Robotron New standard or old reliables?

[tommyinajar]

I want a Robotron cp-


  Is there an almost identical replacement for the Wico like maybe the Dominux8?

 I've got a line on some almost new Wico's but the Roboriginals use a longer shaft, correct? Can you mod standard wico's (with parts from where & what exaltly IS the differance??)

[Arroyo]

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1490/wico-4-red-ball-handle-joystick.htm

[Zeosstud]

I think it is pretty well established that there is nothing like a reconditioned set of the original wico sticks, however, that option as I understand it, is becoming more $$$ and harder to come by, if you read Gilrocks recent thread about his amazing build, he tried several sets of joysticks, and ended up settling on reconditioned originals. I do not think a price was ever listed on that thread. Personally, I am really enjoying the Dominux8 joysticks on my build, I never felt the need to test any other sticks, I have used U360s in my mame cabinets for years, those were fine, until I wanted to use a JROK board for a more authentic gaming experience. Today, I do not think you could come up with a better setup than a JROK board, a CRT monitor, and a reconditioned set of the original wico joysticks, but a VERY close 2nd, and probably more economical, would be the Dominux8 joysticks with said JROK board and monitor.  The difference in feel all seems to center around the grommet that brings the stick back to center and is responsible for the overall "feel" of the joysticks during play.

Zeosstud

[tommyinajar]

Are they as good? http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1490/wico-4-red-ball-handle-joystick.htm

Source for wico 4" shafts? other cabs use em too?

[Mr. Peabody]

Funny the timing of this. I was angry enough last night about the topic to think of creating a post on how I hate rubber grommet-centered sticks.

Anyways, last night I played a Robotron with those. I fought to get over a million, and was hateful much of the time getting there. The diagonals were hard as hell to get, but also the feel was awful. I prefer a tight spring return. Wicos with springs: WORD.

[opt2not]

The Dominux’s are fine if you can’t get real Wico leafs.

[Zeosstud]

Funny the timing of this. I was angry enough last night about the topic to think of creating a post on how I hate rubber grommet-centered sticks.

Anyways, last night I played a Robotron with those. I fought to get over a million, and was hateful much of the time getting there. The diagonals were hard as hell to get, but also the feel was awful. I prefer a tight spring return. Wicos with springs: WORD.

You played Robotron with which sticks? Just curious.. Interesting that you were grumpy fighting to get over a million.. Tonight, I broke a million for the first time, on my new Jrok Cabinet with a CRT and Dominux8 sticks and I am so freaking happy I can not go to sleep.. :-)

 

[tommyinajar]

Got 4 coming- said they are almost NIB quality- Installed in the late 80's and warehoused. $25 each.

As far as the longer shafts, is it "noticeable" for gameplay? It's been a looooong time since I played on an original, and I don't recall.


 Does anyone know a source for the long shafts??

[Vigo]

Like repros? Paradise arcade has some. (They are hollow though).

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/home/controls/accessories-parts/joystick-actuators-shafts/paradise-custom-shafts/1041_robotron-reproduction-hollow-shaft-with-wico-ball-top

[opt2not]

You played Robotron with which sticks? Just curious.. Interesting that you were grumpy fighting to get over a million.. Tonight, I broke a million for the first time, on my new Jrok Cabinet with a CRT and Dominux8 sticks and I am so freaking happy I can not go to sleep.. :-)

 

Congrats!  You're on your way now to a 10 million roll-over!

This was me at this year's Zapcon in AZ:

[Arroyo]

Does anyone know a source for the long shafts??

Check the link I posted above.

[Mr. Peabody]

@Zeosstud: well, I am mistaken. I don't hate Wico grommet sticks. Mine have grommets, and I LOVE them. I hated the ones Friday, and I did not enjoy the Dom8 (especially the shaft is too long; I'm holding onto it for collecting sake.)


@Vigo: $45 for two shafts is barely not highway robbery; hollow doesn't add up to that price. Plus the shaft on the Arcadeshop stick looks long, and the whole stick costs forty bucks.


@tommyinajar: I played a short shaft stick Robotron and kept pinching my fingers between the shaft and the panel metal hole ring.

[opt2not]

@Vigo: $45 for two shafts is barely not highway robbery; hollow doesn't add up to that price. Plus the shaft on the Arcadeshop stick looks long, and the whole stick costs forty bucks.


