New cp- advice on 8 way joys?

[aldub516]

Hey all and thanks as always. I made a lot of headway in my new build and finally at the point to route and install new joys. In my first three builds I just used happ competitions as I was a little more novice and just went with "the standard" to me at the time. I've found with them tho I cannot be super accurate or fast, especially in mortal kombat. I've read that happ can be inconsistent with their quality now a days. I did a lot of research on slagstick on different specs of joysticks but wanted to know any newer suggestions. The more I get into the hobby the more companies and options I'd like. I'm going to be mounting them from under on 3/4" wood. I hope my term usage is right.. I'm looking for good sturdy 8 ways, with short engage distance, that will give me quick precise movements. I'm running on an iPac ultimate so I'd rather not go usb. I like bat tops but am very much open to ball tops. I know there's so many mods and options I get lost. Cost is semi priority. What joysticks should I be looking at?

[Xiaou2]

Im almost 100% positive that Happs Comps were standard issue in the non 3d versions of MK.  (Thats what I had in the MKs in the Arcade I used to manage)

 As such, I personally feel its "Cheating"  to use anything else.

 One thing about MK, is that if you accidentally jump, most especially due to an accidental Diagonal... your gonna be in a world of hurt.   Thats why a little bit of throw is a good thing.. to keep that from happening.  What you may need to do... is build up your Quick-Twitch muscle fibers... using speed-drilling practices.   Such a thing takes probably a month or two of time to develop... of daily sessions.   Im stating this from various other sources.. mainly in my former martial arts days, as well as... hand speed in sorting silverware, at my first job as a dishwasher at a crazy busy Inn.

 Other than that... I feel that most early Classic games are better suited to real Wico 8 way balltop Leaf-Switch joysticks.  I feel any modern take on these... is not even close to the same feel, reaction, comfort, performance, accuracy, and fatigue levels.   Similarly, I prefer Leafswitch buttons over Microswitch buttons for classics.     Micros for fighters,  Leafs for classics.   Exactly as they were designed... and for very important reasons.

[aldub516]

I was always under the impression that the happs were used in the mk games. I can't say I have any big complaints about them... I just feel like I can't always be as accurate as I'd like. Ironically according to slagstick happs have some of the smallest throws anyways. Hmmm.. As for the happs, are there certain stores that sell more reliable ones? Do they have varying quality? Also it's possible I have ultimate a not competitions. Big difference?  Also I know there's happ and il?'which is perhaps it's foreign branch? Either way if I don't get better recommendations than the happ competitions, next question would be the best source for them

[Malenko]

drop $8 on a comp and see if you like it

[Saneless]

Drop $12 on a real comp, the IL Eurostick. I didn't think the difference would be that big, but it's huge. I felt the same way with MK using the new Happ competitions but the Eurostick if considerably more accurate. Notable in fighters and especially dual stick games.

It was a pain to swap out my joysticks, wish I got those in the first place

[aldub516]

I made the mistake of top installed my first 3 panel joysticks.. Using led buttons makes it IMPOSSIBLE to remove lexan to repair or change joysticks. I appreciate the advice on the euro stick! Is there a beat suggested vendor for them?

[redbeard30]

I bottom mounted IL euro sticks in a panel that's 13/16 thick. No routing, just screwed them right to the bottom. Height was perfectly fine. Definitely get the IL sticks over the happs. I purchased mine from paradise arcade, from Hawaii to Ohio it took 4 days. And the IL sticks come with matching colored dust washers. Happs only has black dust washers even if you get a colored stick. Not a huge deal but a nice touch, especially if you have a theme.

[aldub516]

Unless someone comes in with ground breaking advice, I'm going to try the suggest il euro sticks. Is il the foreign branch of happ? I recall reading that they are much more superior than happ products themselves. I think it's all the plastic in the happs compared to others that makes me look at them in a flimsy way. Il euro sticks it is.

[mgb]

Just one other possibility to try are the Crown Joysticks.
They use a rubber centering grommet and a lot of guys like them for fighters for their quick return to center.
Many say that this centering grommet is not as good as the Fantas (another Korean stick) but Focusattack has a fanta upgrade for them.

Of course this would all cost much more than the comps.

Have you looked in Happ P360s at all?

[Paul Olson]

the 360s (Happ, or if you can find an old wico) are nice sticks. If you are actually looking for a short throw joystick, the magstick plus from Ultimarc would be a good choice. It can switch between 4way and 8way by pushing and twisting the stick. The throw was too short for me, but the switching was great. He Happ sticks have a much longer trow, but if you don't care about it feeling the same and want the quick, short throw, give the magstick plus a try.

[aldub516]

I actually have a mag stick already for my 4 way use. I honestly have never
Even bothered trying it on 8 way lol. Honestly I don't even know why I spent that money for a switchable stick that I'm Never gonna switch. I will look into both the 360 and the il euro stick. Sadly arcade paradise is closed until 8/1

[aldub516]

looking at the ils... Pros and cons with spring vs magnet centering?

[mgb]

I've never used magnet centering sticks but I heard they sometimes spring back to center with a bit of a clunk.

[aldub516]

ill keep it classy with the spring