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options for 49 way joysticks?
RandyT:
--- Quote from: EvilNuff on August 23, 2022, 03:19:34 pm ---To the best of my knowledge you do not create or stock any 49 ways though, am I mistaken?
--- End quote ---
Yes. I've mentioned them in the past but not yet made them available on the store. Mostly a high-end request item. I.e. if the first question you have about them is regarding the price, they probably aren't the droids you are looking for. :)
@Steve RE: "49 Way sticks, were never designed for standard use sticks"
To a point, that is correct. It's overkill to put one in a commercial machine which only needs a simple 8/4-way (one or the other) and the game would have needed special code and more input hardware to support them. That does not, however, mean that they are poor 4 or 8-way sticks as your comment would seem to imply. If you really wanted to make them special purpose, there's nothing precluding restriction.
The only real advantage of a grommet leaf switch stick over a proper Midway 49-way is the ability to finely adjust the actuation point. For that, you get 49-position functionality with on-the-fly map switching, which can improve 4-way operation and can be especially useful in 2-way, 8-way and diagonal titles (tight and clean actuation) with no cleaning or adjusting of contacts or concerns for contact wear. It also doesn't have any of the drift or jitter of analog. The Williams is a beast unto itself, with it's own physical dynamics due to the ball-socket and cross rubber. I think your comment may be more apropos to those types, but they are indeed better for Sinistar.
Just think of a Midway 49-way as a grommet optical stick (those used to be a thing and are still sought after) with configuration options when paired with an appropriate interface.
RandyT:
Posting this for those who might want to see what the ultimate in true 49-way joysticks looks like (and what I use personally.) Somewhat deep pockets required :)
J_K_M_A_N:
How does that feel compared to an original Sinistar stick (if you happen to know give or take)? Does it have resistance?
J_K_M_A_N
RandyT:
Sinistar used a Williams 49-way. There is no substitute for those sticks due to their unique physical dynamic, at least for the games which used them. But as a general purpose stick, they aren't great.
If I were to compare the two, I would say that the difference lies mostly in the pivot and amount of resistance along the throw extents. The rubber spiders also make the resistance feel odd at times as the cross members try to get out of the way. If the shaft was made short like the Williams, it would increase the resistance and offer more control for that title, but it still would not be the same.
Sinistar fans won't be completely happy with anything but a Williams, but they are rare. The rubber centering spiders they used are even more so.
negative1:
here's a closer look and speculation about the arcade 1up 49 way sticks:
later
-1