Inexpensive joystick question

[NoBonus]

So I am going to buy some fairly inexpensive joysticks ($20 per stick limit). I want 8 way, would like a 4/8 way switch, and do not mind microswitches.

Which ones feel the best and perform the best and are solid values and which ones are rip offs.

There are Happs, but most of them are just out of my limit, the Omni-Stik, Wico, and X-Arcade sticks.

Does anyone love or hate any of these? If so, why?

NoBonus

[NoOne=NBA=]

What type of games do you play?

The different sticks are better, or worse, for different games.

[TalkingOctopus]

You may want to consider Ultimarc as well.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html

[NoBonus]

I am looking for a stick-of-all-games.  From fighting to pac man, I need a versitile stick.

[NoBonus]

So, of the four, does everyone use the T-Stick or does the J-stick and Euro-stick do okay?  I am hoping for familiarity of play, thus the J and Euro might be bad choices for me.  Any thoughts?  Additionally, how is the four-way feature of the Ultimarc?  Nice or does it suffer from the same issues as the Happ?

[TalkingOctopus]

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=17708 - Comprehensive post about the T-stick.

[NoBonus]

Thanks, after reading that review, I do not think the T-Stick is for me.  I like fighting games quite a bit and do not want a joystick hinderance.


NoBonus
Worst Fighting Game Player of All Time.

[GGKoul]

If your looking for a low cost joystick to play everything.  You may want to purchase this.  As these are the cheapest all in one joystick out there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=3287105955&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Some people have purchased this joystick and liked the feel.  If you do a search, you should find a recent post about these joysticks.

I personally had the Happ Competition joysticks and liked the feel, but I love my T-Slik pluses.

Hope this helps.
-GGKoul

[NoOne=NBA=]

This stick is also an option.
With shipping two of them would cost you $39.00.
I've had a few dealings with Nicade (the guy selling this stick) lately, and he is good about answering questions, ships really fast, and packs well.

This stick is different from the one mentioned above in that it uses a rubber centering grommet like the old Wico ones, but is still a micro switch stick.
I haven't actually used one; but would guess, based on its construction, that it would be a very good feeling stick for pretty much anything you threw at it.
I prefer my rubber Wico sticks for games that require movement in circles, rather than in 8 set directions.

With either of the recently mentioned 2/4/8 ways, I'd be careful about how tight you get the set screws for the restrictor plate.
If you change them often, and tighten the screws too tight, they will strip.