Control Layout - Using UltraStiks and Mag-Stiks Together

[jmferris]

Good day,

I've been brainstorming a control layout that would match what I would likely play the most, which is an emphasis on older games, with a few more modern games.  For the classic games, I am really set on using a Mag-Stik Plus, due to the physical restriction between four-way and eight-way and the ease of changing between the two.  There is just something about the tactile feel of restrictor plates that I enjoy, and have used a Mag-Stik on a friend's cabinet that I thoroughly enjoyed.  That being said, I would like to also have an UltraStik for each of the two players in my layout, as well.  I have seen a couple of pictures where people have done similar, but I have not found any details on how those would be connected to the same player.

My question is about interfacing these, ultimately.  I know that an I-PAC can piggyback a dedicated four-way and eight-way output, which I was able to find on Ultimarc's web site.  Also, I know that an UltraStik also has output that can be connected to an I-PAC.  What I've not been able to determine, though, is if a Mag-Stik and an UltraStik can be connected to each player on single I-PAC.  I was wondering if anyone has done this, or can confirm that it can be done?

Thanks, in advance!

[Titchgamer]

You should be able to piggy back  them together if you set up the Ultra Stick as a switch type stick.
But I have not tried this so can neither confirm nor deny.

But it would be easier to set it up as USB and just map both sticks.

Which brings me to the q why do you want 2 sticks for each player?

[jmferris]

But it would be easier to set it up as USB and just map both sticks.

Thank you.  That is what I am assuming, as well.  My assumption is that I will likely need to go the USB route, as well, to have it work that way.

Which brings me to the q why do you want 2 sticks for each player?

Valid question.     Realistically, I am assuming that I want to accommodate for the maximum selection of games, but still having a means for easy physical restriction.  Ideally, I would like to have the Ultrastik for its analog capabilities and the Mag-Stik for the ability to easily switch the restrictors.  While the eight-way on the Mag-Stik is only decent, in my opinion, I found the four-way to feel great.  Other people who would use the cabinet will likely not care in the slightest, though.

If I were to choose which is more important to me, personally, I would prefer restriction over analog, and the ease of switching between them.  Seeing as I am really just at a stage of sketching out on paper, I've not really committed to anything yet - but have been lurking to see what others are doing.

[Cynicaster]

I have a dedicated 4-way stick on my main panel and I use it all the time, but I don’t understand why anybody would install more than one 4-way stick.  If having 2-player capability is the goal, bear in mind that the vast majority of classic 4-way games alternate between player 1 and player 2, using a single joystick.  In fact, although I’m sure there are others, the only game that comes to mind where multiple 4-way sticks would come in handy is Trog, but that game moves slowly enough that I’ve been able to fake it just fine with 8-way sticks.     

Everyone’s got their own opinions, but I’d bet that after using a 2-sticks-per-side layout for an extended period of time, at best you’ll find yourself thinking “I totally did not need to do this,” and at worst you’ll find yourself thinking “I totally regret doing this.”

IMO, a far better solution would be a pair of dedicated 8-way sticks for P1/P2, and a dedicated 4-way in the middle. 

[jmferris]

I have a dedicated 4-way stick on my main panel and I use it all the time, but I don’t understand why anybody would install more than one 4-way stick.  If having 2-player capability is the goal, bear in mind that the vast majority of classic 4-way games alternate between player 1 and player 2, using a single joystick.  In fact, although I’m sure there are others, the only game that comes to mind where multiple 4-way sticks would come in handy is Trog, but that game moves slowly enough that I’ve been able to fake it just fine with 8-way sticks.     

Everyone’s got their own opinions, but I’d bet that after using a 2-sticks-per-side layout for an extended period of time, at best you’ll find yourself thinking “I totally did not need to do this,” and at worst you’ll find yourself thinking “I totally regret doing this.”

IMO, a far better solution would be a pair of dedicated 8-way sticks for P1/P2, and a dedicated 4-way in the middle. 

After doing more research, I have to say that I would agree.  It has worked for so many people, there is no reason to think that it would not work for me.  Definitely the direction that I am going to head down, I think.

Thank you both, for your help!

[Titchgamer]

Its defo the better way to go.
Just be mindful as to where you mount it so its not in the way of anything else or catch anything else using it.