Zippyy 8/4/2-way Joysticks

[froggerman]

I just purchased a couple of these joysticks on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=3282642651
This particular auction includes 20 pushbuttons; the auction I won was only for a pair of joysticks and they were $11.99. The only reason that I wanted to bring this to people's attention is that they are red ball top joysticks and they operate in true 4 or 2 way mode as well as standard 8-way mode. The green restrictor plate on the bottom is fastened with 2 screws. Removing the screws and moving the restrictor to the left or right selects the mode. The shaft is about 2.9" from the top of the joystick plate to the top of the ball. These joysticks appear to be made in China.

P.S. This is not my auction and I have no connection with the seller, I am just trying to let everyone know about another joystick option.

[Knievel]

Hey, just won a set of those myself. Went for the package with the buttons though, too good a deal to pass up
Mine are still in transit, what do you think of them....any good in the 4-way mode?

[froggerman]

I really like them in the 4-way mode. The restrictor plate on the bottom is cut with 4 indents. This means that between the top and the left, for example, there is actually a buldge instead of a straight slope. This means that you only get up, down, left, right with no possibility of hitting the diagonal. There is a very distinct notch when in the 4 positions. The shaft is long enough that it should mount in a wooden panel with no problem. I think it is a very good unit for the price.

[Knievel]

Great thanks for the info, heck of a deal eh?
Glad to hear the 4-way is so distinct as thats what I planned on using them for  

[Knievel]

Got my Zippy sticks today, thought I'd add my 2 cents.
Overall I'm impressed for the money. Solid feel and GREAT 4-way action. My only complaint is the cheap microswitches are loud.
Not so bad in the sticks but the same switches are used in the buttons I got and they are UNUSABLE they are so loud.

My only other gripe would be that the ball is sort of pinkish....wonder if it could be dyed a darker red

[froggerman]

I think there are 4 colours available for the tops. They are all sort of 'pastel'.
I guess I hadn't really noticed the noise too much. I find all of the microswitches noisey. I can't comment on the buttons as I don't have any of them.

[Knievel]

Any idea where you can find the other colored tops?
A light blue would work nicely for me, this pink ain't cutting it

As for the tops I like the way they screw on. You could mount almost anything on the stick if you had one of those friction nuts shoved into it.

There's a big difference between these micro's and the ones in my Happ's buttons. I tried them side by side and these ones are at least twice as loud and require a lot of force to push down. They'd be ok for srart/credit buttons though.

When they're used in the joystick they're fine though...about the same at my Happs competion.

[froggerman]

The only place I have seen the different colours is a www.coinopexpress.com

I do find the red to be lighter than it should be but it is a long way from pink. The colour in the picture is pretty accurate for mine at least.

[Knievel]

Pink might've been a stretch, can we agree on Fushia

Hmm..guess you're looking at the Sanwa stick? Different stick but the tops might work.
From what I've read about that place you'd need to order a boatload of them though.

The $2 special looks like the other type our seller was offering. I've seen that one on a few cabs and it looks nice...definately red anyway.
I might grab a couple of those from him and check them out too.

[DrewKaree]

From looking around, it should be possible to dye them.  I think you'd rather try a $3 box of dye and some time instead of buying a new ball top  

Look around for "dye" and plastics, and I'm sure you'll find the thread(s) about it.  Also, I know I googled it at one time and found several threads regarding it, also.

I'm no expert at it, but from what I remember, you may wish to go with a maroon rather than red, but give whatever color you want a whirl.  Remember, I am not an expert on this, just saw you asking if it was possible to dye, and I think/bet it is possible.

[PoDunkMoFo]

My 2 cents.

How bout some of the plastic dip stuff.  I don't know how it would hold up but seems like it would work pretty well??

[Knievel]

I'll search for some info on the dye, this ball is pretty glossy so I'm not sure if it would soak in.

You're talking about the stuff to coat tool handles etc right MoFo?
I've actually got a can of that stuff around here somewhere. It's aworth a try, it's lasted on my pliers which have seen a lot of abuse.

~Thanks guys