Help Please - Recommendations for Suzo 500 joystick alternative?

[MikeNZ]

Hi guys.
Wondered if anyone here could give me advice regarding the best alternative joystick available that has the same sort of tight tension and short throw of the Suzo 500 (or "Euro-Stik" as on the Unltimarc site)

I put a couple of these in my bartop build did last year.
They would have to be my favorite arcade joysticks but they're no longer manufactured and are not carried by retailers anymore.

I'm now doing a Mame console build and would like something similar for it.
I have a few other joysticks including a Seimitsu LS-56 and LS-40 which both feel completely different - very soft, light feel.
I also have a Il Mag-Stik Plus which feels closer but seems very inaccurate to use.

Would it be possible to achieve a similar feel on a Sanwa JLF with performance mods? A 1mm oversize actuator for shorter throw and a heavier 4,5,6, or 9lb spring mod?

Or maybe just a heavier spring for my LS-56?

Or maybe someone has some spare Suzo's that is willing to sell and ship to New Zealand?
 
Any advice appreciated.

 

[emphatic]

IMHO, a SANWA JLF with an over-sized actuator (so far, I've only tried the Paradise Arcade 0.5 mm Red Aluminum that's no longer in stock) feels as good as a SUZO, but is also more accurate, as the SUZO doesn't properly center the shaft due to an annoying gap of 0.5 mm. Also, the microswitches' fixation isn't 100%.

I've bought a KOWAL actuator too, but as I rarely have time to play anymore, I've yet to install it. Mounting a SANWA is much easier than the SUZO too.

[dmckean]

Are you wanting the Suzo 500 because you have large hands? Because if you have normal sized or small hands the Seimitsu LS-32 is generally considered a better stick for shmups.

[MikeNZ]

Cheers for the advice guys.
I've decided to try the Sanwa JLF with some of the mods (oversized actuator and stiffer spring).
Hopefully that will give me what I need.

I guess part of the problem could be that I do have fairly large hands, which might be another reason why I prefer the feel of the Suzu.
I'm wondering if replacing the Balltop on the JLF with a Bat Handle would help?

[BadMouth]

IMHO, a SANWA JLF with an over-sized actuator (so far, I've only tried the Paradise Arcade 0.5 mm Red Aluminum that's no longer in stock) feels as good as a SUZO, but is also more accurate, as the SUZO doesn't properly center the shaft due to an annoying gap of 0.5 mm. Also, the microswitches' fixation isn't 100%.

I've bought a KOWAL actuator too, but as I rarely have time to play anymore, I've yet to install it. Mounting a SANWA is much easier than the SUZO too.

I've been wanting to make the JLFs in my cab play shmups better, but the oversized actuator doesn't play well with the optical switches.
You've got me wanting to undo all the work I've put into them now. 
(I even bought a pair of Suzo 500s to use if I ever built a dedicated shmup cab)

I guess part of the problem could be that I do have fairly large hands, which might be another reason why I prefer the feel of the Suzu.
I'm wondering if replacing the Balltop on the JLF with a Bat Handle would help?

The bat tops are pretty small and since my hands are used to regular size bat tops, I think it makes them feel even smaller.
I ended up using hand candy balltops from groovygamegear.  They are 36.51mm in diameter which isn't any larger, but the lack of seams or mold marks on them is great.
If there were a slightly oversized version, I'd have bought it.

After switching to the Japanese style sticks, my style of play has changed from holding the joystick and moving my arm to ---> resting my hand on the CP and moving the joystick with my fingers and thumb.

[dmckean]

I'm thinking about trying a pair of Seimitsu LS-55s since they have the longest handle to plate distance.