@tommyinajar: I played a short shaft stick Robotron and kept pinching my fingers between the shaft and the panel metal hole ring.

Robotron sticks are supposed to be long. They were built for a wooden panel that the joysticks are undermounted to.

Also, $45 for 2 shafts that are hollowed is a fine price. These are also threaded for customizing your balltop.  Original Wico's have balltops that are locktite glued to the shaft.   If you're looking to bling-out your Robotron Panel with LED's and bubble translucient balltops, the paradise shafts are the way to go.

If you're just looking to replace your original Wico shafts, these are also the way to go.

Show me a link where you can get 2x new 4" Wico shafts at that price.  In fact, show me where you can buy a whole Wico leaf-switch stick for $40.   You can't find a wico leaf for less than $50 in good condition, let alone with new shafts.

[opt2not]

You played Robotron with which sticks? Just curious.. Interesting that you were grumpy fighting to get over a million.. Tonight, I broke a million for the first time, on my new Jrok Cabinet with a CRT and Dominux8 sticks and I am so freaking happy I can not go to sleep.. :-)

Also, what difficulty are you set to?

[Zeosstud]

The rollover is crazy.. what a game.. I bumped my high up to 1,254,250 today. That is the highest I have ever gotten on any setup, previously a few years ago I broke 1.1 million on my Mame cabinet using U360s.. Only tracking scores on my JROK now. It is a lot of fun.. I do need to replace the joysticks on my Multiwilliams pedestal, anyone care to suggest some budget friendly sticks that do not suck? I am turning the pedestal into a none PC based gaming station of some sort. I have a rotating monitor so can play vertical and horizontal games. Thinking I might go with an Arpicade.

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[Gilrock]

I paid $160 for the refurbished Wico set from AndrewB on KLOV.  I never tried the Dominux8's I bought.  I know the stiffness of the ArcadeShop repro sticks was about twice as tight as the refurbished ones.

Also anybody listing their high scores it doesn't mean much if you don't list difficulty setting.  I've hit 2.25 mil on difficulty 5....got to wave 85 that game.  I swear I haven't been doing as well lately because I started working out and haven't been drinking...lol.  The other night I had a 1.66 mil game but usually I average about 1 mil.

[Zeosstud]

I am still playing on level 3, start with 5 guys, 20k for a free man.. I dont have these settings to make anyone here think I am good or brag, I have my game setup like my buddy John's is, I only care about crushing him like a bug.. That said, next time I make it over to his house I will bump the difficulty up to 5, seems like a reasonable number. :-)  You interested in selling your Dominux8 sticks? I could use a set..

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[Vigo]

@Vigo: $45 for two shafts is barely not highway robbery; hollow doesn't add up to that price. Plus the shaft on the Arcadeshop stick looks long, and the whole stick costs forty bucks.

Welcome to the hobby.    I have paid $300 for broken, water damaged control panel wood just to have passable art to scan. When it is what you need, generally it doesn't cost too much.


Opt is right, it is a fair price, considering these were custom machined for a very small demographic of builders.

[leapinlew]

How about using 2 trackballs to move and shoot? Am I crazy?! 

[gingecko]

How about using 2 trackballs to move and shoot? Am I crazy?! 

Cost and space of 2 trackballs....plus the added difficulty of playing Robotron 2084 with two trackballs....

*head explode*

[tommyinajar]

Ah found them thanks!
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/home/controls/accessories-parts/joystick-actuators-shafts/paradise-custom-shafts/1041_robotron-reproduction-hollow-shaft-with-wico-ball-top?ipa=0&ins=( u get 2)

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1492/wico-4-red-ball-joystick-handle.htm

Great- now I'm going to spend more $$ on LED Tops.....

[opt2not]

No, don't.

[tommyinajar]

How about using 2 trackballs to move and shoot? Am I crazy?! 

I never got around to really looking into it but whatabout Spinmame??
LOL IDK The change of direction might be impossible, but hey might be fun. Still trying to find a way to use Trackballs on Track n Feild.

No, don't.

LED Tops, why? I never saw/used them in person, they look cool on utube. Your opinion or reason why.

[opt2not]

No, don't.

LED Tops, why? I never saw/used them in person, they look cool on utube. Your opinion or reason why.

Same reasoning I put into Zeo's project thread about his lit-up buttons:

Fine work. 

