Any T-Stik impressions?

[Todd H]

The T-Stik over at Ultimarc looks rather interesting.  It has a toggle switch at the base that lets you change from 4-way to 8-way operation.  I think it would be fairly easy to build a mechanical slider switch to mount beside the joystick that lets you move the toggle switch without having to open up the cabinet.  That would be the ultimate solution.  

[Todd H]

Just wanted to bump this to the top.  Now that they've been out a couple of months I'm hoping someone here has tried the t-stick.  I'm about to order two joysticks and I'm trying to decide between the Supers and the T-Stick.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Elkor]

Well, I've got a couple but I haven't hooked them up/used them yet.  Impressions I can give:

They have a slightly narrower footprint than the happ super's

The throw is VERY short, probably near half that of the happs

the feel is round (i.e. no corners) like the supers are.

The rotating restrictor seems to work perfectly, in fourway mode there is practically no way to contact 2 switches, and no dead zones (as soon one switch disengages the other connects)

you could probably do a mechanical switch mechanism, it isn't as simple as hooking up a choke cable or anything though.  At the bare minimum you would have to remove some plastic from the base that provides some resistance to the toggle and gives it 2 notches to snap into...  This resistance would then have to be recreated with some other mechanisim (i.e. the stick needs to 'lock' into one of the two positions or it just won't work right). we have already come up with a coulple ways to do it but as I have the real estate, I'm just going to mount a dedicated t-stick in 4way mode anyway (at least all the sticks will look the same)

-C

[Todd H]

I was thinking of some type of mechanical switch myself.  Looking at the pictures, it looks like it would be possible to engineer something.  I'll get a better idea when I actually hold one in my hands and can examine it.

It sounds like the T-Stick will be the stick for me.  I don't like a lot of throw myself.  And plus my control panel would be too cluttered if I added a dedicated 4-way stick.  Anyone else tried one?

[dgodwin]

I have the t-stiks and I like them.  The throw is very short, but I was able to adjust to it.  The switch to change from 4 to 8 way is pretty stiff.  I had thoughts of making some sort of mechanical switch, but I think that it will just be too difficult and not worth while.  I just leave the top of my control panel unlatched.  

I did break one of the switches on the sticks though.  Because the NO and NC connectors where opposite of what was on the cherry switches I purchased, I initially wired them backwards.  When I was rewiring it, I broke off the ground connector.  Totally my fault, but after talking with Andy, it may be difficult to get a replacement switch for it.  The switch has an arm the extends the contact point, so it's not a normal cherry switch.  I replaced the broken one with a regular microswitch, and it seems to work ok though.  YMMV.  Anyways, those are my thoughts.

Daniel

[Todd_H]

Thanks for the responses.  Now I just have to order a pair and I'm all set.

[Grasshopper]

I saw a T-Stik very briefly at a trade fair in January and was very impressed. I will definitely be purchasing a couple once I have got all my other parts.

However I don't think you can really judge a joystick until it has been fitted to a panel. In particular I would be interested to know how easy it is to mount the joystick in wood.

The reason I ask is that I am not sure whether to purchase the joysticks from Ultimarc or the spanish manufacturer (www.industrias-lorenzo.com). It would be less hassle and probably cheaper to order from Ultimarc because I live in the UK. However the I-L joysticks are available in 3 different heights (71, 81, and 88 mm). The Ultimarc T-Stiks are only available in a height of 75mm which may be too small for wood mounting.

The best solution would be to purchase the joystick with a variety of different length spacers like the Happ Supers. I wonder whether this is possible.

Is the spacer under the bat handle made of metal or plastic covered in chrome paint?

Also Andy Warne says his joysticks are different to the I-L ones because they have a mod to reduce vertical end-float of the shaft. Can anyone tell me what this means?

It occurs to me that a hole could be made on the underside of the control panel and you could then push your finger through the hole to move the 4-8 way lever. Looking at the dimensions of the joystick does this arrangement seem plausible?

[Elkor]

However I don't think you can really judge a joystick until it has been fitted to a panel. In particular I would be interested to know how easy it is to mount the joystick in wood.

As I have stated, I have not yet mounted them (and I will most likely do so in metal when I do) but they should mount OK in wood.  They will be shorter (of course) but It looks like there will be enough meat left over to be usable....

The best solution would be to purchase the joystick with a variety of different length spacers like the Happ Supers. I wonder whether this is posible.

This would be, of course, ideal.

Is the spacer under the bat handle made of metal or plastic covered in chrome paint?

it's chromed plastic.  It is, however, removable; and It could be refinished however you like.

Also Andy Warne says his joysticks are different to the I-L ones because they have a mod to reduce vertical end-float of the shaft. Can anyone tell me what this means?

I don't know.  If he means vertical travel along the shaft axis because of the spring however, there is very little (~ 1/8")

It occurs to me that a hole could be made on the underside of the control panel and you could then push your finger through the hole to move the 4-8 way lever. Looking at the dimensions of the joystick does this arrangement seem plausible?

I suppose this would be possible, but awkward.  as I stated earlier, the switch has 2 detents that lock it into either 4 or 8way mode.  you would have to depress the switch (down vertically), and then slide it over till it snaps up in the other position.  The resistance on the lever as it moves from one position to the other is signifigant and I do not think it would be easy to manipulate through a small hole or slot.

-C