Ultimarc joystick selection HELP

[FingerCramp]

Ok, I think my browser history shows I've been to ultimarc.com about 47 million times.  I've read countless reviews and scoured the information pages numerous times, to the point where now my brain is mush.

I would like some assistance from those familiar with Ultimarc's products.

What I want to do is to mod out my existing controller board (Xtension Arcade) with joysticks that can be switched between 4-way and 8-way easily (without opening up the panel and fiddling with restrictors.  I don't think I'll mind the manual process of the Mag-Stik Plus (lifting up and turning), but I'm also curious about the Servo-Stik's motorized programmable method.

I play only MAME games, and I play a lot of games that really do require a 4-way joystick (Donkey Kong, Pac-man games, etc).  But I also play games that require 8-way action.

Money is no object.

If I choose the Servo-Stik it's unclear to me how easily I'll be able to configure MAME to automatically switch from 4-way to 8-way, or the reverse.

With all the choices on Ultimarc's site, I'm overwhelmed by the choices.  In short my requirements are:

(1)  I can quickly/easily switch between 4-way and 8-way without disassembling anything.
(2)  It works well with MAME (if not a manual switch)
(3)  I prefer quiet joysticks.  I can't stand the clickety-click of the happ-style joysticks.
(4) I can fit it into my control board  (http://www.recroommasters.com/Xtension_Two_Player_Control_Board_Emulator_Edition_p/rm-xt-sd-board-ee.htm) - I'm not afraid to use a dremel and a drill, but I don't want to mangle things it the screw holes should line up.

Based on this, would anyone care to humor me with some advice/suggestions?

I'm not tied to Ultimarc, but I've seen so many good reviews for them and I haven't read about any alternatives that meet my criteria, but I'm all ears!

Much appreciated,

-Mike

[Titchgamer]

I cant comment much on the servo sticks as I have never used them.

But I brought 2 mag sticks a few months back and did a little write up for them on the bottom of the thread here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=151331.0

The bit at the bottom regarding switches may be of interest to you but any specific q's just ask

[FingerCramp]

Thanks.  Are the Mag-Stiks loud/clicky? 

Playing in arcades in the 80s as a kid I don't recall any joysticks making that annoying clicking sound!

[Titchgamer]

As standard I found them quite stiff and clicky but that was due to the sanwa microswitches that were fitted.

I swapped them out for some others which improved them greatly.

Many old arcade sticks had leaf switches which dont click.
Modern ones tend to have micro switches which do click but the click and actuation force varies greatly between different switches.

[mahuti]

If I choose the Servo-Stik it's unclear to me how easily I'll be able to configure MAME to automatically switch from 4-way to 8-way, or the reverse.

You can always hardwire a switch somewhere to force the change if your front-end doesn't do it for you automatically.

That said, I really love the Ultrastik. No click at all. You can create custom maps for specific games... compatibility with a lot of front-ends.

Using the Ultrastik i switch between 4,8,analog (arch rivals, pigskin, sinister),4-way diagonal (qbert, congo-bongo) automatically. It has a light touch, which some might not like, but I like it. Even has a mouse mode, which I find handy. For my general purpose panels, I'm replacing some of my old sticks with these.

[ugleymatt]

If I choose the Servo-Stik it's unclear to me how easily I'll be able to configure MAME to automatically switch from 4-way to 8-way, or the reverse.

You can always hardwire a switch somewhere to force the change if your front-end doesn't do it for you automatically.

That said, I really love the Ultrastik. No click at all. You can create custom maps for specific games... compatibility with a lot of front-ends.

Using the Ultrastik i switch between 4,8,analog (arch rivals, pigskin, sinister),4-way diagonal (qbert, congo-bongo) automatically. It has a light touch, which some might not like, but I like it. Even has a mouse mode, which I find handy. For my general purpose panels, I'm replacing some of my old sticks with these.

Also doesn't the ultastick have a built in encoder so its just wire buttons into the joystick plug into the USB and off you go?

[thewisteron]

I also prefer the Ultrastik. So easy to use and you can buy their restrictor kit if you require the "feel" of a dedicated 4/8 way.

[FingerCramp]

Thanks for the comments regarding the UltraStik.  I see this plugs in directly via USB, so I'm not sure how that would work if I'm trying to swap out the generic joysticks wired into my Xtension Control Board (http://www.recroommasters.com/Xtension_Two_Player_Control_Board_Emulator_Edition_p/rm-xt-sd-board-ee.htm)....

[thewisteron]

Ultrastiks use USB only. No switches. So if your current sticks use switches, just disconnect them from the control board, put in the Ultrastiks, and hook them up via USB to your PC. You'd have to find a way to run the extra USB cables to your PC or a usb hub.

[mahuti]

And yes, the Ultrastik has a built in encoder for up to 8 buttons. It can also plug into ultimarc encoders. Not sure which ones though, sorry.. could be all, could be specific ones... not sure. It's documented on the Ultimarc website. There's also a rotary add-on for it that I plan on getting, as well as a few other option.

[mahuti]

Looks like in the "output" mode it has 4 wires to send to an encoder like a typical joystick... BUT also has a fifth wire that requires 5v to run it.... and only runs in 8way mode when used in output mode, and doesn't let you switch mapping, or use the 8 buttons. So, that makes it a nice light stick with few features.

[Minwah]

My money would be on the Servo Stik. They do click of course, so depends how against that you are...I don't find it too noticable when playing. The auto-switching and physical restriction is great. If 4/8 way games are your priority I'd go with this over the Ultrastik (which I'd go with if analog/49-way games were a priority).

The biggest concern (with using any of the Japanese style sticks) is that I don't think the mounting holes will align with your existing Happ-style stick mounting holes.