Though those start buttons are too bright and are the wrong color. (This is coming from a purist and Robotron aficionado, so take this with a grain of salt. YMMV.)
I mean, it looks like you're going for the look of authenticity, so why stop at the start buttons?

On the original cabs the start buttons are both dark-dark blue, and are dimly lit.

Having them dim-lit is actually a good aspect of the design. When playing this game, where using your peripheral vision is key to success, having a bright light in the corner of your eye is fairly distracting. You don't need that extra glare when concentrating on a game that requires a lot of focus.

If these buttons you have are temporary, then please disregard all this.

Still love that you're bringing back another Robotron. The game is a masterpiece.

[Mr. Peabody]

@Zeosstud: Robotron default setting is difficulty five, three men. In the old days, MAME was set to three and perhaps five, but for a long while has been the standard five and three.


@Vigo: See? $17 for a 4'' shaft, and $40 for the whole stick

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1492/wico-4-red-ball-joystick-handle.htm

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1490/wico-4-red-ball-handle-joystick.htm

[tommyinajar]

@Zeosstud: Robotron default setting is difficulty five, three men. In the old days, MAME was set to three and perhaps five, but for a long while has been the standard five and three.


@Vigo: See? $17 for a 4'' shaft, and $40 for the whole stick

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1492/wico-4-red-ball-joystick-handle.htm

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/1490/wico-4-red-ball-handle-joystick.htm

Hey wasn't there an issue also, with the play speeds or something in Mame versions a while back?

[Zeosstud]

I will be changing my JROK setup to Difficulty 5, 5 men and 20k for new man before to long, just have to do the same on my buddies setup first.

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[opt2not]

@Vigo: See? $17 for a 4'' shaft, and $40 for the whole stick

That shaft isn't hallowed or threaded. So the price is actually kinda high for being a plain-jane reproduction Wico shaft.
Also that full joystick is a reproduction as well, so I'd be concerned about authenticity and feel.

Good try though.

[Drnick]

LOL IDK The change of direction might be impossible, but hey might be fun. Still trying to find a way to use Trackballs on Track n Feild.

Somebody needs to look at what the conversion kit that turned a normal track and field into a trackball version does, I guess the difficulty lies in getting your hands on one.
I'm fairly sure whatever it is could be reverse engineered and then you could do it.  OK found an old thread on KLOV and the conversion kit basically translates trackball movement to key presses, the faster you spin it to the right or left the faster it thinks the buttons are being pressed.

You could try a bit of autohotkey jiggery pokery,  see the following thread

https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/88045-mouse-movement-to-keypress/

[Gilrock]

I will be changing my JROK setup to Difficulty 5, 5 men and 20k for new man before to long, just have to do the same on my buddies setup first.

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For the Robotron marathon rules everyone uses (lookup on Twin Galaxies) you need Difficulty 5, 3 men, 25K for new man

[Zeosstud]

That's great, for them, that will not be how I am setting mine up..

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[opt2not]

Give the guy a break, he’s new to the game, let him build-up the courage to play the game at the normal difficulty. Robotron can be an intimidating game to newbies, we should be supporting his learning curve.

[Zeosstud]

I wont be rolling Robotron anytime soon, and that is okay.. I can break 220k on Donkey Kong, 140k on Pengo and enjoy several games for fun, to include my Virtual Pin and Golden Tee 2019, Robotron is awesome, it is basically my holy grail game, not because I am the "Best" but because it is a game my best friend and I played together in the arcades in Rolla MO growing up. I was 15 when that game landed, it is for sure a treasured part of my childhood. You guys want to come over, play some poker, shoot some pool, set a score on the cabinet, consider yourself invited, but the settings wont be tournament ready, they will be the settings I enjoy and share with my buddy on the cabinet I built him.

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[opt2not]

Play some poker and arcades? Now we’re talking!

[Zeosstud]

Got a couple tables in the basement, one I made, one I won.. Played a lot of hold'em and all the games really, good friend of mine has multiple WSOP rings, finished 13th I think in the main event the year Chris Moneymaker won it.. Dutch Boyd is his name.

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[Mr. Peabody]

@Vigo: See? $17 for a 4'' shaft, and $40 for the whole stick

That shaft isn't hallowed or threaded. So the price is actually kinda high for being a plain-jane reproduction Wico shaft.
Also that full joystick is a reproduction as well, so I'd be concerned about authenticity and feel.

Good try though.

Dude, the klov folks are buying them. Nuff said.

