits the installation on thin metal panels - have 2 grooves (now on market Eurojoystick have only longer shaft is for wood panel)

If Your panel is wood 3/4" definitely you should buy iL Euro Joystick (aka Happ Competition) better option for now.
And last thing - the spring should fit from Ultimate on Wico and Competition. If You like softer feel Ultimate You can change spring only. Personaly I use soft spring from Casino stick on My Competition.