I don't care for bling. I turned off my marquee light because it was annoying me. Lights suck.

[opt2not]

@Vigo: See? $17 for a 4'' shaft, and $40 for the whole stick

That shaft isn't hallowed or threaded. So the price is actually kinda high for being a plain-jane reproduction Wico shaft.
Also that full joystick is a reproduction as well, so I'd be concerned about authenticity and feel.

Good try though.

Dude, the klov folks are buying them. Nuff said.

I don't care for bling. I turned off my marquee light because it was annoying me. Lights suck.

Dude.
The argument isn’t about who’s buying them. The argument is whether 2x hollowed shafts and threaded tops are worth that price of $45. That’s a great price for what you’re getting.  “Nuff said”

Whether or not people are buying them, or if you like them or not, isn’t even the point.

Try again.

[Gilrock]

Give the guy a break, he’s new to the game, let him build-up the courage to play the game at the normal difficulty. Robotron can be an intimidating game to newbies, we should be supporting his learning curve.

I've been gone hunting for a week so late reply.  I just stated what the normal settings were so what's the big deal?  Maybe give me a break.  He's stated 2 or 3 times he was ready to move up his difficulty and I didn't know if he knew the 5 men and 20K were fairly soft non-default settings.

Zero instead of moving from 3 to 5 difficulty I'd say change it to the MAME defaults which is 3 difficulty, 3 men, 25K.  Also I can tell you when I moved from 3 to 5 difficulty it seemed harder at first but then later I tried backing it down to 3 and I wasn't doing much better because I had gotten used to the faster speeds.  But do what you like I'm not here to throw shade on anyone.

[opt2not]

I've been gone hunting for a week so late reply.  I just stated what the normal settings were so what's the big deal?  Maybe give me a break.

I wasn't trying to be antagonistic towards you. I was just stating he's still a noobie at the game, and he doesn't really seem interested in playing the default settings.  No need to get defensive man. You were cool IRL, don't ruin it.

[Gilrock]

Yep IRL is always better.  On the net everyone always thinks I'm upset, defensive, etc.  and I'm just talking...lol.

[opt2not]

It’s all good bro. We cool. 

[Mr. Peabody]

Try again.

Nahh.

[opt2not]

Try again.

Nahh.

Good. You’re not adding anything to the conversation anyway.

[Mr. Peabody]

Try again.

Nahh.

Good. You’re not adding anything to the conversation anyway.

Well that's a negative - but what I said first time round went over your head, so.....

42 was not the answer.

[tommyinajar]

Got a couple tables in the basement, one I made, one I won.. Played a lot of hold'em and all the games really, good friend of mine has multiple WSOP rings, finished 13th I think in the main event the year Chris Moneymaker won it.. Dutch Boyd is his name.

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Lets see a pic of the homemade table- At one time I had plans for a full table with hole card cams that would have been broadcast to a monitor over in my bar area, so my knocked out buddies had something to laugh at.

[Zeosstud]

That is the table I built.

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[Zeosstud]

Pretty basic build, just cut a piece of plywood to size, added legs, added padding, the stretched and stapled an actual Trump Casino craps table overlay I bought off Ebay. The rail is made to fit snug over the table. It has held up for close to 20 years, sorta surprising really. I keep it covered when not playing, sits 8 comfortably, can squeeze 9 or 10 if needed but it is snug.

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[Zeosstud]

Happy to take some better pics if desired..

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[Vigo]

  Nice looking table. Use to play a bit of poker BITD. Been wanting to build a table since then, even though I would be using it for tabletop gaming more than poker these days. Just don't have the real estate these days.

[Mr. Peabody]

Oh yeah, there's this as well. Not available to everyone, but if wanting a Lot of them, they might oblige.

https://www.jbgaming.co.uk/controls/grommet-leaf-stick/

[tommyinajar]

 Finally got around to looking at the sticks closer, and changed the shafts to the 'tron ones, actually it makes more of a difference than I thought it would.


FYI- the seller said they were like new- Honestly, they are, no signs of ever being used. If anyone wants to ask him what's left here he is. I got a package deal 4 for$110 shipped, (he's selling them in pairs, which isn't too clear) for NEW, dusty Wicos, I'm happy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WICO-ORIGINAL-ARCADE-VIDEO-GAME-RED-JOYSTICK-PAIR-USED/293136572783?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649